Warwick 31 Bargain Hunt

TYRES SCREECH

I'm heading to the British Motor Museum,

home to a large collection of historic cars -

rather like this Austin-Healey 3000

which was designed here in Warwickshire.

You won't just find historic cars,

but also it's bustling with antique stalls

with thousands of items to choose from -

which means I need to put my foot down.

Let's go Bargain Hunting!

Well, I may have found something classy, stylish and collectable,

but will our teams be able to do the same?

They'll have £300

and just one hour in which to buy three items to take off to auction.

Now, I'll be telling you more about the car later.

Meanwhile, let's see what's coming up for our teams.

On today's show, there's discord for the Reds...

If I'm not allowed those chairs, you're not having that.

..while the Blues are in perfect harmony...

# I'm leaning on a lamppost at the corner of the... #

Hmm.

..but in a tense auction, there's a chorus of approval.

-Well done.

-That's fabulous.

Sold!

Well, that's all for later.

Now, let's meet today's teams.

We've got two married couples.

On my right, for the Reds, we have Neil and Caroline,

and for the Blues, we have Simon and Jan.

Welcome, everyone.

-ALL:

-Hello.

Now, Neil, you've been married for nine years, is it?

That's right. Our wedding anniversary only the other day.

No! Well, congratulations.

-How did you meet?

-We were working at...

-in investment banking together down in London.

-Really?

Yep. All a bit controversial at the time, though,

because Caroline actually worked for me.

Yeah?

How was that?

Erm...it wasn't great.

Because...

Sounds like a marriage made in heaven, this one!

He kept overcompensating, trying to put people off the scent.

-Oh, I see.

-So, would just tell me off randomly in front of everybody.

-Playing it cool, were you?

-Pretty much, yeah.

-What made you give it up?

-Lifestyle change.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, moved up to Warwickshire

and now working for the family business.

So, you're no longer the boss.

-No.

-Oh, dear.

-Are you the boss now?

-Yes.

Oh, what a change!

Well, well done. Now, you're also badminton players, aren't you?

-We are, yes.

-Who's the better badminton player?

Oh, definitely Neil. Neil's really good at badminton.

I'm not actually that good -

which is why I'm the social secretary for my team.

You go to the pub.

Basically, I can organise an evening out.

And what about antiques?

-Love 'em.

-Love 'em!

With regard to tactics?

Yeah, well, basically what normally happens in our relationship

-is I have an opinion...

-Yes.

-..she doesn't listen to it...

-Yeah.

..and we do what she wants to do.

I have exactly the same marriage.

How's your marriage? Is it like that?

-Very similar.

-Yeah!

Very good. Well, good luck.

Are you going to spend big or small?

-Probably quite big.

-Good! That's what we like.

We like a risk element.

Now, you two, Simon and Jan.

How did you meet?

A long time ago, a friend of mine

was having a... shall I say, relationship...

Yes, that'll do. That'll do.

-I can say relationship.

-You can say relationship.

-With a girlfriend of Jan's...

-Yeah.

..and he rang me up one day and said, "Do you want to come down?

"We've been invited down for tea."

Arrived at the door to be met by my future wife.

26 years later, and...

Still together.

-Still together. Married.

-Yeah.

But what a man.

Because you are THE man, aren't you?

-THE man?

-You have a number one to your name, don't you?

I do, yes. Yes, I have to admit.

-Back in the '70s.

-Early '70s, yes.

I got lucky with a TV theme tune

which was released and went to the top of the charts.

Amazing!

-What was it called?

-It was called Eye Level.

Eye Level. Well, you might recognise this.

HE CHUCKLES

Gather round, this is history!

This is history!

MUSIC: Eye Level by Simon Park Orchestra

My word.

What a handsome chap.

The years have rolled away.

God, he looks, like, ten years old.

I try not to look at these clips, but whenever I do,

at first I think how unfeasibly thin I was

and secondly, why is it that none of the musicians ever looked at me?

Cos I'm going like this, you know...

Wonderful. Now, Jan, what do you do with yourself?

I love watercolour painting.

-Oh, do you?

-And we love old cars.

We go on rallies. It's great fun.

-You meet interesting people.

-Yeah, yeah.

-So...

-That's right.

-As long as it doesn't break down.

-Well, all cars do break down, don't they?

-Absolutely.

We've had quite a few experiences.

-Have you?

-Yeah, absolutely.

So, while you two are shopping, who is going to be running the show?

-I will.

-Said fairly clearly.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Do you go along with that?

-I'm not going to argue!

What will you be looking for?

-A bit of silver, I think.

-Yeah.

And we're going to buy big, as well.

-You're going to buy big!

-So, it's going to be very competitive today.

Oh, this is going to be the last of the big spenders here.

This is quite exciting.

Well, I've got a little something for you.

£300.

-Thank you.

-There you go.

-Great.

-300 for you.

-Lovely.

-There you go, have a great shop.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Lovely.

Well, there we have it. Commerce versus the arts.

Pick a winner out of that lot.

So, let's meet today's experts.

Motoring around with the Reds, it's Richard Madley...

..and keeping things in focus for the Blues, it's Thomas Plant.

What is on our shopping list today?

Well, for me, I'd really like to see if I can buy some nice furniture.

Ooh.

I like anything musical, anything motoring orientated.

I'm looking for something silver and shiny.

Silver and shiny.

-Nice bit of silver...

-Nice bit of silver for you, Jan.

-Or an old toy would be good.

-An old toy.

-Yeah.

Right, teams, your time starts now.

-Right.

-Let's go.

-We're off.

60 minutes. Oh, gosh, she's off already.

Well, yeah it's quite modern...

I mean, that's really pretty, isn't it?

I think move on.

I think I'm getting the measure of Jan here.

Move on.

Seems our ladies might be in charge today.

What have the experts to say?

Always have a little look on the floor, as well.

-Yes.

-Because often there's little treasures just tucked away.

They're always called z-z-zithers.

-Zithers.

-Zithers.

-Yeah.

Not hitting the right note, Blues?

Have the Reds got their brains in gear?

Oh, look at that. The phrenology head by Fowler.

So, that is dividing up the human head...

-OK.

-..into all the emotions.

That's the bit that you're missing - the agreeableness.

Now, now, Reds. Play nicely.

Meanwhile, have the Blues found something to write home about?

Little desk sat there.

That's sweet, isn't it?

It is - with a little dip pen in it.

Yeah, it's pretty.

To be candid with you, it is a modern set.

-I would be cautious about buying a modern set.

-OK. OK.

While the Blues are off to look for something older,

Richard has spotted a...a thing.

Can you see that sort of tubular...

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-..thing.

Without getting too technical!

What actually is it, though?

So, this is a Chinese late 19th-century bamboo brush box.

-OK.

-It was actually for storing paintbrushes.

-Right.

-The Chinese love painting and calligraphy.

This is the sort of thing that is doing well today.

-Yeah.

-OK.

I'm afraid it's neither shiny...

-No, that's all right.

-Nor is it a piece of furniture...

-No.

-But if we're looking to play the game, it's the sort of item

-that I think...

-Might do the trick.

-..would do quite well at auction.

-Yeah.

-Is it something you'd like to pursue

in terms of finding out, at least, how much it is?

-I think it's worth it.

-I really like it,

cos I think it's quite a popular thing for home decoration.

Sir, the price on your Chinese bamboo pot is...

Ticket price is £95.

-Is it?

-I could...do better than that.

-Right.

-What could you do it for?

I could go down to 70.

That seems pretty good to me.

-What do you think?

-At auction, what do you think it might be?

Well, funnily enough, I was thinking it would probably go to auction

perhaps with an estimate of maybe 60 to 80.

-I'm very tempted, but...

-Yeah, I think so.

-What do you think?

-Yeah, I think I'd be happy to give it a go.

-Yeah?

You'll go with me on this one?

-Go with you on this one.

-With you on that one.

Thank you, sir, at £70, consider it sold.

-Lovely.

-Thank you, very much.

Thanks very much.

With Richard's lead, the Reds have their first buy.

Now, over with the Blues. Who's taking charge?

What about that little china...

-No.

-..barrel there.

-The barrel?

-For 25 quid.

-I think...

I think...

Madame, soon as it was...

-"No."

-No.

No. Firm, aren't you?

You don't have to like it, darling.

Yeah.

What do you like about that, Simon?

I love the colours of the enamel.

-Yeah. It is gorgeous.

-He loves orange.

-I don't, but he does.

-Yes, I love orange.

Does he wear orange clothes?

I think he might have had an orange car once.

-Have you had an orange car?

-I did, yeah.

In the '70s. Bright orange.

-You're glad you didn't know him then, aren't you?

-Absolutely!

But that's quite a lovely thing.

Let's go back to this. It's Art Deco.

-Yeah.

-It's guilloche enamel.

-Yeah.

-..on the top.

So, guilloche enamel is that engine-turned base

-with the enamel applied to the top.

-It's just very nice.

Love the comb. How much is it?

-£12.

-£12.

-£12!

£12.

That's got to be a sensible buy for £12, hasn't it?

And what's your very best on that, £12?

-I could do 10.

-Wow.

-£10.

-It's sweet. It's sweet.

-I think I would do it for £10.

-I think we'd like that.

-Done?

-Yeah, done.

-Yes, definitely.

-Definitely done.

Gosh. Look at you two!

Thank you very much indeed. Thank you.

That was a sort of decision made together.

Well, yes. It might be the last one you'll ever witness, but...

-Really?

-Yes.

-But it's now caught on camera.

-Yes!

-You know?

-She can't go back on it.

These teams are quick.

15 minutes down and they've bought one item each.

Will the Reds keep this up?

-You like those chairs.

-Yeah, they're nice. Yeah.

Caroline wanted furniture and Neil wanted shiny.

Have they found a match made in heaven?

What would they be covered in?

-Are they covered in metal?

-They are.

They've got a very Indian, colonial look about them.

So, they're based on what we in this country would call

a Regency or Empire style of 1810, 1820.

What sort of price are we looking at for it?

Well, on this ticket they've got 250 for the pair.

So we're not going to have much left for your silverware!

So, we've got £230 to make two purchases and leave me...

-Plus some lolly.

-Just a little bit.

-You don't need much, do you?

-Not... No, not much.

I have faith that you'll find something!

So, the Reds plan to spend big.

Will the Blues also splash out?

What's that, Jan, do you like that?

It's quite pretty.

Nice colour.

Is that for salts?

They are salts, yes -

and the reason why it's got enamel is the salt will destroy the silver.

-Silver, yeah.

-Yeah.

It's really pretty.

With a little dolphin on it.

Mmm. Looks more like a fish to me.

-For 85.

-That's have a look at it.

-Pretty.

Pop it on here. It is very pretty - and unusual.

It's quite a heavy gauge of silver.

Well constructed with the screw and the bolts going through there.

There's the marks, there.

-Can you see?

-OK.

It's marked 800, which is a continental standard of silver.

-Yeah. Sterling's 9...

-925.

-925.

So, this has got 800 parts of silver to every thousand parts of metal.

-Yeah, yeah.

-The enamel is slightly rubbed, but...

I think I'm attracted because of the colour.

-I really like the colour.

-Yeah.

-What do you think of that?

-It's beautiful. That would grace any dining table.

-Right.

It's probably the best novelty salt here today.

It is novelty, yeah.

However, I want to talk to you about price, sir.

-Yes, that's all right.

-It is expensive.

-Yes.

How much have I got on the ticket, Thomas?

-Well...

-How much do you think?

From memory - and I only wrote it out the other night,

it was 85 on the ticket.

I'd like to pay 45.

I'm afraid I can't quite do 45.

-What can you do?

-I could do 65, if that's any good to you.

And if I offered you...

-..60...

-Yeah, I'll do 60, go on.

-We'll do 60.

-That's great.

-OK.

-Thank you so much.

-No problem at all.

-Really pleased with that.

- Thank you very much. - Thank you very much.

Right, that's it. Second item down.

Let's go and find our third and final.

-Come on.

-Excellent.

-How much we got left?

-Well, you've got loads.

You've only spent £70.

22 minutes down, and the Blues are speeding through their shop.

Are the Reds swinging into action?

I really like this little children's rocking chair, do you?

I think our girls would love this, wouldn't they?

I can see them both on it, yeah.

-How old are the girls?

-Eight and six.

Oh, marvellous.

People buy this sort of furniture with their heart.

-Yeah, that's right.

-Exactly.

-Emotionally, yeah,

you can see your child or grandchild sitting on that.

It looks in good condition, as well.

-I can't see...

-It feels pretty sturdy, actually, I've got to say.

Well - how does it rock?

It's got a good rock to it.

-Good rock. It's got a good rock.

-I have to say, the rock's going.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

Could we enquire about the price on your child's rocker?

Yes - it's very sweet, isn't it?

It is indeed.

-It's 79.

-79.

-Ooh, that's...

-It's not 78, or 80 - it's 79.

Any idea when it was made, or...?

I would say that chair is probably between 1900 and 1915.

And elm on the seat.

-Elm on the seat.

-OK.

I really like it, actually.

Yeah, now, £79 is a very precise figure.

Yeah, I will do it for 70.

I don't know. 70's still a little bit too much, though,

-to be honest, on there.

-Look, I'll do 65.

It's not earning me a great deal,

but, you know, it will give you a bit more chance to...

OK, thank you, that's kind.

Could we put this one on hold?

-Yes.

-We've got other things to look at, we've got a budget.

Perhaps come back to you later on.

-Yes, OK.

-Perfect.

Thank you very much.

Hm. One for the back burner.

Now, are the Blues about to get in a spin?

-I like that.

-You like that, do you?

-I do quite like that.

-This is...

You know, we've had, "Move on, move on, move on,"

-and we've got, "I like that."

-Yeah, I quite like that.

-How much is your...?

-175.

-175.

-I think it's steep.

Could that "1" disappear?

I could lose one of the other digits, but I couldn't lose the 1.

-I think we'll think about it.

-Let's go.

So, how are the Blue team doing, Thomas?

I think obviously it's being driven by one person.

We're doing a look around and we'll come back.

Because Jan's quite, sort of, "No, let's move on."

But I think the third and final item,

Simon and I are going to have to gang up against her.

Now, the Reds were looking for furniture.

-Now, they're's a good piece of furniture.

-That's nice.

-Yeah.

-Isn't that nice? Yeah.

-That's really nice, actually.

-What is it, exactly?

-Yeah, that's a miniature Wellington chest.

Sort of 1880, 1890.

These are always popular -

but, warning, we are at the top end of the budget.

-It's going to be pricey again.

-The ticket price is 295.

-Ah.

-They're very hard to get hold of.

Yes, no, that is true.

They're quite rare.

-Is there some movement in that price?

-Yes, yes, yes.

Maybe around the 220.

Down to 220.

We're just not going to have very much money left

-if we have that, are we?

-No.

-So...

-And if I'm not allowed those chairs, you're not having that.

OK, next.

As they go off to find something cheaper,

what are the Blues up to?

# I'm leaning on the lamppost at the corner of the... #

Hmm.

I know you like music, Simon, but less strumming and more shopping.

It's a ballerina.

Bronze art.

It definitely feels cold, like it's a bronze,

-but I'm quite suspicious that it's probably going to be a resin.

-No.

I think put it back.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, put it back.

Well, that's you told, Thomas.

So, what is the plan, Blues?

We've got to buy big now, I think, something really good.

Perhaps physically bigger.

More imposing.

Meanwhile, the Reds have gone back to their original shopping list.

Now, Neil, you did mention a piece of silver.

-I did.

-So, I think...

-And shiny.

-And shiny.

A shiny piece of silver - so, this is the shiniest stall at the show.

Well, the Blues found a shiny buy here.

Can the Reds, I wonder?

-I quite like the look of this piece.

-An Art Deco hand mirror.

-Always popular, aren't they?

-Oh, not that side!

-Ooh!

Oh, that's fine now.

Often these were parts of dressing table sets,

and the one lot that survives in those sets is the hand mirror,

because it still is the most practical piece today.

We're talking 1930s.

-OK.

-How's the... How is the glass itself?

-The glass is absolutely fine.

-The glass is OK.

-That looks good.

-Yeah, I think so.

-And the price I see on it is...

-35.

OK.

How gentle could you be with us on that figure?

-Erm...28.

-28.

-Yes.

-Do you want to put this into our locker?

I think I'd like to have it into our little...

-Pot of goodies.

-Yeah.

-Into our pot.

While the Reds are creating a big list of possibles

and the Blues are looking for a large item,

I'm popping outside to catch up with an old flame.

Remember that car I was driving earlier?

Well, here it is.

The iconic Austin-Healey 3000,

designed by Donald Healey and his son, Geoffrey -

largely in their attic here in Warwickshire.

Well, they made this car and they took it to the Motor Show in 1952,

and it really did turn some heads.

As a young child, I remember sports cars being very angular,

being very upright and square and boxlike -

not really aerodynamic at all.

But then into the '50s, cars like this were produced -

and look how sleek it is.

How wonderful the lines.

The air rushes off it as you accelerate up to 100mph and further.

Not allowed to do that nowadays, but you could then.

And the huge three-litre engine,

which really gave it some serious poke.

Could be a little bit hairy to drive.

It was a bit dodgy in the wet -

you could lose the back of it

when you went whipping round corners.

How am I able to say that?

Well, I can say that because I owned one.

Yes, back in about 1971, '72, I had a ropey one.

It's all I could afford. It wobbled a bit, it rattled a bit,

it blew up eventually, and I couldn't afford to repair it.

It was rather sad.

But I sold it for £500 to my boss and I've regretted it ever since.

The biggest regret came a couple of years ago

when, in America, I auctioned one of these.

In good condition, admittedly,

and it made the equivalent of £50,000.

Why, oh why, did I get rid of mine?

MUSIC: Non, je ne regrette rien by Edith Piaf

Back at the fair, I hope our teams don't have any regrets.

They've only 20 minutes of shopping left.

The Reds still have two items to buy.

Quite nice little table.

Not at that price.

While the Blues are looking for their last.

It goes with your '70s theme, doesn't it?

Orange cars, Troika pottery.

I have moved on a little bit...

-Have you?

-Yeah, I have, really. Yeah.

-Ooh, wow!

-A lot of money, isn't it?

£170. We have got a lot of money left.

Perhaps bear this in mind.

-I think it's a park item, isn't it?

-Yeah.

We'll definitely think about that.

That's a growing list of maybes.

Now, have the Reds found something to flap about?

A pigeon clock.

-A pigeon clock?

-A pigeon clock.

-What's that?

-Whatever that might be.

Let's have a look inside, shall we?

-Oh!

-Ooh, look at that.

That's interesting.

This is for racing pigeons.

This is to time in and back...

-Clock them in and out.

-Yes, exactly.

-OK.

-Yeah, indeed. This has got a nice, what I call...

sort of country house look about it.

Even though pigeon racing

was predominantly a sort of working-class pastime.

I like the look of it.

It's in its original box.

Did you like the price you saw when you...?

I did. I saw £18.

-That's pretty good, really, isn't it?

-I think, as a price...

If you feel it, as well, I mean...

-It's quite a sturdy piece.

-Oh, gosh!

I can't believe how heavy that is!

So, how much appeal do you think something like this

-would have at auction?

-I've never sold one before,

so I've got no idea what it might be worth.

However, I've got a good feel about it.

I think that Neil has made a good spot.

He's spotted something unusual, and if this is catalogued correctly,

we could find pigeon fanciers from all over the country

-gagging to buy a clock.

-That's right!

So, shall I invite the owner over?

-Yes.

-Definitely.

-Let's enquire.

-Madam, could we ask you a question?

-Yes.

-Your pigeon clock is priced at £18.

-Yes.

Is there a little bit of movement to help the Red team?

-Just a little bit, I'm afraid.

-Yes.

-16.

-£16 is the...

-Well...

-It's quite fairly priced anyway.

-Yeah.

-I think that sounds pretty fair to me.

-You like it.

-I think they'll come flocking.

Like it! Well, it could just fly away at auction.

I tell you what, we might "suck seed".

-Anything could happen.

-It's getting very heavy, as well.

Oh, it's getting heavy! In that case, we'd better buy it.

-Let's shake on it.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

Finally, a purchase -

but you've still got another item to buy.

Over with the Blues, Thomas has a suggestion.

Now, let's buy something really big.

-Yeah.

-Like an oil jar.

Yeah, possibility.

-It's a large...

-Very nice.

Is it an original sort of thing?

Well, I think it's got a bit of age.

It's got its own stand.

-Looks like it.

-Conservatory, hall - it's quite a good-looking thing.

-Yeah.

-What is it going to cost us?

Well...I think this lovely lady here owns it.

-Hello.

-Hello.

I've got 150 on it.

-OK.

-There's a little bit of room for manoeuvre.

-A little bit, you say?

-Yeah.

How much is a little bit?

I can do it for 130 for you.

If we've gone down to 130, could you do a little bit more?

125.

-No?

-Yes.

-A fiver off.

Would you accept 95?

That's too low for me, I'm afraid.

-Below the hundred?

-120. 120 is the lowest I can go.

It's big, you get a lot for your money...

Makes a statement.

I have sold big jars before in the past,

and they do appeal.

-Yeah.

-Because people like them for their conservatories...

-Yeah, yeah.

..their hallways...

and they've always made just over £100.

-OK.

-So this is where I'm coming from.

-Yeah.

-There's a deep sigh, I know there's a deep sigh coming.

I know there's a closing of the eyelids and...

HE SIGHS

..but maybe you could.

-110.

-110.

-110.

It's a great shape, it's a great look -

I love the texture, I love the colour.

I think at 110, it's worth a punt.

-I think that that's our third item.

-Can you do that?

-110, that's fine.

-So, you don't have to take it home!

-Fantastic, room in the car.

Great. OK. Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed.

And with that big spend,

the Blues have finished shopping with ten minutes left.

Over with the Reds, Richard has thoughts on their last item.

I'm still hoping that Caroline will buy the rocking chair.

She loved it. She's got two little girls,

she could see them sitting on that rocking chair themselves.

So I think at times the heart has got to take over.

Well, what do you know?

While Richard is talking about it, the Reds are taking action.

So, yes, it is just the price, really, on this that we were...

a bit stuck on, to be honest.

So, what price would you feel comfortable with?

Nearer 50.

But I understand that...

Well, I mean... It doesn't leave me a great deal of room.

55. How would that do?

So, what's going on here, then?

-Negotiation?

-You've caught me.

We are back to the rocking chair.

When you first saw this chair, you said, "I love that little chair."

-I did.

-So, decisions time -

because we haven't seen anything else that matches this,

apart from the Art Deco silver mirror.

So, it's whether you're going to win with your silver piece

-or am I going to win with my furniture?

-Furniture it is, then.

-Well, that was quick.

-We know how that's going to go, don't we?

-Neil's happy because...

-I'm happy.

-..you're happy,

and I'm happy because Neil's happy because you're happy.

-In that case, shall we shake on it?

-We shall.

-I'm happy because you've bought it.

-Thank you.

So, everyone is happy.

Right, teams. Your time is up.

-All done? Lovely.

-All done.

Come on, let's go and have a cup of tea.

You've got a lot that you love.

Now, let's check out what the Red team have bought.

First up, will the bamboo brush pot paint a profit?

Bought for £70.

Next was the racing pigeon clock with an oak case.

Price paid £16.

Lastly, the child's rocking chair.

It cost £55.

Will it rock the saleroom?

Neil and Caroline, it was much to be expected, wasn't it?

We knew who was in control.

Yes, well, I think I let you have a say now and again, didn't I?

Yeah - as and when you told me I could.

Was it like that, Richard?

No, we had a clear plan from the outset,

and we tore it up as soon as we entered into the shopping.

So, Neil, your favourite item?

-The pigeon timer.

-Well, there's a shock.

-And yours, Caroline?

-Definitely the rocking chair.

-Yeah.

-I think it was a really cute little item, so...

Lovely lot. What's going to make the biggest profit?

I'm really hoping the rocking chair will make a good profit,

-but we'll see.

-You spent £141.

So I need 159, please.

-Go on, then.

-To this wonderful man here,

-who no doubt will have a cunning plan.

-I do indeed.

I've made a clear list of half a dozen items

that I think will be perfect -

and I think I'll tear it right up as soon as I walk out

and buy something totally different. Like we've done all day.

-That's very wise.

-Wonderful.

While Richard goes off to tear up his list,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team have bought.

They started with the orange enamel brush and comb set.

It cost them £10.

Next, will their silver salt dish make a splash?

Price paid £60.

Finally, their large olive jar.

It cost a hefty £110 - but will it make a large profit?

Simon and Jan, good shopping.

Has he looked after you well?

A mine of information.

Simon, what's your favourite lot?

I think the salts, possibly, just about -

the silver salts are lovely.

Yes, good. Jan, what about you?

My choice, the salts.

-Yeah.

-They're beautiful.

Yeah, they are - and will it make the biggest profit?

-No, I don't think so.

-What will make the biggest profit?

I think Simon's choice might.

I think the hairbrush might.

-Well, it was so cheap, wasn't it?

-It was cheap.

Anyway, so you spent £180...

-We did, yeah.

-So you're going to leave £120, aren't you?

We have every faith in you.

What are you going to do with that?

Well, I have got something up my sleeve I've seen

and I believe, Simon,

it's going to be of interest to you.

-Well...

-Sorry, Jan.

So, while Thomas goes off to find something interesting,

I'm off to the auction.

Well, I'm just outside Lichfield

at the saleroom of Richard Winterton,

and I'm with the boss himself.

-Richard, how are you?

-I'm very well.

-And you're very welcome.

-Well, thank you very much.

Lovely to be back. Now, we're kicking off with Neil and Caroline

and we start with the brush pot - what do you think?

-To be really honest...

-Yeah, be honest.

-I don't understand this.

-No.

There's a lot of work gone into it, and it's got a bit of age to it.

What are we? 1910-ish?

-I would think early 20th century.

-Yes, something like that.

-Yeah.

-But I'm struggling to see who's going to buy it.

Yeah. What about value?

We've gone 30 to 50.

Yeah, well, they paid £70.

It's got a big split down it.

I just can't see it. We may be wrong.

-You know, the internet is strong, we might be wrong.

-Yes.

Anyway, the next item is rather different.

It is Neil's favourite lot and it's the pigeon clock.

What do you do with it?

Well, race pigeons.

If you're a pigeon fancier, then fantastic.

It's probably out of date to what the modern technology

for what they have to use these days.

It's Edwardian, I suppose, isn't it?

Yes. It is. Yeah.

Jolly nice oak case.

Yeah... You know, we've gone 15 to 30 on it,

and again, I am struggling to see who my buyer will be.

At that money, it doesn't matter - they only paid £16 for it.

-OK.

-So...

-Yeah.

-We're going to be pretty safe, aren't we?

-Yeah.

Looks like it. What about the child's rocking chair?

It's a good standard chair.

They're quite popular.

There's always people that want them.

And it's stylistically pure Victorian, isn't it?

It is but I don't think we could call it Victorian.

No. "Style"?

We love the word style.

Good auctioneer's word.

-We don't think it's Victorian, but it's Victorian style.

-Yeah.

-So, what about value?

-We've gone 40 to 60.

-Yeah, well, they paid 55...

-OK.

-..which isn't untoward, is it?

-No, no.

-They might be all right.

So, it might be, of course, that they will need their bonus buy.

Let's have a look at it.

Neil and Caroline - may I call you the boss?

-You may. Yes.

-Any doubt?

-No doubt, none.

-None whatsoever.

Well, you left this fine man with a massive amount of money, didn't you?

We did -

-a lot more than I was expecting to leave him with, actually.

-£159.

-Yes.

-What have you done, Richard?

Well, I went and tore up the list that we'd worked from all day

and I bought you...this.

-Ooh, that's nice.

-Ooh - what is it?

A late 19th century, possibly early 20th century,

walnut humidor.

-Oh!

-It's a cigar casket that was made in India during the Raj

and therefore made, perhaps, for an officer

from the Warwickshire regiment -

and it's got the coat of arms for the Warwickshire Regiment,

which I think is quite telling.

A fitted interior...

..inside. Two divisions, two types of cigars.

And the sort of thing that would have sat in the regimental mess

and brought round after dinner.

-How much did you spend on it?

-Ah, good question.

Priced originally at £45.

-OK.

-I bought it for 30.

-Oh, right.

-OK.

-You did well!

-Thank you. Praise indeed.

-Praise indeed!

And do you think it will make a profit?

Not a lot, but perhaps 10, £15.

You don't have to make up your mind now.

You can do that during the auction.

But you quite like that object.

-Yeah.

-I sense you quite like it.

I wonder what the auctioneer thinks of the humidor.

Here it is.

Humidor, cigar box.

I've always liked these things.

It's nice, clean sort of item to keep your goodies in.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yeah.

-It's Anglo-Indian, I think.

It is and it's got a nice little crest on the top,

-which all helps towards it.

-Yes. The Warwickshire Regiment.

-It's a commercial object.

-What about value?

-We've gone 30 to 50.

-Have you?

-Richard paid £30, so...

-OK.

-..should be safe, shouldn't it?

-Yeah, yeah. Happy with that.

-Very good.

Moving on to another married couple, Simon and Jan, the Blue team,

we start off with that rather charming child's brush and comb set.

It's striking when you look at it, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-That kind of yellowy-orangey sort of look -

and the enamel is beautifully done, you know. What are we, 1920s?

-Yes.

-They are quite popular for christening gifts

-or birthday gifts for young children.

-Yeah.

So we've gone 40 to 60.

Well, I can't believe it - they only paid £10 for it.

-10?

-Yeah.

-No, that is... Yeah!

For the amount of work in that, that is fantastic.

They've also gone with enamel here.

What do you think of the salt?

Now, we've gone from one extreme to the other, to me,

because, to me, when I'm looking at that, there, I'm struggling with it.

-Are you?

-We've put 50 to £80 on it.

It's all down to commercialism, what you do with it.

Little pins or whatever.

They'll be quite pleased that you've gone 50 to 80,

simply because they paid £60.

Oh, did they?

So, having bought two small and attractive pieces in enamel,

they were looking for a "statement piece".

And their statement is this huge olive jar.

-It's really commercial, put it in your garden...

-Yeah.

..you know, everyone loves that sort of thing.

I see a lot come through.

-I don't think there's a lot of age to it...

-No.

..but it's visual.

50 to £80.

They are going to be a little bit disappointed, I suspect.

They paid £110.

-Oh, Charlie.

-Yeah.

Punchy, isn't it?

It may be that they paid a little bit too much for that -

and in which case, they might need their bonus buy.

So we'll have a quick look at that.

Simon and Jan, you spent most of your money, didn't you?

-You spent £180.

-Did we?

Yeah, you left him with £120.

Right, do you want to see what I spent?

Definitely.

-Oh, my goodness me.

-This is a motoring picnic basket.

-Ooh!

-It flaps down, look at that.

-Oh, that's cool.

-Wow!

-That is cool, isn't it?

-That is cool.

-And you've even got the blanket in there.

-That is absolutely fabulous.

-How much did you pay?

Well, how much do you think this would...

I mean, this is a real piece of work.

To make this out of the willow...

To buy this new today would be an absolute fortune.

-Mm.

-It would have to be all handmade.

-Beautiful.

-OK, 80.

-Much less.

-I would think 40.

-£30.

-Well done!

-£30.

-Got to be done for £30.

-Really good.

I had you in mind.

-Well, that's...

-Because I know you like vintage cars...

He didn't have me in mind!

The thing is, Jan...

The thing is, Jan, on the shop, you chose quite a few things.

You have no grounds for complaint.

That's fair.

-That's fair.

-I think it's wonderful.

-Good.

-I think it's great - and you reckon it's going to make, how much?

-50 to £80.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

-I'd pay 50 quid for that.

-Really good.

-Yeah.

-Lovely.

-This is good.

Seldom have I seen two more satisfied customers.

I wonder if the auctioneer shares their enthusiasm.

This is what Thomas has spent his money on.

Ah! Have a look at that.

Yeah. This is fab. This is good!

-It's brilliantly made.

-It's lovely wickerwork, isn't it?

It is, yeah - and it's made, you know,

to withstand a bit of wind going down the road.

You've got two lots of interest here, haven't you?

People will buy it for what it is,

-but also your car market people.

-Yeah. Yeah.

They've got a lot of money, these car people, haven't they?

Yeah. We've gone 40 to 60.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

-Thomas only paid £30 for it.

For the work in that, Charlie, it's nothing, is it?

-And it's in good condition.

-It is, fantastic.

-Goody.

Well, you'll be taking the auction?

I am, can't wait.

-I'm looking forward to taking my position.

-Good.

Neil, and your boss, Caroline.

How are you feeling about this experience?

Really excited about it.

-You look excited.

-Very positive about it.

-Good.

-Very confident.

Positivity will flow forward to the auctioneer.

-Let's hope so.

-Who will respond.

Here we go. Here comes the brush pot.

It's the brush pot carving there.

-Come on now, come on.

-£20 bid.

-Come on.

-£20 bid.

-That's not bad, straight in.

£20 bid. £30 bid. Come on.

-£30 with me. £30 I'm bid.

-Come on.

-£30, I'm bid.

-We need a bit more than that, don't we?

-Oh, it's a bargain, come on.

-£30, I'm bid.

-£30 on commission, at £30.

-No...

Internet is... Nothing going on at all.

I've no option. Hammer up.

-Oh...

-Oh, dear.

-That's disappointing.

You've lost £40, I'm afraid.

Yeah.

Here comes the pigeon clock.

The pigeon clock now.

Cased racing pigeon clock.

£5, I'm bid. 5. £5 bid. £5 I'm bid.

-5 - £6 I'm bid.

-Oh, dear.

Six whole pounds(!)

-£10.

-There you go.

-£14.

-£16.

-Come on, pigeon!

Come on. One more pound!

There at £16.

-18.

-Yes!

-Hooray!

-£20.

-Well done, that man.

£20. All out, sold at 20...

-Ooh, four whole pounds!

-That's a £4 profit.

-Yes!

-£4.

Unfortunately, you were down 40,

so now you're only down 36.

That's quite good, isn't it?

Child's rocking chair.

£20. £10, I'm bid.

£10, I'm bid. 15, 18, £20.

-There's got to be a grandparent out there...

-Here we go.

£30 there, at £30. £30.

-35, the internet.

-Keep going!

-Come on, come on.

-Someone on the internet.

-45, the internet.

50 in the room. 50 in the room.

£50.

You're all finished?

-All done.

-No...

Oh!

-Minus a fiver.

-Not looking good!

You were -36,

which means you've lost £41.

Could have been so much worse.

Anyway, you've got to make up your mind on...humidor.

-What do you think?

-We've got to go for it, haven't we, now?

-Yeah, definitely.

-You're going with the bonus buy.

-Yeah.

-100%.

-Yeah.

-No going back.

-Here it is.

-Now we go to 365 now.

The little rectangular cushion-top hardwood smoking box there.

Where are you going to be? I'm £10.

£15. £20.

-£25.

-Oh, he's rattling along.

£25. £25.

£30, the internet.

£30, the internet.

-Come on.

-Here at £30, all done.

Selling at 30...

-Oh!

-Oh, well.

Richard, you put all that work in.

Where's the Warwickshire Regiment when you need them, eh?

-And China.

-And China.

-Anyway, you haven't made a profit or loss there.

So, overall, you're just down a cheeky little £41.

-Oh, not too bad.

-I think that's...

-Not too bad.

No, that might well be a winning score.

-You never know.

-So, don't talk to the Blues, please.

Promise me you won't talk to the Blues.

-We promise.

-And we'll find out later.

Simon and Jan, do you spend many days in salerooms?

-We have done, yeah.

-Have you?

-Over the years, quite a few.

-Bought quite a few things?

-Sold more than I've bought, I think.

-Have you? Like today.

I love this little brush and comb set.

Sweet little thing this,

the cased child's brush and comb.

Orange enamel mount, sweet little thing.

£10, I'm bid.

£10, I'm bid.

£15, I'm bid.

-20.

-Oh! Superb.

-It's worth every penny, this.

-Yes.

£30, I'm bid.

£30. Commission at £30.

£30, I'm bid.

All done and sold at £30...

-That'll do.

-Well done.

-That's fabulous.

-Well done.

That's a profit of £20.

-Exquisite.

-Here comes the salt.

-It's beautiful.

Little open salt there.

£20 to start me. Little enamel salt.

£20 I'm bid.

25.

£30.

-Come on.

-Come on.

-We're only halfway there.

-Where's the internet?

-35.

35.

35, the internet.

35, the internet.

-I think this is cheap.

-Oh, no.

All done?

Internet bid, 35.

Do you know, that means you've lost

£25 on that object? You were up 20,

which means you're now down a fiver.

-Oh, dear.

-So you've got to get this olive vessel going.

This is for the garden, terracotta, twin handled,

the big olive oil vessel.

Where are you going to be? £50. 40. £40.

£40 to start me.

£20.

£20.

5. 30.

5. 40.

5. 50.

50 there. £50.

£50. £50.

-Lots of olives.

-Yes.

Second row at 50.

-Come on, bid!

-We need more bids.

-We need more bids.

50...

-Yours, madam.

-Oh, dear.

I'm afraid, team, that's a loss of £60.

It's not good, is it? Which added to your little fiver

means you are down £65.

-Oh, dear.

-However, like the cavalry over the brow of the hill

comes Thomas Plant.

-We've got to go with it.

-What do you think?

Do you want to go with the bonus buy?

I don't think there's any doubt about it.

-It's a great buy.

-No, definitely.

You both liked it, didn't you?

-Definitely.

-Definitely going with the bonus buy?

-We haven't got a lot to lose.

-Yes.

-100%?

100%, let's go.

-Going with the bonus buy.

-Yes!

Here we go.

It's the wicker, it's the twin-handled picnic hamper.

It's a beauty. Back of your sports car, driving off, beautiful.

Perfect. Get it bought.

£20, bid. £30, bid.

£30, I'm bid.

35, I'm bid. 40, I'm bid.

45, I'm bid.

45, the internet.

-More, come on.

-50, 60.

-Yes!

Go on, internet.

..that in the back of your car...

£60, the internet.

All of you out. The room is out.

All done...

Thomas, that's a super performance.

-You've doubled their money.

-Good.

And you've nearly halved their loss.

-Shame!

-Well, you were down 65, Thomas has chiselled 30 off that,

so you're actually only down £35.

-Oh!

-So, don't talk to the Reds about it, OK?

-Not a word.

-Absolutely.

Has anybody told you two teams

that the idea on Bargain Hunt is to make money?

Losses on the left and losses on the right, I'm afraid -

but there's not much in it.

It has been a really tense competition.

And I'm going to tell you the runners-up, by a tiny margin,

are the Red team.

I wouldn't look too smug about that, Blues.

I'll come to you in a minute!

But you lost a princely sum of £41.

But never mind, you only lost 41.

Now, I don't know what you're so smug about, Blues,

because frankly you lost marginally less - £35.

Not too bad!

But of course, you get absolutely nothing for winning the competition.

Other than the glory of knowing that you and Planters

have beaten our Red team by a smidgen.

Anyway, don't forget to have a look at our website

and to follow us on Twitter -

details of which can be found on the screen.

Meanwhile, do join us for more bargain-hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!