Peterborough 31 Bargain Hunt

Hello and welcome to the show.

I'm kicking things off in the kitchen, rather than the antiques fair, here in Peterborough.

Every year, this arena hosts a huge food and country fair,

so I thought, "What a great opportunity

"to show off my baking skills."

Here are the key ingredients that every team needs for a successful

bargain hunt.

Firstly, make sure you use the "full hour" on the clock.

You'll need "egg-ceptional" experts.

Always try and get a "butter" price.

And, of course, this should really sweeten the deal.

Next, whip it up into a frenzy at the auction

and there we have it.

The winning ingredients for one gorgeously gooey

golden gavel.

Right, enough of all this, it's time to tuck in.

Let's go bargain hunting!

Our teams will have their work cut out today.

There's a lot of ground to cover.

There are hundreds of stalls and this antiques fair is huge.

With the aim of making a profit at auction,

they've got one hour on the clock

and £300 in their pocket to buy three items.

But let's not dilly-dally,

it's time to have a look at what's coming up.

The Reds rule with their hearts and not with their heads.

I think Sofia wants it for herself.

I do, yeah. I would buy this for myself.

With the Blues, it's more of a diplomatic shop.

Well, this is where we have a full and frank discussion

and then we do what she says.

And over at the auction, there is despair.

Oh!

And desperation...

Just one more! Please!

But that's all coming up later.

It's time now to meet our teams and what a great bunch we have for you

today. For the Reds, we've got mother and daughter,

Hannah and Sophia.

And for the Blues, married couple Carol and Don.

-Welcome, everyone. Hello!

-Hi!

-Hello!

Let's turn straightaway to the Reds

and to you, Hannah. Tell me, what do you do for a living?

I work as an independent consultant.

I'm a scientist and a health economist.

And I believe you've got some letters after your name.

In fact, you've been through a lot of university.

Tell me about your academic career?

I studied chemistry at University College, London and I have

a PhD from the University of Bristol,

and a health economics degree from the University of Aberdeen,

and a business degree from Cranfield Business School.

Fantastic! Wow!

How do you unwind? Do you get some spare time?

We go hill walking. So quite recently, we went to Borneo,

we went jungle trekking, climbed Mount Kinabalu together,

which is the highest mountain in Asia.

I mean, I thought that going on Bargain Hunt together was some good

mother-daughter bonding, but probably climbing the highest mountain in

Southeast Asia might just be pip it to the post!

I think this might be just as challenging.

-What do you think, Sofe?

-Perhaps!

Now, Sofia, tell me,

it sounds like you're a bit of a chip off the old block

because Mum's a scientist and you might be following in her footsteps?

Well, at the moment, I'm studying for my A-levels,

so I'm doing physics, chemistry, maths and further maths.

And if I get the grades, hopefully,

I'll be studying at the University of Cambridge,

doing natural sciences next year.

-Wow.

-I want to get an astrophysics degree.

Space is considered the final frontier

and I want to be on the cutting edge of science

and help to uncover the mysteries of the universe.

Well, you are really interesting and inspiring,

I'm so glad you're joining us today.

But you've got some competition.

In the Blues, ha-ha!

Welcome, Don and Carol, thank you for joining us.

Now, Don, let's hear how you and Carol met.

Well, yes, we met when I moved to Leicester

and was working as a physio at the time.

I got sent to a new department,

which was neurology, and Carol was the boss

and she's been the boss ever since.

Married for 27 years and we've been together for about 30,

31 years.

Oh, fantastic, that is a lovely story.

Congratulations. So, what do you good day-to-day?

Done a lot of travelling, we've just been to Machu Picchu,

just got back from Amsterdam.

Later on in the year, we're going to Japan.

I like to learn a little bit of languages from wherever we go,

so we've also started a course in Japanese at Leicester Uni.

It's totally different from any other language I've never studied.

Good on you because I believe it's very good for the old grey

matter to be learning languages at any point in your life.

Well, especially, you know, at our age!

Now, tell me, Carol, you're also retired.

-I am.

-So, how do you fill your time?

I love walking, I like hill walking as well.

We're a bit too similar to our opponents, you know.

I do something for charity every year, so I have sky dived,

I've zip wired, I've abseiled, I've done all kinds of things.

But this year, I've got to fit 60 things in

because I'm going to be 60 in November -

and one of which was to try and appear on TV!

-Dun-dun-duh!

-Ta-dah!

-Tick it off the list!

But also, I had a message this morning from my friend, who said,

"If I manage to get the word 'sausage' into the interview,

"she would donate an extra £50."

-So, sausage!

-So, you say sausage.

-I say sausage.

-Sausage?

-Sausage.

-Sausage?

-Sausage.

-I make that £250!

Come on, cough up!

Five sausages here!

Oh, nice work, so, 60 for 60.

-60 for 60.

-And you're ticking them off the list, one by one.

-I am, yes.

-Fantastic.

Now, I'm going to give you more than £60,

300 is what I'm going to give you.

How do you think you're going to spend it?

-Any tactics?

-Don usually spends small.

Yeah, I usually spend small but I'm going to try and leave the expert

-about a fiver.

-Oh!

Oh, they will not be pleased to hear that.

But this is really great.

We've got such fantastic teams on Bargain Hunt today.

Inspiring, enthusiastic people,

who are just about to receive £300 each.

Can you believe it?

Tick that off your list! And your experts are waiting to meet you,

so off you go and very good luck!

-Thank you.

-See you later.

I love this. It's all girl power today.

I think Don might be a bit outnumbered.

Of course, the teams will have their experts lending a hand today.

Wheeling and dealing with the Reds, it's Ben Cooper.

Whilst hoping to shed some light on some bargains, it's Gary Pe.

Have you got any idea what you'd like to buy? Hannah?

I've got no idea.

We're just going to see what we like and hopefully find a bargain.

Oh, I'd love to find a little bit of jewellery.

-Something...

-Hmm, shiny!

Yeah, shiny, gold, lots of colour.

I'd like something shiny and sparkly, I'm like a magpie.

Well, if it's bronze and it's naked, I'm having it.

Ooh, saucy!

This is it, teams, your 60 minutes starts now!

HOOTER

Let's head out and see what we can find. Come on, girls.

Well, now, let's go!

Good luck, everyone.

So...bronze.

-Yeah, nude bronze.

-Nude bronze.

-I mean, that's what we're looking for.

-I haven't forgotten.

Let's have a look inside.

-After you, ladies.

-Thank you.

So, whilst the Reds head inside, the Blues get down to business.

What I like about it is it's got elements of different cultures

from around the world.

Elements of Russia, even Egypt.

-China.

-China because of the lacquering.

-Yeah.

-What are we talking about here?

-There's a price, isn't there?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-225.

-225.

Hmm...

What would be your best on this?

Bearing in mind, it's our first look.

Your very first, yes.

So, if we spend a lot, it means we won't have...

Hmm... 125.

125?

Could you do 100, do you think?

-110.

-110?

-Yeah.

What do you think it might sell for at auction?

With me in it?

ALL LAUGH

Priceless, of course, Gary!

-What are you thinking?

-Let's put it this way,

it's not very old.

I mean, it's been repainted at some point...

-Yeah.

-..in time.

But the style is there.

-What do you reckon?

-But has it caught your attention?

It's got our attention, yeah.

So, as it's our first purchase, shall we...?

-Keep it in the bag?

-Reserve it?

-A back burner?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, back burner.

Well, it's a positive start, Blues.

Let's see if the Reds are having any luck.

Do you know anything about this?

-What do you think it's for?

-I think it's for the bathroom.

Well, close, it was actually for people's bedrooms.

-Oh, OK.

-Pre-plumbing.

Mm-hm.

You'd have your jug of water, take in the bedroom and so then you could

wash and do your evening cleansing and morning cleansing.

How old is it?

Actually, I don't think this one's got a lot of great age.

-OK.

-I mean, it's made in Staffordshire.

When you look at it, it is...

It's desperately clean.

-Mm... It's too new.

-It's too new.

It was just made as a decorative object, and so, value wise,

not that great. Not going to do very well at auction.

-OK.

-So, I would say, leave that.

Now, had it been a real period one from around about 1890,

-then that's a different kettle of fish.

-Yeah.

With this one, you're looking at about 1990.

-OK.

-So...

-1990?

-Yeah.

-Wow, that's new!

Never mind, team, that's why you have an expert.

Meanwhile, it's another spot for the Blues.

-Oh...

-What about that?

-Oh, no.

-No?

-Not for me.

Something from the Orient, no?

-I like it.

-Do you?

-I do.

-Well, this is where we have a full and frank discussion

and then we do what she says.

Very diplomatic, Don.

I do like it because people have it...

Exactly, something from the Orient,

pagoda-shaped, made out of bamboo.

This kind of bird cage is very hard to find nowadays

in these proportions.

-There is something about it.

-Yeah.

I've seen people kind of have them as, you know,

for interior decoration, standing in the corner of the room.

-Exactly, yeah.

-Can we leave that on the back burner, as well?

-I think it's important that we find out the price.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-It could sit in somebody's conservatory.

-All right, yeah, OK.

Can you not see it? How much is this?

I was looking for around 55.

What would be your best on it?

What would be your absolute best?

I'll take £10 off - 45.

So, how old do you think it is?

I've had it in my family for about 20 years.

It's something probably that came out of the '60s.

And would it have been made here?

No, definitely Chinese.

-What do you think?

-Anyway we could squeeze you down...

-just a little bit?

-Could you do 35?

I'll meet you in the middle, 40.

-How about 39?

-OK, 39!

-39.

-39!

Is it good for you? It works for you?

We can do that. Yeah, 39.

Great, first purchase. Thank you ever so much, thanks!

You're welcome.

What was that? You don't want it?

As I said, full and frank discussion, to quote my old boss,

full and frank discussion and then do what she says.

Of course! It's been like that for 30 years, why change?

Well done, Blues. That's your first item bought in 15 minutes.

Even if you didn't have much say in that one, Don.

Back with the Reds and some quality silver is on the table.

I do like this hair thing with the flowers on it.

That is lovely.

So, the dealer's dated it to Birmingham, 1906,

so coming towards the end of the Art Nouveau period,

which is wonderful sort of fluid designs.

And, of course, when you think back to photographs of the

turn-of-the-century, or the last century,

big hairstyles, all held up,

so you've got a lot of hat pins and hair ornaments.

So you've got your anchor for Birmingham,

your lion passant - purity, the quality of the silver -

and then you've got a letter at the end and that dates it to 1906.

I just think it's a nice thing. Sophia, you like it, don't you?

-I do really like it.

-You better have a look.

I think Sophia wants it for herself.

-I do, yes.

-Well, you can't buy it for yourself.

It's handmade, isn't it?

Yeah, absolutely. So, you'd have had a flat piece of silver,

the design would have been pressed out,

then it would have been shaped and twisted for the hair,

the comb prongs,

and then edging up there, you would find a design for the flowers.

With an item like that, they would have produced others

but no two would've been identical because

of course you've got that nice bit of hand...

-It's unique.

-Yeah.

How much do you think this would because it's priced at £68?

I think it's probably not too far off for auction,

probably be quite a wide estimate, say £40-£60.

-Let's see what she says.

-Shall we ask the question?

I can do £60 on it.

Would you do £55?

-I will, yes.

-Brilliant, that's a deal. Thank you.

Well done, Reds, that one item in 25 minutes.

But do remember, you're buying for profit, not yourselves.

I see something here that might have a golden element to it.

Gold! Look at that colour!

It's English in style.

There's a bit of damage, though.

-Quite a lot of damage there.

-Yes, well, that's all right.

-It looks like just a hairline crack.

-What is it?

It's a garden stool, basically.

-Oh!

-Or something to put a planter on.

-Or a stand.

What I like about this is the style,

which derives from the aesthetic movement of the 1860s.

No signature.

A bit of damage on the foot.

-That's fair enough.

-It shows it's used, doesn't it?

That's exactly, you would expect...

I would be more worried if there was no damage at all.

-Yeah.

-But it's certainly got the patination,

the kind of crazing you would expect resulting from age.

-Yeah. I love the colour.

-Shall we ask the price?

-Yeah!

-Do you like it?

-Erm...

I'm... I'm fluid...

-You're fluid?

-Fluid?

All right. Maybe the price might convince you, I don't know.

-OK.

-Shall we ask?

-So, who's going to ask this time?

-Whose turn?

What's your best on this, please?

80 quid.

-80 quid.

-Oh...

That seems a little bit too punchy for me, that.

I'd like to see it at 50.

I don't know, I mean...

-Well, I asked his best...

-Hang on a moment.

Oh! Oh, all right, go on.

Now, this is where you don't argue with...

So, as Carol goes in to beat down the price,

it's a Bargain Hunt favourite for the Reds.

Moorcroft is wonderful quality, those lovely colours,

and it's one of those things which is really popular.

-Mm-hm.

-And generally does well at auction.

I do like that little plate with the flower on it.

-That little one just there?

-Yeah, the yellow flower.

Do you like that?

-No.

-No.

And is there anything, when you look around here, Hannah,

that you do quite like the look of?

I don't like the price of anything in here.

How much is that plate?

So, that one there is priced at £58.

I don't think that's worth £58.

-I think we could get them down to £40.

-I would pay £10.

-£10!

-But, you see, it's Moorcroft.

-It's a collectable.

Quality always comes at a price.

But if you're not sure, time to move on.

Now, how's Carol getting on with the garden stool?

Any movement on that £80?

57!

57.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, go on, then!

-Yes.

-Yes!

Carol, you realise...you match?

I do, look at this!

-Sit down on it.

-OK.

-There you go.

-Oh!

-Oh, careful.

-Yes!

Yay!

So, the Blues are sitting pretty with that second purchase.

Some brilliant negotiation skills, Carol.

35 minutes in and time to leave the teams shopping

whilst I put you in the picture with an interesting find.

Here's a pretty still life.

Now, it's from my personal collection and, not only that,

it has a personal connection,

but little did I know it when I bought the piece recently at auction.

So, here's the story.

I go into the auction house and I see a painting

that I love and I hope you'll agree it's not hard to see why.

The palate is beautiful,

those cool oranges and blues.

A touch of the Scottish colourists,

who loved their compositions of fruit, ceramics and flowers.

£100-£200 was the estimate and I was lucky,

there seemed to be very little action

when the auctioneer put it under the hammer

and I got it for a mere £45!

Now, what attracted me to this painting?

Well, there was just something about it.

I recognised the palate,

I recognised the perspective and I just had to have it.

But the frame was disastrous.

It looked cramped and there was no slip and it just didn't work,

so I get the painting home and off the frame comes.

And the whole time that I've seen this painting hanging,

there's just something about it that's bugging me.

I know this painting.

I know this artist but it's unsigned.

Well, off comes the frame and what do I discover at the bottom?

A signature that was obscured by the frame.

Steen. S-T-E-E-N.

And the penny drops.

It may not be a name with which you're familiar

but it's one with which I'm very familiar.

Ben Steen.

Now, he was a Scottish artist,

didn't make huge waves in his career,

but he was collected by one very important man -

my father.

So, I recognised his signature from other paintings in my household

and thought, "Wow! How cool is that?

"I've used my eye to pick out a picture that I recognise from my youth."

Now, I'm so chuffed that I got a real bargain here for £45, where,

I think, with this signature, had it not been obscured,

the auction house might have catalogued it at £150-£250

and I might well have been willing to pay in-between those two estimates, around £200.

But the signature, obscured as it was,

meant it was catalogued as unknown,

Scottish school, early to mid-20th century.

And once I get a new frame on this beautiful painting,

I'll be so proud to hang it on my wall.

With only 15 minutes left on the clock,

the Blues have two items in the bag.

The Reds, however, still have two items to find.

Time to step it up, teams.

What's the plan?

A bit more tricky than I thought

-because there's so much to see, isn't there?

-Yeah.

-We want to win, don't we, Sophia?

-Yeah, definitely.

So, we're still looking for our...

for our bargain.

I'm definitely out for leaving Gary about three quid.

-Well...

-Something like that, a fiver.

Well, then we need to find the golden egg, don't we?

Carol, what was the word you've been egged on to say?

Sausage!

Of course, sausage,

that sounds like they owe you another £50 for charity.

Come on, Reds, you still have a load of lolly.

What about this brolly?

Sofia, does it pull up?

It doesn't stay up.

-Shall I have a look at it?

-Yeah.

You've just got to treat it gently, I would've thought.

-It's beautiful.

-I like that.

I feel like a fancy lady.

Right, there is a clip up there.

Oh, there we go, pop.

Well, this is Edwardian and the main thing is condition.

It looks like it's silk and that rots in sunlight.

We've got this lovely lacework.

-I think it's lovely.

-I like this.

Is the handle the original handle?

I should think that the handle has been repainted,

it might be replaced.

But let's see what the price is...

£40. Well, use your charms.

-We can always ask...

-Time is short.

-Sofia?

-What's the best deal you can do for us on this?

Well, I have to make four on it

but I'll do you a one-off, no haggling,

-£30.

-£30?

-I think that's...

-I think that's, that's a good deal.

I think you've got to go for it. We are running out of time, girls,

-because we're down to about ten minutes.

-OK.

-So, come on, girls.

-Great!

-Thank you.

Nice one, Reds.

So that leaves each of our teams with one item left to find.

Could this be promising for the Blues?

-Oh...

-What's it made of, then?

It's some sort of composite stone.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-It's got some sort of receptacle,

so that tells me right away that it is also a fountain.

Carol, look behind the sculpture.

OK.

Oh!

-Ah...

-What?

-It's got a signature on it.

-It's got a signature.

-Oh, right, yeah.

-It's not that old,

-but it's 1988.

-1988.

IL that would...

mean Illinois.

-Oh, Illinois? Ah...

-It's probably from America.

-Yeah.

-It's come a long way.

-It's in good order, isn't it?

It's in good order.

And we've got our bits from the 1860s.

We've got our bits from the 1950s, or even earlier.

What's wrong with 1980?

-Yeah.

-Shall we ask the price?

Yeah.

Sounds good, Gary.

You get a price and we'll see if the Reds are any closer

to sealing a deal.

-I really like this.

-You really like it?

-Yeah.

Those lift up.

Your book goes in the middle.

But you have more books.

-Oh, that's really cool.

-And it slides out.

-And...

-I would buy this for myself.

Remember, Hannah, you're not buying for yourself!

The nice thing is, you see, it's Black Forest,

Black Forest in Germany, and it's famed for its woodcarving.

Just look at the delicacy here on the legs of the heron.

You know, and the condition is wonderful.

It's not been broken. It's not had a child play with it,

just not understanding what it's for.

Any markings on the other side?

No, it's just how it's made.

How do you know it's Black Forest?

It's the style. The style and the type of timber that's used.

And...

This is just... It is always...

They come from the Black Forest, trust me.

-I think it's a nice thing.

-I really like it, but I don't like the price.

-We're very short on time. Well...

-It's £165.

-I don't like the price.

-Well...

I've got to tell you that these always do do well at auction.

We're short on time.

-You do actually like it.

-I love it.

-And you did start off saying, "I want to buy something I like."

-Yes.

Something you'd own.

The best thing you can do is ask the dealer what his best price is

and see how you do, but I think it's a good thing.

OK.

So, what is your best price?

I'm looking for around 145 for it.

Could you do 120?

No, I can't do that, no.

I'll go to 140.

-What do you think, Sof?

-135?

-135?

-Yeah, 135.

-Oh, go on, then.

-Oh, brilliant.

-Oh, go on, then. Thank you.

Well, it's your third item bought.

You've done it.

There we go.

Third and final item with five minutes left on the clock.

Good work, Reds. Which just leaves the Blues in the balance.

He's come down to 120.

-Right.

-OK.

And?

Can we not squeeze another tenner out here?

-I just... It's just...

-To be honest, that was the bottom line.

I... The... I could do 119.

-Well...

-It's a little bit off,

but it has been drastically reduced at that.

This design here is designed to enhance the sound of water flowing.

-Oh, yeah.

-So it flows through the pipe and it obviously goes

round and back on itself.

And, as I say, it's all been designed to create

the most atmosphere you can get...

from what is a small water fountain.

He's certainly selling it.

Would you go 115?

-Go on, then.

-Yes!

-Thank you very much.

-He's got a bargain!

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

HOOTER

Oh, dear, teams. Looks like your time's up.

One, two, three, done.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

Their first item was a silver hair comb.

Price paid - £55.

Next up, there was nothing shady about this deal.

The parasol cost them £30.

And finally, the book slide set them back £135.

Well, Sofia, Hannah, well done.

I was worried at the beginning there,

but you took some decisive action

and three items within the 60 minutes.

Well done. Sofia, which is your favourite item?

Probably the silver hair ornament.

It's something that I would buy and wear myself,

so I hope that somebody at the auction feels the same about it.

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

I can only hope so.

Either that or the wooden book slide I think will bring the biggest.

-Ah, that was Mum's choice, wasn't it?

-Yeah, it was.

Hannah, is the book slide your favourite?

That's my favourite item, the Black Forest book slide.

But it was your biggest splurge, so do you think it's going to bring a great profit?

I would buy it.

Now, you've spent a good chunk.

£220. I'm proud of you, ladies.

But who's got £80?

-I do.

-OK, Sofia, I'll take it from you and I'll hand it to Ben.

Not a huge amount, so do you have any ideas

what you'll do with your budget?

Well, I think I might see if I can find something suitably feminine

for such wonderful ladies.

Oh, well, on that note,

we'll leave Ben to find his feminine side and we'll remind ourselves what

the Blue team bought.

First up, the bamboo bird cage cost them £39.

Their second item was a garden pottery stool.

Price paid - £57.

And finally they got into the flow of things with a water feature.

It cost them £115.

Well, Carol, Don, I think we can safely say, Carol,

-you're still the boss.

-I am.

You drove that, didn't you?

Now, tell me, of the three items that you bought, Carol,

which is your favourite?

I'm torn between two, but I think probably the fountain.

-The fountain.

-I just like the shape.

-OK.

-I was torn between that shape and the colour of...

of the stool, so... But I think the fountain is my favourite.

So probably your most modern purchase?

-Yes.

-OK, and do you think it's going to bring the biggest profit?

-Cos I think it was your biggest splurge.

-Biggest splurge.

-No.

-No, it's not?

Looking back, I think maybe the bird cage will make the most profit.

-OK, the bamboo bird cage.

-Yeah.

OK, and do you agree with that, Don? Biggest profit in the bird cage?

I think... No, I don't think so.

I think the fountain will be the biggest profit.

Really? It's going to be a showpiece at the auction.

And which of the three is your favourite?

-Definitely the fountain.

-The fountain all round?

-That's my...

-OK, fantastic.

Well, fingers crossed with the fountain.

So, remind me, you spent 200 and...

-11.

-£11.

-You spent big.

-We tried.

-We tried.

-I was desperate to leave him a fiver, but we couldn't...

-Couldn't quite...

-Get in there in time, so...

So, 211 means £89 for Gary.

-It does.

-So I'll take it just now.

-There you go.

-Thank you very much.

-Mr Pe.

-Oh, well.

What are you thinking?

£89 in the bank.

Well, I'm thinking...

We've got something from China, something from Britain,

something from America,

so perhaps something from another country, perhaps another style.

Hmm, intriguing.

So, while Gary goes global, it's time for us to head to the auction.

We've arrived safely in Litchfield

and I find myself in the company of Richard Winterton.

Thank you for having us.

It's a pleasure. Welcome to our cathedral city.

Yes, yes, yes, the famous cathedral of Litchfield,

perhaps we will make some famous prices today.

But it all depends on what they've bought,

so let's start with Hannah and Sofia, with this hair clip.

What do you think? Is it pretty enough to get the competition going?

-I'm sure it will.

-We've got 15 to 20.

OK, well, the girls were taken by the fact that it's so pretty...

-Yeah, OK.

-It's pierced, it's older...

-Yeah.

-£55 they paid.

It could well get to that.

It has got the look. I could see someone paying some money for that.

OK. Cool. Well, we're sticking with the Edwardian era, in fact,

cos next up is our parasol, with a slightly dodgy handle.

-Slightly?

-OK, very dodgy handle.

Yeah. But that aside, it's got some age to it.

I mean, it's the kind of thing a theatrical group might buy.

-Yeah.

-Something like that. A bit of am-dram about it.

-Yeah.

-OK, is it going to have a dramatic estimate?

-We've got 20 to 30.

-Well, the ladies paid 30.

-OK.

-So that's all right.

-OK.

-But in that case,

it means that all hopes are probably pinned on this gorgeous Black Forest

book slide. Let's open it up.

Let's show it in all its glory because it is a gorgeous thing.

Slightly earlier than our parasol and hair comb.

It's Black Forest, that would have its following because it holds the

books, that has its following.

-Yeah, I love it.

-What do you think it's going to make at auction?

I think I'm being a bit mean and we've put 40 to 50,

and I think it will probably get well above that

-because it's a good quality thing.

-OK.

-Top end of that.

So you say you hope it will get well above 50.

We need it to make well above £135.

-OK.

-Is that too tall an order?

I think so. It's all the money, that, isn't it?

It's all the money. Well, in that case,

let's find out what Ben bought as a bonus buy.

Sofia, Hannah, I applaud you for spending so much at the fair,

but maybe you are a bit nervous now because you only left Ben with £80.

He wanted to buy you something super feminine to continue that theme.

Ben, did you succeed on such a small budget?

I think I did.

A silver brooch.

It's Scandinavian, which is very popular at the moment.

Designed by Carl Ove, I think that's how you pronounce his name.

-What do you think?

-I like it.

-I like it as well.

-Cute and small.

-And wearable.

-It is. I think that's lovely.

-Quite light though, are you sure it's silver?

-Positive!

Do you want to test it in the lab or will you be satisfied with the mark?

You're holding it, you're examining it.

Sofia, would you wear it, that's the question?

I think I would.

How much did you spend on it?

What do you reckon?

£20.

-A bit more.

-I think a bit higher than that, 50?

-38.

-Oh, right, that's a reasonable amount.

I think that's something we would consider.

How much do you think we would make on it in the auction?

I would like to see it go for in the region of £40 to £50.

-It's a bargain.

-Great.

I'm glad it's a bargain because that's what we're supposed to be hunting for. But, don't worry,

it's not time to make your mind up about the brooch just yet but it is

time to find out what Richard Winterton, our auctioneer,

thinks of the brooch.

Well, we've had Edwardian silver,

but here is slightly later 20th-century silver.

Danish. We know the maker - Carl Ove.

It's really pretty. Surely you're going to have lots of bidders for this?

I think we will. Anything with Danish,

they all get excited about it, don't they?

So if you want a leaf brooch sitting on your lapel, then great.

-For how much?

-You'll think I'm being mean now at 15 to 20, won't you?

I think you're being a wee tad mean because £38 was paid by Ben and I

-think he's done quite well.

-He has done well.

To be fair, he has done well.

We'll forgive you, we'll say you're not being mean,

-it's just a come get me price.

-Yes.

-That's all it is.

Well, the Blues, the competition,

won't want the price to go too high, so let's see what they've got.

We'll start off with their first item,

this grand, bamboo, pagoda-style bird cage.

Do you think your buyers will have a home for this?

Are you lost for words?

I am lost for words.

Is that going to reflect positively or negatively in your estimate?

-We've gone 20 to 30.

-OK, well, the team paid £39.

-OK.

-So they've done all right.

-Yeah.

-You still look bamboozled by the bamboo.

-It's one of those, isn't it?

-Let's move on.

Now we've still got some bamboo present,

but this time in the form of pottery - our Minton garden stool.

It's not in perfect condition but it's still a nice thing, isn't it?

-It invokes an era.

-It does and it's something that

eight to ten years ago would have been doing well, wouldn't it?

It would have had a nought on the end of what I'm going to tell you.

We've got 20 to 30, but I think it would have been flying a few years ago.

-Really? It has just fallen out of fashion?

-It has, really.

OK, the team paid £57 for it.

OK. I'm not surprised.

No, but you think it might be too much of an ask?

-Yeah.

-OK, so what about item number three?

A slightly sort of Georgia O'Keeffe-esque

water feature in the form of an orchid,

concrete, modern.

It's commercial. I'm quite sure people will like a water feature

and it's got a bit more about it.

Yeah, it's got half a chance.

I think we'll certainly get one or two people after this.

How much do you think they're going to spend?

-We've got 30 to 40.

-30 to 40? OK, well,

we need you to really psyche them up because they paid £115

for said water feature.

I don't know, I'm a bit worried for the Blues.

We've got no great, exciting estimates for their items,

so here's hoping that Gary has bought them a great

and exciting bonus buy. Let's find out what it is.

Don, Carol, you left Gary £89.

You wanted to leave less, didn't you, Don?

I would have liked to have left him with a fiver!

Well, in that case, you were awfully generous with £89.

But are you starting to wonder what's beneath those blue cloths?

I think we can figure it out, can't we?

Gary, show us what we all think is underneath there.

Let me take you to the city of Vienna.

-Oh.

-Wow!

The year's 1903 to about 1910,

when the city was going through a bit of an artistic revolution -

Viennese secession.

A very famous architect, Josef Hoffmann, designed these chairs.

Gary, you're doing a big build-up but they still look like pub chairs!

LAUGHTER

Exactly. The pub chairs of today took its inspiration from this.

So, how much did you spend?

-Guess.

-I'd say about 50.

30.

I'm liking them a bit more.

-I'm liking them a bit more.

-So, what do you think they're going to make?

Originals of this go for thousands.

I think this is a reproduction for at least 100.

Wow! Let's hope they do because

at least we might make a profit on one thing!

Well, you never know how it's going to go, Don.

Don't be pessimistic and it sounds like Gary's got high hopes for these

chairs. So let's find out if Richard Winterton, our auctioneer,

has high hopes, too.

So, to add to the Blues' collection,

Gary has bought these chairs and do you think they're a pretty pair

or are they pretty sad?

I have to say, they don't float my boat tremendously.

But they have a bit of style to them and I quite like that black lacquer.

-Really?

-Yeah, I do.

So you quite like the chairs.

Is that reflected in your estimate?

-20 to 30.

-20 to 30?

Well, Gary has done quite well because he got the pair for £30.

-OK.

-So it's going to be all right but generally, overall,

I'm quite worried for our teams today.

-Are you nervous?

-I'll have to work a bit.

Well, you've always got your work cut out as an auctioneer,

so I'll wish you the best of luck.

Let's head straight to the sale to see how it all pans out.

£50 I'm bid.

£60 I'm bid.

All done?

Hannah, Sofia, can you feel the atmosphere?

Can you feel the profits?

Are they there to be made, do you reckon?

Fingers crossed.

You've gone very girlie.

We're starting off with the extra girlie Edwardian silver hair comb.

You paid £55 for it.

So, if you're ready, here it comes.

357 we come to now, the little Edwardian silver hair comb.

Five, eight, ten, 12, 15.

£15. £15 I'm bid.

£20 I'm bid.

£20 I'm bid.

£25 I'm bid.

£30 I'm bid.

-Climbing.

-On the internet at £30.

At £30, the internet, £30.

Selling at 30.

Ladies, that's it.

You've started with a loss.

£25 of a loss.

It sold for 30 and you paid 55,

so this Edwardian parasol has work to do.

You paid 30 for it. Here we go.

£6 I'm bid.

£8 I'm bid. At £8 I'm bid.

£10, the internet. £20, the internet.

-£20, the internet.

-Oh, come on.

All done, £20? The room is out.

£20, all done?

He's going.

Oh, no.

That lost £10.

Overall, minus 35.

It's all on the book slide.

-Come on.

-You paid 135.

£60, I'm bid.

At £60, the internet.

-Oh, no.

-At £60.

-It's got to be worth more than that.

-At £60.

£60, the internet.

All done? Selling at 60.

Oi, oi, oi. £60.

That sold for 60, that is a loss on that item of 75.

You had already lost 35.

So, ladies, you're minus £110.

However, there could be a saving grace because...

-We'll take the bonus buy.

-Oh, right, OK.

That was going to be my next question.

-We'd already decided.

-We're going to have to take it.

The silver brooch, it's got some work to do.

Ben paid £38 for it.

Do you think it could make a dent in your...?

Nothing like pressure, is there?

Ladies, you are going for the bonus buy?

-Definitely.

-OK.

Lovely little brooch now.

Two, four, six, eight.

£8 I'm bid. At £8 I'm bid.

£10 I'm bid. £12 I'm bid.

£15. £18.

£20 in the doorway.

£20 in the doorway.

At £20 I'm bid.

At £20 I'm bid.

All done here at £20.

Doorway at £20.

£20 away.

All done? Hammer up, selling, £20.

Oh, ladies!

I think it's called P45 time.

It was the kiss of death.

It sold for £20, which means, Ben, there was a wee loss, minus 18,

and overall a loss of £128.

I mean, if you're going to lose money, lose money in style,

-that's the way to do it.

-Exactly!

Right, Don, Carol, Gary, and who is this?

Scruffy, this is Scruffy.

Scruffy, and what's the story of Scruffy?

On behalf of the charity that helps us...we need him to be on TV.

OK...

Now wait a minute, is this the 60 things to do?

60 things to do before 60 - to be on TV - and to make sure we don't lose.

OK, well, hopefully Scruffy is going to be your lucky charm.

Tell me, you're in the room, do you feel the atmosphere?

-Does it feel good to you?

-It feels good.

I've never been to an auction before.

-Never before?

-No, never.

A new experience for us.

-I would imagine this is Scruffy's first time as well.

-Definitely.

That's why we have to hold his paws, he's anxious.

Don't be anxious, you've got three quality items here.

The first one is going to be our bird cage,

that Pagoda-style bird cage.

You paid £39 for it. Are you feeling confident,

-now the time has come?

-I think this will be our least loss.

-OK, the smallest loss.

-The smallest loss.

OK, well, hopefully it will make some profit.

You paid £39, here it comes.

Now we've go to 381, a bamboo bird cage.

Start me 50, 40, 20.

Nothing on my book at all.

-A tenner to go.

-Something.

A fiver.

Five, six, eight, ten.

£10 down here.

-At £10 I'm at.

-Just one more.

-Here at ten.

-Please.

-Anyone else going to come in?

All going at £10.

No-one else?

OK, £10.

You've lost £29 on the first item, so it's all now on our garden stool,

the Minton-style one, £57 paid.

We are ten, we are 15, we're £20.

£20 I'm bid. At £20 I'm bid.

At £20 I'm bid. On the book at £20.

At £20.

Come on, it's definitely worth it.

At £20. Selling at 20.

Oh, OK, £20.

It's not going to plan, Blues.

That's a loss of 37, which means,

add to the first loss, minus 66,

so all hopes pinned on the £115 water feature. Here it comes.

Lot 383, £20 I'm bid.

The water feature at £20.

At £20.

Five. 25. 25.

£30.

-It's got a name.

-At £30.

-It's got a name.

Sold at 30.

Oh, it hurts.

It hurts.

£30.

It means that it's lost £85,

so overall, Blues, minus 151.

What is Scruffy thinking?

Scruffy, what do you think of that?

Oh.

Right, are you going to go with the armchairs?

-Definitely.

-If you lose, you may as well lose big.

-OK, so 100% going with the bonus buy?

-Yes.

OK, Blues, let me tell you, Gary paid £30.

The auctioneer thinks they could make £30.

-So...

-Break even.

We really need to hope that the bidders want to pay more.

Here we go.

The armchairs. £5 I'm bid.

£8 I'm bid.

£10 I'm bid.

£10 I'm bid. 15 on the internet.

£20 bid. £25 bid.

-Oh.

-Come on.

25, the internet. 25 the internet.

-Come on, one more!

-25 the internet.

All done? Selling at 25.

£25.

Right, well, we might as well add to that loss.

Another loss of £5.

The chairs sold for 25, which means that overall, Blues,

minus 156.

Yes!

I don't think you should be cheering.

I think it's a bit of a sad result but you're only here once.

You gave it your best shot.

-We did.

-How are you feeling?

-We got Scruffy on television.

-We did.

OK. So minus 156,

it sounds bad but it could be a winning score.

In which universe?

I don't know, in the Bargain Hunt universe.

So don't be too despondent,

-just promise me you'll say nothing to the Reds.

-Absolutely.

-OK.

Now, teams, I know that auction can be a cruel mistress sometimes but,

really, she was extra mean today.

Oh, dear.

Eight items went under the hammer and not one made a profit.

Not one, not even breaking even.

Nothing, losses all around.

Anyway, you all showed us how to lose money in style.

But the team that lost less today

and therefore are, by proxy, the winners...

But can we really call you the winners?

The Reds, you're the winners, well done!

With a loss of 128.

Blues, you're our runners up today with a loss of 156.

It was good fun.

Scruffy was meant to be a good luck charm but, in fact...

He's leading the walk of shame.

He proved to be the opposite but well done to you, Blues,

for being such good sports

and of course for working for charity and bringing Scruffy along.

Thank you very much.

But, Reds, I don't think you can believe it.

You are today's winners.

Yes! Weird, right?

Listen, I think that probably you should stick to the laboratory,

that's all I'm going to say.

I think that science is more your thing than antiques.

So I've got nothing to give any of you, except my thanks.

Thank you so much for coming along and for being such good sports.

-Have you enjoyed it?

-Definitely.

Excellent, a memory to take with you in the future, perhaps into space,

-you never know.

-You never know.

Well, we all had fun today and if you're at home thinking,

I quite fancy taking part, then have a look on our website.

All the details on how to apply can be found there

and our gossip is on Twitter at...

But there are plenty more programmes coming up on a screen near you,

so join us again for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!

Even Scruffy got to kick!