Westpoint 18 Bargain Hunt

Today, we're in Exeter

and its cathedral's stunning facade

has graced Devon's county town for 900 years.

It stands on the site of a former Roman army camp.

Well, if there's any fighting to be done today,

it's going to be battling for bargains

so, on that note, let's go Bargain Hunting!

We've set up camp in Exeter's Westpoint Arena,

where our teams are armed with £300 each

to find three items that will, hopefully, make a profit at auction.

Let's take a look at the campaign ahead.

-The Reds are happy with their lot.

-Everybody's happy cos you're happy.

-Yes.

-I'm happy.

-You're happy. I'm happy.

The Blues are disappointed with theirs.

-It's an old sheet!

-It's a laundry basket!

-This is fraud!

By the auction, the Reds are wanting more.

-We need more, we need more. We need a lot more.

-Twice as much.

-And the same can be said for the Blues.

-Oh...

55. 58.

But before all that, let's meet today's teams,

-and for the Reds, we've got married couple Paul and Beth.

-Hello.

And for the Blues, we've got Doug and Jake. How are you all doing?

-Good.

-Very well, thank you.

-Good. Up for this, raring to go?

-Absolutely.

-That is the spirit.

-Now, Beth, you must feel like a red rose amongst thorns today.

-Well...

-Something like that.

-No comment. I mean these thorns, obviously!

-Now, tell me, married how long?

-Three years.

-Very good.

-Still in the honeymoon period.

-Yes.

Beth, you work in HR, but what do you do, Paul?

I work for an organic veg box delivery company

and I manage the website

-and the other digital, sort of, communication channels.

-Fantastic.

I believe the pair of you are quite light on your feet as well.

-Well, we try.

-Beth's light on her feet. I get dragged around.

OK, what sort of dance do you do? You're dancers?

Well, we've been learning for the last just over a year.

We've been learning to ballroom dance.

We really enjoy it but it's very difficult cos, obviously,

-the man has to lead on the dance floor and...

-This is a problem?

Yeah, it's a bit tricky.

Are we going to be wrestling for leadership in this Bargain Hunt?

Well, you know, we try to work together

but maybe there's a bit of competition.

-Competition between you?

-Yeah.

-What?!

-Oh, yeah.

-What about competition with these guys?

-Well...

-They're going down.

-Seriously?

-Yeah.

-Fighting talk, guys. Whoa, whoa, whoa!

THEY ALL LAUGH

Take it down a level! My word! Well, that leads me into tactics.

Have you got a plan today? Have you got a strategy?

I think the plan is to try and go out

and find really good solid items,

items that we think we can make a little bit of money.

We're not going to try and win big but I think we're going to win.

What are you like on the haggling front, the pair of you?

Well, Beth's a pretty good haggler.

-OK.

-She's not afraid of driving a hard bargain.

-Wow!

That's it for the Reds for the moment. Game faces on.

-Now to the Blues. Doug and Jake, what do you think of that?

-Scary!

THEY ALL LAUGH

Don't let them intimidate you. Look, you're both teachers.

Where did you meet? In school?

Yeah, we met in school, probably about seven years ago

and really got to know Jake when we went on a residential trip to Paris

and discovered we were just as much children as the children are.

-What do you teach, Doug?

-I specialise in business studies,

travel and tourism and employability skills,

so developing things like their communication.

It's those transferable skills which means they can take them

-from job to job.

-Jake, what do you teach?

-I'm a geography teacher.

Lots of learning outside the classroom

-and taken pupils on trips as far as Iceland.

-What?!

-Yeah, quite exciting to go there.

-Wow!

Yeah, looking at volcanoes, volcanic scenery

-and the coastal environment as well.

-Fantastic though.

Have you got tactics today? Actually, I'll rephrase that.

You need tactics today. You need a plan.

-We definitely need tactics today.

-THEY ALL LAUGH

Well, I think I've got a bit more tactics.

I'm interested in the profit, so I'll look at an item

and try and work what kind of a margin we can get on it.

On the other hand, I don't think Doug will take that approach.

I think the money's going to burn a hole in his pocket, really.

-I'm looking at blowing it!

-Seriously?

-Those two COULD conflict!

-It's a possibility, yeah.

-Interesting.

Well, if you're going to blow it, you're going to need a budget

-and we'll prime each of you with £300.

-Thank you.

-There you go.

-And another £300.

-Thank you.

-Very best of luck to you, and off you go.

Well, I don't know, with the haggling skills

and the "We're going to blow it" and "You're going down",

this could be one to watch!

So, let's meet today's experts.

Hoping to fly high for the Reds, it's Richard Madley.

And in the saddle for the Blues, it's Charlie Ross.

So, Beth, so, Paul, what are we going to go and buy?

I'm thinking something silver, maybe sparkly.

I'm going to be looking for some sporting memorabilia.

-Oh, I like that! Which sort of sport?

-Football, in particular.

-Yep.

-For me, something unusual, striking.

-Ah, indeed.

Something that might stand out in the auction room.

-Striking, unusual, distinctive.

-Nothing too risky.

-And you?

-Anything different,

anything which is real value for money.

Value for money, ha, ha. You've come to the right place!

Right, teams, time to set sail.

Your 60 minutes start now. SHIP HORN BLARES

-Let's go and find some. Come on.

-Come on.

-Come with me.

-OK.

-OK.

I think your surnames are a bit easier for me to remember

-than your Christian names. You are...

-Benney.

-Benney.

-Benney?! And you are?

-Honey.

-Honey! I love it!

Loving your surnames, too, Blues.

I think we're going to have trouble with these three today.

-Chinese stuff there.

-Chinese stuff - don't get technical with me.

-Sorry about that!

-THEY LAUGH

I'm drawn to the globe, being a geography teacher.

-I'm not sure whether it's an old one or...

-It's not old.

-It's not old.

-No. They're really collectible, globes.

-Right.

If you can go back to the early 19th, late 18th, early 19th century,

globes on stands can make, literally,

thousands and thousands of pounds.

That's a plastic one, so I would steer clear of a modern one,

-despite the fact it's your subject.

-We'll steer clear of that one.

-Yeah.

Good advice, Charlie.

Now, is this hitting the right frequency for the Reds?

-The old Bush radio.

-Bush radio, yeah.

-What's that? 1950s?

-Must be '50s or '60s.

-They've got a look about them and they're stylish.

-Have a look?

-Yes, we'll have a look.

-We'll have a little look.

-It does say it's working and it says it's '40s.

-It's got older.

-It's got ten years older.

-With a new battery.

-With new batteries.

-How friendly could you be on the price?

-VENDOR:

-It says £38.

-I'll do it for £30.

-You'll do it for £30. Right, do you like it, Beth?

-I'm not sure.

-No, OK. Look, we know where it is.

-Yeah.

We know it's a good object and we'll put that on hold.

-Excellent. Thank you very much.

-Not at all.

One for the back burner, then, Reds. It's still early days.

Now, have our Blues found something sport-related already?

Oh, look at that!

-There's a bit of the Usain Bolt going on.

-It's Usain Bolt, isn't it?

Is that early Bolt, do you think?

"A hand-formed glass sculpture of a standing archer."

-But it's £260, chaps.

-Yeah.

It's just got "Circa 1970", so we don't know

-whether it's Scandinavian, which I think it might well be.

-Yeah.

If that label had said £50, I'd have been right with you

-and said, "Let's have a punt."

-Yes.

But I think spending all your money on that,

after just ten minutes, is probably not a great idea.

Definitely not a good idea!

So, no sporting memorabilia for our teachers just yet.

Is anything taking the Reds' fancy?

-I'm wondering what this wooden thing is down there.

-Yeah, an old plane.

-that old plane.

-Ah!

-Good spot.

-OK.

-Good spot, yeah.

-I think you should get down under the table.

-Have a little look.

-Let's have a look.

-It's got £10 on it.

-Uh-huh.

-It's very heavy.

So this is a wood-working plane. This is probably 19th century.

-I think this is beechwood. It's the normal wood that they would use.

-OK.

-Now, a lot of these have the owner's mark on them.

-Oh, yes!

-There we go.

-Right, he'd take his tools off to work with him and...

-Oh, I see.

To save them having been "borrowed" by a friend,

he'd put his name on them.

-Your plane.

-VENDOR:

-Yes.

-Priced at £10.

-Yes.

We were wondering what the very best price was

-that you could do on that for us.

-What are you going to offer me?

Well, we were thinking it was on the floor,

so maybe it's not your favourite item.

-£8, then.

-£8?

-What do you think? £8?

-You think £8?

-Yeah?

-I think it's a good thing.

-OK.

Look, he's trying to shake MY hand first and get the money.

Thank you very much indeed.

-You could see who was carrying the cash!

-£8 it is and it's sold.

-Thank you.

-VENDOR:

-I wish you well with it.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

A smooth ride for the Reds so far.

First item bought with 12 minutes on the clock.

Now, Blues, you wanted something different.

-Is this box different enough for you?

-Papier-mache box.

-Yeah.

Inlaid with mother-of-pearl. I doubt it's in our price range.

-Oh, hang on, it is!

-It's nice, I like that.

-You like that, don't you, guys?

-I DO like that.

-I do.

-It's 19th century.

What I like about it is the gilding is in fantastic condition.

The mother-of-pearl inlay is pretty spectacular

and we'll have a look inside.

Fitted out with a velvet interior. I'd like to find a maker's name.

I can't see one.

-The thing to do with papier-mache is to look for damage.

-Yeah.

There's a couple of little bits...

There's a bit off there and there's a bit off there.

Now, that IS a shame.

But it's SO decorative, I don't think it matters too much.

-I was surprised that it's £165 because it's that good.

-Yeah.

I think we should ask and see what the best price is.

I'll go and see if I can find the owner. Hold on a moment.

While Charlie goes off to find out the best price,

silver was on the Reds' wish list.

Fish slice at £180.

-Caddy spoons are £95.

-They're looking quite expensive.

Yeah, you're right, indeed. Those sort of things, they're going to be.

Leave the silver for now, then, Reds.

So, Charlie, do you have a good price for the box?

Have I been bashing on your behalf, chaps?! I've been chiselling away.

-Have you? Give us the news then.

-Well, it was £165, as you know.

-Yeah.

-So, I said, "What about £130?" And he said, "What about £135?"

Well, it's up to you, guys.

I think it's such a nice item that we should go for it.

-I think we go for it.

-Are you happy with that?

-Definitely.

-Was it Benney or Honey that spotted it?

-Benney.

-Benney spotted it, yeah.

-Benney - 1.

-Honey - 0.

-Honey - 0.

-Rosco, off to spend £135.

-THEY LAUGH

And that makes it 1-1 to our teams,

with nearly 20 minutes on the clock.

The Reds have returned to the stall where they bought their first item.

Tell me about that Capstan inkwell there.

-VENDOR:

-Devonshire Regiment crest.

-Wow.

That's the history of the gentleman who it was actually given to.

"Major Radcliffe, born 1893,

"served in the Great War with the regiment,

"wounded twice, mentioned in dispatches."

-Quite a hero.

-Yeah.

If that went with it, it would give it some provenance.

Just check the hinge as well. That's always a good test.

-Make sure it's got a good hinge on it.

-Yep.

-It looks in good, clean condition.

-I like it.

-You like it, yes?

-I'm just not sure.

-Uh-huh.

OK. Well, if you're not sure, I wonder if, perhaps, we could just...

-Could we put it by for a while and come back to you if that...?

-Yeah.

-Keep it for half an hour? Is that all right?

-No guarantees but...

No guarantees! But he'll do his best for us, I know you will.

That's a second item on hold for the Reds.

Now, Blues, are you still looking for sport memorabilia?

There's a nice cricket bag here, leather cricket bag.

It's a great bag. It's probably got the kit in it as well.

Shall we have a look at it?

Here we go. I'm going to find some very nice cricket kit.

LAUGHTER

-It's an old sheet!

-It's a laundry basket!

-Hold that! This is fraud!

THEY LAUGH

Madam, what are you on? Oh, madam, you've disappointed me hugely..

-We love the bag, don't we, guys?

-Yeah.

-I'm not being rude, madam.

Why did you price it up at £85 for an old bag? How much can it be?

-Dave?

-Dave?

-£65.

-£65. We love it but we don't love the price.

So, at £65, the cricket bag isn't bowling over the Blues.

Meanwhile, it looks like the Reds have got the kettle on.

-What is it?

-Some sort of kettle?

-A boiling kettle of some sort.

-It's got to be. Quite interesting.

-Yes, any idea where it's from?

-Middle Eastern, probably. Afghanistan.

-OK.

Now, Beth, do you actually like it because I don't want Paul

to go off on one and you later say, "I didn't like that copper kettle."

I feel like we need to at least pick it up and have a look at it.

-Definitely.

-Yes, see how heavy it is.

-I agree.

-Yes.

-What a great idea.

Paul, would you please pick up the kettle.

-Crikey!

-Oh, it's heavy.

-Is it heavy, is it?

-Surprising.

-Ooh, actually, I quite like the decoration.

-Mmm.

What sort of price are you looking for it?

-Do you want to make me an offer?

-Do I want to make you an offer?

-£30.

-Oh, that's a giveaway. I was going to ask £50.

-£50? You're asking £50?

-So, you know what you say next, don't you?

-Yeah.

-"I'll meet you halfway." Is that the one?

-I'll meet you halfway, OK.

Would we replace this with the radio or the inkstand or...?

Potentially, yeah.

-I could do £40. £40 would be the best price.

-OK.

-Brilliant. Thanks a lot.

-Marvellous. Thank you, we have a kettle.

Beth likes it, so that's two items for the Reds in 30 minutes.

Time to take a break from the shopping

and take a look at a drinking vessel of my own.

What do you make of this little chap? Does it not remind you

of your granny's favourite sherry glass

that she brings out at Christmas and birthdays

to celebrate that great day?

Well, if it was such a glass,

I'm sure I could tell you it would be pretty much worthless.

But this particular glass is due to celebrate

rather a significant birthday in the not too distant future.

After all, it's almost 300 years old.

How many of the wine glasses that you bought for Christmas

survived through to New Year's Day?

Yes, welcome to the world of Georgian wine glasses.

Now, the Georgians can be given credit for producing

some of the most exquisite wine glasses ever made

and this isn't the least of them.

Well, we have a drawn trumpet bowl

sat on an inverted ballast of stem

and a subtly domed and folded foot.

The glass is further enhanced

by the inclusion of these elongated bubbles that we call tears.

And for my money, this is an absolute joy.

It's exquisite.

But I can tell you more about this particular little joy

because it has a name.

These glasses are referred to as "kit cat" glasses.

And, for once, we're not talking about chocolate biccies!

No, we are talking about Georgian drinking clubs.

The Kit Cat Club, which was formed in London,

almost certainly in the late 17th century,

was a Whig, a political club,

and its members included such greats as Vanbrugh, the architect,

Robert Walpole, Britain's first prime minister,

and no end of the great and good.

These chaps would meet on a regular basis to discuss politics,

of course, but it wasn't all serious in the Kit Cat Club

because, famously, they would toast, at every meeting,

the beauties of the day. And how do we know this?

Well, there exist famous period portraits of Kit Cat Club members

and they are variously seen posed with just such glasses.

Now, if only this one could talk.

I bought this at a provincial estate sale some years ago

and paid all of £130 for it

which, I dare say, seems like a lot of money for a single wine glass.

But if I tell you that the going rate at auction

for a Kit Cat Club glass today is £500,

I'm sure you'll agree that was one profit well worth toasting.

Happy Bargain Hunting!

Back to the shopping.

We're 35 minutes down and it's 2-1 to the Reds.

I think Charlie has something he wants to get off his chest.

Excuse me, has anybody any sporting memorabilia?

Put your hand in the air if you have sporting memorabilia.

Well, that was a waste of time! Oh, hang on!

There's a gentleman holding something up there.

He's holding something up.

-That was quick.

-What is it?

-That worked.

-"Peking Club," so we're in China.

-OK.

"Billiards. Autumn, 1939 - 1st.

"Spring, 1940 - 1st. RJ lawless."

I'd check your specs, Rosco. That's PJ Lawless.

What would it have been used for?

-One can't get away from the fact it's a cigarette box.

-Yeah.

Cigarettes were smaller in those days. It's wooden-lined.

It's very, very well-made. And what we want to see

-is whether it's silver or not.

-VENDOR:

-It is silver.

-There you go. It IS silver.

-JAKE:

-It is silver.

-OK.

Right, guys, we haven't even thought about the price.

-How much is it?

-What's it worth?

-VENDOR:

-The minimum on it is £70.

-You can see where it was.

-Yeah, I can see that.

I think it's a lot of our remaining budget there, Honey.

-Mmm. What do you think?

-I'll tell you what I think.

-You want to buy that for £50.

-Yeah.

If you bought that for £50, I don't think you could go far wrong,

-but we'll leave it here...

-Yeah.

-..keep on hunting...

-Yes.

..and see what we can find.

Crikey! Now the Blues are leaving items on the back burner.

You need to start buying, teams. You're on the clock!

Now, are the Reds going it alone?

-Can we have a look at this silver thing here?

-The vesta case.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-OK.

It's Victorian.

Most of them come with blank cartouches

-but that one has got a slight initial on it.

-OK.

-OK.

And those are the makers' marks, are they, there?

-Yes, it's quite clear, the makers...

-And how much is that?

-Er, I've got £55 on that.

-OK. What's the best price you can do?

I can do that for you today for £30.

-OK. Can we have a think about that?

-Sure.

-Is that all right?

-Yeah.

If you carry on at this rate, teams,

you'll have the entire arena on the back burner!

So, are the Blues still in high spirits with this cocktail shaker?

-Great shape, isn't it?

-What is it made of? Is it plate? Silver plate?

-No, I think it's chromium-plated.

-OK. It's fairly modern, isn't it?

Well, it's deco.

It's 1930s, although it looks to be a little bit later.

-Unless it was '50s in the '30s style.

-Yeah, what's the price of it?

-£75. We wouldn't make a profit on that.

-No, no.

Move on then, Blues. There's just under 20 minutes left

and you've only purchased one item.

The Reds have brought Richard back for a second opinion.

OK, Richard, we've been looking at this vesta case here.

The important thing with these vestas is just to check the hinge.

This feels like a good one and it...

-HINGE CLICKS

-..sounds like a good one as well.

Nicely engraved. It is Birmingham, 1890, so well Victorian.

-No, it's pretty.

-OK.

-So, the price of £55.

-What...?

-OK, she said that she would do it for us for £30.

-I think that's a good buy.

-OK?

-Yeah, absolutely, yeah.

-I'm happy.

-You're happy.

-I'm happy.

-If my wife's happy, I'm happy.

-Great, you've got a deal! That's sold!

-Shall we go for it?

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

Well done, Reds. And Beth's happy. Job done!

Now, Blues, with 15 minutes left, you need to buy two items.

I actually quite like the bird bath.

-I can see someone actually putting that out and using that.

-Yeah.

Useful thing and the great thing about these is

the more you have them, the more they weather,

-the better they get, the better they look.

-Yeah.

Madam, we're looking at your lovely stoneware figures here.

-There's a very natural tree effect one here.

-VENDOR:

-Well, the log...

-It says, "£35."

-VENDOR:

-Yeah, the log effect one I can do for £20.

-I can see us making some money on that.

-So can I.

-Yeah.

-Honey, if you're up for it, I'm up for it.

-Right.

Honey, if you're up for it, I'm up for it. Honey, I'm up for it.

-OK, let's do this.

-We're going to buy it.

Finally, item number two in the bag for the Blues.

And the Reds are celebrating.

-We've bought our third and final item.

-Yeah.

It's a silver vesta case. Everybody's happy, cos you're happy.

-Yes.

-I'm happy.

-I'm happy. Let's go and have that cup of tea!

-Yeah!

-Let's do that.

Now, with just minutes left,

looks like our teachers have a naughty boy on their hands.

-Come on, Rosco.

-Rosco, time's ticking.

-Sorry, guys.

-I'm under pressure.

-Let's go.

I love it when the expert is put under pressure by the contestants.

-This is good.

-It's that.

-Greeting, sir. How are you, sir?

-VENDOR:

-Good to see you.

-Lovely to see you, sir.

-Always a pleasure.

-I like this.

-You like that?

-Yeah.

-Something different.

-Do you think that's 1924?

-No.

-No.

-I think it's a replica.

-I'm going to ask him.

Do you think that's 1924, sir?

-VENDOR:

-This is what they call a decorator's piece.

-Yes.

It's a genuine lifebelt,

but it's been decorated and aged deliberately.

But they're very popular and, Charlie,

we do sell them at auction for profit.

In my opinion, it's extremely decorative, it's quite fun

and he's quite right - don't try and pull the wool over people's eyes

-and pretend it's come off the Titanic cos it hasn't.

-Yes.

So, therefore, you buy it for what it is.

-But £35. Would you want to make that for £35?

-No.

Probably not.

-So, do you like it?

-We do like it.

-We do like it.

-Yeah.

-It's either this one, Charlie...

-Or the silver box.

-..or the silver box.

-It's this or a silver box.

-Would you take £30?

-VENDOR:

-Go on, I'll do £30.

-This is going to save our lives. Come on, guys.

-Let's go.

We've finished our Bargain Hunting.

Hats off to you, Blues. Job done in the nick of time.

SHIP HORN BLARES

Drop anchor, teams. Your time's up.

-Shall we go and celebrate?

-Let's go.

-Come on, Rosco.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First up, will the Reds carve out a profit with this wooden block plane?

Next up, can a profit pour in with this copper teapot?

And finally, from copper to silver, and this vesta case.

Paul, Beth, I've got to say, in the introduction,

-you talked a good game. What was it like?

-Really good fun.

-Good fun, we enjoyed it.

-Beth, what's your favourite purchase?

-I think the wooden plane is my favourite item.

-OK.

-So, is that your most profitable purchase?

-I think so.

-Really?

-It's all about the plane?

-Yes.

-Do we concur?

-No, I don't agree.

I think my favourite item's my choice of copper kettle.

It probably will lose loads of money,

-but I really liked it, actually.

-What's your most profitable lot?

-I think the plane.

-Yeah?

Yeah, I think the plane might make us a bit of profit.

-Tell me what you lot spent.

-£78.

I will have £222, please.

-There you go.

-Look at that!

-And there's the £2.

-Thank you very much.

I shan't count it! THEY LAUGH

Richard, a budget for you, sir.

I've never had so much money to spend, so I won't let you down.

-OK, good.

-Good luck to you.

While Richard is off scouring for that fourth bargain of the day,

let's go see what the Blues have bought.

First up, will this lacquered box, hold a profit for the Blues?

Next up, they're hoping to clean up with this bird bath.

And finally, will this lifeline keep them afloat?

Doug, Jake, what happened to the sporting memorabilia?

It just wasn't out there and what we did find was a little bit pricey.

-Out of your reach?

-Yeah.

-What's your favourite purchase out of the three?

-It's the papier-mache jewellery box.

-OK.

-And is that where the profit lies?

-I don't think so.

I think the profit lies, possibly, in the rubber ring.

-Jake, what's your favourite lot?

-My favourite is definitely the box

but I agree that the profit's going to come from the ring.

-What did the three lots cost you?

-It cost us £185.

-A healthy spend.

-Someone's got £115.

-Yeah, I've got the change here for you.

-There you go.

-Thank you very much.

Charles Ross, have you scoured this?

Is there any chance you can find a piece of sporting memorabilia

-that's been missed?

-Every chance.

I'll sign something, then it'll be a piece of sporting memorabilia.

THEY LAUGH

In the hope the auction room's full of good sports!

Well, good luck to you.

While Charlie's off looking for the elusive sporting memorabilia,

and a bargain at that, we're off to the auction.

Today, we're at Ottery Auction Rooms with auctioneer David Sumner.

-Hello, David.

-Hello and welcome.

-Thank you very much.

Now, take a look at this rather interesting offering from the Reds.

They kicked off their purchases with a wooden block plane.

What can you tell me about that?

This is not your ordinary block plane.

If it was an ordinary block plane, they're ten a penny,

£5 to £10, if that. But this has got an angled blade.

-This was for finishing off boxes.

-Right.

-So, it cuts into the corner.

-So, it's a specialist variant.

-Yeah.

I like the sound of this. What's your estimate?

Because of the scarcity value, probably about £15 to £20.

Beth's going to be over the moon with that

-because the Reds managed to pick it up for £8.

-Oh, profit.

So, we've kicked off very favourably indeed.

Now, Paul's favourite purchase... Well, I'll be honest with you,

I've not seen a copper kettle like that, have you?

It's unusual, isn't it?

I couldn't place it to start off with

and started doing some research.

I thought it had a more Persian feel

-but, actually, it's probably North African.

-I see.

What I like about it is it's quite big,

so it's got a sculptural thing, it's got a good aesthetic, it's unusual.

Pricewise, £15 to £25?

I don't think Paul's going to be entirely delighted with that.

He paid £40 for it.

But you like its size, we both agree it's scarce, if not rare.

Could be someone out there for it.

-Get two of those people, maybe we'll pull it round.

-I hope so.

OK, from the highly unusual

to the somewhat ubiquitous silver vesta case. Is it a good 'un?

It is. The condition is good.

It's got some really nice engraving and chase work there.

The hinge is good when you click it open

and there are still collectors for this kind of thing.

-OK, estimate after all that?

-£30 to £40.

£30 to £40 sounds absolutely fine because they got it for £30.

-Bargain.

-Not bad at all.

So, bonus buy they may or may not need,

but let's go and see what Richard managed to find, regardless.

Beth, Paul, you left Richard a whopper of a budget,

-did you not, you little meanies?

-2-2-2.

Would you like Richard to have been similarly cautious

or would you rather he's put all chips in and gone for it?

-I think we would have liked him to spend a big amount.

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Yeah, we trust him.

-He's the expert.

I thought I'd buy something that we could share between us,

something that we could have one of each of. So, I bought...

-Ooh.

-One for you.

-Thank you.

-One for you.

-Thank you very much.

-And one for me.

-What are they?

They're probably from Southeast Asia. They could be Indian,

they could be Burmese, silver nut dishes, bonbon dishes, sugar dishes.

Use them for what you like.

They're hand-chased, probably date from about 1900

and, at the moment, there is a revival in interest

-in things from India and Southeast Asia.

-So, how much?

They were originally priced, as a group, at £75

-and I bought all three of them for £40.

-Wow.

-That's not bad at all, is it?

-That's not bad.

-A pretty good discount, I think.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-And profit?

Do you think they will make a profit?

With a good auctioneer, a strong wind,

-you could be in for a 50% profit on the day.

-Wow.

-Wow.

Don't make your mind up now.

We leave that till after the sale of your three lots.

But, in the meantime,

let's see what the auctioneer thinks of our South Asian bowls.

Well, Richard went out on his travels

and came back with three Indian bowls.

-What do you think of those, David?

-Really like them.

-I think you'll find they're probably more Burmese.

-OK.

-Strong market at the moment.

-Very good.

This one in particular - it's got a bit of weight.

These dancing mystical figures - these are nat dancers,

so this comes from Burma or Thailand.

All silver. Not high-quality silver but...

But we think there's metallic silver in there.

A lot of metallic silver in them, yeah.

-OK, what's your estimate on them?

-About £40 to £60.

Richard's going to be happy with that because he got them for £40.

-It looks like we're off.

-Mmm, profit.

Well, it's all looking rosy for the Reds, I should think,

but now for the Blues.

We kick off their soiree

with this arguably fabulous Victorian lacquer casket.

-How fabulous is it, David?

-It's a proper antique.

It's also useful for people, like sewing or anything like that,

put your photos in there. So it is a good storage thing.

I like it, I don't like the damage.

I think the damage will hold it back, potentially.

What estimate have we on our old-school lacquer box?

If it was in perfect condition, it would be about £180 to £200.

I'm afraid, in this condition, it'll be about £80 to £100.

OK, that's bad news. It was their joint-favourite purchase.

It may not be, if you're right, because they paid £135 for it.

-Oh, dear.

-But I, frankly, cannot believe any pair of buyers can go

from this high-Victorian piece to concrete.

-Tell me about the bird bath.

-What can I say? Words fail me.

It's a composite stone bird bath.

It's a wonderful, wonderful, useful item,

if you're a bird.

I think we should just talk numbers, David.

I think we will probably get £5 or £10?

They need to because it cost them £20.

Oh!

Fingers crossed.

Well, from water for the birds to water in the pool

-with our lido lifebelt.

-It's a nice decorative item.

-Yeah.

And not everybody will know that Saltdean Lido was built in 1938.

I'm a bit of a lido geek.

But it's an interesting thing, nonetheless, but a reproduction.

OK, well, as a big, decorative lump, what's it worth, David?

-I think about £20 to £30.

-OK. It's in the right region.

-They picked it up for £30.

-We'll try our best.

Well, as to bonus buys, no idea whether they'll need it

but let's take a look.

Well, you left him a substantial £115, so he had a budget.

Show us what you bought, Charles.

If I said "guo hua" to you, would it mean anything?

-Not a clue.

-Not at all.

-I'm not surprised, really,

because it doesn't mean much to ME, but that's I bought.

-Wow! What made you buy that?

-"What made you buy that?"

-Well, thank you very much.

-THEY LAUGH

I tell you what made me buy this - the colours, the quality,

the fact that it's Chinese, it's got age, it's probably 100 years old.

It has damage to the face - that will put off a lot of people.

But it wasn't vastly expensive

and I think there's real speculative potential in this.

But, of course, it depends what it cost.

How much do you think I spent on this? Come on, boys!

-I'm going for £15.

-£15.

-Yes, I'm going to say about £20?

-No, no.

-Oh.

-Oh, Benney wins again.

Do you know what I spent? £15.

Jake, what do you think? Are you convinced?

I'm liking the guy with the blue Bargain Hunt fleece on but...

CHARLIE LAUGHS

I'm not totally convinced,

due to the damage that's going on on the face there.

-You think that's an issue?

-It might be an issue.

-It IS an issue.

-OK.

How much profit do think that's going to make, Charlie?

I think on a bad day, you'll lose a fiver and on a good day,

-you'll make £50.

-You don't have to decide now.

We'll leave that until the sale of your three items

and, in the meantime, let's see if the auctioneer

likes Charles's rice paper painting.

How good is that, David?

It's a nice thing, however,

condition is very important with these.

You're picking up on details here.

-It's just had a little bit of damage.

-OK.

-The hands are good.

-It's a good example.

-Good work, but with a hamstring for sure.

Tell me what you think it's going to make?

I think, given the damage, £40 to £50.

If it hadn't had that, I think you'd be looking in excess of £150.

Well, even with the damage, your estimate sounds peachy

-because Charlie managed to pick that up for all of £15.

-That's cheap.

Absolutely tremendous. What a way to end! You taking this auction today?

-I am, indeed.

-Very good. Well, I cannot wait!

£110. 260.

..In the room.

-Beth, Paul, anxious?

-Yes.

-Excited?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Have you been to an auction before?

-One, just one.

-Just the one.

-OK, was it a good experience?

-Yes.

-Is this going to be a better experience?

-Definitely.

-Of course.

I love that spirit!

Now, first up is the block plane. Here it comes now.

272 is an antique wooden block plane,

with angled blade, by Varvill & Sons.

This is interesting cos it's for cutting into edges at 90 degrees,

so this is a bit of a rarity.

-Who'll start me away at £20?

-That's a good start.

-Ooh.

-15? 15 bid. 18, will you? £18.

-Wow!

-Straight in.

-£18. £18. Let's move to the internet. £18.

£18 anywhere? Last chance at £18.

-I'm selling at £15 then.

-15!

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

His estimate was right and you almost doubled your money.

That's a £7 profit. What a great start!

Now it's the uncertain lot, the teapot.

-Here it comes. The kettle.

-OK, OK.

We're not sure if it's North African. It could be Persian.

It's certainly on that route through.

But it's very nice and there's only one of these in the saleroom.

It's an unusual thing. Who'll start me away at £30?

£30? £30 I'm bid.

-32, will you?

-Yes!

-32, will you? 32, for this lot?

-32? 32. 35?

-Come on.

38. 40. 42?

-We can do some more.

-We can do some more.

-42?

Let's move to the internet. 42? Looking for £42.

Make no mistake, I'm selling. Commission bid buys it, at £40.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

-40, oh!

-It broke even. No shame in that.

-No money lost.

Now it falls down to the silver vesta case

which the auctioneer likes. Here it comes.

If you're going to buy a vesta case, this is the one to buy.

It's good, clean. Who'll start me away at, let's say, £50?

£30 then. £30? £25 then.

25 bid. 28? 28?

-Looking for £28. 30?

-Bit more.

-32.

-Yes!

-Looking for £32 for this lot. 32 anywhere in the room?

-One more.

-Looking for 32.

Make no mistake, I'm selling at £30 then.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

-Oh.

-Oh, and another break even.

-A break even!

-No shame in a break even

and certainly no shame in a profit,

albeit one of £7.

But it's on a knife edge. You've not got a lot to play with there,

so the question is, do you risk, do you risk taking a punt on the bowls?

-How much was it?

-£40 paid.

-£40.

-Shall we go for it?

-Let's go for it.

-Go on then. Oh, I don't know!

-She's not sure.

-Goodness.

-We're going to find out now

-whether it was the right decision cos here it comes.

-OK.

278 are these three Southeast Asian silver metal offering bowls.

I can jump straight in at £20.

-22, will you?

-We need more, we need a lot more.

-Twice as much.

-25. 28. 30.

32. 35. 38. 40.

-42. 45. 48. 50. 55.

-BETH LAUGHS

-60. 65. 70.

-Oh, my goodness!

75. 80? I'm out. £80?

-Let's move to the room.

-Yes!

-£80?

-Oh, my goodness!

Let's move to the internet now. £80? I'm looking for £80 for this lot.

Make no mistake, I'm selling at £75.

-Nice lot that.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

-Well done.

-Well done.

That is a hammer price of £75.

You almost doubled your money, Richard. My hat is off to you.

£35 profit on the bonus buy gives you a total profit of £42.

-How does that feel?

-Amazing!

-Great.

-But you've got to hide this joy, this elation.

-Yes.

-Give the Blues nothing, OK?

-OK.

-Keep it to yourselves.

-Are we optimistic?

-Nervously optimistic.

-Oh, you're getting nervous?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-OK.

We're going to find out now because up comes the casket.

Lot 294. Victorian papier-mache lacquer box,

inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gilded decoration.

I can start, with me, at £60. 62, will you? 62.

65 and I'm out. Going to move to the room. 65?

65. 68. 70. 75?

-It's moving.

-Looking for £75 for this lot. £75?

-Let's move to the internet. £75?

-Oh...

-Last chance.

I'm selling at £72 then. That's your bid, JK.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL £72.

-Oh, no...

-That's YOUR fault.

Which is a loss of £63.

OK, next up is the bird bath.

Lot 295 is a vintage composite stone bird bath.

Who'll start me away at £10?

£5 bid. 8, will you?

£8 for this lot? 8. 10. 12.

-Come on!

-£15 for this lot? I will sell for £12.

-That's your bid.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

-Oh, no!

-That was a sell at £12, which is a loss of £8,

-bringing your total loss so far to £71.

-Oh, no!

Here comes the lifebelt.

Lot 296 is this vintage-style lifesaving ring.

Who'll start me away at £30?

£30? £20 bid, thank you. 20.

-22, will you?

-Come on.

-22. 25?

-25, yeah? 25. 28. 32.

-Go on!

Let's move to the internet. 32? 32.

-35?

-Yes!

-CHARLIE:

-A profit!

Looking for £35. I've got 32.

Make no mistake, I'm selling at £32. That's your bid, sir.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

-Yes!

-Yes!

-That is your first profit.

-£2. Lessens your loss to £69.

-It'll make all the difference!

-Is that all? That's it?

-THEY LAUGH

How, now, are you feeling

about the rice paper painting?

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

We're going to have to. I'm hoping Rosco's picked up a little gem here

cos we're in a bit of trouble.

-Yeah?

-You're absolutely positive?

-Definitely.

-Definitely.

We're going to find out now.

300 is this 19th-century Chinese rice paper painting.

I can start me away at £10.

12, will you? Thank you. 12. 15.

18. 20. 22? Looking for £22 for this lot.

22, fresh face. 25. 28. 28. 30.

-I will sell for £30.

-AUCTIONEER BANGS GAVEL

-Oh!

-£30 in the room. That doubled your money.

-Yeah, well done, Charlie.

-Well done, Charlie.

A profit of £15 lessens your loss to £54 overall.

You know what would turn the whole thing down

is if the Reds have crashed and burned.

-Let's hope so.

-So, keep optimistic.

-Yeah.

-And tell them nothing. Nothing to the Reds, OK?.

-Definitely.

-Wow, what did you think of that?

-Really good.

-Really good, yeah.

And close. Well, no, I mean it IS close!

LAUGHTER

It wasn't close under the hammer, as it were.

It was entirely one-sided, I've got to say.

-Our runners-up today are the Blues.

-Oh, you're joking! No, no!

-No way!

-Oh, no!

-No point arguing, I can prove it!

LAUGHTER

There's a certain amount of proof. It's categorical!

-An overall loss of £54.

-Oh!

-But an enjoyable process?

-Yes.

-Very enjoyable. Great time.

-Really enjoyed today, fantastic.

Outcome rubbish, journey to the outcome great.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, exactly. Definitely.

-Let's just call it quits at that.

But the Reds, my word! Do you know what? It wasn't stratospheric.

A £7 profit on the plane - interesting thing.

-And we think we're getting warmed up but oh, no, we'd peaked.

-Yes.

There was a break even, there was another break even,

and overall profit greatly enhanced by our bonus buy,

which delivered another £35 and an overall profit of £42 to take home.

APPLAUSE

Very well done. OK, to the victors, £42. How healthy is that?

-My word, there you go. Who's taking that?

-Me.

There's the £2. And there's the £40. LAUGHTER

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-Yes!