Cornwall 4 Bargain Hunt

Today's Bargain Hunt comes from Cornwall,

a county famous for its rugged coastline,

beautiful countryside and, well, Poldark.

Oh, excuse me. I'm looking for the antique fair.

Can you point me in the right direction?

-Yeah, it's that way, mate.

-Thank you.

-All right.

Blimey, do they all look like that around here?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

Let's go bargain hunting!

Today's antiques fair is at the Royal Cornwall Showground

near Wadebridge and, if variety is the spice of life,

there's plenty to choose from here.

Our teams have got £300 and one hour to scour the fair for bargains.

But can they make a profit at auction?

Let's see what's coming up.

-The Reds are not in agreement...

-I think you're totally wrong.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-We've got to make a decision.

-We're running out of time.

-And I'm still saying no.

-OK.

..the Blues plead for the best price.

As love... As love as a human being...

-You're killing me!

-..and a British citizen.

And at the auction there are ups...

-Yes!

-Well done.

..and downs.

Oh, such a shame.

Well, all that is coming up later. So let's meet today's teams.

For the Reds, we've got Kelly and Andy, and for the Blues,

-we've got Darren and Sarah. Hello. ALL:

-Hello!

Kelly, tell me, when did you first meet?

Well, it was about almost five years ago.

Andy was working with some other people trying to turn some disused

land in Plymouth into a sort of community garden.

I saw it in the paper and thought I'd turn up and try and help,

but it was November and raining so we didn't get much done.

I started chatting, and then hit it off and the rest is history, really.

So on top of the gardening, really,

I mean, you have got a very interesting job, as well.

I do, I'm very lucky.

I'm a sommelier in a hotel in Falmouth,

which means that I just go in and I sort of pour your wine,

present your wine, make sure it's all OK, let you taste it.

So any recommendations you want, then I'm the one to come to.

-You're the girl.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-What about yourself, Andy?

-You're a sound engineer.

-Yes.

-What does that encompass?

Well, it could be anything from a rock festival to a comedy night

or even a ballet.

And you two seem to lead what I might call an off-grid lifestyle.

Yes, we live in a caravan on a farm just outside of Falmouth,

and it's lovely. We're constantly outside with our two dogs.

-It's all very...

-Cosy.

-Very cosy.

So what about bargain hunting, you two?

Well, we love a bargain, absolutely. I hate parting with money.

But this isn't my money, so I'm looking forward

to being able to splash the cash a little bit more than normal.

And what about tactics, then?

Spend big, spend big. Absolutely, yeah.

Well, good luck to you, Reds.

Now over to the Blue team.

So, Sarah, I believe you met when you were quite young?

Yes, I met Darren at our local amateur dramatics group.

I was 15, and he was 12, and he used to follow me all over the place

and I used to find it really annoying.

But we met again, didn't we, 20 years on?

And, well, we've been together now for two years and we've got a little

girl called Eleanor. Yeah.

So you're still in the theatre group?

Yes, I'm still in the theatre group.

And you sing and you dance, and you...

Sing, dance, act. All of it, I do all of it.

I also do karaoke, don't I?

So what's your show stopper, what's the one song

-that you like to belt out?

-Big Spender. I like doing that one.

-Oh, that's rather appropriate, isn't it?

-Yeah, it is.

-Well, come on, give us a rendition.

-OK.

# The minute you walked in the joint

# I could see you were a man of distinction

# A real big spender

# Good-looking, so refined

# Say, wouldn't you like to know what's going on in my mind? #

Well done, well done!

Oh, yes. So, Darren, it took you almost 20 years, then,

to, you know, to get things moving?

Yeah, yeah, it took a lot of persuasion.

And, to be honest, I feel the luckiest man alive.

-Awww!

-So I'm not going to let her go again.

I wouldn't doubt that for one minute.

-But you're a man in uniform, aren't you?

-I am, yes, yes.

I've been in the Navy for 16 years.

I've travelled all over the world, cooking for various people

as a leading chef.

I hope your shipmates, they appreciate the cuisine

that you give them on a regular basis.

It's the only job where you get inspected three times a day.

Everyone's Gordon Ramsay on board when it comes to dinner.

-You know? It gets quite annoying.

-Yeah, yeah.

Well, I'm hoping that when it comes to bargain hunting,

there's going to be absolute teamwork from you two.

Well, we're not going to give too much away.

But Sarah's in charge, Sarah's the boss.

-But sometimes we like to mix it up.

-Yeah.

We're not going to give away any tactics.

No, no, OK. So, if you're going to be a big spender,

-you're going to need some money.

-Thank you.

So there's £300 to you, and £300 for the Reds.

-BOTH:

-Thank you.

-So, off you go and meet your experts.

Well, I do feel that love is in the air,

but will it bring the sweet smell of success?

We've lined up a couple of very talented experts for our teams.

Keeping score for the Reds, it's Caroline Hawley.

And helping the Blues stay afloat, it's Ben Cooper.

So, Andy, Kelly, what are you looking for today?

Some silver, definitely, something strange,

-a little bit small and interesting.

-OK.

I'd like military, World War I, World War II.

Maybe some vintage theatre lighting or something like that.

I'm not sure yet. I need to see something that's pretty,

something that catches my eye and I think, "I'd buy that."

So a bit girlie, a bit blokey.

Teams, it's time to weigh up your options.

Your 60 minutes start now.

Let's head off and see what we can find. Come on, guys.

-Let's go get.

-Let's do it.

Both our teams are looking for something a bit different,

off the wall and eye-catching.

So it could be an interesting shop.

Let the battle commence.

And it looks like the Reds have spotted something already.

I like those chairs, the folding ones.

-Do you know? I do, I do.

-They're beautiful.

-How much are they?

-They're quite a nice shape, aren't they?

-Yeah, I think they're lovely.

-What do you think, darling?

-I like them, yes.

-We've seen your wonderful chairs.

-Yes.

-What would be your best price?

-£55.

-They say 15 on them, what's that?

-15 each.

-And how many are there?

-There's four. So that would be 60.

-So I'm giving you a little discount.

-55 is the best, is it?

I think so. I could possibly squeeze 50,

but I will not go any further down.

-OK, OK.

-Do we have a think about it?

-Yeah, let's do that. Let's do that.

-Right, then.

It's early days, so no need to rush into buying them yet.

And the Blues have tuned in to something vintage.

Have you seen that as well?

-What, you like that one over there?

-Yeah.

-What is "that"?

-I don't know. This?

-This radio?

-Yeah.

-That's quite funky.

-It's missing a button, though, isn't it?

-It is missing a knob.

-Art Deco?

No, it would be a bit later than that.

I'd have thought it's 1950s, probably.

Manufacturer - Ultra.

What's the price on that one?

-SELLER:

-It's 45.

-How much would it sell for?

I would reckon a £40-60 estimate, something like that.

So what is it that's drawn you to it, then, Darren?

Well, I like the shape. I like the authenticity of it.

-It's got the '50s look...

-Yeah, yeah.

There is this whole sort of retro thing going on now.

-Yeah, definitely.

-And retro is really popular.

OK, well, I'm not sure about that one now,

because I've seen another one over here that I quite like.

-That one there.

-What's the price on that one?

The price on that one's 75.

75?

That is, in a way, more iconic.

That's very much of the now retro, this has got much more classic

1930s in design, in style.

It's very much more iconic, in a way, than the other.

-Do you like it?

-I like it.

I like it, but I'm going to go for the majority, not the minority.

-Shall we try and get it down, then?

-OK.

-See what he says.

-OK.

-He might be able to tweak lots or not.

-Excuse me, mate? Sorry...

-Yeah, no worries.

-Would you take 60 for this?

-I can't do that, sorry.

The best I can do is 65, that's the very best price.

-65?

-A really collectable radio, that one.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-It's a winner.

-Brilliant.

-It's collectable.

-Cheers for that.

-Thank you very much.

-Nice one.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Yes!

-High-five, well done. High-five.

-Yay!

Great. Right! Let's head off and see what else we can find.

-Come on, guys.

-That's pretty impressive.

The Blues have item one after just seven minutes.

But hot on the trail are the Reds.

They've found something perfect for a day at the Cornish seaside.

I like those chairs. Wow! Look at them, look at the colours.

-They are gorgeous.

-They've got to be old, surely?

-They can't be new.

-Yeah, I think they are and I think they're French.

-Do you?

-Yeah. Let me go and see...

-That's got to be good.

-..if I can find the owner of them.

-OK.

-I'll be back.

-Look at the shape of that handle.

-I'm going to try to see...

-It's like over-engineering.

-I want to see how comfortable it is.

-Oh, please don't break the chair.

-Don't break the chair.

-Please don't break the chair.

-Oh, Andy, comfortable?

-Yes!

-Do you feel sturdy?

I feel... I wouldn't want to rock around in a vigorous manner,

-but I'm comfortable. They are...

-It's lovely.

-They are beautiful, aren't they?

-How much do you think they are?

I think they're really expensive. Like 70 quid.

They're French. You're exactly right.

-They were 35 each.

-OK.

-And they can be 30 each.

-30 each?

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

I really like it.

I'd have it in my garden, and I'd pay 30 quid for it.

-Yeah.

-But it's whether somebody else would.

-I would as well.

Would you pay 45?

-No, maybe not.

-Let's move on, then.

-Yeah.

-No, I wouldn't. I'd pay 30.

-Right, come on, then.

-Yeah, onwards.

-No good.

-Thank you!

-I say, we're doing very well, aren't we?

At £30 per chair, already they're not sure that bidders

at the auction would pay any more for them.

Something to think about.

So they're going to continue searching.

Meanwhile, are the Blues snap happy?

-Tell us a bit about this one.

-I can tell you about it.

It's non-functional because the cover has gone

on the bellows, so you'll never get it to work again.

-It's purely a decorative item.

-How much is it?

-I've got 21 on it.

How hard do you want to haggle?

-Shall we come back to that one?

-OK. All right, OK.

-We'll have a think about it.

-You're getting a death stare going across.

-The thousand-yard stare.

-It's my turn.

Darren isn't going to take on the death stare,

so that's a no to the camera.

But it seems the Reds are up for some horseplay.

-The saddle...

-Yeah, would it just be decorative or would someone use it?

Well, you could use it.

It needs a girth putting on, and maybe just a bit of a polish up.

But it looks in great condition.

And do you know, to buy one new, you'd pay an awful lot of money.

-Mmm.

-Several hundred pounds.

-That is true.

-So, really, you know, it's not expensive.

-It's different.

-It certainly is.

How much is on your saddle?

-£25.

-£25?

-I like it.

-I like that.

-I like it, too.

-Do you like that, too?

-That's a hat-trick.

-That is a hat-trick.

-What is your best price?

-£20.

-£20?

-Would you do 18?

-OK, go on.

-Really?

I think that's a deal. I like that.

-I think that's great.

-Wonderful.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done. Excellent.

-Fantastic.

-Brilliant.

-I'm happy with that.

-That wasn't on the list, was it?

It wasn't on the list. That's not small and shiny.

-No.

-No, but it's lovely.

-Wonderful.

-Thank you.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you.

The Reds have bagged an unexpected first item.

And with just 22 minutes on the clock,

let's hope it will gallop to a profit.

Meanwhile, the Blues have found another vintage item that relates

to a British institution.

Sarah, are you liking that, are you?

-It's got Women's Institute on it.

-The WI.

-Yeah.

-Is there a market for it?

-Yeah, is there...?

-I think there is.

-That Women's Institute...

I think because it's something which

is really quite quirky and different.

I mean, you know, it's an amateur-made sign.

It was made by a WI institution somewhere

and it was their... their sign which somebody made.

But it's quite fun how the paint has faded. It's a bit wacky.

-Do you want to...?

-How much? How much is it, Sarah?

-£135.

OK, Sarah, I'll make you a deal.

If you can get them down then it's your decision.

Any... Can you take anything else than 135?

-Or any lower?

-The lowest I'd go is probably 90.

-Right, OK.

But it's... It's a local piece of history, it's from Camelford.

-Right.

-The institute was knocked down about 26 years ago.

So the sign's about 60 years old.

-What do you reckon, Darren?

-Well, I trust everything you say.

-What do you reckon?

-I need to come back to it.

Right. Will you keep it at 90 if we came back?

-Yes, no problem.

-Is that OK?

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

It's a great-looking object but it's on the back burner for now.

Meanwhile, Kelly said she wanted something strange and interesting.

Has she found it?

-I love it.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-I'm not...

-It's adorable.

-Look at that little face.

-I'm not so sure.

Would you not sit on that as a child?

Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?

-I found a zebra.

-I can see you found a zebra.

I think he's really cute. I think he's lovely.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-And what do you think, Andy?

I think the total opposite.

Do you? Right.

Just imagine sitting on him, watching telly.

It's not a...

-It looks like it's off of some sort of child's fairground ride.

-Yeah.

-Or something.

-He needs a new saddle, doesn't he?

Well, luckily, we've just got one of those.

-Oh, luckily, you have!

-Yes.

All right, do you want me to go and see if I can find a price?

Could you? That would be brilliant.

While Caroline goes off to investigate the price,

the Blues are onto something with a local connection.

-Darren, that's Pilgrim Fathers.

-I like that.

-Well, it's your local town.

-Yeah, it is.

That's the founding fathers of modern-day America, isn't it?

-It is.

-And they set off on the Mayflower in 1620.

So this is the 350th anniversary, just to commemorate.

I'm sure there were quite a lot produced

and it's not of great age, but then again, 1970, that is...

That's 46 years now, isn't it? Depressing thought.

-So...

-Vintage.

-Vintage, like me!

The condition is paramount. I can't see anything...

I mean, do you want to have a look around, Sarah, and just see?

-Has it been, like, painted, or is it...?

-No, that's the glaze.

-Right.

-So, what it is, it's a terracotta...

-It's very obviously a terracotta plate.

-Right, yeah.

And then that has got this slip decoration which has been moulded,

and then covered with this cream slip to bring out all the design.

As a bit of local interest,

it would have probably an auction estimate of £20-30,

something like that. I don't think it's going to set the world alight.

-No.

-But it depends what is on it.

I mean, do you want to buy something local?

-Sarah?

-I don't mind. If I think...

If it would get us some money, then...

Can you ask...? Do you want to do some haggling?

Yeah, I can ask. Excuse me, how much is this plate going for?

What do you reckon it's worth, then?

-25 quid.

-Would you take 15?

-No.

-How about 20?

-21. It seems fair enough.

Sarah? It's the anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers.

-OK, and we are from Plymouth.

-Well, yes. It's a bit of localness.

-It's a bit of localness, if that's a word.

-Localness, if that's a word.

-Localness.

-Localness.

-Localness to us.

-Do you want to?

-I'd say yes.

-OK.

-Why not?

-On your head it be.

-Why not? OK, deal.

-Deal.

-Good man.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Well done, Blues, with 30 minutes on the clock,

they have item number two.

So there's plenty of time for their final buy.

But what's the news on the Reds' fairground zebra?

-Right.

-What's the word?

-Well, what do you think it is?

I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess.

-I've no idea.

-Well, try.

-Kelly, what do you think?

-I think...

£40.

-No, you're wrong...

-Am I?

-..by 105. 145.

-Oh, OK. What is it?

-It's 1950s.

This is from a 1950s fairground ride.

-Ah!

-It's totally original.

Has that changed your opinion, slightly?

No. That's confirmed my opinion that I don't like it.

-Really?

-Not at 145.

That's what he's asking, but I'm sure you could get it down a bit.

What would be your very best price?

120.

Maybe two digits?

-No, not two digits.

-No, it couldn't be 90?

100 is the best I will do.

-100?

-But that is the absolute bottom line.

I think someone is going to collect those

-and want loads of wooden animals...

-What, a herd of zebras?

-Yeah.

-I think you're totally wrong.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-We've got to make a decision.

-We're running out of time.

-And I'm still saying no.

-OK.

Well, in that case, thank you very much. Thank you.

He's saying no.

They just can't agree on the quirky zebra.

But time is ticking, Reds, and you still have two items to find.

So let's leave the teams to continue their search.

I love having a rummage around fairs like this

and I've come across something equally unusual.

But I want to find out if anyone knows what it was used for.

This is something of a mystery object to some folk,

but you may recognise it for what it was used for.

-BOTH:

-Hmmm...

-I would say for measuring tea, possibly?

A medical spoon?

It's a cheese scoop.

Is it for scooping melon?

I thought it was for Stilton.

-An ice-cream scoop?

-An ice-cream scoop?

-A little one, a dinky one?

-It would be dinky, wouldn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

It would be dinky.

Well, the answer is that this is a silver marrow scoop.

Now, don't think about the vegetable, no,

this is actually for extracting the marrowbone jelly

that you find in the centre of animal bones.

This example dates to the reign of George III.

And way back then, marrowbone jelly was seen as a real delicacy.

We might turn our noses up at it today, but way back then,

it was seen as being incredibly health-giving and very nutritious.

What's more, it carries the hallmark and the date mark for the year 1801.

On top of that, it's got something of a local connection,

because it carries the crest here of the Cornwall 32nd Regiment of Foot.

So this probably belonged to a high-ranking Cornish officer of that

regiment, somebody who was keen to instil higher standards of table

etiquette around that mess-room table.

Whereas previously they'd been gnawing and slurping

on animal bones, and instead, use an elegant scoop like this.

-Marrow!

-A marrow scoop.

-Marrow jelly out of a bone. BOTH:

-Ahh!

From an animal... Marrowbone jelly?

-Do you remember it?

-Yeah, I remember it, yes.

-A marrowbone scoop.

-A marrowbone... yeah.

-Have you ever tried marrowbone jelly?

-No.

Now, I've seen plenty of marrow scoops made out of animal bone.

And they fetch around about £30, £40 or so.

But this is silver, and with its regimental connections,

I can tell you now that if it turned up locally at an auction,

I would see this making at least £300.

Now, I think that is something of a scoop.

Back to our teams, and they're 40 minutes into their shopping.

The Blues are ahead with two items and the Reds only have one,

but they wanted something unusual and they might have just found it.

-Oh, I like this.

-What have you found?

-Look at this choker.

-Oh, I like that.

-Isn't that beautiful?

-I like that, too.

-Moonstones.

Right, it's £110. I think that that is lovely.

-It's beautiful.

-It's fairly modern.

And I don't think it's got a lot of age to it. Let's have a look.

Yeah, it's silver, 925, which is 925 parts silver.

-And that's gorgeous.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-And the spring's still good?

-Yeah, the spring's very good.

-Has it got a maker? Can I have a little look?

-It's fairly modern.

I'm sure it's modern, and they're moonstones, aren't they, madam?

-Yes, I think so.

-I think that's absolutely beautiful.

-I do, too.

-What do you think?

-I like it.

What would be your rock-bottom price?

-What does it say on it?

-110.

-100.

100 would be the best?

-I would wear it.

-I would wear it every day.

-I would wear it, yeah.

-You see...

-I really like it.

-..looking at that, then thinking about our zebra...

-Yeah.

..or your zebra, as I should say...

..I think the zebra sounds more and more attractive now.

Can we go back and get the zebra, then?

-Let's go back and get the zebra.

-OK, thank you very much.

Oh, I have never in my life heard such a thing.

-So you are rejecting...

-I'm rejecting...

-..that rather beautiful thing.

-..that beautiful silver

-and I'm going to go and buy...

-And you want the zebra?

-..the battered old zebra instead.

-Go, go, go!

-Yeah, £95...

-Thank you very much.

I didn't see that coming! Andy is won over by the zebra

and is about to make Kelly a very happy lady.

While they go back to find it, have the Blues found their final buy?

-Time is running low.

-We need to really decide.

-What about this?

-They're £30 the pair.

They're glass.

If we hold it up to the light, some good light, can you see?

-Yeah, you can see.

-It's a dark brown glass.

I would have thought they're most likely Bohemian made.

-Bohemia, Czech Republic, that sort of area.

-Right.

Date-wise, 20th century.

-But they're a nice, decorative, and as you say, pair.

-Yeah.

-Yeah...

And our time is ticking.

I think... I think we're being pushed into a

Women's Institute corner here.

-You're thinking WI?

-I am as well.

-I'm thinking WI now.

-I am thinking that, too.

-It's been playing on my mind since...

-Yeah.

-..since the last one.

-I think...

-We need to go and get that poster.

We're going to go and get that one, I think.

This is like deja vu.

Darren also wants to return to the item they saw earlier.

But the race is on for the Reds. They want to secure that zebra.

Where's the zebra, where's the zebra?

Where's the zebra?

Hello! Sorry...

Any way it could be £95? Any way at all?

-He's beautiful.

-Go on, then.

-Oh, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you.

-Thank you.

-She's bought the zebra!

-She's bought the zebra.

-I've got the zebra.

I think I may live to regret this.

-Now, can we move on and get the third and final item?

-Yes.

-Yes, let's do that.

-Brilliant, where do you want to go?

I think... Back to the deckchair.

-Back to the deckchair?

-Back to the deckchair?

-Back to the deckchair.

-Back to the deckchair.

-Come on.

The zebra has finally been rescued with 50 minutes on the clock.

So, have the Blues rescued the sign?

-Bingo.

-Yes, it is still there.

-It's still there.

Hi, we're back again. We're really interested in this one.

Can you take it any lower?

-I really can't.

-No?

-90 from 135...

-Would you take 85?

-Oh, you're killing me!

As love... As love as a human being, and a British citizen?

-OK.

-Oh, you are a darling.

As long as you promise it goes to a good home.

Absolutely, absolutely.

-Shall we shake on it?

-Yes.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you. Thank you very much.

-That's really kind of you.

-Thank you so much.

-No problems at all.

-Well, guys, there we go.

-All done.

-All three items, with a few minutes to spare.

The Reds will be somewhere lost, panicking,

so I think it's time for us to go and get a cup of tea.

-Come on, guys. Let's do it, let's do it.

-Come on, let's go.

Well done. Well done, indeed. With ten minutes to spare,

the Blues have done it. So, have the Reds found those chairs?

The race is on to the finish line.

-Hello, we're back again.

-We're back!

-30 was her best price.

-30.

-But you can go and ask.

-I'll go...

-OK.

-Go and ask.

30 was your best price on the deckchair, wasn't it?

-I'll take another five off.

-Will you?

What about if you got two?

-Ah-ha, that's what I'm going to tell you.

-What?!

-I've not bought it yet.

-No, no.

-One for 30... Yeah?

-..or both for 55.

-So, £27.50 each?

-Yeah, that's a brilliant idea.

-What, the two?

-Yeah.

-Go and get them, then.

-Happy? Happy?

-Happy.

Happy. Happy!

-Happy! That's job done.

-That's job done!

Yes. Yes, please. We've done it.

-Brilliant!

-£55 and they are ours.

-Brilliant.

Testing, testing.

Fair warning, teams, your 60 minutes are now up.

Time to stop shopping.

-I'm so happy.

-Brilliant, I'm so happy.

Oh, thank you! Thank you!

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

The Reds were riding high with this leather saddle at £18.

Kelly just had to have the battered fairground zebra at £95.

And the chic vintage French deckchairs were £55 for the pair.

So, Kelly and Andy, I mean, a few problems

in the agreements department, yes?

-BOTH:

-Yes.

-I mean, right up to the wire.

I mean, two buys in the final ten minutes.

So, Kelly, I need to know what is your favourite buy today.

Hands down, definitely the zebra, definitely the zebra.

-The zebra, yeah?

-I love it, I love it so much.

And what about the one item that you think is going to give you the

-biggest profit?

-I think it's going to be the saddle.

OK. Now, what about yourself, Andy?

I really like the deckchairs.

-Very comfortable.

-What about the biggest profit?

-I'm going with the saddle as well.

-You are?

-Yes.

-OK. So, remind us how much you spent.

-168.

-Not a bad spend, you know?

-It's OK, isn't it?

Not a bad spend, because £132, which is coming my way,

is quite a reasonable amount for you, Caroline, to go and spend,

-wouldn't you say so?

-Thank you very much. Yes. Excellent. Thank you.

Got your eye on anything, Caroline?

Well, I've seen a few things but I haven't quite made my mind up yet.

OK. While Caroline makes her mind up, though,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

The mid-20th-century Ekco Bakelite radio was music to their ears

at £65.

Will it be plain sailing with this Pilgrim Fathers

commemorative plate? It was just £21.

And it was jam and Jerusalem all the way with the vintage wooden sign.

It cost £85.

So, Darren and Sarah, you went off for something sparkly,

and you came up with something completely different.

Went in with a plan and rearranged the pieces, really.

-Yes.

-Darren, what do you think is your favourite object?

-Definitely the plate.

-Oh, right.

It's going to double, maybe treble, its price.

Oh, wow, double whammy. So, Sarah, what about your favourite object?

My favourite object was the radio.

But do you think it's going to give you the biggest profit?

-I think it will, yes.

-Oh, you do?

-Yes.

-Oh, well, that's interesting.

-More than the plate.

-Well, remind me how much you spent.

-£171.

That's a pretty reasonable spend.

-You should be proud of yourselves there.

-Yeah, it was quite good.

So that means you're going to give me 100 and...

-29.

-So it doesn't stay with me for more than a few seconds,

it goes over to Ben for the bonus buy.

So, any ideas?

Well, I'm thinking of getting something older.

Pre-20th century.

I think going to go, get something really old, that's my plan.

OK. Well, whilst Ben goes off to spend,

we're going off to the auction.

We're in Plymouth. We're in Eldred's auction house

and I'm joined by Anthony Eldred himself.

It's a pleasure to welcome you here.

Thank you. Thank you very much indeed.

So, starting with the Red team, that's Kelly and Andy.

They came up with this very impressive-looking English saddle.

Now, are we in an area where you've got lots and lots of equestrian

-events happening?

-Oh, absolutely. I mean, we are on Dartmoor.

-Of course you are.

-So lots of horse events going on,

lots of interest in saddlery.

So, what's your estimate on the saddle?

My estimate, £20-30.

There's quite a lot of them on the market.

Oh, right. They did OK, they paid 18 for it.

-Well, that's a good buy.

-They could be riding high with that one,

-couldn't they?

-Oh, I hope so.

-Well, let's watch, wait and see.

Now, the next item... I don't know - the zebra.

It might have started off on a roundabout or something

but you don't see many of them.

I'd like to have seen the whole roundabout

and I think it probably did come off a roundabout,

looking at the fixtures, they're quite heavy-duty.

-Yeah.

-Just the one?

It's not in the best of condition.

So I think, again, a modest estimate, 20-30.

Yeah, it's modest in comparison to what they paid.

-They paid £95 for it.

-Did they? Did they?

And the third item are two wood-frame deckchairs.

-I mean, perfect for summer.

-Yes, we're back in the '60s and '70s.

Well, there's a pair of these, so what do you think

-and what's your estimate?

-You can buy a reproduction one for £105.

-So we thought 20-30 would be right.

-They paid £55 for the pair.

-I think they're still in with a chance.

-They are.

Well, it looks as though they may well need to consider

their bonus buy, so let's take a look at it.

Well, you left Caroline £132 to go out and spend.

So, Caroline, what did you spend it on?

Well...

You're looking worried.

OK!

Do you like?

It's quite sweet.

The little illustration's cute.

I don't think I would have picked it up, but what is it?! What is it?

Well, it's a baby plate.

It's about 1930s.

-OK.

-Made by Shelley.

And the designer is Mabel Lucie Attwell,

who's designed this lovely picture here.

-She did the illustrations for some of the Alice In Wonderland books, didn't she?

-Yes, yeah.

And then you've got this little rhyme here.

-Would you like to read it?

-OK.

"If I had a fairy How jolly it would be

"I'd bathe him in a tea cup And take him walks with me!"

-Aww.

-That is quite sweet.

-Isn't that lovely?

Do you want to have a look? How much did you pay for it?

I paid £15.

-Oh, OK.

-And what do you think it will make at auction?

I think it's going to double its money.

-Really?

-I do.

It's certainly interesting.

Do people collect this sort of thing?

Yes, yes, there is a following of people

that collect works by Mabel Lucie Attwell, or Shelley,

baby memorabilia. I think it's a really sweet thing.

-Good.

-Remember, you don't have to make your minds up now.

You do that after you've sold the first three lots.

But, meanwhile, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks

about Caroline's Shelley baby plate.

-What's your thoughts?

-Well, Mabel Lucie Attwell,

we've had them before.

Normally they're not in as nice a condition as this one.

The paint falls off them very easily.

And what's your estimate?

Well, the market is worldwide now with the internet

for this sort of thing. My estimate, £10-20.

10-20?

OK. Well, they paid 15 for it.

Well, I like that and I think it deserves to do better.

But having said that, let's have a look at the Blues,

this is Darren and Sarah, and their first item is behind you.

It's the Ekco Bakelite radio receiver.

The market for vintage radios is there,

it's very much on the internet.

You really want colour and shape for these things.

It's a little bit square.

But there it is, it's Ekco, good name,

missing one or two little bits here and there.

I think it will make between £10-20.

£10-20. They went and paid £65 for it.

-Ah.

-Yeah.

-I don't think they're going to get that for it.

OK. Well, the next item they've got is a Pilgrim Fathers Plymouth plate.

You can see there, it's all sort of slip trail

and 350 years since the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth.

-Indeed. But it's not a rarity.

-No?

We do see these and there really isn't a lot to say about it.

It's perfectly decorative if you want to put

-yet another plate on your dresser.

-Right.

-So, estimate?

-£5-10.

5-10. They paid £21 for it.

So that one may be sailing into the sunset,

and whether or not it's going to make any money, we shall see,

we shall see. So, their third item is the sign.

Stencilled in black and white with "Women's Institute".

-What do you think?

-I like it.

-Good!

-I think it's a great object.

Yeah, I can just see that in a big farmhouse, the jam pan underneath.

I'm hearing Jerusalem as we speak.

I like that as well.

So, estimate?

Between 30 and £50.

Again, they've gone and paid £85 for that.

It sounds a lot to me but I wouldn't rule it out.

-It could well make it.

-I think all things being equal, though,

they're going to have to consider their bonus buy.

So let's have a look at it.

Well, Blues, you left Ben £129 to go out and spend.

So spend you did, Ben, but what on?

Well, I wanted to find something old

and something a bit different from what you'd found on your shop,

so I found a bit of 18th-century Chinese porcelain.

-So, Sarah, what do you think of it?

-I think it's cute.

I like it. I do like it a lot, actually.

I reckon, when I look at the kind of potting on the bottom here,

and also having this brown colour at the top, this cafe au lait colour,

it dates to the late Kangxi period into Yongzheng period,

which is around about 1735-ish.

So it's actually quite an old pot

and it's in perfect condition.

The handle has no cracks on it, it's all there.

-So, Darren, what do you think of it?

-I like it now.

When you first showed it to me, I was a little bit sceptical about it.

But now you've told me the background about it

and where it's from, I quite like it. How much did you pay for it?

£22.

Ooh, and how much do you think it'll be worth?

Well, I really hope it should double its money.

For a bit of porcelain which is almost 300 years old,

it would be so sad if it only goes for 20 quid

considering it's perfect. It's a lovely thing.

-That would be good, then.

-I like it.

-Yeah, I like it as well.

Remember, you don't have to make your minds up now,

you do that once you've sold your first three items.

But, meanwhile, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks

about Ben's Chinese cup.

So, this is Ben's bonus buy. What are your thoughts?

-Where's the saucer?

-Well, there is that, yes, that's very true.

But it has got some age to it.

Yes, I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, it's a Chinese cup from

I think a little later, I think it's late 17th century.

But again, it is just the cup, so we really need the saucer

-to make a go of it, I think.

-So, estimate?

-10-15.

-10-15. He paid £22 for it.

I still think that 18th-century porcelain is dirt cheap.

-You're taking the auction today?

-I am and I'm looking forward to it.

And so are we.

5, 6...

How are we feeling, you two?

I'm so excited. I can't believe this is actually happening.

-It's brilliant.

-I'm a little nervous.

-A little nervous?

-Yes.

-That's all right, it's all part and parcel of what we do.

-Yes, it is.

-But your first item's coming up.

-It's the leather saddle.

-You paid £18 for it.

So I think you should be in for a profit on this one.

-Easy money.

-Either way, it's coming up now.

Let's have a tenner for it, somebody, quickly.

10 I'm bid. At 10, 12.

-Come on.

-Come on.

-15, seated at 15.

At £15 here at the back with the lady.

At £15. 18 anywhere?

-Come on, bit more!

-A bit more!

-At £15, then.

Nothing online? At £15.

-Oh, no...

-Quite sure at 15. Last chance, everyone.

-Oh, such a shame.

-No!

You paid 18, you just sold it for 15.

-We're in a minus three situation.

-That's OK.

It's OK. Well, the zebra toy's coming up now.

-You paid £95 for it.

-Yes, we did.

-You get a lot of zebra for £95, don't you?

-You do.

-You do as well.

-It's beautiful.

-Tenner for that one, quickly.

-What?!

Somebody, a tenner. 10 I'm bid. At £10, 12.

-Two bids, two bids.

-15, 18, 20.

2. 25. 25, 28.

£30. And 2.

35, 38.

40 now, and 2.

45. 48. £50.

-We're getting closer.

-And 5. At £55.

-Come on.

Any more in the room at 55?

-He's beautiful!

-55.

-Finished in the room, then?

£60 online.

-And

-5.

-At £65.

70 now.

-And 5.

-Yes, come on!

-At 75. 80 now.

-And 5.

-Come on, come on!

-At 85.

-Come on.

-90.

-And 5.

-Yes!

At £100.

-Yes! And

-5.

-Yes!

At £105. Now 10.

15. At £115.

120 online.

-And 5.

-Yes!

-At 125.

-Bidding's in the room.

-Yes.

-At 125. It's against you online.

-Last chance online, then.

-One more.

-One more.

-At £125, I'll sell it.

All done.

ALL: Yes! Well done.

-Thank you! Thank you, world.

-Well done.

-I can't believe it.

OK. Well, I mean, paid 95 for it, you've just sold it for 125.

So you've just made yourself £30,

you were already minus 3, so that puts you in a plus £27 position.

-That's not too bad.

-That is good.

-We've got your deckchairs coming up.

-You paid £55.

-Yeah.

-They're coming up now.

-A tenner for those two, quickly?

Somebody, 10. 10 I'm bid. At 10, 12.

At £12 against you.

Bidding? 15. At 15, 18.

20 now. At £20. Against the net at £20.

Bidding's with the lady here.

At £20, then. It's your last chance,

I know summer's gone but it's coming again soon.

At £20. Are you all done at 20?

-Oh!

-What a shame.

So, there you go, you just lost yourselves £35 there.

You were plus 27 ahead, so you are minus £8, if my maths is correct.

So, you've still got the option of Caroline's bonus buy.

-Are we going to go for it or what?

-I think we have to, don't we?

-I think we're going to. Yeah.

-We can't lose money.

-Let's go for it, let's go for it.

-Excellent, fighting talk.

-Decided.

Tenner starts that one quickly.

Nobody? 10 I'm bid. At £10. Here at 10. 12 if you want it?

At £10, 12.

At £12. Against the net at £12.

-Bidding? 15.

-It's so cheap!

We want more. Come on, we want more.

At £15 only, then. Third row. Last chance, everyone,

I'm selling it at £15.

Come on!

-Oh!

-Sorry, guys.

-That's all right.

-No harm, no foul.

£15, broke even on that one.

So we're left with a grand total

-of minus eight.

-Never mind.

-It could have been a lot worse.

And I can tell you now, that can be a winning score.

OK? But, as always, not a word to the Blues.

Sealed.

Hello, Blues. Now, how are you feeling?

-Excited.

-Yeah.

-I can't wait.

It is going to be interesting, I think. Very interesting.

And we're all excited. I can assure you we're all excited.

What about auctions, are you regulars at auctions?

No, I've never been to one.

I've got a funny feeling after this you'll be going to them regularly,

I really am. Your first item's coming up, it's the Ekco-type radio,

the Bakelite one. You paid £65 for it.

And it is coming up now.

A tenner for that one, quickly.

Somebody, 10, surely, for the Bakelite radio.

5 I'm bid. 6. At £6, there.

-That's so cheap.

-At £6 only. 8.

Are you bidding or not? 10.

-12.

-Keep it going.

14. At £14, there, standing.

Quite sure at £14, then?

Take more if I can.

Are you all done at £14?

Last chance, everyone. You're out online. 14 it is, then.

Oh, such a shame.

Don't be down. £14, so it gives us a rolling total of minus 51.

OK? Everything to play for.

Now, we've got our Pilgrim Fathers Plymouth plate coming up.

You paid £21 for it. And it's coming up now.

A fiver for this one, somebody?

5, 6, 8, 10.

12. At £12 here.

15 now. At £15.

-18. Third row now.

-18...

At £18 in front.

-20. At £20. Two of you want it.

-Oh, come on. Go one more.

-At £20 online.

-Yes!

-22.

-22, profit, profit, profit.

At £22, against the net now. 25.

At 25 here. 8 if you want it, sir.

At £25.

Bidding's online. Quite sure?

Last chance, then? At £25, I'll sell it.

-Yes!

-£25!

Well done - a profit.

Well, that's £4 profit, which gives us a rolling total now of minus 47.

We're chipping away at it, aren't we?

And the next item that's coming up is the Women's Institute sign.

£20 at that one. At £20. 2 anywhere?

At 22, 5, 8, 30.

2, 5, 8, 40.

2, 5, 8, 50.

-5, 60.

-Yes!

-At £60, bidding's on my right here.

-Go on...

-You're all out before, then.

-Give it another.

At £60. Nothing online?

All done at 60, then.

Oh! Sold for 60.

Now, that's a loss of £25,

which brings your total to minus £72.

-But you have got your bonus buy to go for.

-Yep.

-The decision is yours.

-Yeah, we're going to go with it, aren't we?

-Definitely.

-We have every faith in you, Ben.

-Yeah.

-Fingers crossed.

-No need for fingers crossed.

-Good old Ben.

-No need to.

-Right, it's coming up now.

I'm bid a fiver for it. At £5. 6 if you want it.

At £5, six?

-8. At £8. 10.

-Come on.

-At £10.

-We know it's well worth the money.

Against the internet at £10. 12, if you want it.

12. 14.

At £14.

Against the net, then, at £14.

-All finished at £14. I'll sell it.

-No money.

-Come on, room.

Oh, £14.

-OK.

-Never mind.

-It's a minus 8, which takes us up to

a rolling total of minus £80.

That could be a winning score. OK?

-So, remember, not a word to the Reds.

-Not a word.

Well, the results are in.

But it does grieve me to say that I'm not going to be handing out any

money, because neither team made a profit.

But we do have a winner and we do have a runner-up.

And our runners-up today, with a loss of £80,

-is our Blue team.

-Oh!

-Yes!

Oh, what a shock.

I think it's fair to say the Bakelite radio

-didn't do you any good, did it?

-No.

-Nah.

-It really didn't.

-But have you had fun?

-Yes, we have.

-Yeah, great fun.

-We've had really good fun.

-Because that's what it's all about.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-So, turning to the Reds, with a mere loss...

-Yes!

..of £8. I mean, let's be honest,

-your zebra did you proud today.

-Yes, it did.

-Certainly did.

I'm going to buy so many more zebras now.

That's just me done.

-Have you had fun?

-It's been amazing.

-It's been brilliant, yeah.

-Brilliant.

-You've enjoyed yourselves.

-Thank you so much.

-Pleasure.

So, that's it for now.

But, in the meantime, you can follow us on Twitter

or catch us on our website.

But better still, join us next time for some more bargain hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!