Epsom and Dorking 10 Bargain Hunt

We've come to the gorgeous market town of Dorking in Surrey today.

And West Street behind me has put this place

well and truly on the international radar for antiques.

So, there's no point in hanging about,

let's go for bargain hunting, yeah!

Over 150 dealers and 18 specialist antique shops

but only 60 minutes on the clock.

Will our teams be blessed

with the energy to scratch around for all those bargains?

Let's have a quick look.

Coming up, two opposing tactics.

The Reds go for the knockout punch.

I'm going to be brutal.

£25.

-40.

-You're amazing.

Whilst it's unanimous decisions in the Blue corner.

Yes. Yes.

-Can I be decisive then?

-Yes.

We're not going to buy this.

Who will go the distance when they go pound for pound at auction?

Come on, come on, come on!

-Yes.

-Harper.

-Oh, yes!

Let's meet the contenders.

Today we have a battle of the sexes

because we have today two teams of bezzies.

For the Reds, we have Emma and Nicky

and, for the Blues, we have Tyrone and Bertie.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL:

-Hello.

Now, Emma, you have a very interesting artistic career.

Tell us about it.

Well, I started my life off as a muralist,

so I painted murals,

then I became an art teacher,

and now I'm a botanical painter.

Lovely. So tell us about your big murals.

What sort of things have you done?

I've painted anything from airports to restaurants,

hotels, bedrooms.

So, Sistine Chapel, here I come, is that it?

-Exactly. I wish.

-Have you ever done any ceilings?

Yes, yes, a lot.

Do you lie down and do it?

No, stand and lean back.

-Do you?

-It's very painful.

-How's your neck?

Painful. THEY LAUGH

-Fascinating job, though.

-Yes, yeah.

-Lovely.

Now, Nicky, you have an artistic background too, don't you?

Yes, I started my career working for an interior's magazine

when I was quite young, and loved it.

Um, and... But didn't love it enough

for me to stay there cos something was just pulling me to drama school.

And ultimately you succumbed and you went to drama school.

I did. I succumbed, yes.

I submerged myself in Chekhov, and Tennessee Williams,

and Shakespeare, and loved it, and continued.

-And, actually, was doing very, very well...

-Yes.

..until I, having got married, got pregnant.

So you had a pregnant pause.

-THEY CHUCKLE

-Nice. Yes, I did.

And then I launched myself back into treading the boards.

I've done a couple of films,

and I've literally just recently finished King Lear...

-Yes.

-..in which I played a very evil person,

which was really fun.

-Good fun.

-Yes, incredible.

-Perfect.

Now, you two girls, what is your tactic going to be today

when I give you the £300?

-We are looking for modern antiques.

-Are we?

-That's my goal.

-OK.

Are we?

-We are.

-Or I.

-I...I am looking to buy cheap...

-Yes.

..that I would probably pay more for if I was at auction.

-So you're out doing some bargain hunting, aren't you?

-That's the one!

So, good luck, both of you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you so much for joining us.

Now, for the boys.

Tyrone, you are literally a couple of jokers, you two, aren't you?

-Oh, well, it's been said.

-How did you meet?

Well, I run a company who promote comedy live stand-up

through various venues across London,

and Bertie here was a performer as well.

And we became friends around 2009, 2010

when we were gigging together, and we've been friends ever since.

Isn't that marvellous?

I always think you stand-up comics have to be...

-DRAMATIC VOICE:

-..the bravest people in the world.

-Yeah...

-Cos to get up there in front of a motley crew

who've probably had one or two ales,

is quite a difficult thing, isn't it?

-Yeah. I would say it's probably not as brave as firemen...

-OK.

..or people in the military, but it's...

Yeah, I'd say it requires a certain amount of intestinal fortitude.

Great. Now, Bertie, you've got a big ambition in life, haven't you?

Well, the tennis is probably my big goal at the moment.

So it's picking up an old hobby from when I was younger.

-Have you played a lot, then?

-When I was younger, yes.

So, up until the age of 20 it was pretty much my life.

-Was it?

-It was a wasted youth doing nothing but playing tennis.

You're very modest about all of this.

I know because being ranked in the top 100 is one of your ambitions,

and you're perfectly capable of achieving that, aren't you?

Um, I don't know about perfectly capable at the moment.

I'm trying my best.

But each year, another group of 14 or 15-year-olds

-get to an age where they can beat me.

-Yes.

And, all of a sudden, I'm a little bit lower down the pecking order.

-But, on the other hand, it's very character forming.

-Yes, exactly.

Anyway, you're young, you're fit, you'll survive.

Anyway, now, £300 apiece.

Here comes the £300. There we go. You know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go.

And very, very, very good luck.

Ooh, I say.

I say.

Helping the teams along the way are our two experts.

David Harper will be scoping out a profit for the Reds.

And topping it off for the Blues is Natasha Raskin.

Ooh, lovely.

Here we are. Bertie and Ty in Dorking, ready to hit the shops.

Ooh, a pair of artistes.

Nicky, what will we be looking for?

Uh, cheap but beautiful, clearly, that's going to make a profit.

What are we thinking today, Bertie?

It's about being decisive today, and I think we want to follow our heart.

-Emma?

-Sparkles. Something sparkly.

-Gut instinct, I think.

-Gut and heart.

-That's what it'll be.

Don't walk by, walk in. Go on. I'll not be tricked.

OK, well, let's see what's up here. Follow me.

Here we go then, gang.

60 minutes, start the clock.

BELL RINGS

OK.

Looks fabulous, doesn't it?

Everything has been polished within an inch of its life.

SHE GASPS I love that!

Do you shop in places like this?

I'd like to but I don't think I ever come in

because I think I'd just buy everything.

Keep your spending under control, Nicky.

That £300 has to go a long way.

-No.

-No?

-Ooh, Toby jugs.

Toby jugs, OK.

Bertie, are you into Toby jugs?

I'm not against Toby jugs.

Well, I have to say that

at auction, they do sell quite poorly.

What we can see here is retail price of £45,

and alarm bells are ringing because auction price,

to be honest with you, is about £10 a pop, if that.

Let's scratch the Toby jugs, then.

If we could get them for a couple of quid, we'd be onto a winner.

Onwards and upwards for our comic capers.

Speaking of which...

-DAVID LAUGHS

-That's the idea.

-Oh, look at him.

Bit of Murano glass there. Do you like a bit of Murano?

-I love a bit of Murano.

-It's a clown...

Yes, he's gorgeous. He's gorgeous.

Well, OK, tell me what you know about Murano.

-That it's beautiful, it's high quality.

-Finish and glass.

-Yes.

I think it's horrid. Nasty colours.

You said such nice things about Murano

then, suddenly, it's horrid.

Oh, we could have trouble on our hands with these two.

A slight difference of opinion maybe, girls.

Now, what are those Blues up to?

Do chessboards sell? I mean...

-Yeah.

-That seemed quite cheap for a chessboard.

What was the price tag?

-£60.

-£60.

I mean, certainly, it is a competitive price, isn't it?

It looks to me like it's been a little bit aged.

Shall we have a closer look?

Is that not a good thing if it's a little beaten up?

-Well, I think it might...

-Or artificially aged?

-Yes.

When we look up closely here,

what we have on top here is a lithographic print on top,

so it's a distressed look.

In fact, it's very modern.

I don't think we'll pull the wool over everyone's eyes

-in the auction room.

-No.

Right, OK, excellent. Let's keep looking.

You need to look for something with a bit of a chequered past, lads.

That's almost brand-new.

We're dumping the clown, is that what you mean, Emma?

Huge shame.

We could maybe come back but I saw as we came in the mirror.

We're back, ironically, to Murano.

Emma, I'm wondering if you like that.

Just thinking that saleability,

actually, do people want to buy little mirrors?

-I don't think it's going to be...

-OK. Let's think where we're going.

-Yes.

-We're going to Chiswick.

-Yes.

-Yeah?

It's small, and it's colourful, and it's a bit glamorous.

I think it's possibly going to the right place.

But, price-wise, £75.

That's fine. We can work on that.

-I'm going to be brutal.

-Are you?

-Yes, yes.

Are you a majorly good negotiator, Emma?

-Absolutely.

-Oh, my God.

-Terrifying.

-We're in for a ride here, aren't we?

I had three coffees this morning.

Shall I go and get the key to the cabinet?

-Yes.

-You two look at it, discuss it and I'll come back with the key.

Oh, wow, how exciting.

Good work, girls, an artistic eye there.

Now, how are those boys getting on dodging that repro?

So, something's caught your eye over here.

Yeah, well, we saw these two cars both with the number eight on them

where they looked quite old.

-I was guessing something along the lines of tin in material.

-Right, OK.

Shall we have a little look and get a closer feel for them?

OK, so I think that, with cars,

we need to be careful not to be deceived as to the age of them.

And then, when you have... You've got things like this on the bottom

that say, "This is not a toy. This is for decorative use,"

it really shows the age of it, and it's basically brand-new, unfortunately.

-Can I be decisive, then?

-Yes.

We're not going to buy this.

-Thank you, Ty.

-Very welcome.

He's done it. He's done it.

Crikey, what a pair, eh?

Antiques, boys. We need antiques!

Ah, David's back with the key, look.

Yes, I'll do it. Don't worry.

-THEY LAUGH Don't break it.

-Oh.

-We're on. OK.

Come on up, Emma.

Don't you think the back doesn't match the front in terms of age?

-Yes.

-I think that's 1950s.

-1950s? Yes, yes, yes.

-'50s or even '60s.

But do you think the back was 1950s as well?

Yeah, I do. I think it's all contemporary.

-You think that's all...

-Maybe that was added or...

It could've been. It could've been.

-You're very picky, you two, aren't you?

-I know, sorry.

-My gosh.

-We need to win.

-We have to win.

-Oh, are you very competitive?

-Very competitive.

-Really?

-Yes, yes.

-So, OK, we're talking Chiswick.

Is this for the Chiswick market?

-I think so. '50s is very trendy right now.

-Bang on.

OK. Let me call Christine.

Christine, hi.

This is Christine.

-Hi, nice to meet you.

-Lovely to meet you.

-What can we do that for?

-Isn't that beautiful?

-Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

-Just came in yesterday.

-NICKY GASPS

-Can you help there?

We need all the help we can get, don't we? Let's be honest.

-It's modern.

-I was going to say 60...

-40.

-..but,

meet you halfway, 50, rock bottom.

No, 45.

You're amazing.

-Go on, then.

-Ooh, done deal.

'Oh, Emma, darling. Mwah, mwah.'

-CHRISTINE:

-Gives them a fighting chance.

-It does. It does.

Well done. First purchase, and pretty quick as well.

-It was. That was.

-Within minutes. Well done.

Now we can.

Oh, yes. Include me in that one.

How many... Oh, dear!

'Oh, Lordie, so that's one down for the artists. High fives all round.

'Now, hopefully, the Blue camp is feeling just as positive.'

-Ooh, I'm...

-Lost.

I'm lost.

I'm flummoxed.

Oh, dear. Natasha, quick, help.

-Yeah.

-I mean, there's a couple of things which we were

vaguely interested in here.

We've got this glasses case. It's a bit...

beat up.

Yeah. I think that's really nice, isn't it?

Well, I never. It's an antique. Well, maybe.

Oh, and Christine's back to lend a hand.

These young men here would like to have a look

at this shagreen glasses case.

It has caught their eye.

Thanks very much.

Thank you very much.

And what's that sticking out the top?

-It doesn't come with a blinking pair of glasses, does it?

-It does.

Very Lady Gaga.

They are excellent, aren't they?

So, all of a sudden, our lot becomes a little bit more appealing.

For me, anyway. Bertie, what do you think?

Yeah, no, I like it.

I don't know if they'd fit on my head.

So, would you mind terribly if I pass those back to you, Ty,

if I have a good feel of this case?

Because we just need to make sure

that what we're dealing with is shagreen,

which is the polished skin of a ray or a shark.

Yes. Now, what's a dead giveaway is right here,

absolutely tiny little dot here that looks like it's missing.

And what that is is essentially a scale.

And that means, yes, shagreen.

So if we could get a good, keen price on these,

well, they're a bit of a gamble but they're good fun.

At £95, it's a good third of our money.

So, Bertie, if you would be so kind as to find Chris,

what she will do is phone the dealer who owns these

and see just how much we can get that price down.

-OK. Let's put these back in, pass them on...

-Thank you.

-Do your very best for us.

-See you in a bit.

-Thank you.

Now, don't you go making a spectacle of yourself, Bertie.

Best stick to your day job, eh, TW?

Oh, look at this. Decanter, silver collar,

nicely engraved, 59 quid.

-Oh, oh!

-Oh, my gosh. That looks cheap enough, doesn't it?

-I know.

OK. And it's a London piece, I think.

-1935.

-OK.

-Quite nice and old.

-Ah! Emma.

-Ooh, chips.

"Chips to top of bottle and stopper."

-Ooh, no.

-What would that do? Is that no good?

It's a funny thing this chip idea, isn't it?

Because, you know what, it never puts me off. Ever.

-No?

-Really?

-Never. Do you know why?

Because you buy fantastic things, beautiful objects

-for a fraction of their immaculate condition.

-Yeah.

It's still beautiful. It's still gorgeous.

It would be a risk though.

It'd be a risk but, if you bagged it cheaply...

We could knock her down.

-We could give it a go.

-Knock her down.

-You can.

THEY LAUGH

'Crikey, you don't want to mess with this girl.'

-Stay there. Keep talking.

-Yes, yes.

Hello. I've managed to get in touch with the owner,

and she's given me her very best price, which is good one.

She's gone down to 70.

To me, that sounds like a good price.

Yeah. She did tell me the glasses alone are worth 50.

Sure, yeah. If I can just...

-convene for a second, that'd be great.

-Absolutely, yes.

-Thank you.

-OK. Talk to me.

-So where are the...

-I can't see any...

-There's nothing. There's a tiny little bit there.

-No.

Honestly, I'm going to be criticised for saying that, I know it,

but if people would just switch on to these things.

It's got a little bit of damage. Just...so what?

-This is beautiful.

-It's all about the work.

-It's fantastic.

Let's see if the stopper fits neatly.

The idea with a good decanter is that it should fit neatly.

-You should turn it one to one and a half times...

-Yeah.

..and it should be tight.

So, once, twice...

-Ahh. Ahh.

-Yes.

Fine. So that's a very good stopper.

I can't believe the good price.

The good price is because of the slight damage,

-because everybody says...

-We still need to get that lower.

Oh, yeah. Leave it to me. THEY LAUGH

Shall I bring that poor, long-suffering Christine in?

OK. Hold on to that.

Don't drop it. Whoa.

I'll bring Christine.

-Right.

-We've lost the plot. Oh, here he comes.

-So, the best we can do at the moment is £70.

-£70.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Ooh, go for it.

Why not?

Number one. Thank you, Chris.

OK. Let's go.

Let's find two and three.

'A high-five from decisive Ty

'but, with those two other items to find,

'they're really up against it.

'Now, Emma, don't be too hard on poor Christine now.'

Let's have a look.

It's just with the damage inside...

Well, 30 is really the lowest I can go to, I'm afraid.

-30?

-Yeah.

-You know what? Actually, surprisingly, I'm happy with that.

So am I.

'What?! Well, I never.'

-I think it's really beautiful. Thank you.

-OK. Done deal?

-BOTH:

-Yes.

-Go for it.

-Good negotiator, well done.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Let's see if we can do this properly.

-Go on.

-But it's one each.

-One hand each.

One hand.

No, you did two!

Aw, she's rubbish.

'So, our artists are certainly in the frame for finishing first.

'That's two items done and dusted.

'Meanwhile, the Blues are on the move.'

We've actually used up half of our time already,

so we really need to chop along to the next shop and get going.

Chop along? Is that a famous Glaswegian saying, Natasha?

Let's see what we can see.

I think we are firing on all four cylinders here.

These two are superfast,

they've got a similar taste actually,

and they make decisions very quickly, so it's a great thing.

25 minutes in,

so now we have the luxury of 35 minutes to find one more object.

So easy!

-Natasha.

-Yes. What have you found?

That silver and glass vase.

Yeah. I think the vase is absolutely gorgeous.

I love that kind of bulbous bottom as well.

-I can relate to that.

-SHE LAUGHS

And I just think it's lovely.

You're thinking... Don't make a comment about a lady's behind.

Oh, steady, Ty.

So we just need to ask Mike if we can open the cabinet. Mike...

-I'll have a go.

-Thank you very much.

Bertie and Ty are interested in the hobnail-cut vase

at the top. What's your opinion on the vase, Mike?

Do you like it?

-This one here?

-Yes!

Yes, it is. It's rather good, isn't it?

They're not bonkers for buying that, are they?

Well...

-What sort of profit...

-That's a very noncommittal answer.

What profit are you going to get in the auction for that?

I know. That's what we need to see.

So, yes, we've got Birmingham hallmarks here.

Doesn't have a lot of weight to it. It's cut glass, it's not crystal.

Now, Mike, how flexible is the owner of this cabinet?

-Not very much, I'm afraid.

-Not very much.

-Um...

It's £35, isn't it?

So, was 39, becomes 35?

-Yes.

-OK.

-Where's the auction you're going to put this stuff into?

-Chiswick.

-Chiswick, right.

Do you want me to tell you...show you

-some bits you can make profit on...

-I'd love to see that.

..for the London market?

Piddling around with stuff like this, there's nothing...

-You're going to lose money.

-OK.

-OK. I'll just lock this up.

Go and have a wander and then I'll point you in the right direction.

'Bit has an unfair advantage, don't you think, boys?

Let's leave them to it whilst I pop up the road

and do a bit of window shopping.

This is very nice, isn't it?

A typical Dorking antique centre, you might think.

But, actually, this is an antique centre

that goes on for miles inside.

But what interests me is, what items do you specifically place

in the smart front of an antique centre like this?

Well, apparently,

in this antique centre, they go in for a lot of old iron.

Rusty, flaking paint,

looking very, very sorry for itself.

So why is this in the pole position in this antique centre?

I tell you why, because somebody has got incredible taste

and discernment.

They have twigged that what that market out there want

in their smart London houses

is pieces that relate to the garden that look shabby chic.

The beauty of it is that it enables you

to arrange all your pot plants in a relatively enclosed space.

And the additional feature is that this thing

can be folded up when it comes to the autumn and winter.

Kick up the strap from underneath there and here like that. Look.

And then, with a bit of muscular activity, if we're lucky...

Like that.

The whole thing can be put back against the wall

or stored in a shed

and, hey presto, the area is clear.

So, what does such a thing cost you here in Dorking,

in a pole position, in an antique centre?

The asking price is £450.

What might it make in a specialist garden sale in another place?

I would guess between 1,000 and 1,500.

So, there's money in this scrap.

But can our Reds make any money out of their final buy?

No pressure, girls, 15 minutes left.

-Is that Art Deco?

-Deco.

-Very much so.

-That's amazing.

Very much so. But I can tell you without even taking it out,

-it's brand spanking new.

-OK. It's £2.

Is it? Seriously?

-Shall we do that for a profit?

-Do you want to make some profit?

-We want a bigger profit, don't we?

-That's our third thing.

-That'd be for...

-That's £2.

-No, no, no.

-We want something more expensive.

-Seriously...

-It's 25, oh!

-No, it's not.

-Emma.

-Even so...

Let's get it down to 10.

-It's 25.

-Yeah, let's get it down to 10.

Now, hang on, can I just make a point? This is fascinating.

Now you know it's 25, you want it and you're willing to pay £10.

-Yes, yes.

-That is fascinating.

-Good point.

-It's amazing.

-Good point, yeah.

-Totally.

I'm constantly struggling with that but you're absolutely right.

-What does that say about us?

-NICKY LAUGHS

-You know, I think it says a lot.

-Shallow?

-OK, I really love it now.

-THEY LAUGH

That is bonkers.

You know, you two could be like...

-I don't know, laboratory ex...

-I bow my head in shame.

David Harper, antiques and behavioural expert.

Meanwhile, our Blue boys are getting the royal tour

from our mate Mike.

Can I just point a couple of things out for you?

That thing there is 1951 kitsch.

-It's chic.

-If you're going to Chiswick,

you can have that for a tenner.

-I'm sure you'll make a profit on that.

-Absolutely.

Something else out here.

Languishing in the corner here is a Regency campana.

-Right.

-It needs a bit of work on the bottom.

And that, you could have for 20 quid,

and I reckon there's a profit in that.

Anyway, carry on.

Hmm, decisions, decisions, boys.

Remember, you still have two items left to buy.

Time to check out that perfume bottle, Reds.

-Is that the box is?

-Is it... Is it heavy?

-That's the box.

-Ooh!

-Result.

-I like, I like.

-Let's...

-I don't think the stopper...

-Does the stopper thing work with the perfume...

-It's fine.

-No, but...

-No, cos that's a twister.

-Oh, it's one of those!

Oh, it's just a dab-dab thing.

That's so... Ah.

-No, I like it.

-That's disappointing.

-Do you think?

It's all about the look.

-It's poor quality in a big way.

-Yeah.

So, again, forget all that.

Just think of the image, the appearance.

It is nice and heavy.

Listen, if we can bag it, it's worth a £10 vouch.

-OK, if we get it for £10.

-But we still want...

-We want to get a bargain on it, though.

-Absolutely.

Do you want me to just go and make a really horribly cheeky bid,

-and I'll come back and give you the best price?

-Yes, I'm too embarrassed.

-Yes, yes, please.

-You should be by now.

-Yes, I am too embarrassed.

Oh, you've changed your tune, Emma.

What I heard when I walked past was, "Kitsch, kitsch, kitsch,"

and that is a great word.

And here it is.

It couldn't be more retro, could it, with this design?

If we can get that for a tenner...

A bit of genuine, 1950s kitsch - well worth thinking about.

-I like that.

-Let's lock it down.

-Let's do it.

-Lock it down?!

OK. We're locking and loading. Shall we go for it, £10?

10... We can get this for £10?

-I'd overheard that, that's what he told you.

-I was...

SHE LAUGHS

Come on, Ty, pay attention.

That's two for the Blues.

So, we left David in charge of negotiations for the perfume bottle.

How did it go, Mr H?

She's so sick of looking at it, you can have it for cost - 10 quid.

-Are you not happy with that?

-No.

-You sound not happy with it.

-It's too much.

-Too much!

This girl wants the moon on a stick.

We are going to choose it.

-Let's make... It'll make £15, £20, £30. Let's just do it.

-OK.

-Hold you to that.

-Go on then.

-OK? This is the final one, do it right.

-Yes.

Yes! Come on, teatime.

Three items, two high-fives and one tea wrapped up.

Well done, Reds.

So, it is up to you how you wish to proceed. We've got one and two.

I love the look of this duck terrine

because how often are you going to get a duck terrine

with a duck ladle?

That is what I love about it. And it is fun and fab.

If you want to pop along to the next shop,

then we've only got about seven or eight minutes to do that.

It's totally up to you.

I quite like the challenge.

OK, right.

We're going to run in and the first thing that we fancy,

we're going to just grab.

-We've got plenty of money left.

-OK, go, go, go!

-Excellent, let's do it.

Don't mess around!

This could go drastically wrong, and that wouldn't be funny, eh, boys?

Oh, my goodness. Are we OK to cross?

Are we going? Go, go, go!

Main entrance.

Go, go, go. OK.

This is all you, guys. You have done this to us.

No, that is quite chic for a Cheswick home, isn't it?

-£125, a little bit steep.

-Yes.

-If we could get that for £80 or £90, wow!

So you think, under £100, the naked red woman is a good...

We've got the shade. She is just...divine. I love her.

-Can we ask them for a price while we look at other stuff?

-Yes.

I'll ask for a price on your behalf. Go, go, go!

Hold on, boys, I thought

you were going to buy the first thing you saw?

You've got one minute left!

-Could we stretch to 90?

-Could we stretch to 90?

Cos she is stretching, and I think at £90...

Under 100... Yes!

Lock it in.

-Lock down!

-Thank you.

Tic-toc, time's up!

With about six seconds to spare. Jackie, thank you so much.

-Oh, fabulous.

-I really like it.

-Oh, she is gorgeous.

-I really like it.

Let's hope she's worth it, Ty. That was a close one.

Now, let's check out what those Reds bought, eh?

It was the Murano mirror which first caught their eye.

An attractive price of £45 was paid.

Next up, they poured over the cut glass decanter and settled for £30.

And finally, it was the Art Deco scent bottle,

a price not to be sniffed at, near ten pounds.

Now, you girls, there's been a few hiccups, is that true?

-Oh, no.

-Maybe.

-No misread labels?

-No, no.

-You can tell they're a couple of actresses, can't you?

Oscar performances here!

OK, now, darling, what's your best, favourite piece?

Oh, favourite completely, as in I want it - mirror.

-Is it?

-Beautiful, beautiful mirror.

-Do you agree with that?

-Surprisingly, I agree with you.

-For once.

-Lovely.

We've got a joint favourite here.

And which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-That's a tricky one.

-The perfume bottle.

-Maybe the decanter.

-I don't know, one of them.

-OK.

That's what's called a hedge.

And you spent big, I know. How much did you spend?

I think it was 85. Not big enough, frankly, but, yes, 85.

£85. £215 of leftover lolly, please.

Anyway, £215.

-David Harper, there's a challenge for you there.

-It's a big challenge.

It is a lot of money. But the reason why I've got a lot of money is

because these two are very, very good at their negotiating.

-Oh, yes.

-There we are.

I mean, I get upset when there is only a small amount of money

spent, but if you spent the right money, it doesn't matter.

-We will find out about that when we get to the auction.

-We will.

OK, fine. I leave it with you, Dave, because we're going to

check out what the Blue team bought, aren't we?

First up were the 20th-century sunglasses and case.

The boys paid £70.

Their second purchase was the 1960s ashtray -

a smoking price of £10 was paid.

Their last item was the racy red lamp, which they paid £90 for.

-OK, chaps, was that fun?

-Yes.

Just as well you are uber fit for your trotting up

and down West Street in Dorking.

Anyway, now, Bertie, what is your favourite piece?

-I think I like the glasses that we bought first of all.

-Your specs.

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that, Ty?

No, I disagree. I really liked the naked red lady lamp.

In my experience, most of these things, that is ladies

with no kit on, tend to do really rather well at auction.

-Yes.

-It is a funny thing, really.

-Anyway, so, how much did you spend all told?

-£170.

£170 - £130 of leftover lolly, please. Straight to the posh.

-And straight off to NR.

-Thank you.

So, what are you going to spend it on, Natasha?

-I don't really have a clue. Anything is game.

-Anything could happen.

Well, that is what'll keep us tuned in. Thank you very much,

Natasha, because right now we are shoving off,

as they say, to the auction.

Well, we have come 24 miles, roughly, north, from Dorking,

into the centre of London,

to Chiswick High Road to be at High Road Auctions with Ross Mercer.

-Good morning.

-Good morning, Tim.

Now, moving for the Reds,

we've got this so-called Murano glass encrusted easel toilet mirror.

That's right. Probably a tourist gift within the last 30 or 40 years.

So, no great age, but in good condition. Is it worth £45?

Well, we have said 30 to 50, Tim.

-Ah, we are just in your estimate.

-Yeah.

-So we might just get to £45.

-Yes, I think they stand a good chance.

Now, the folks round here in West London, they like a drop,

-don't they?

-They do indeed.

-OK.

Well, here is an opportunity to park a drop.

-A lovely cut glass decanter with a silver collar.

-That's right, Tim.

-Nice quality. Hallmarked there for 1935.

-Yeah. How much?

-Well, we have said 80 to 120.

-You are a brilliant man.

£30 is all they paid for it in Dorking.

So, we like the sound of this very much.

Now, we have got another glass object -

this so-called Art Deco style scent bottle.

That's right. Loosely Art Deco, really, in style.

And quite nicely made, nicely finished.

-This is a brand-new job, isn't it?

-Brand-new, yeah.

-OK, what is it worth?

-Well, we've said £30 to £50.

It is a bit of a novelty,

so I am hoping they didn't pay much more than 30.

-No, only £10.

-They've done very well.

They've been very canny with their purchases, I have to say.

This team deserve to do well.

I don't think they'll need the bonus buy,

but let's go and have a look at it anyway.

-Well, girls, isn't this gorgeous?

-Amazing.

We are at the leftover lolly moment.

You only spent a miserable £85 and you gave our man,

our hero, £215.

David, what did you do with the £215?

I think I bought, my prediction is, the very best item on today's show.

-What are you laughing at?

-What is it?

-It's a vesta case.

-I like that.

-For matches. Solid silver.

And it is hallmarked in Birmingham in 1910.

So, do you like it as a vesta case?

-Could we melt it down?

-No! You could not melt it down!

-You are such a Philistine when it comes to...

-Honestly!

Oh, it could be a pendant, jewellery.

Exactly, you haven't spotted something that makes it incredibly

different, and I have never ever, in all my years, seen anything like it.

Are you ready?

-SHE GASPS

-Isn't that absolutely,

exquisitely beyond belief?

-But she's ugly!

-What?!

-What?!

-No, she's OK. She's not...

-What do you mean she's OK? She is ace!

I think this is amazing. I think this... I'd like it. Can I bid?

How much, how much, how much?

I paid £70 for that.

-HE GASPS

-I think there is every possibility

she's going to make £150, £200.

That is a prediction, girls. Don't you think that is a prediction?

-It's a good one.

-Now, you don't pick now, you pick later.

I can't wait to find out what the auctioneer

thinks about Dave's vesta case.

Well, on the face of it, that looks

and feels just like a chunky, typical vesta case, doesn't it?

That's right, but it holds a bit of a secret.

There it is, a lovely little miniature portrait of a young lady.

So the old man would always have an image of her close to him.

-That's right.

-How much is it worth?

Well, we have set £80 to £120, reflecting how well it is made, Tim.

And I have never seen one before.

Well, that cunning monkey, David Harper, only

spent £70 on this, which has to be, I think, an absolute snip.

Strike a light.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues.

We've got a pair of so-called Oriental sunglasses.

How do you rate those?

I am a little bit dubious, to be honest, Tim.

-I think we will struggle with this.

-Yeah.

-I really do, yes.

We have said £40 to £60, but I am not convinced.

I wouldn't fret unduly. They paid £70.

It is a sort of dressing-up box job, isn't it?

Right, anyway, moving on.

Next up is the funky '60s ashtray.

Lavatory paper holder.

I think that is a better use for it, to be honest.

Yes, it doesn't do much for me, I'm afraid, Tim.

However, that modernist look of the mid 20th century

is easily sold around here.

Oh, yes, you bet! You bet your life!

What is the estimate?

-£20 to £40.

-Ten pounds paid, so that is pretty cool.

-They will see a small profit.

-Yeah. And then the Art-Deco-looking girl.

-She is a bit of a lamp stand, isn't she?

-She is.

-Nice form, but I'm afraid, cast resin.

-£90 is what they paid.

-Wow.

-It is not pretending to be anything but a resin cast jobby.

-How much?

-We had said £50 to £70.

-It is almost in the frame.

But I tell you, if the so-called old sunglasses

and the resin figure and the lavatory paper holder don't go

so well, these guys are in trouble

and they're going to need the bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Now, guys, this is the moment of truth.

Natasha had 130 of your pounds. So, Natasha, what did you find?

There is no way that you don't know what this is already.

It is, of course,

the mallard terrine with amazing mallard miniature ladle.

Tell me now I can convince that you have to have it.

Well, we haven't got much choice, have we, really?

Did you see it before?

-We did.

-And did you turn it down before?

-We did.

I have to tell you, the reason why bought I this for you is because

I almost want to show you how much competition it is going to inspire.

Egg on my face if the sales for it flop and we lose money.

-Do you want to know what a paid for?

-Yes.

-I only paid £20 for it.

And I genuinely think it can only make money.

But the choice will be yours, guys.

And right now, for the audience at home, let's find out whether

the auctioneer thinks that Natasha Raskin is completely quackers.

How quackers is this?

Well, this is kitsch, isn't it, Tim?

It even comes with its own little ladle in there.

-And it is decorative.

-I think it is quite West London, don't you?

I think it is. It is a talking point.

It certainly is! Anyway. So, this is Natasha Raskin's pick.

And I think she has got it in spades here. What is your estimate?

Well, for this we've said £40 to £60.

-Well, the cunning girl has only paid £20.

-She has done well, then.

How about that, ducky?

Right then, Ross, rise to your rostrum.

-Now, Emma, Nicky, you OK?

-Yeah.

-Excited about this?

-Very, yeah.

What is your prediction today? How much profit are you going to make?

-A lot.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-Can we have it, like, defined?

-You want in numbers?

-85.

No, I'm thinking 100.

-You're going to make £100 profit?!

-OK.

-Overall?

-BOTH: Yes.

-Wow.

-Very optimistic.

-These girls are right up for it, aren't they?

-So, first up is it going to be your Murano strut mirror.

-OK.

Which is absolutely gorgeous. And here it comes.

20th-century Murano

glass dressing table mirror.

Ten pounds, on bid at ten. 15 now.

-Get a grip, girls.

-Come on!

At 20. 25. £25.

My colleague at £25 now. Bid 30.

New place at £30. 35.

At 35. 40 now.

Come on!

What is wrong with these people?

At £40, and I'm going to sell at 40...

-Oh! Did he sell it for 40?

-Yes, he did.

Minus five pounds. OK, now, this decanter.

George V silver-mounted, cut-glass, club-shaped decanter and stopper.

-£55 on bid.

-Oh!

Who is interested for more? Bid 60, sir.

Five.

These people are half-asleep.

There are only four of them there.

Five. At 75.

At £75,

last chance, I'm going to sell.

-At £75...

-I'm liking this.

-Good. It's good.

-75 is plus 45.

You were minus five, you're now plus 40.

Clear and black cut-glass scent bottle. There it is.

Cap-stand form, we say.

£15 surely for it. Ten then.

-Ten pounds on bid. 15. 20 now.

-Oh, yeah!

We are making a profit.

25 now. Last chance, going to sell

-at 25.

-25.

-All done?

-I'm loving it.

And selling at £25...

-Brilliant.

-Girls, you are so clever,

you have plus £55.

-Is that good or is it good?

-Brilliant.

-That is so good.

-Now, what are you going to do...

-I don't know.

-..about this vesta case?

-Yes.

-Yes?

-I do.

-Should we do it? I'm so scared.

-Yes, yes.

-You do?

-Yes.

OK, fine, we are going with the bonus buy. Defo? Defo.

Very good. OK, here it comes.

Unusual Edwardian silver portrait vesta.

Some interest here. Bids starting against you all at £120.

With me at 120. And I'll bid 30.

130, sir. 140. 150.

At 150, I'm out. 160.

170. 170 bid. 180.

180. 190.

-It is all worth it.

-£190. At 190.

-With my colleague at £190.

-Go on!

-Go on!

-Last chance at 190...

David Harper!

£190. He is plus £120 of profit.

-Is that cool or not?

-BOTH: Yes!

-Did you trust the man?

-Yes.

-Is he a genius?

-He's lovely.

-To find that for £70, is that not brilliant?

It is pure genius.

Anyway, overall, you are £175 in profit.

We will have to go to the cash machine for certain to raid it

-for that amount of profit.

-See? Magic.

You are really, really, really cute, you girls.

Don't say a word to the Blues.

Bert, Ty, you happy about this?

-BOTH WITH RESERVATION: Yeah.

-Yeah? I mean, why not?

Those girls, you have any idea how they got on?

I imagine they did well. They looked very confident.

-That's women for you, though, isn't it?

-Perhaps.

-Anyway.

First up, and it's coming right now, are your specs, Bertie.

Here they come.

Pair of rather unusual sunglasses together with a shagreen case.

Talk them up.

-Start against you all, £20. On bid at 20.

-OK.

Depends how many people have small heads in the audience.

30. 35.

Bid 40. 40. Five now, fresh place.

50 now. At £50, left-hand side, gentleman's bid. 55.

-60 to you, sir, at 60. 65 now, internet.

-Go on!

All done at £65 now on the internet?

-The room is out.

-One more!

And £65...

Nearly. Well, Bertie, there is no shame in that, mate,

it's only minus five pounds.

Minus five pounds. Now, here comes the lavatory paper holder.

1960s enamelled wrought iron ashtray.

Bids start, £20.

-Oh, we're in! 20.

-You doubled your money.

Anyone else coming in at 25 now?

Otherwise on the maiden bid of 20.

Last chance at 20.

Anyway, it is plus ten pounds.

I don't care, maties,

you are now five pounds in profit overall. Now...

Rather stylish Art Deco style resin figural table lamp.

Some interest here.

Bids starting against you all

-at £15, I'm afraid. 15.

-15?

-15.

-Let's see what happens. 15, 20.

That's sad. That is sad.

40. Five. 50.

Five. 60.

No, at £55. At 55, stood at the back, at 55.

With the gentleman at 55.

Last chance, going to sell now at 55.

Ladies of Chiswick!

-£55.

-Oh!

That is five off 60.

That is minus 35.

-You know what that means!

-We'll have to.

-Overall, you are minus 30.

Now, what are you going to do about duck face?

Guess we don't really have a choice.

We are bound to the duck.

The die is cast. £20 you paid for it. His estimate is 40 to 60.

He thinks it is a kitschiest thing and thinks it is really fab.

All right? So duck face could save your bacon.

Mid-20th-century, continental, soft paste porcelain terrine and cover.

Duck a l'orange this evening.

Bids start at £30, surely.

20 then. Ten then.

Ten pounds on bid. Ten. 15.

Now they all want it at £15.

-20 now.

-Yes!

-25.

30. Christmas is coming.

£30. 35.

At £35, bid 40.

-Sir, one more.

-Keep going!

-At £40.

-Yes!

-At £40, left-hand side.

-The year of the mandarin.

Last chance, I'm going to sell now.

-At £40.

-Come on!

Last chance at 40...

-Yay!

-Oh, yes, £40, doubled your money.

Natasha, you are a genius.

-Well done.

-That is plus 20.

-Was she right or was she right?

-She was right.

-OK, fine.

£20 profit. Well done there, Nat.

So you were minus 30, now you're only minus ten pounds,

which could be a winning score, yes?

Gosh, what fun, isn't it? The battle of the sexes, eh?

How do you think it went, lads?

I think I see some Cheshire cheese,

some really good smilers over here,

which can only mean one thing -

that the runners-up today, by a big old chunk, are the Blues.

I mean, I can't disguise it, really,

when you are confronted by such overt happiness on this side.

Anyway, you started off terribly well, minus five pounds.

-But it finished up, even after the success of old duck face...

-Yes!

..which made a £20 profit, at being minus ten pounds.

-Basically, you were robbed, right?

-Yeah, robbed and gutted.

-Gutted.

-Oh, behave!

-Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed it.

We have loved having you. You've been seriously good sports about it.

Because the girls are going to go home with a grand total of £175.

£175!

-That is folding money, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

-Have you ever seen Nicky take so much money so quickly?

-No.

She is not mucking about. OK, £45. You did extremely well.

£45 on that decanter, which you tell me was malfunctioning.

Which is something else.

And then the genius comes up with a vesta case,

which makes £120 profit!

-That is a seriously good find.

-Brilliant.

How you found that for £70 before me, I do not know.

-Seriously, well done, David.

-Thank you.

-A smashing find.

-And it was fun, wasn't it?

-It was great fun.

-Brilliant.

Anyway, join us soon for some more bargain-hunting, yes? Yes!