Westpoint 18 Bargain Hunt

Exeter has had a quay since Roman times.

But in the 13th and 14th century, rival merchants built weirs

across the river to prevent their competitors' goods

getting to the city.

So, will our teams today be quite so devious?

Let's find out. Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Today, we're just six miles away from the city centre,

at the Westpoint Centre,

where each of our teams will be let loose with £300 and an hour

to find three items on which they hope to make a packet later.

Let's see what's coming up, shall we?

Phil makes the Red team an offer they really CAN refuse.

-If you can buy it for 40 or 50 quid...

-Yeah?

..I will walk down there with my trousers around my ankles.

Caroline has to take the Blue team in hand.

Guys, come on! Mike! Down here, now!

And at the auction, things go from the sublime...

SHE GASPS

-..to the...

-Ridiculous.

First up, let's meet the teams.

On today, we have two teams of friends.

For the Reds, we have Ria and Sharon,

and for the Blues, we have Nick and Mike. Hello, everyone!

-ALL:

-Hello, Tim.

-Brilliant to see you. Now, Ria.

-You've worked in a supermarket for two years.

-Yes.

-Tell me, what is F.A.B about that job?

-The people.

Hands down, it has to be the people. It's amazing.

-Everyday's different.

-And did you have a lot of training before you started?

A fair bit, yeah. Most of it's learning what to do and all that kind of thing,

and how the computers work. So there was a fair bit involved, actually.

-But a lot of it is just people skills.

-And I bet you're jolly good at it.

I like to think so, yes!

And what do you get up to in your spare time?

I'm generally sorts of arts and crafts,

I do a lot of sewing as well, that kind of thing.

And video games, I play an awful lot of video games,

-I will 'fess up to that!

-Well, a lot of people do.

-Yes.

-And it's a way of relaxing, right?

-Yeah, very much. Escapism as well.

So if you've had a rough day at work, you come home,

you play couple of hours on your console, and away you go.

Yeah, very good. Now, Sharon.

-Your friendship with Ria is relatively a new one, isn't it?

-Yes.

How'd it come about?

-My son brought her home one day.

-Really?

-But the cat took to her.

-Oh, right.

So, in our house, the cat is the gauge.

-So, Ria's passed the cat test?

-Oh, yes!

But it's nice though, isn't it,

-when your boy brings home a girl that you really like.

-It is.

And awkward if you don't!

-We wouldn't be here if we didn't get on, let's be honest.

-That's it!

Exactly right.

Now, Sharon, it says here that you're a bit of a magpie.

-Oh, I am.

-And what sort of things do you like to collect?

I do collect the First World War silks, postcards.

-So, the lovely Valentine's cards?

-Yes.

-Well, not just the Valentine's, you know, "To my mother with love..."

-Yeah.

-I absolutely love those.

-Yes.

-I've got about 30, 40.

-So, are you going to buy World War I objects?

-Oh, I'd love to buy anything, yes.

-You might find some. You never can tell.

-Quite possibly.

It's a very nice fair you're going to be going around.

So, what are your tactics going to be then, today? Spend a lot?

-Yes.

-As much as we can. As much as we can.

Really. Well, I hope you have great fun anyway, girls. Now, chaps.

-Nick, you have recently retired after 36 years practising law.

-Indeed, yes.

-Wound up people's estates, prepared their wills and, er...

-Gosh, 36 years.

-That's a good innings, isn't it?

-It is.

-And frightfully keen on cricket?

Absolutely passionate supporter of Somerset County Cricket Club.

And you go to Taunton a lot, therefore, to watch...?

Yeah. I retired in May, so I spent last summer down there.

But at Lord's, 1979,

104 years of pain ended as we won our first ever trophy.

-Well, it's amazing, isn't it?

-But the downside is, we are

still one of the two counties never to have won the County Championship.

Well, there's plenty of time.

Well, before I fall off my perch, we must win the championship.

-This season then, this season.

-And it'll happen... Don't be like that!

He looks very healthy to me! He's only recently retired!

-You've got a passion for pens?

-Yes...

-So, are you a Mont Blanc man?

Mont Blanc, ah, yes. I've got about 20.

And the good thing about pens is you can use them,

-and I used to rotate them in my work.

-Exactly.

And as a lawyer, plenty of opportunity for drafting things.

Yeah, well, clients are quite impressed actually,

but they say it's nice to see somebody using a fountain pen.

I quite agree. Will you be shopping for pens today for your bargain hunt, if you can find one?

Depends what my bank manager says, but I doubt it!

Well, look. I guess our audience will twig that you've been involved

-in the banking business, yes, Mike?

-Yes, 42 years.

-42 years?

-Yes.

-And what sort of banking were you in?

-Business banking.

So I used to visit my customers more less at their place of work,

rather than in the office.

-And did you have fun, whizzing around, seeing your clients?

-Oh, absolutely.

-I had one particular customer who owned a series of country house hotels.

-Right.

One particular occasion, I got an invite from the customer to

a function, and it turned out it was Shirley Bassey's 70th birthday bash!

And did she sing?

She did sing. In fact, she sang Happy Birthday to herself,

which was quite something.

She's Tiger Bay, isn't she?

-She is indeed, yes.

-Are you from that principality yourself?

I am indeed, yes.

-Oh, well...

-I'm a lifelong Cardiff City fan...

-Right.

I've been going down to see them, the boys in blue, for

nigh on 50 years, hence why I'm delighted to be Blue team today on Bargain Hunt.

Well, I'm very pleased that you are,

because the next thrill is going to be collaring our £300 apiece,

which for the bank manager, should be a special frisson.

-Yeah, I'll look after that...

-There we go. Jolly good.

And negotiate an overdraft while you're at it.

Anyway, you know the rules, your experts await, and off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

Gosh, what fun!

And to get the fun started, our teams need some expert assistance.

Hoping to get "a head" for the Red team today, heh, Philip Serrell.

Eager to serve up a profit for the Blues, Caroline Hawley.

-Do we have a plan?

-We do.

-Oh, dear.

-Are you sure?

What are you looking for?

Our plan is to buy something that we like, that we hope someone else might like.

-I'd like to spend fairly small.

-OK.

-I want to spend big, I'm a Cavalier, he's a Roundhead, you see.

-Right.

-That's what we're going to do.

-Right! And I'm stuck in the middle.

And make the most profit we possibly can.

-Do you know, I've heard this before on this programme.

-Oh, of course.

-Really? Oh, dear.

Right, teams. Your 60 minutes starts now.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Well, let's get started. Come on.

'They're off!

'And the Reds get straight to it.'

-Have they got anything First World War related?

-I'm sure I will have.

Well, what we really want, to fill every criterion,

-is something at a guaranteed profit. That's we really want, isn't it?

-Yes, yeah.

-I like that pig.

-That might be a little bit out of our price range.

-Oh, these little boxes.

-Those are vinaigrettes.

I love the wheelbarrow.

That's going down to three things, we haven't picked anything up yet.

-Now, girls, we need...

-I've got something in mind that's £90.

Let's have a look.

Let's have a look, let's have a look.

-And there's a very good discount on this.

-What's the ticket price?

-165.

So why it is there such a good discount on it?

It's purely out of the goodness of my heart.

Does your heart go as good as £70?

-No, it's not that good.

-THEY LAUGH

'Nice try, Sharon.'

I think at auction, that's going to make £60-£90.

But the real thing is, do you like it?

I like it, but I think it's a bit early to say yes or no at the moment.

-Then why do you...

-What do you think? Do you...

I do really like it, but if it is possible to hold it, I think...

-Well, we did say we'd choose one thing each. And then...

-Yeah.

-Thank you very much indeed, thank you.

-You're welcome.

-Cheers!

-Come on then, ladies, come on.

-Yep.

'One item saved for later.

'Meanwhile, the level-headed Blues have noticed something more practical.'

Some of these old planes tend to do rather well, don't they?

That's £7, that's not expensive.

-Are you a bit of a woodworker yourself?

-Oh...

The last time I picked up a plane, I was in school at the time.

-HE LAUGHS

-Oh, were you? So fairly recently?

Yes, absolutely. Yeah.

-It's got some age to it, as well.

-Mmm.

But I'm not awfully sure there's going to be a huge profit in it.

-No, no, no.

-No.

-I think you can probably get it even cheaper.

-Is it something we can...

-Do you feel... Do you like planes?

Er... It's a bit... Um... I can't see a market in it.

-A bit "plane".

-A bit "plane".

'Our boys in blue have their eyes firmly on the cheap and cheerful.

'Unfortunately for Phil, the ladies in red have high

'expectations of what they can get for their money.'

I really like that casket.

-So, how much do you think the casket is?

-About £40-£50?

-You think that's £40-£50 quid?

-Maybe.

-If you can buy it for £40-£50 quid...

-Yeah?

-Is she being optimistic?

-I will walk down there with my trousers around my ankles.

-OK.

-All right? How much is that, please?

-250.

-Ooh...

-Phew! My trousers are safe.

-..go away!

'Thank goodness for that.'

-THEY LAUGH

-Thank you very much.

Shows I've got taste, but not a clue on how much things are!

-'You said it, not me, Sharon.'

-OK, so we're going to have to lower our expectations.

-I think we've got to... It's best if you...

-I think you've got to lower YOUR expectations, not mine!

'Don't fall out, you two.

'You haven't even bought your first item yet.

'How are the Blues doing?'

What about that box, there?

Now, that is a modern box, and it's probably Italian, inlaid...

-I bet, if I was to open it, it might play music.

-Ah, music box.

-Shall I have a go?

-Yeah.

MUSIC PLAYS

-ALL: Oh!

-Look at that! I like to be right.

-Sorrento!

And it's from Sorrento!

'Clever girl, Caroline. You certainly know your stuff.'

-I think that would have originally been for cigarettes.

-Do you?

-Oh, right.

-Oh, right.

Which now, are so old-fashioned... I think you could use it for jewellery.

-Yes, that's right.

-Yeah.

-I didn't know the tune, did you?

-No.

-No.

-I've got van Gogh's ear for music.

-Oh, right, OK!

'That's another "No" from the Blues, then. And time is ticking.

-'Meanwhile, the Reds have found something they can agree on.'

-Oh! Definitely.

-That is lovely. What does it say? Black Forest...

-Black Forest...

-..inkwell!

-What have you found?

-An inkwell.

-Noddy's inkwell.

-Ah, a little bit of Black Forest inkwell, yeah?

-Yep.

-I quite like that.

-I do.

-Are the actual bottles original?

-I would say they are...

-Yeah?

-..because if you look at the way they just fit in there.

-They're fitted, definitely.

So they are... And what's lovely, I love these sort of covers.

-It's price, isn't it?

-It is, 130.

I would think at auction, that's going to make...

-Probably £50-£80.

-Yeah.

-Oh, OK.

-So we need to get it down to £75, £70...?

-Quite a bit.

-Well, that is some sort of distance.

-Oh, I know.

-These guys have to make a profit on what they do.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-I'd definitely go for that.

-Yeah.

-You want to buy that? Right.

-There you are.

-Thank you.

-Go and see the good lady.

-OK.

-And we're going to have a little chat over here now.

-OK.

How do you reckon she's going to do with that, then?

I don't know, I mean, I love it as well, but... Might make something, but not a lot.

-HE SINGS:

-There may be trouble ahead...

When she's involved, yes.

'That's your prospective mother-in-law, Ria.'

# There may be trouble ahead... #

'Back with the Blues and there's a theme emerging here.'

Oh, look, there's an inkwell to go with your pen. How much is that?

-£185, Mike.

-All right.

-No? Yes? We need to... No, right, come on. Move on.

'Another no.

'Come on, boys, you're not making things very easy for Caroline.

'Have the Reds done a deal on their inkwell?'

-Ta-da! £95.

-Well done.

-No worries.

Well, do you know what, I think we might just struggle with it.

-I really honestly do. But the real key to this is...

-I do like it.

-..you've got to buy what you like.

-BOTH: Yeah.

-And you love it.

-I do.

'Well done, Reds. First item bought. What's next?'

We need a plan now. Because that's one down,

-or one-and-a-half down...

-Yeah.

-What do you want to do about the basket?

-BOTH: We're going to buy it.

-You're going to go and buy it?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-So it's 90 and 95, that's £185.

-The next item will have to be a cheap one.

-You go buy it.

All right, let's go!

'Well, that was decisive. But the rapid work of the Reds is starting to worry Phil.'

Do you know what? We've gone from spending nothing,

to £185 in the space of about two minutes.

We've had our half-hour time. I don't know how it's going to go, but...

They've certainly got a will, haven't they?

I'd better go and see what they're doing.

'I would if I was you. Back with the Blues, and Caroline is also fretting.'

-We've used some of our time, we haven't got anything.

-No.

I think we need to zoom in on something that we...

'Poor Caroline.

'Despite all her enthusiasm and advice,

'this cautious pair of professionals are yet to find anything they like.'

-Now, look at this. A cigar cart.

-Right.

-How cute is that?

Where do you cut the cigar?

-Well, matches would go in here...

-Yeah.

-..cigars on there,

-and then here, can you see the hole in the bottom?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

And press that... And that's what... There's a new term that has

-been coined, I think, "mantiques".

-"Mantiques?"

-Oh, right, yeah.

-That's a sort of antique for the man that's got everything.

-Yeah, yeah.

'A "mantique"! Ha! How charming.

'So, are you two man enough to finally spend some cash?'

It's plated, is it?

Yes, it's silver-plated. I have never seen another one.

-Really?

-No.

-What sort of age do you think it is?

I would think it's probably Edwardian. Shall we have a look?

-Edwardian!

-Edwardian. £98, yeah.

-I'm very tempted by that.

If we get it for...70?

Yeah, or even a bit less. Could you see that on your desk?

I could, I could. I could put the pen there, instead of a cigar.

You could put the pen there, yes!

Shall I go and find the stallholder?

-Well, let's call the lady over and see if...

-Ah! Excuse me, can we...?

-We're very interested in that.

-Mm-hm.

-The cigar cart.

-I've never seen another one.

-No, I haven't.

-Nor's Caroline, no. And it's 98.

How would you feel about 60?

I can't let it go for that, I'm afraid.

Just a touch more.

-61?

-Ha! A little bit more than that!

-That was a LITTLE touch!

-What about a caress at 65?

-Yes, OK.

Are we done?

-Thank you very much.

-It's a pleasure!

-Cheers, thank you.

'Fantastic negotiations from our former legal eagle.

'Well done, Nick. That means the Blues have

'finally made their first buy.'

How are the Reds doing now with their silver bowl?

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hello again.

-Can you guess what we're back for?

-Erm, I think I can, yes.

-You have still got it?

-Yes.

-Oh, lovely.

I held it back for you. BOTH: Oh, thank you.

There we are.

What was the price on that one again? Was it about 80-85?

-Erm, I think we'd agreed on 90.

-Yes, sounds fair.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

-Cheers.

-OK.

-No, that's really lovely.

-I'm glad we've got it.

'Well done, girls.

'You managed to do the deal before Phil had even caught up with you.

'The Blues will need to pick up the pace, though, if they're going to keep up.'

We've got half an hour to go, guys.

Normally, if we split an hour into three we get 20-minute sections.

-You will know that as a bank manager. We are behind the clock.

-Yes.

So we've got two items to get in half an hour.

-I suggest we get focused and get buying.

-OK, let's go.

-Come on.

'Let's hope that motivational talk from Caroline has the desired

'effect on our picky pair.

'And speaking of pairs, let me show you something I came across

'a while back in Anglesey.'

D'you know, there is nothing I like more than a bargain on Bargain Hunt.

What do you think about these two?

Well, we all know that Chinese works of art

are the flavour of the moment.

Imagine my glee, therefore,

when I came across this pair of Mi Ping vases.

What's this business about Mi Ping?

Well, that relates to the shape,

interpreted by the Chinese as the shape of a woman's body.

The only thing is that one of these Mi Ping are taller than the other.

That one is a bit shorter than that one.

That's because, if you take the top off,

it's got completely shattered, look, round the top there.

In fact, the whole body of this pot has smashed into about 500 pieces

and, if you look carefully, somebody has put it together and glued it -

but in an amateur way and they shoved it back in the cabinet until

along came a dealer who cleared their house

and brought them for me to buy.

Except, he was so ashamed of this vase being damaged that

he said to me the price could be £20 for the pair.

I said to him, "Are you sure? Well, all right, then".

He said, "You can have the pair for £10".

Well, there is a pretty classic lesson

to be learned about retailing here.

If you have a pair of objects,

one of which is smashed to bits and one of which is perfect,

the best thing to do is to take

the one that's smashed to bits and throw it away,

because if you're not going to restore it

and you're not going to spend a lot of money on that pot,

once the smashed one is disappeared, you can concentrate

on the perfect example

and this single pot, I think, would be worth between £200-£400.

So, £10 for the damaged pair, get rid of the other thing,

concentrate on £200-£400 for what you're left with.

And that's what I call a right Mi Ping.

'Back on the shop floor in Exeter, I wonder if Caroline's

'words of encouragement have prompted our pair to make a purchase.'

-Are those bookends?

-Yes, they are bookends.

-Does this look about right?

-No, no.

-That was a decisive 'no'!

'It would seem not.

'Right, Caroline, I think it's time to take charge.'

Guys, guys, come on. Mike!

-Down here, now.

-'Do as you're told, chaps.

'Hopefully things are going to go rather more smoothly for the Reds.'

-Oh, isn't that cute?

-Which one?

The little mirror with the jewellery box.

-I'm not keen on it, in all fairness. It's OK.

-OK.

The owl brooch.

-No?

-No.

I quite like that. What do you think?

-It's not my cup of tea, I'm afraid.

-OK.

'Oh, dear. The girls are not seeing eye-to-eye at all.

'Phil, remind them what they were originally searching for, will you?'

Have you got any sort of First World War memorabilia

or anything like that?

-The lucky heather.

-I find all this quite poignant.

You know, there's a little keepsake, look, of a soldier

-and there's lucky heather in the back.

-Aww.

-Aww.

You just kind of think, "did it work for him or did it not?"

-It is not for me, I don't know about you.

-I'll put it back.

It was just when you said you liked First World War items.

Thank you very much. I think we're a 'no' on those, but thank you,

thank you very much.

'You tried your best, Phil.

'But it seems things are not going well for the Reds or the Blues.'

We've bought one item - Edwardian cigar cart.

Never seen one before, but we are conscious of time.

I know lawyers need to justify their fees,

but, gosh, they have been dillying about something chronic.

I think we need to be more decisive in what we go for.

We've just bought the one item

and, if we're not careful, we're not going to get three done in an hour.

-But we'll find two more.

-Yes.

-Never fear.

'That's the spirit, boys. You can do it.'

-Do you two often go out shopping together?

-No.

-No.

How did I know that?

-What's that there?

-What's what, where?

-That box there.

-This one. 'In love to a friend'.

Now, that looks 19th-century, workbox, it'll be fairly...

Oh, it's full of stuff. Look, with the little...with the bits in.

I think it's pine and this is scrumbled, which is

to look like a more expensive wood. It's a nice little vintage thing.

It is what it is.

How much is that? What is the very best on your box, please?

I ought to start at 22, really, shouldn't I?

-We were thinking more sort of 15.

-15? That's fair enough, I suppose.

If we're looking at percentages, 15...

Don't look at percentages, you are talking to a bank manager here!

-Oh, no. 18.

-It's entirely up to you two.

-Time pressure.

-Time is precious.

-Let's go for it. 18?

-18.

-Brilliant! We'll have it, yeah?

Thank you very much.

'Well, I thought we'd never get there.

'46 minutes gone and you've finally made your second purchase.'

Well done.

Goodness me.

'The Reds have spotted something that is very familiar to Sharon.'

-Oh! Now, these.

-You like those, do you?

-Oh, yes.

-They're silks, aren't they?

-13.

-You could buy both of them, couldn't you?

-Yeah.

Definitely, these two. Yes. What do you think, Rea?

-It is your thing.

-It is.

'I'm not sure you're going to have much of a say here, Rea.'

You can't not.

-I know, but all the time going round looking at different places for them...

-I know.

-..and then you find six...

-BOTH: and they're framed!

-You have to, I'm sorry.

-Yep.

'Very wise to let your potential mother-in-law have what she wants.'

-Hello.

-Hello.

-How much could you do those two for, please?

-Erm, let's have a look.

-Two of the pictures?

-How much are they? 35.

-You better make him an offer he can't refuse, haven't you?

-I had.

He could probably refuse that. What's the best you could do them for?

Would you take 20, seeing you said lovely...

-Corned beef, tonight - 20 quid, then.

-Oh, thank you.

-That's OK, darling.

-So that is 20, 90, and 95 - so that's 205 quid.

-That is really good going.

-Are you finished?

-Yes, and we've got everything we liked.

-Are you pleased?

-Yes, very.

-Come on, let's go.

-Yeah.

I need a cup of tea!

'Well, that was quick and easy.

'I wonder if the Blues are making as much progress?'

So, what are you wanting to do?

My gut feeling is to go back to where we started

-and put a couple of the planes together.

-Back to square one, then.

-Back to square one.

-Right.

'Oh, dear, back to square one. Really?'

-Where is square one?

-Over there.

-Or is it over here?

-It was where we came in.

-It's over there. Yes. Right, let's go.

'Blues, you only have five minutes left,

'but at least you're heading in the right direction, aren't you?'

Hang on. So they weren't right when we came in,

in fact they were right at the opposite end of where we came in. Oh!

'Come on, come on, Blues. Time is running out.'

Are they there? Yes, they are.

Planes, planes.

Right, you look at what you want, I'll go and get the lady. Hang on.

Yeah, yeah, OK.

That's only £8 but it hasn't got the...£7 on that one,

£8 on that, which is obviously 15.

If these are £3.

-Right, we've got four minutes to go and it's going quickly.

-Yes.

The guy's over there,

tell me what you want and I'll go and see if I can get a good price.

-I think...seven, eight is 15, this is three.

-18.

-18.

-And this one is...four.

-That is 22.

-22, OK.

So you want these two and those two there? Right.

And what's wrong with the other one? You don't want that? No?

-That's a billhook, £12.

-Yes, yes.

-22, 24, 34.

-You want the best price? OK.

-Thank you.

-20, hopefully.

-How much?

-20.

'Just three minutes left.'

-The auction's in Somerset.

-That's right, yeah.

-They are collectables.

-I'm back, I'm back. Good news. 20 quid.

-Well done, Caroline.

-I think it is well done. I think on the timings.

-Oh, for goodness' sake.

Thank you.

'Poor Caroline. I think she wants a hand, not a kiss.

'But that's your third item bought, team.'

Those 60 minutes are up.

-Here, grab a billhook.

-Let's have a billhook.

-Grab a scythe.

Let's remind ourselves what those Reds bought, eh?

'Phil wasn't sure if it was anything to write home about,

'but Sharon loved this Black Forest inkwell, bought for £95.

'They went straight back to the first item they saw,

'the sugar basket, which set them back £90.

'And finally, Sharon's passion for postcards meant

'they couldn't say no to these. Price paid, £20.'

-Hey, hey, you girls.

-BOTH: You all right?

-You relaxed up now?

-Yes, yes. It's all done.

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

-Very.

-How much did you spend in total?

-£205.

-£205. Who's got the £95, then?

-I do.

Thank you very much. £95. What's your favourite piece, Sharon?

I shouldn't say it, but the Black Forest carved inkwell set.

-That's your favourite?

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that, Ria?

-I like it, but I prefer the silver bowl we bought.

-OK.

-Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-I hope so because I like it.

-OK. What do you think, Sharon?

-Oh, my Black Forest will.

-Right, fine.

There we've got some predictions anyway. Smashing team.

Lovely and I've had such a great time in Devon, I'm going to go

-and buy myself a souvenir.

-Really?

Probably clotted cream or something like that. Let's hope not.

Anyway, very good luck, girls,

go and have a nice cup of tea because we're going to check out

what the Blue Team bought right now, aren't we?

'First up was their "mantique", an Edwardian cigar cart.

'Bought for £65.

'Less manly was the sewing box. Price paid £18.

'But they improved their macho credentials with

'the selection of vintage tools, which cost them £20.'

-Now you two old pros, that's how to do it, isn't it?

-It is.

-It wasn't bad, was it?

-You spent...was it a couple of hundred?

-Regrettably, we spent 103.

-103, very precise.

-Yes.

And the compound interest on that over two and a half... No, no.

-At today's interest rates...

-I would like 197, please.

-There we are.

-Thank you very much.

-The bank manager has the money.

-197.

Naturally he does. You're in safe hands in that department.

-So, which is your favourite item?

-The cigar cart.

The cigar cart. Lovely.

I think I'd go for the old tools, the planes and the scythes.

Even more manly. Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think the agricultural implements.

-Right. Here we go, girl.

-There's a nice little peak of cash there.

-Yes.

-What are you going to spend it on?

I think I'm going to spend it quickly and decisively.

-I see.

-Point taken.

-That is pointed.

-You'll have to wait and see.

-OK, very coy. Anyway, there we go.

Relax up, have a cup of tea,

because very, very shortly we're going to be heading off to the auction.

Well, it's great to be with Richard Kay at Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne.

Everything is flourishing here in the saleroom, is it?

Absolutely booming.

Well, we're looking forward to today's auction, I can tell you.

The Reds started out with this Black Forest inkwell,

-which doesn't really do it for me. Does it do it for you?

-Not really.

I think inkwells made of that sort of material are hard

to sell at the moment.

I suppose all that can really be said in its favour is that

the leaves have not been too badly snapped or damaged, but, apart

from that, I think it's a rather old-fashioned furnishing piece.

Well, it might do for £30 or £40, I suppose. What's your estimate?

-I was thinking that sort of area. We're saying about £40-£60.

-OK.

Well, the team paid £95. I think they just paid too much.

-A little bit too much for the auction market.

-And what about that bowl?

Technically, I think a sugar bowl.

Yes, and actually very charming, partly

because it's quite a useful piece and the blue-glass liner -

-which would be so difficult to replace - is intact, hurrah.

-Hmm.

-So, that all helps.

-Hurrah, hurrah! How much of a hurrah?

-Well, having said that, £40-£60, probably.

-OK. £90 paid.

So they paid just a tad too much for that.

And lastly, very evocative, very on trend,

are the six World War I cards.

How much do you think for those?

We do see these from time to time and this seem to average £5 apiece.

-Yay.

-So £20 or £30 for the six.

-Fair enough.

-And the two frames, I suppose.

-And the team paid £20, so they paid the right price.

-They did.

Anyway, they will get a profit on those, we reckon,

but the other two items might be a problem, in which case

they're going to need their bonus buy,

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

Well, girls. This is exciting, isn't it? You spent a magnificent £205.

-Very impressive.

-You gave the man £95.

Philip, what did you buy?

Well, I bought that.

Being an ex-geography teacher, you see,

I was trying to think regional geography.

It is quite sweet, actually.

I'd forgotten we're not in Devon any more.

There could be a slight drawback.

What's interesting about it, it's from my hometown

because it's a piece of mid-19th century Worcester porcelain,

-decorated with a view of Lynton and Lynmouth.

-I like that.

That is worth, in my view, between 250 and £350...

-How much did you pay for it?

-..if it wasn't broken. OK?

It's had a foot off here and it's had a dint just on here somewhere.

I see on this side, yeah.

You're actually buying something a bit more

-academic for a collector and it cost 35 quid.

-Not bad.

I think the thing with that is, I think that's quite a rare view

and I think that someone who collects those, will buy that

irrespective of the damage, to add to their collection.

That's what I think.

-I'm hoping that it might make something between 30 and 50.

-OK.

-Are you happy?

-Yes.

-Yes, very.

-You proud of your man?

Oh, definitely. Who couldn't not be?

Anyway, for the audience at home, let's find out

whether the auctioneer is as proud of Philip Serrell.

-Well, what about that for a charming little object.

-Isn't it pretty?

And it's got reasonably local appeal, as well.

Lynton and Lynmouth are about 60 to 70 miles

slightly west north-west of us and there will be people

who will be interested in that as a subject.

It's a famous beauty spot, of course,

-and this is a rather charming little basket.

-OK, so we like that.

-How much do you think then, Richard?

-Well, I think that could be £25-£35.

OK. He paid £35.

And, you know, on the basis that a Worcester fan picks it up,

-it might make 40 or 50?

-It could do. It could do, yes.

Speculatively, it's got what it takes. OK, that is it for the reds.

Now for the Blues and they have this stellar object which is

a sort of rickshaw type smoking compendium,

but I think, particularly, for cigars, isn't it?

Very charming, very unusual and very tempting to wheel it around

because it's got such a lovely tactile look about it.

Everything works on it, as well. It's even got rubber tyres

on the wheels, as well.

What a refreshing change this is from endless salvers

-and coffee pots.

-I love it. How much do you think it would bring?

Despite the fact that it's plate, and goodness knows

what it would have been worth in silver, but I think it's £60-£80.

£65, they paid, so they should turn a profit on that.

-I would hope they would.

-Good. Right, well, thanks for the tip.

Next we've got a scumbled box.

Is it the sort of thing that appeals to you, Richard?

Personally, not a great deal

and I have to say that it's a pretty ordinary box, in that it

is not particularly well made and it is not particularly decorative.

-How much?

-20, £25.

-OK, not huge.

-But they only paid £18, so that's OK.

-That's fair enough.

So they should make a profit on the cigar snipper

and they should make a profit on the scumbled box.

Now, these tools, tools always do well, don't they?

It's surprising how much of a demand there is.

I mean, that's quite a group, isn't it?

It is quite a group and these aren't bought by people

-who are going to use them.

-No.

But there are people who admire the rustic appeal of a well-worn

hand tool, of sorts.

OK, fine, so, how much?

Well, pretty good value, I think, but probably only £15-£20.

OK, £20 paid. I can see them making 20, 30, £40

every day of the week.

So, I have a funny feeling we're on board here, perhaps,

-for a golden gavel.

-Well, we hope so.

We would hope so and it's looking pretty to me, but on the other hand,

it might all go wrong, in which case, they'll need their bonus buy.

So, let's go and have a look at that.

-Well, chaps, this is exciting.

-Very much so.

-Indeed.

£103 you spent. £197 went to Caroline Hawley.

Caroline, what did you spend it on?

-You look expectantly.

-It's small.

-But perfectly formed.

-This is red. Scent bottle?

-It is.

It's a double-ended scent in ruby glass.

The mounts aren't marked silver.

It's Continental and I think it's gorgeous

-and if you open the top here...

-It's a flip top.

Yes, that's a flip top and there is the original stopper in.

Very often that's missing and the other end is a screw top.

I know where to keep my scent.

-What sort of age are we on this?

-That's Victorian.

-I would say 1850, 1860.

-And how much did you pay?

-65.

Right in the middle. And in terms of sale price at auction?

I think on a good day, it could push 100.

On a bad day, it could push 65.

-It seems to be an open and shut case, I'd say.

-Thank you, Caroline.

-It's a pleasure.

-Thank you, Caroline.

Right now, though, let's find out how interesting the auctioneer

finds Caroline's little piece.

Right, a nice cranberry one for you.

There's even a scent of perfume in the air.

Great Aunt Agnes was brought to mind somewhat.

But, it's a rather nice little thing, actually, and amazingly,

the glass, which is beautifully red, it's a lovely colour,

is not chipped or cracked or damaged.

It hasn't been dropped and the ends, which are not marked

but are very probably silver and the little stoppers are all complete.

The problem with it not being marked, is you can't describe

-it as silver, can you?

-Can't sell it as silver if it's not hallmarked.

We can call it silver-coloured metal but that is slightly off-putting

to a collector who likes the reassurance of a hallmark.

OK, so it's not hallmarked.

-You've described it - what would be your estimate?

-£50-£60.

OK, £65 paid by that canny Caroline.

Might it make 80? Might do. £90?

If they get on the scent for it,

-I think they might pay a little bit more.

-Touche, old boy.

You're on fire today.

Don't hold back, though, when it comes to the auction.

-No, we'll do our best.

-I'm sure you will. Thank you very much.

Pleasure.

-Ria, Sharon, how are you feeling?

-Fine. Very confident.

-You're cool, aren't you?

-We are.

-You're two cool chicks.

Your first item is the Black Forest inkwell.

You paid £95 and here it comes.

Black Forest inkwell with two glass bottles. £30 for it.

£30 for this. At £30, somewhere. 20 then. At 20, if you will. £20.

20 is bid. £20 now. 25, 30, 35, £35.

The bid is on my left at 35 and I'm selling this one.

Your bid, sir, at 35 and I'll sell. Last time.

That is minus £60. Uh-oh.

Now, here comes the basket.

Bids start me here at 40 on this one.

40 is bid. £40 is bid. I'll sell this one at 40.

£40 and selling this one.

-Last time at 40.

-Uh-oh. That's minus £50.

That's minus 110, so far. Moving on.

Three war silk postcards.

Six in total. Let's say £10 for them. £10 for the two frames.

Ten is bid. At £10.

12, now, 15, 18, 20, 25.

-Thank you, anyway.

-You're in profit, well done, girls.

On my left at 25, it's your bid. I'll sell at £25 now. Last time.

Plus £5, that's brilliant. Well done.

That means, overall, you are minus £105.

Not so brilliant.

-Are you going to go with the little basket?

-Yes.

Well, the auctioneer liked it. He's put £25-£35 on it.

So he's being positive enough.

-And so we're going to go with the bonus buy.

-Definitely.

We're going to cross everything and here it comes.

-The small Worcester Grainger Basket...

-This should be exciting.

..decorated with Lynmouth and Lynton. £15 for it. 15 to start.

At 15 to start me here. At £15.

Ten, then. Ten is bid. At £10. £10 only, at ten to start.

I'll sell at ten.

Are we done? £10 only. Last time. At £10. All done.

£10 is minus £25 and that means we're overall minus £130.

-A nice round figure, though.

-Nice round figure.

-Well, I think disappointment is too small a word for this.

-Definitely.

Anyway, girls, on the basis of this performance,

-minus £130 could be the winning score today.

-I hope so.

-So, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No idea.

You won't want to know, either.

Anyway, the fact of the matter is, that we've got everything to

look forward to in the broad and sunny uplands here.

First up, is the cigar cart and here it comes.

Bid to start me here.

At £50 I have, £50 is bid.

At £50. On commission, I'll sell this one at 50.

Against you in the room.

At £50. Selling on the book. Last time at 50. It's an opening bid.

Oh, dear. £50. One bidder, absentee bidder at £50,

means that is minus 15. Not as predicted.

Now, here we go. Pine box.

Bids here start me at £18.

£18 is bid. At £18. 20, 25, still with me.

£25. On the books still at £25.

Against you in the room and selling this one at £25.

Well done. Plus £7, which has reduced the losses to only eight.

-Now, the tools.

-A group of vintage tools and £8, 10, £12 I'm bid. £12.

£12, I have. £12 for these. At 12. I'll sell at 12.

All done, at £12. Again on the book, last time at 12.

Shows what I know. £12 is minus £8,

which means you're minus 16 smackers.

Now, that could be a winning score.

What are you going to do about the scent bottle?

-It's your choice, gentlemen.

-I think we'll stick.

-Yes, we'll stick.

-We're going to stick.

-Anyway, you're not go with the bonus buy.

Frankly, we're going to sell the bonus buy anyway.

I think it's a splendid object. The auctioneer says £50-£60 for it.

Caroline paid £65.

You know, normally you'd expect the thing to make a small profit.

But, anyway, we're going to sell it anyway and here comes the bonus buy.

And the bid is with me here at £35. £35 I have.

35, can I say 40 for it? At 45.

-That is ridiculous.

-At 35 and I'll sell.

At £35. All done.

-A gift.

-That really is a gift.

-£35. Minus £30. It's a gift.

There we go and rather cutely, you didn't go with the bonus buy,

which means you're overall only minus £16. OK?

-So, we can breathe a sigh of relief there.

-It could be a winning score.

It could be a winning score. You've watched the programme before.

And we won't tell the others.

And don't tell the others. I'm redundant.

Why are you giggling, Ria? Do you know something that they don't know?

-It's nerves.

-OK, fine. Do you know something that they don't know?

-I don't think so.

-The only thing is, nobody has made any profits. OK?

In fact, one team's made a socking great loss

and the team that has made the socking great loss are the Reds.

-Oh, well.

-We won.

Minus 130.

I'm really sorry about this, girls.

The Black Forest, minus 60, the sugar basket, minus 50.

-These are difficult numbers to recover from.

-Very, yeah.

-The lovely profit on the silk postcards is lovely.

-Only a fiver.

It is just not enough, is it? Not to stem the tide.

-Thank you for coming and thank you for playing.

-Thank you.

I'm really sorry about the result, Phil, but anyway, it's been great.

But the victors today are the Blues.

You had a profit on your pine work box which was lovely,

but no other profits on anything else

but the end balancing act comes out at minus 16,

which is not too bad.

-Is it?

-We'll settle for that.

-Well, you have to, actually.

-THEY LAUGH

Whether you like it or lump it, actually.

And the predicted amount on that charming cigar wagon.

I mean, another day in another place, that's a good £100-150 worth.

-So, anyway, there we go. You've enjoyed it.

-Absolutely marvellous.

-Thank you.

-Well, we've loved having you on the programme

and it's always great to see you again, Caroline.

In fact, so lovely, why don't you join us soon

-for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL: Yes!