Builth Wells 4 Bargain Hunt

Isn't that gorgeous?

We're in Builth Wells today, in mid Wales,

a town which has a rich history, dating back to the Norman period.

The big question today is, though,

will our teams have what it takes to dig out those hidden gems?

Let's find out.

Let's go bargain hunting! Yeah.

There are more than 1,000 stores here at the Royal Welsh Showground,

and our teams are going to have to do battle

with these crowds

if they're going to get around and select their items.

Let's have a quick squint as to what's coming up.

The Reds have expensive taste.

How much is your quilt?

It's priced at 185.

185.

-220.

-220, that is a very humble sum.

You haven't got enough money to buy it.

-How much is it?

-350.

-We haven't got enough money to buy it. Come on.

-Thank you.

And Colin keeps the Blues in check.

-Not a big money item.

-Right.

OK. Never mind.

-I'll stop you there.

-Oh, right, 75.

-We're not going to make any money out of that.

-Aren't we?

-No.

Let's meet the teams.

On Bargain Hunt today

we have two teams who are currently partners

but who are engaged to be married, is that true?

-ALL:

-It is.

-It is true.

-SILLY VOICE:

-The air is full of romance.

For the Reds, we have David and Michelle,

and for the Blues, we have Lindsay and Steve.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL:

-Hi, Tim.

-Hi, lovely to see you.

-Hi, Tim.

-Now, David, you're a maritime historian.

-Yes.

I'm a partner in a Titanic exhibition company.

Ooh, are you?

And does this go around the countryside on display then?

-Is that the plan?

-We've just come back from Russia.

It's the first time that there's been a Titanic exhibition in Russia,

and that'll touring around Eastern Europe for the next five years.

Do they know what you're talking about when it comes to Titanic?

-In Russia?

-Yeah.

-They had a good interpreter.

-HE LAUGHS

-No, no, I don't mean you personally

-but they know the Titanic story in Russia?

-Yes, they do.

Even though there was only, I think,

three passengers on board from Russia.

Yes. The story is as captivating there as it is anywhere else.

So, in terms of the 1,500-piece collection,

what's the best bit that you've got?

We do have some original artefacts from Titanic.

We've got silverware, china, crystal,

-officers' uniforms...

-Really?

..letters written by passengers.

Gosh, how fascinating.

Michelle, what do you do for a job or work, darling?

Hi, Tim. I work for the Cheltenham General Hospital

as a medical secretary in the oncology department,

which is very busy.

And so what do you do to relax?

-Um...

-It says here you do a bit of belly dancing.

I do a little bit of belly dancing.

-THEY LAUGH

-That must be very relaxing

-after the hospital.

-It is. Yes.

-You can really let yourself go.

-Shake it all away.

THEY LAUGH

Well, that's marvellous.

Now, travel - you like to flit about a bit.

Where's your favourite destination?

Ah, Normandy, France, the Champagne region.

Would that be for a particular reason?

DAVID CHUCKLES

Um, I quite like drinking champagne.

-I'm sure you'll have a fab time.

-Thank you.

Really lovely to talk to you.

Now, Lindsay, what is this about your mysterious life of crime?

Are you what they call a jailbird?

Well, no. I'm not a criminal but I am a crime writer.

I'm a novelist and I've had six crime novels published.

Have you really?

What sort of typical subject? Do you like a nice murder?

Yeah.

They're all sort of murder mysteries.

I've written contemporary novels

but I've also written historical

about the mysterious death of Jane Austen.

Well, that's really interesting, isn't it,

because there is a connection between Austen

-and where you work, Steve, right?

-Yes, Tim.

I'm afraid we've got to continue the Austen theme

because I run a charity which is based in the Elizabethan manor

which her third brother, Edward, owned.

And because of inheriting that estate,

he was able to install Jane,

his mother, Cassandra, her sister Cassandra and their friend Mary

into the village of Chawton.

-And from there, all six of Austen's novels were published.

-Really?

So there's a very strong connection.

And tell us about the charity then.

You're set up to maintain and continue this edifice, are you not?

It's an unusual charity because it's part international study centre,

it has a world-leading collection of women's literature, 1600-1830,

organic farm.

So, really, it's one of those things

where I don't know what's coming up from day to day.

-Well, that's a good old mixture, isn't it?

-It is a mixture.

So what plans have you got for the future, you two?

When are you going to get spliced?

Well, the only problem is, we have six children between us,

and trying to get them all together in the same place...

-Gosh, you have been busy.

-I'm only 35 as well.

THEY LAUGH

-Yes.

-So, yeah, we're not quite sure yet, are we?

-No.

-Well, some time next year?

-Yes.

-Yes, the foreseeable future.

-"The foreseeable future," says he...

-Yes.

..with a sigh of relief.

And when are you two planning your splice?

We've taken our time.

We've been engaged eight and a half years,

so, hopefully, some time in the next 12 months.

How many children have you got between you?

-Three.

-Oh, nothing.

Not even in the beginning of the pecking order

of children production.

Anyway, on that happy note, go forth with our £300.

-£300 apiece.

-Thanks, Tim.

You know the rules, your experts await. And off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

Nine children between them, eh? Ooh!

Today's first-class teams are matched in stature by their experts.

MAKES SOUNDS

Set to squeeze prices right down

for the Reds is Caroline Hawley.

And a man who can use any means

to spot a bargain, it's Colin Young.

What are you looking for?

Some jewellery I'm quite interested in,

or designer handbags.

Ooh, aren't we all? And what about you, David?

I might play a bit more safe.

I think we'll look for some silverware

-or maybe some china.

-OK.

-So, Steve, Lindsay, first time round a big fair, I hear.

-Yes.

What are you looking for?

I'd love to find some Regency Silver but, if I did,

I don't suppose I could afford it. but, you know, that would be ideal.

That'd be great. OK, have you got a plan, Steve?

Well, we thought we were going to be decisive

but, no, we're not quite so sure.

-Right, are you ready to go?

-Yep.

-Absolutely.

Come on, then. Let's go shopping.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-Yes, teams,

your hour to scour starts now.

And the Blues are straight in there.

-Is it any good or...?

-It's OK. It's Japanese, early 20th century.

-Not a great quality, so not a big money item.

-Right.

OK. Never mind.

And they're straight out again. Keep at it, Blues.

The Reds, on the other hand,

are feeling rather more chilled.

Plenty of time but it goes very, very quickly, believe me.

Yes, look out, Reds.

Relax too much and you won't be chilled out,

you'll be out in the cold with no items.

-Is that Sheffield plate?

-Yeah, I think so.

I'll stop you there. Look at the...

The price is the first thing you need to look at.

-Uh-huh.

-Generally, in sales,

-they can make anywhere between £20 and £40.

-Ah.

-Right.

-OK.

-There's no price on it.

-No.

-Oh, there is.

-Oh, right, 75.

-It's inside.

-Yes.

Oh, right.

Yes, Colin's right. Those figures don't add up.

Move along now, please.

-Oh, look at the teddy bear. Isn't he cute?

-Aw.

He's not a Steiff though.

-No, he's not but he's in good condition.

-He is, isn't he?

-He is.

-He is, isn't he?

-Absolutely, yes.

Is he a growler? Tip him up and see.

HE GROWLS

THEY LAUGH

Yeah. Very nice.

And he's got some age to him. Look at his long paws.

Little bit of a humpback.

-He's not too bad, is he?

-No.

-Shall we see how much he is?

-Yes.

How much is your ted?

-60.

-60.

-You're a bit steep...

-I think it's a little bit steep.

-Yes.

-..little man.

-Sorry, Ted, we're going to have to wave you goodbye.

-Aw.

Bye.

Still no purchase from the Reds.

Pick up the pace, chaps, or things could get grizzly.

£38.

Yeah. I mean, it's going to be 25 or £40.

You're not going to gain anything.

In Shrewsbury maybe,

and that's where the sale is going to be.

How old do you think it is, Colin?

I think it's actually not very old.

There'll be plenty of these made up in Eastern Europe

and bound up and sent over here.

But it's still a good decorator's item.

It's bound to be on someone's bucket list.

-Shall I ask what the best price is?

-Yeah. What the best price is.

-OK, yeah.

-OK.

Is this the... Is this the person?

Is this one yours?

Oh, sorry.

-Sir.

-Hi, there.

I think it's got 38 on here but if we want to make any

sort of profit, what's the very, very best you can do me on that?

The very best - one offer - 30 quid.

30 quid? Yeah.

-29?

-Oh, go on, then.

THEY LAUGH OK.

COLIN: Ooh, that was so sneaky but it was so good.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Cheers. Thanks.

-I'll have that one.

-Brilliant.

That poor stallholder.

I'm sure he went a bit "pail" then.

Our Caroline's a magpie for a smart design look.

How much is your chair?

-Do you like this?

-MAN SHOUTS: 45.

-Do you like that?

-Oh, that is nice.

-Yeah.

-I think that's quite cool.

-That's very nice.

-A modern...

-Yeah.

-It's a little bit rubbed here

but the seat's in good order.

-What do you think?

-Yeah, because...a retro finish.

-Yeah.

-It still does quite well, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

-I can see some of the young ones rather liking this.

-I can as well.

-It's quite nice.

-It is.

-Whoo. Whoo!

-THEY LAUGH

-I like that.

-What do you think?

-How much is this?

-How much is the chair?

-MAN: 45.

-45.

And what's your very best price?

40 would be my very best.

-30 sounds better.

-35.

I know it would but...

I give 35 for it, so I'll have to make a fiver on it.

-35?

-Can we give you 35 back, please?

-Go on.

-Thank you!

-35.

-THEY LAUGH

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-No problem.

-I like that.

-It is, it's lovely.

-One down, two to go.

-One down, two to go. Thank you.

-MAN: Thank you very much.

Three chairs... I mean...cheers, for the Reds.

Well, just the one chair actually, and purchase number one too.

Oh, look at this little love seat for you two engaged there.

Sit yourselves down, Michelle,

David. Little snuggle?

With those, it would be three chairs for the Reds.

Ah, that's nice.

-TIM TUTS

-Oh, Lord.

Oh, come on, we've got to shop now. Never mind that.

Yes, come along, Reds.

Less snuggling and more haggling, please.

15 minutes gone.

-That's quite unusual, isn't it?

-OK. Let's have a look.

-Yeah.

Give me that. Let's have a look.

Night watchman. Yeah.

Looks to be good. Even named. "Watchman. What of the night?"

Ah, Royal Doulton.

-Good mark.

-Yes.

-And Kingsware.

Nice type of series that was done, so very popular.

Condition - handle seems to be good.

That seems like a reasonable thing.

-Right.

-What drew you to it?

I think it's because I've got some more plates at home

-which are Izaak Walton, the fishermen.

-Oh, right. Yes.

-And the style of it just reminded me of that.

-Yes.

Is it the same era?

Yes, it is. That's the same era. Yes, yes.

-OK.

-It is.

-So, what do you think?

I think that's something that's going to make

maybe up to £100 at tops

and something we should consider and come back to later.

-OK.

-OK.

-Pop it back on the...

Pop it on the table and then we'll come back to it.

Hey, if it's priced at £80 and it's going to make £100,

then why not get the thing bought, hey, Blues?

Now the Reds are having a butchers at something.

What do you think of the butcher's block, David?

Oh, I like that.

-Do you? I do.

-I like that.

-Do you?

-It is gorgeous. Now, I think it's...

It needs to be on something but that is absolutely beautiful.

-Hello, sir.

-MAN: Hello. How are you?

We're well so far, depending on the price of this.

-You've not enough money to buy it.

-How much is it?

-350.

-Is it really?

-350.

-You're right, we haven't enough money. Right, come on.

-Thank you.

£350 for a butcher's block?

The "stakes" in this game aren't quite that high, sadly.

Chop chop, we're pushing the halfway point

and there's only one purchase between you, teams,

so let's pick up the pace and we could be home in time.

Colin, do you think that's new or old?

No, definitely old item. Early 20th century.

Nice little dinner gong. Chinese. Tibetan maybe.

-It's going to come down to the inevitable price.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-I can't see one.

-Shall we ask?

-Yeah.

What's your very best offer on that one?

Well, it cost me 25.

I'll let you have it for what it cost me - 25.

Really? That sounds great.

That's fantastic. Thank you very much indeed. We'll have that.

-Yeah?

-Yes, I think so.

-OK.

It's a good buy.

You're in the rhythm now, aren't you, of this buying thing?

Yes, we are. And it's nothing like what we said we'd go for but...

-It's not like what we were going to go for but that's very unusual.

-OK.

Early 20th century.

Really nice hardwood frame on it, which is embellished with that

silver work that's hammered into it as well.

Whether the two went together originally, who knows?

-But it works really well together.

-Very attractive.

-Yes.

Does it matter that there's a bit of damage on it?

No, I wouldn't worry about that.

I think, at £25, any problems with it,

-they're the worry of the purchaser.

-Fantastic.

Considering you've already bought it, Blues,

it's a bit late to be wondering about condition.

Now, the Reds haven't moved far.

What's brewing, team?

Now, Michelle, do you know what this is?

-A tea caddy.

-A tea caddy. It is.

It's an early Victorian,

-Rosewood...

-Yes.

-..tea caddy.

And, if we look inside, it's got the two compartments,

some of the inside, the interior, has come off there.

-That's still the original foil, isn't it?

-Yeah, absolutely, original foil.

There's no damage to it at all.

Quite often some of this moulding has come off.

All its feet are intact.

-But I think that's a pretty little thing.

-I quite like it.

And you could use it for something else, couldn't you really?

-Yeah, or it's just a stand-alone, pretty object.

-Yeah.

I mean, it depends on the price.

-I think that's probably a bit high.

-I think it is.

-But we can find the owner and ask. Shall we?

-Yes.

-If you're interested.

-Do you like?

-I do.

-Tea caddies always seem to do well, don't they?

-They do.

-Yeah. And it's a nice one, it's in good order.

-OK.

-Yeah, definitely.

-All right, we'll have a look.

-Hello.

-Hey.

-Hi.

-You can't afford to buy that.

-THEY LAUGH

Your tea caddy, what is the very best on it, please?

I thought it was cheap at 60 quid.

-Did you?

-Hmm.

-It'd be reasonable at 30.

-TIM:

-David, you're a born trier.

-MAN: I think you're watching too much...

-That'll be the death of you!

-THEY BANTER, TALKING OVER EACH OTHER

-STALLHOLDER:

-No, 50 quid would be the death. And that is cheap.

Yeah. They used to be a lot more money than that. Ten years ago...

-BOTH: Hmm.

-..when I had my shop,

I would have sold this all day long - 120, £140,

-as I'm sure you would.

-Yes.

But it's just, times are difficult at the moment.

-Absolutely.

-40's no good?

45, but that is absolutely it.

-OK.

-Do you want to go for it or shall we think about it?

-Yeah.

I quite like it.

-I quite like it.

-I think that we should have it.

-OK.

-Yes.

Thank you, sir, we'll have it.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-TIM:

-Well done. A canny caddie deal means the Reds are up to two items.

The Blues have just one and are on the move.

-Right, team, next building.

-Right.

Hello, Bedrock 2374?

-It looks like a toy.

-Wilma!

-THEY GIGGLE

-The Reds are having a gay old time

but what about the yabba-dabba-Blues?

It's amazing what you can bump into when you're scouring these fairs.

-Hello, Tim.

-All good?

-Not bad.

-Pretty good.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Colin servicing you adequately?

-Doing very well.

-Oh, good.

-Doing very well indeed.

-I've done nothing.

Both purchases by them, negotiation by them.

-You've bought two, have you?

-We've bought two, yes.

-Brilliant.

I think we've got about 25 minutes left,

-so we're going to take our time over this third one.

-Ample time.

Very, very cool. Are you feeling cool?

At the moment, yes.

-It's very cold actually.

-Well, I know.

Not enough, that's why we wrap up.

-Yes.

-But Colin's hardy, you see.

-He is.

-He's made of sterner stuff.

-Anyway, good luck.

-Thank you.

-See you later.

-Right.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, Colin.

-OK.

What would that be used for? Do you like the dog?

Beautiful, isn't he?

I think he's really sexy.

Hey, sexy.

-THEY LAUGH

-..do you know what I mean?

-I think he's lovely.

-He is.

Oh, look, there's one in the car. Do you think he's in charge?

Shall we ask him? Excuse me, sir, could you tell me

how much this dog is from your stall?

Could you tell me how much your little doggy is?

GRUFF VOICE: I'm a doggy in a window.

Sometimes there's just so much stuff at these fairs

that you can't see the wood for the trees.

But when the wood is in the form of these two items,

they certainly stand out to me.

Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a woodcarver?

Well, if you do,

sit back in wonder at the profusion of carving

on these two objects.

Just look at that.

Not a square millimetre is left uncarved.

There is a density of flowers and foliage here

which fair takes your breath away.

This object, if I open it up, reveals compartments for envelopes

and stationery.

It's a stationery box.

Probably made around about 1850-1880.

This thing, sat on a desk next door to the stationery box...

And if I open it up,

once upon a time it had a spine here

that held two sheets of blotting paper.

And you'd have written your letter on it,

turned the letter over and blotted out any loose ink.

Within the profusion of flowers and foliage though,

there's a whole lot of action going on

but you've got to look very carefully.

Here we've got a long-eared creature with a long tail

that I think is supposed to be some sort of hare.

In the middle - a lion, about to eat its lunch.

And overall, a number of other animals all drifting about.

On this side, if I turn it round,

it's a little clearer to see on the back.

Here we've got a tiger above a large butterfly.

And on either side, some more rodents.

Can you contemplate the amount of work that was involved,

the number of hours to create this amount of detail?

Well, it's amazing.

But they date from a period,

the time of the British Raj in India

between about 1850 and 1870

when, frankly, the skills were available

and the workmen were probably paid extremely badly.

As a result of these things being made for the Europeans,

a whole lot returned to Britain.

And occasionally, you can find this dense carved work for sale.

If you're really sharp eyed and lucky, for under £100.

And that's because there's a certain amount of damage that needs repair.

But once that's repaired and,

possibly, if you were to lacquer it -

red, or green, or cream,

then you'd have a desk set

that would be likely to be worth the north end of £500.

Now, there's a chip off the old block.

Back to the shopping,

and with 50 minutes to go, the teams hunt for that elusive

but vital item number three.

Oh, a capstan inkwell.

-Yes. £240.

-That's lovely.

-It is, but we're not going to make any money out of that.

-Aren't we?

-No.

-Even if we managed to knock them down?

She isn't the only one with an eye for pricey items.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-Hmm, it is nice.

Excuse me, please, how much is your quilt?

-WOMAN:

-It's priced at 185.

185. It's gorgeous but...

-TIM:

-You can't afford to put that one to bed, Reds. Move it on.

This is the one thing that I saw from a distance

that I think is fabulous.

It's marked at 380.

-SHE GASPS

-Yes.

-It is beautiful, though.

It is absolutely stunning, it is.

And I can't see any damage on it.

-I'd rather buy the jug.

-Yeah.

-You'd rather by the jug?

-Yes.

-It's still a lovely piece, though.

-OK. Fair enough.

Well, let's go and have a look at the jug.

Well, time's racing on, so I think decision time has come.

-Let's go back and have a look at the jug.

-Is it the jug?

I think so.

It's with a straight face, viewers,

that I tell you, we're now going from jugs to knockers.

How much is your door knocker, please?

-STALLHOLDER MUTTERS

-How much?

-220.

220. That is a very handy sum.

-220?!

-That is just what we have.

-Wow.

-How old is that door knocker?

-It's Georgian.

-Is it?!

-Yeah, it's a good one.

-Why do we keep looking at heavy things?

-It's a nice thing

but I don't think there's going to be any profit on that.

-So shall we race on up here?

-I think we'd better.

-Yeah.

-Fingers crossed that the jug still exists.

-BOTH: Yeah.

You've just said you nearly saw something else.

-I've seen that blue and white plate thing.

-Ah.

-We mustn't...

-No, ignore it.

-OK.

-Yes.

-Ignore. Not good.

Let's go for it now.

-It's so easy to be distracted, isn't it?

-Yeah.

The Blues are being enticed by all around them

and the Reds have decided to large it up at the last minute.

-Ah!

-Yeah, I was looking at that.

-Do you play chess?

-Yes.

-Do you?!

-Yeah.

-That is beautiful, isn't it?

It doesn't have a lot of age but it's an unusual thing, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's quite big, isn't it?

It is quite big.

You've seen its quite obvious flaw.

-It's quite big.

-Coffee table, sitting either side

in the front of the fire, glass of wine.

-Oh, you're selling it to me.

-Yes.

-Selling it to me, David, yes.

-We haven't got much time left, have we?

-No, we haven't.

I think we've got three minutes, and going down...fairly quickly.

Shall we try and haggle?

-Do you imagine yourselves playing with it?

-It's unusual

and I think we might do quite well with that.

-What do you think?

-OK.

-Yeah?

-It's not my cup of tea.

But we've got 90 seconds left.

So do you want me to go and find the best price?

Try 50% off and work your way up.

-Ooh, David, that's a very low bid!

-Go on, be harsh.

I'll try.

Well, it's only £30,

so a 50% discount might be pushing it, Reds?

Right. Two bits of news.

One - it was made by his grandfather.

-Can you believe it?

-Oh, my gosh!

So it's a really nice thing. 25.

-Hmm.

-What do you think?

-It's entirely up to you.

-We're down to the last minute.

-You love it.

What do you think?

It's a handmade piece. I think it's got to be cheap. It's quirky.

-It's unique.

-It's unique, you're not going to find another.

You could argue, would you want to find another, but it's unique.

-It's great. It's 25 quid.

-I think we should go for it.

-Go on, then...

-if it makes you happy.

-Right, we'll have it.

-In the bag, third one.

-THEY LAUGH

Well done, Caroline.

Go and see if the stallholder will take a cheque-mate.

And with time rapidly running out,

the ice cool Blues have returned to that jug.

Is it still there?

-Time's running out.

-Yeah.

-Imminent.

You like it. You'll certainly have the money for it.

So find out the price,

see what is the best you can do on it.

-Yeah. OK.

-And who's in charge of negotiation?

-Steve.

-I think I'm going to give that a try.

-Steve's the negotiator?

-Yeah.

Right, OK.

Can I just ask the price on the night watchman jug?

-80, but I'll do it for 70 as my best.

-Right.

-We're going to have to go for it, aren't we?

-Shall we go for it at 70?

Yeah. I like it anyway.

It's a lovely thing and it could make a bit more.

The key thing is, you like it, it's OK on the money

and...well, you're out of time.

-That's it. Three items done.

-Yeah.

-Thank you very much, sir.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

BABY CRIES

Time's up.

Let's check out what the Red team bought.

-You all right, baby?

-BABY STIRS

The Reds stepped up and sat down

with this modern, stylish

office chair for £35.

They snapped up a wooden tea caddy

for £45.

And, finally,

they went for a chunky chess set

for £25.

So, you 'orrible lot,

how did you get on? David.

-I think we got on very well, Tim.

-Really?

-Spent wisely.

How much did you spend?

We spent a princely £105.

Is that all? Which is your favourite piece?

-I'd say the chair.

-The chair is your favourite.

-Do you agree with that, David?

-No. I think the chess set.

-Which will bring the biggest profit?

-The tea caddy probably.

THEY LAUGH

-Seems to me you're all over the shop.

-We are.

Anyway, I'd like some leftover lolly, please.

Quite a lot of it. 195 coming my way.

-Thanks very much. Caroline...

-Thank you.

-..what are you going to do with that?

I'm going to spend it probably most unwisely

but I'm going to do my best to spend a lot of it.

Oh. There's a bit of a hint.

Anyway, good luck.

Have a cup of tea.

Meanwhile, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

A bucket was the Blues' first bargain,

which they bagged for £29.

They then found a gong

that was going for a song -

they hope - at £25.

Finally, they moved the jug

off the back burner

and into the running at £70.

Well, Lindsay, you seemed to take us

very neatly through most of that shopping.

Well, I don't want to say that I'm a bossy boots but, yeah,

-I did kind of take control of it, didn't I?

-Very effective.

I think it's a question of finding the stuff,

and you've done incredibly well.

Now, after all that, which is your favourite piece?

Well, the thing I'd have in my own home is the bucket.

-So that would be your favourite?

-Yeah.

-OK, fine.

And do you agree with that?

I think the ceramic jug that we bought, I really like that.

-That's your favourite.

-I like the bucket too but the favourite was the ceramic jug.

Which of the trio are going to bring the biggest profit?

-BOTH: We think the jug.

-Yes.

-The night watchman.

-All right.

-And how much did you spend?

-124.

-So, can I have £176, please?

-You may indeed.

There, you've got it. All of which goes over to Colin.

-Colin.

-Thank you very much.

-Did you have a good shop? Enjoy it?

Very good shop. We had a very good team leader, you see.

-Ah, yeah.

-It makes all the difference.

-You know where to take orders from, don't you?

-Oh, yes.

What will you do with all that cash, Colin?

-It might be a surprise.

-Good luck with that, Colin.

Meanwhile, why don't we head off for the jolly old auction?

Well, how lovely is this?

To be in Halls, Shrewsbury, with Jeremy Lamond.

-Jeremy.

-Welcome, Tim.

Now, the Reds, David and Michelle,

their first item is this swivel chair

made of plastic coat.

Well, everyone needs an office chair, especially in an office,

so it should find a buyer.

It's described as being stylish, which it is, isn't it?

It is. It's a stylish way to sit down.

When would you date it to, J?

Well, it has a touch of the Laverne Industries' late 1950s

but I think this is a modern copy.

OK, fine. How much?

-We think 20 or £30.

-Do you? £35 paid.

So they may be just a tad too much

but it is surprising in sales these days

the number of almost brand-new things that have a following.

-Oh, yeah. Well, the internet will help, so...

-Yeah, good.

Now, a bit of - what they used to call - yesterday's antiques,

-a Tudor Rosewood tea caddy.

-Yeah.

Well, it's a typical coffin shape, or maybe I shouldn't say that

-if I'm trying to sell it. I mean it is a...

-How about sarcophagus form?

Yeah, it is a sarcophagus shape, isn't it?

And these were big 20 years ago.

And they will sell but for a price.

And what will you get? Will you get 20 or £30?

-Something around that.

-OK, fine. £45 paid.

-Yeah.

So they had paid a tad too much.

Now, I don't know what your next move is, J,

but it could be a chess set.

Well, it's not a travelling chess set, is it really?

-It certainly isn't.

-I would say

you're looking at £20 or £30

but, again, chess - internet,

we may get it taken up to 40 or 50 if we're lucky.

You never know, do you?

And do you think this might have been made in the 1970s and 1980s?

-Well, there was nothing else to do, was there, really?

-No.

So, very probably.

-You got your pen knife out and you had a bit of a whittle.

-Yeah.

I think that's what somebody's done,

and they've made something that is memorable.

Good. Well, on that happy note then,

how memorable is the estimate?

-We think it will make £20 or £30.

-OK.

£25 they paid.

So they paid the right price.

If they're going to get their comeuppance from anything here,

it's likely to be the tea caddy.

In which case, they'll need their bonus buy,

so let's go and have a look at it.

Now. David, Michelle, how are you feeling?

-Good.

-Are you?

-Wonderful.

-Well,

you gave the lovely Caroline £135 of leftover lolly.

Caroline, show us what you bought.

Well.

I said I would spend it unwisely,

and I hope you think I haven't.

-Here it is.

-Wow!

-Right.

-Gosh.

Have you had breakfast?

Hubble, bubble...

Do you want me to take that for you?

..toil and trouble.

-I think it's gorgeous.

-I do.

-It's obviously copper...

cauldron. Metal top to it.

-The Art Nouveau design on it.

-I think it's beautiful.

And you can hang it in a fireplace. You could put it with plants in.

-I love it.

-Do you?

-Oh, I'm so pleased.

-I do.

-I think it's...

-And what about you, David?

-Yes.

-It's not the dog.

-It's not the dog.

-It's not the dog.

-Thank goodness for that.

-It's different.

-Yes.

It's not what we expected, is it?

No. But I do like it. I do.

But I suppose the 64 million question is, how much was it?

It was £120.

How much profit are you going to make, Caroline?

I'm hoping it's going to wash its face and a little bit.

-What you're saying is, it's a bit of a high risk strategy really.

-Yes.

The big question is, is this a specialist sale?

No, it's a general sale.

Will it be picked up on the internet? Who knows?

Has it got a specific designer attached to it? Not at the moment.

But it won't be long before somebody does come up with a Liberty-type

design because it's an extremely smart piece of kit, right, Caroline?

Yeah. So, on that happy note,

you have to think on because, right now for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Caroline's pot.

-OK, Jeremy. Here comes lunch.

-CAULDRON CLATTERS

How fantastic is that?

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble.

Well, it is marvellous, isn't it?

I mean, these lovely Art Nouveau swirls on it.

Copper is not flavour of the month

but this has got its own integrity as an object, hasn't it?

-It's great.

-What a thumping great handle.

-I like it.

-Look at that handle.

-It's a good object.

-We've put 30-50 on it.

-Is that all?

-It is stylish...

-I know.

-..and it could make more than that.

-Has a bit of the Liberty look

-about it.

-Yeah, it does.

I mean, these Welsh little spigot feet and all of that.

Yeah, it could well be a Liberty one.

-Yeah. But not marked, that's the point.

-Not marked.

I mean, if it was, it would be a different matter.

-OK, fine. So your top end is £50?

-Yes.

-OK.

£120 paid by Caroline Hawley.

She's really pushed the boat out there.

It is a bit of a punt, I have to say.

But we're on the internet.

The thing is illustrated. Let us hope for the best...

if the team decide to go with that. Anyway, now, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues.

We've got a pine bucket which is,

I suppose, from the Orient.

Well, I think it's relatively modern, this thing.

It's a timeless style, isn't it?

But how many of these

came across on a boat?

My theory is that, when plastic hit the villages,

they went so big into nice, shiny, orange, plastic buckets,

they got rid of these old ones for a pastime

and somebody was clever enough to be filling up containers

with the old ones as the plastic ones went out the other end.

Or just making older ones for a willing, rustic audience

-in the West.

-Exactly.

And if you had your cottage

and you wanted to put some sticks, or newspapers,

or something or other by the fire,

it does a perfectly good job, doesn't it?

OK. Lovely. Now, how much, J?

Well, ten to 20.

That's about it, is it? OK, £29 paid.

That's fair enough. Next is the Chinese hardwood carved gong set.

Well, I think a really good temple gong can be a couple of million.

-Oh, yes.

-But this one...

-This is the tourist market variety.

I think this is the tourist market.

But the Chinese market is up, we may be lucky.

-OK, how lucky do you think you might get?

-20 to 40.

OK, £25 paid. So they're OK with that.

I reckon the bucket's all right, I reckon the gong's all right.

Now, the Series Ware, which is another ceramic collectible

which has been up and down in the last ten or 15 years, hasn't it?

Doulton Series Ware has suffered massively from proliferation

on the internet.

You can get it all hours of the day and night, sadly.

-Mm.

-And this one is no different.

And the Achilles heel of this particular jug is it is restored.

-Oh, dear.

-Very well. Very difficult to spot.

-But it is restored.

-But it is restored.

-Oh, dear.

I don't think the team realised that, cos they paid £70.

That'll be far too much, then.

-Yeah, it kind of knocks the bottom out of it, really.

-Mm.

-I mean, it's down to ten or £20.

-As a restored piece?

-Mm.

Well, they are definitely going to need their bonus buy,

so let's go and have a look at it.

Well, Lindsay, Steve, you're looking very healthy.

-Have you been away on holiday?

-Yes, we have.

-Where did you go?

-Paxos.

-Paxos!

-I'm not saying anything.

-Absolutely, lots of retsina, right?

-Absolutely.

Very nice, too. Good. Now, you spent £124.

You gave £176 to Colin Young, our hero.

Now, Colin, what did you spend the £176 on?

I'm afraid it wasn't quite that heroic. I only spent £50.

But the good news is, it was well spent.

What do you think of that little sweet item?

That is quite pretty, isn't it?

It is 19th century, continental porcelain,

crossed swords mark on the bottom of it.

It is not really a major factory, but it is just a really nice thing.

And who makes it, with the cross swords? Or is that a generic?

It is one of the most copied marks that you will find

in European porcelain.

So, the country of origin... Most likely going to be German,

but it could just as easily be French.

It is so difficult to identify.

But it has a lovely puce decoration on it and it is in good order

as well. But it is the sort of thing that has been

copied from the 18th century and it is a later reincarnation.

-Lovely. How much did he spend?

-£50.

-How much is it worth?

We hope more. We hope more than that. More than that?

I think it is worth more than that.

I wouldn't have gone out there and spent

so little to return you less than so much.

-How much is so little, so much?

-You won't make 20 quid out of it.

THEY LAUGH

-He's done this job before. OK, you got the message?

-I think we have.

-Cogitate on that.

-We will.

-Cos right now we are going

to find out for the audience at home

what the auctioneer thinks about Colin's little box.

There you go, overall look - hand-painted, I think.

Yeah, en camaieu.

-What is it called?

-En camaieu.

-Camaieu?

Camaieu. That's my best French.

And that is a style of painting?

Yes, it is, it is a little genre view.

And on the bottom, you've got a pseudo-Meissen crossed sword,

so it is probably made in France, hard paste, maybe 1900.

-Not bad.

-How much?

-Not jumping.

I mean, you're looking at maybe ten, £15, 20 at a push.

-£50 Colin paid.

-Oh, la, la!

-Oh, la, la!

Anyway, he thinks 20,

Colin paid 50, maybe the team won't go with it.

-You're taking the sale today?

-I am.

-We are in safe hands.

Five. 80 here again.

So, how are you feeling, Reds? A bit nervy?

-I'm excited.

-Really nervous.

Well, you never know what is going to happen.

Anyway, you've got the swivel desk chair, £35 paid.

He's estimated 20 to 30.

Here we go. Look at that, what about that?

Give me £15 for it.

£15. Who's got 15?

Start me at ten, then.

Ten pounds.

15 I've got on the internet.

15 already on the net.

At £15, it is here.

-Come on, it's lovely!

-It's an internet bid at 15. Anybody else?

18 at the very back.

At £18. 20 now, Internet bid.

At £20. At 20.

It's here, on the internet.

-You are out at the back.

-Come on!

-I'm selling it at £20.

All done at 20.

I don't like this. £20 is minus £15.

That's not so swift.

That is the golden gavel gone, then.

Here comes the tea caddy.

Sarcophagus-shaped tea caddy.

There it is. £15, start me. 15.

-Where's 15 for it?

-Come on.

-£15.

15. 15 I'll take for it.

15 here. 18 here.

20 now. 22.

25. £25 on the left.

At 25. At £25, I'm selling.

Paid £45.

At £25, all done? 28 now.

At 28 against you. 30.

-Good God.

-Another two.

At £30, it's over here.

At £30. Anybody else?

Selling on the left at 30. All done?

I can't bear it! That's minus £15.

Equals minus 30.

The 20th century carved and stained pine chess set. What about that?

Ten pounds for it?

A tenner? Ten pounds? Where is ten?

Ten pounds. Ten?

Ten here on the net.

It's against you at the back, sir. 12 now.

At £12. Back of the room at 12.

At £12. 15.

18. 20. 22.

-Come on.

-£22, back with you, sir.

-Come on!

-It would be lovely to have a profit.

-At the back of the room now.

-Make your move!

-Selling it at £22.

-Come on!

All done at 22?

£22 is minus three pounds, which

means overall you are minus £33.

Now, listen, all is not lost

cos you've got the cauldron to fall back on, right?

-Mm.

-Fall into.

-So, what are you going to do?

Minus £33 could be a winning score.

Do you feel something bubbling up here?

No, I don't think so.

I think we'll park that minus 33, shall we?

-Yes.

-Do you reckon?

-Yeah.

-Decision made.

Well, now I can reveal to you what the auctioneer's estimate is.

He really liked it, OK? He's estimated £30 to £50.

Anyway, you're not going with the bonus buy.

We're going to sell it anyway, and here it comes.

The Art Nouveau copper cauldron.

And interest here, it's a stylish piece.

£32, I've got.

At £32, on the book. At 32.

At £32 it is. At 32.

-No!

-At £32. 35.

40 here with me. It is against you.

45 now, in the room.

Commission is out. At £45, left.

-£45.

-At £45, I've got, on my left.

Anybody else at £45?

50 if you like.

At £45 and selling it...

£45 is five shy from 50.

That's 70. That is minus £75.

Team, you did extremely well in not going with the bonus buy.

But it just goes to show, doesn't it,

how cheap sometimes some of these objects can be?

You made the right decision, but there's a lot of money

in that cauldron bubbling away. Anyway, that's it.

Teams, don't fret a scrap, that could be a winning score.

Don't say a word to the Blues, all right?

36. 38 here.

OK, so, let's just run through your items, shall we?

The auctioneer was pretty rude about your bucket.

He put ten to £20 on it, all right?

Actually, it is quite a lot of bucket for the money,

you only paid £29.

I'd be very disappointed if you didn't get £30, frankly.

The Series Ware jug, he tells me, has been very expertly restored.

And as a result, he is only put ten to £20 on it.

And the trouble with this restoration is that, in the field,

you can very easily be fooled, which is where you were.

If you've got the luxury of a UV lamp, which is what he had,

to check the condition, you can see any sort of restoration on ceramic.

So it is a tough one.

And I'm afraid to be the harbinger of bad news,

cos that is bad news. But you've got the trinket box

to fall back on, which we rate, don't we?

The pretty little box.

Anyway, first up is the old bucket.

Here it comes.

Modern pine bucket with iron swing handle, there it is.

I bid immediately.

£15, I've got. At 15.

Anybody else at 15? At £15.

It's a bargain...hunt here.

At 15. 20 on the internet.

-At £20, I've got.

-We paid £29.

Here we go, kids.

Internet bid at £20.

Anybody go two? At £20.

-Come on!

-Selling it. At £20 now.

All done at 20?

-There's a hole in my bucket.

-There is.

Oh, dear. £20 is minus nine pounds.

OK, now, the bell stand.

Chinese carved and inlaid bell stand. There we go.

What about that one? At £15, start me. 15 for it.

Who has got £15 for it?

-Come on, it's a lovely thing.

-15.

Ten pounds, then. Ten for the bell.

Ten. We're going backwards.

Ten pounds, we've got.

At ten pounds, I am selling.

12. Yes? 15.

15 here. 18 now.

-Round it up, somebody. At £18 on my left.

-I can't believe this.

Selling then at £18.

You're all out, apart from you, sir?

At 18...

Minus seven pounds.

There was a death toll that went with that bell.

For Whom The Bell Tolls.

OK. Now, the Series Ware jug.

Here we are. There it is. Who has got a tenner for it? Ten pounds.

Where is ten? Ten pounds only.

At ten.

Ten, down here at ten pounds.

That's a bargain and a half!

At ten pounds, we've got.

At 12 here.

15 at the back. Yes? 18.

18 now. At 18.

One more? No. £18 in front. At 18.

Selling then, £18...

That is two short of 20,

which is £52. Minus 52.

62. 68.

Minus £68!

I really didn't see it as bad as that.

What are we going to do about the porcelain box?

-Minus 68 could be a winning score.

-It could be. Oh, yeah.

-Shall we stick there?

-We'll stick there.

-We'll stick.

On the other hand, it is a pretty box.

-Right, we won't go for it.

-We won't.

-You won't?

No, we'll stick with our enormous losses as they are.

Yes, we'll say no.

All right, you've decided not to go with the bonus buy.

Now you've decided, I can tell you that his estimate is ten to £15.

So, on the face of it, by not going with it,

you've made the right decision.

Anyway, here we go.

Where's ten? A tenner. Ten?

Ten here, sir, with you.

-At ten pounds. At ten pounds. Anybody going to go 12?

-Look out.

At ten pounds, I've got.

I'm going to sell it for ten pounds.

Nobody else at ten?

-You've got it.

-Ten pounds!

That's minus £40.

I think you did well in not going with the bonus buy.

Now, listen, minus £68 could be a winning score,

so don't say a word to the Reds, all right?

Very good.

Back of the room.

Well, what fun is this!

We've come outside for a breath of air to reveal the results.

-Now, you've been chatting, you teams?

-No.

-Not at all, very good.

Well, I'm very happy to reveal that there is only £35

between our teams today.

And there are similarities -

neither team went with the bonus buy,

which was an extremely wise event, as it turned out.

And we don't go home with any folding money, there is

no cash prize for either team today.

So it is just a question of the scale of the losses.

And the largest losses today sit, I'm afraid, with the Blues.

BLUES: Oooh!

Minus £68 is the number, which means, really,

-you were robbed, weren't you?

-We were.

-Jolly bad luck, anyway.

-That's the way it works. Have you had a nice time?

-Fantastic.

Very good. We've loved having you on the show

and thank you for joining us.

But the victors today, who win by only losing £33, are the Reds.

Again, you were robbed.

You lost on every single item, but you still come home winners.

-Isn't that lovely?

-Absolutely.

Well done. We've loved having you on the show.

So much so, that why don't you join us

soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!