0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's a game, isn't it? And the buzz you get.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06It's better than sex, I tell you!
0:00:06 > 0:00:11All over Britain, a unique breed of entrepreneur is on the make.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14It's just become 100 years old, so it has just become an antique.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19The flames are beautiful. This will be so easy to sell.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24For these real-life Del Boys, everything and anything is for sale.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27What do you think of that? You know who it is, don't you?
0:00:27 > 0:00:31For fresh stock, they head to a very particular type of auction house...
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- Mickey Mouse.- Three, four, four.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Anybody else want a bag of ear muffs for six quid?
0:00:38 > 0:00:42..Sifting through the junk in search of buried treasure.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43That's a genuine Rolex watch.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- He's bought a Porsche, hasn't he? - That's moody, isn't it?
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- I can tell by your face.- Yeah.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55But will any of these dealers discover the lot that will
0:00:55 > 0:00:57make them millionaires?
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- If it was authentic, you know? - £200,000.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06I find a nice something that's worth millions of pounds,
0:01:06 > 0:01:07and I can never work again.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Up and down the country, hidden in side roads
0:01:19 > 0:01:24and off the beaten track, is a very special type of auction house.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26A caribou. This is a very rare animal indeed.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29I don't know where you'd buy another. There's none in B&Q.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33They specialise in everything from bailiffs'
0:01:33 > 0:01:36repossessions to lost luggage.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40To those in the know, these are trash and treasure auctions.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Now, this is a nice little box.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47You never know what is going to come through the doors.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50I've seen so many lovely things come through the door over the years
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- but I've also seen an awful lot of bloody awful things!- Lot 53.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Two bags of various packs of biscuits, Jaffa Cakes,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59etc, and a box of Nurofen.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03The buyers have got that whole Del Boy dream in mind.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05They look at everything and see pound signs.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08They're like a Terminator. They have got one sole purpose,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12and that is to find that one item that's going to change their life.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Before every auction there's a viewing day,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20where eagle-eyed dealers hunt for hidden gems.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22What have you found, love?
0:02:23 > 0:02:27In South London, Richie and Nikki are masters of the game...
0:02:28 > 0:02:31..and Richie thinks he's just spotted a gold brooch.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37110%. Look at the colour of that.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I love going down the auctions cos you can have a tickle down there.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42It's not only I get enjoyment out of it.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45I get a buzz out of it cos when you find something out of, like,
0:02:45 > 0:02:4860 quid and you turn it into a grand, or even,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52you turn 60 quid into 120 quid, it's a nice feeling. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- Yeah, definitely. Look at it.- That's what I thought.- Look at it.- I know.
0:02:56 > 0:03:02- I know.- Richie and Nikki started in the auction game 10 years ago.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03- We didn't have much money.- Yup.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06You weren't working, so I said, "Let's do a boot sale!
0:03:06 > 0:03:09"We've got loads of stuff. Nan's got loads of boxes that need clearing.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13"The house is chocka." So we started going through her boxes.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16We were finding little antiques, but from there, we started going,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- "What else can we find?"- £40. 45.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22When the brooch comes under the hammer,
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Richie snaps it up for £50, half its actual value.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30It's like a drug. Honestly, it is. It's so addictive.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33You speak to anybody else that deals with gold, it is
0:03:33 > 0:03:38like an addiction cos it's just so... When you've got it, it's so...
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Oh, the feeling... It's a nice feeling. Honestly, it is.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42It's a nice feeling.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47But Richie doesn't hold on to his gold for long.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Just looking for Hatton Garden Metal.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Whenever he's got a big enough stash, he scraps it.
0:04:01 > 0:04:08Everything here gets tested, broken up, weighed and cashed.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20But wheeling and dealing is far from guaranteed income.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Good month, three grand a month. Bad month, 500 or 300 quid.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30- That's a terrible month!- Yeah.- That's a suicide month, isn't it? Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Come on. Eat up that toast. I can't wait to get down to Toys "R" Us.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36When the auction game doesn't support the family,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Richie has to fall back on his old trade - spray-painting cars.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43I could earn a couple of grand a month going to spray motors
0:04:43 > 0:04:47but I'm at work from seven in the morning till six at night
0:04:47 > 0:04:49and no time for the kids.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Come home, have a bit of dinner, bath,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54bed and up again in the morning, back to work again.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- That's what your life's all about, then, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I can spray cars but I don't enjoy spraying cars. Put it like that.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I enjoy going down the auction.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07It's viewing day at Richie and Nikki's local auction.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- Where's the car?- Down that road. Left. Left, left, left!
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Left, left, left!
0:05:13 > 0:05:17They're on the lookout for items they can sell for a quick profit.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Don't want my money wrapped up for two months. That's no good, that.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I'd rather put it in an ISA, if I was going to do that.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- Would you ever put money in an ISA? - Nah. Never.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Well, if World War III happens, right, what's going to happen then?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34All the banks, Barclays, ain't going to be open, is it?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37They're going to go, "No! We're out of here!"
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- "Ain't got no money today, mate!" - Yeah, and then I've got a pound note.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I can still slip out and try and buy beans off of someone or something.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Got to think logically, haven't you?
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Greasby's is one of the oldest auction houses in south London
0:05:52 > 0:05:56and today, it's having one of its biggest auctions in years.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I can't believe this auction down here.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I could spend hours down here now, looking about. Ah, yeah!
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- Oh, they're nice!- Yeah, aren't they? It's the best auction I've ever seen.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16After sifting through hundreds of items,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Nikki spots a vintage silver coffee set hidden away.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It's in really good condition.
0:06:22 > 0:06:2718... 1967, Birmingham set, but it's in real silver and from Harrods.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It's a really nice set.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Oh, what about the Harrods tea set?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34And there were some other little boxes round that corner, you know,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36plugged up. One had all silver in it.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- Just got to watch how much money we spend.- Yeah.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48In the Welsh Valleys, another Del Boy is dreaming of treasure.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I think I could become a millionaire. Anyone can become a millionaire.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57It's just sort of having the guts to go out there and, you know,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59work at it.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Since he left school, Ieuan's worked at a local
0:07:01 > 0:07:04supermarket in his hometown of Pontypridd.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09He's 24 years old and lives at home with his parents.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13This is my Monday shirt, my Tuesday shirt, my Thursday shirt,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15my Friday shirt.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20This is my uniform that Mother quite kindly washes
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and irons for the small fee
0:07:23 > 0:07:25that I pay her weekly.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Any spare cash left over from his earnings funds Iuean's
0:07:29 > 0:07:30passion for trading.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Boxes of shoes I've picked up.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42Witches' hats. Hen party gear.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Picture of David Beckham cos every person needs
0:07:44 > 0:07:49a David Beckham in their bedroom. Silver teapot of some sort.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Some mini fans that I bought in the middle of winter
0:07:53 > 0:07:56because they were going pretty cheap, so I'm waiting for a sort of...
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Waiting for a heat wave and then I'm going to sort of try
0:07:59 > 0:08:01and sell them on then.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03But it's stuff that one day, I'll probably sell
0:08:03 > 0:08:07and hopefully make a few quid on. I've paid probably 20p for that.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09It's probably already worth two or £3 now,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11so what's it going to be worth in a couple more years?
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Five, six, five. I'm looking for £6.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Even a small town like Pontypridd has its very own auction house...
0:08:20 > 0:08:2332. Like to start by six, seven, eight.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- ..where everything and anything comes under the hammer.- Lot 36.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- Two bags of assorted sweets. - Four Freedom luxury toilet towels.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Lot 258. Quality chocolate bars and Pringles. £6. I've got six.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36When you're a kid, used to love treasure hunting.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40And now, it's treasure hunting for big people. That's what it is.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43That's what the auction is now. It's a treasure hunt.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Old granny might have had a load of stuff knocking about
0:08:46 > 0:08:51and her family didn't realise that it's gold or silver.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55I might actually bid on this.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Ieuan sees the world differently to anybody else I know,
0:08:59 > 0:09:04except for a few people I know that are now multimillionaires.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Certainly, at the age of seven or eight, he was buying
0:09:08 > 0:09:12multipacks of things and selling them at three times the price.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15He had the biggest sports bag you've ever seen,
0:09:15 > 0:09:21- and never played any sports!- What was in the bag?- Crisps, Coca-Cola.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22I used to think I was being quite clever
0:09:22 > 0:09:26because it says "not to be sold separately" on a crisp packet.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29So the only way I'd sell them, two for 50p.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33People would just buy it all because of Jamie Oliver, they brought in
0:09:33 > 0:09:37all this healthy food and it created a black market for these sweets.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47A joke goes around that if I had my own business,
0:09:47 > 0:09:53I'd probably call it Ieuland. It's a mix of Ieuan and Iceland.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Obviously, I wouldn't be able to call it Ieuland.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Well, I wouldn't be to use those colours.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02After two years of small-time trading,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Ieuan's going further afield in search of richer pickings.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Accompanied by Kern, his junior business partner,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15he's travelled 25 miles to an auction in Newport.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Just trying to work out people at the moment.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22I'm trying and work out maybe what their background is, sort of.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25There's one or two people that look like farmers,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27so they're going to be going for tools and stuff.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29There's other people that are in decent clothes,
0:10:29 > 0:10:35so they're probably dealers looking to buy top-end stuff.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38No-one knows me here, so no-one knows what I'm going to be buying.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40No-one knows what my strategy's going to be,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42so sort of just keep myself to myself.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Maybe let them show me their game face.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Ieuan spends an hour going through every box in the room.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I can't find nothing in here.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Nothing that's sort of hidden away that no-one's spotted.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07I think they have a really good rummage on everything. So...
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Struggling.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16Rolex!
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Holy shit! Oh, my God!
0:11:25 > 0:11:27That's a Rolex watch in here.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30They haven't even catalogued it as a Rolex watch.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I can feel my heart beating now cos if no-one else has seen that,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36if that's a genuine Rolex watch...
0:11:40 > 0:11:44It's got Rolex written on the face of the watch and is, like,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46the Rolex markings on the strap and that as well.
0:11:46 > 0:11:52So that's what's leading me to think that it's probably legit cos a fake
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Rolex is probably just going to have Rolex on the face,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59but won't actually have it, you know, hidden away, so to speak.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03So I'm hoping that... I don't know. I might have a cheeky bid on it.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08With the auction not due to start for an hour,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Ieuan will have to wait and see if anyone else has spotted the watch.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- £21 for 22 carat?- And you've got something there for 14 carat.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Nah, nothing that I'm going to buy.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Richie and Nikki are also getting ready for their auction.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- That coffee pot set.- Oh, yeah. That Harrods one?- Yeah.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36If we can get it for a reasonable price, we know where we can take it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40I reckon it's going to go for 600 quid, and that's cheap.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43If I had that sort of money wrapped round me right now,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45I would buy that cos that's worth £12-1,800.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I've seen standard boggo ones sell for 12s.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Someone's going to have a touch this week down there.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- They're going to have a touch. - They're going to find that one toy.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Someone's going to have a touch. - Yeah.- Is it going to be you?
0:12:56 > 0:12:58I hope so!
0:12:58 > 0:13:03- Not that I can see, no.- What about them Levi coats? Are they real?- No.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04With money tight, Richie
0:13:04 > 0:13:08and Nikki arrive to a room packed with rival bidders.
0:13:08 > 0:13:1285. 90. 95. 100.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17- Worse still, one of the biggest dealers around is in the house.- 70.
0:13:17 > 0:13:2075. 180. 185. 190.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Jamie rarely loses a lot he has his eye on.- 230.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26240.
0:13:26 > 0:13:3191 is a silver tea and coffee pot with milk jug
0:13:31 > 0:13:36and sugar bowl in the original Harrods box in very good condition.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38So there you have it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Silver tea and coffee set.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49100, I'm bid. And five. 110. 115. 120. 125. 130.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53135. 140. 145. 150. 155. 160. 165.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58170. 175. 180. 185. 190. 195. 200.
0:13:58 > 0:14:05210. 220. 230. 240. 250. 260. 270. 280. 290. 300.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09350. 360. At the back at 400.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16That's cheap, J. That was cheap.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19After losing out on the silver set, Richie
0:14:19 > 0:14:23and Nikki head to the local caff to work out their next move.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I can't believe he's won that for 400 quid.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- He's had a result, hasn't he?- I don't know.- Got the hump now, I have.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I've got the needle. I've got the right zig! I don't know why.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37It's just gone, bosh! It upsets me when I haven't got money.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40You know what I'm like round a bit of pound note. I get upset.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- I'm passionate about money, aren't I?- We can't give up.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Lot 367. There's a carton with a quantity of mixed books.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52The couple are back to try their luck on one last lot.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58356 is a carton with 19 old posters, prints and drawings,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00framed and unframed.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06£10. 10 here. 12.
0:15:06 > 0:15:13- Once again, Jamie is in the race. - £20. 22. 24. 26. 28.
0:15:15 > 0:15:2130, I have. £30. 32. 32.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22No?
0:15:25 > 0:15:30I got my pictures. I paid about £32, I think. Just outbidded Jamie.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- Did you?- He stopped at 30, so I went another one. I got it!
0:15:35 > 0:15:39After commission, the prints cost Richie and Nikki £36.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47In Newport, the time's come for Ieuan to bid on the watch,
0:15:47 > 0:15:53- which is being auctioned alongside another timepiece.- Lot number 373.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58There's two watches. Two there. Four there. Five there.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04Any advance on five? Eight. Any advance on eight? 10. Just in time.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Left back inside.
0:16:05 > 0:16:12There at 10. 12. 14. Is there a 14? 16. 18. There at 18.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Anyone for 18? 20. 22.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21After an early flurry of interest, most of the other bidders drop out.
0:16:21 > 0:16:2522. £22.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Lot number 374 is a jewellery box.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37With commission, Ieuan's paid £25 for two watches.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42Thank you very much. A Rolex watch! I own a Rolex watch!
0:16:42 > 0:16:44What do you think, Ieuan?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Um... Gut instinct...
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I think it's real.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Someone told me before about the minute hand, it doesn't tick.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58It gently rolls. And if you watch it, it's gently rolling.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01It's not tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick!
0:17:01 > 0:17:02So I think it's real.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05What was that, Kern?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08What's the time? I don't know. Let me just look on my new Rolex!
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Not ALL traders are on the hunt for bling.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21In Essex, Sharon and Al operate on the lower end of the trash
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- and treasure spectrum.- No. Lie it down flat. That's it.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- They pile it high and sell it cheap. - Do it nicely!
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Sharon used to work in a chemist
0:17:32 > 0:17:36and Al had a job in a car factory in Dagenham.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40They both gave up work two years ago to become full-time dealers.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45They cost me... 19p each.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54They can go for £1. That gives us 81p profit.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Is that a good margin, Sharon? - The percentage would be 500%.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01The margins may be high
0:18:01 > 0:18:04but so are the mountains of stock building up in the house.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08It's getting quite full in here, Al.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Just a little bit, yeah. Just a little bit full, isn't it?
0:18:13 > 0:18:16But long as we can get... We've got a gangway, we're all right.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Sharon is convinced all their merchandise will
0:18:22 > 0:18:26sell in the end, even if it needs a little customising.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31Oh, his little bobble. His little Santa hat ready!
0:18:31 > 0:18:36If you can't sell something one way, if you've got some imagination,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39turn it into something you think you can sell.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Using records she bought at auction,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Sharon's now experimenting with a new design idea.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50I tell you what.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51It's amazing how he can cook a record
0:18:51 > 0:18:54but he can't cook a pizza without burning it!
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- Look at that!- See, it's a winner! - Look at that!
0:19:00 > 0:19:04While it's hot, if you press it into the grooves, you get your shape.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10I'm quite pleased with that. It's right in the middle as well.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Everything Sharon and Al make either goes to a car-boot sale or
0:19:17 > 0:19:18back into auction.
0:19:21 > 0:19:27Lot number 203 today is Sharon's Salvador Dali-inspired record bowls.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31I think the person who did this is really, really clever.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Tenner on the first lot. £10. Tenner on that.
0:19:33 > 0:19:39- A £10 bid gets the ball rolling. - 10 I've got. 12, I'm looking for. At 12.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- 14. 16.- A burst of interest pushes the price up.- At £18.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47And selling for the first time.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50They sell for £18 - a £15 profit.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53That's good. I know what I'll be doing at the weekend!
0:19:55 > 0:19:58The records will go on to have a new life adorning
0:19:58 > 0:20:00the tables of a Turkish cafe.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05I love it! It was a very interesting, unusual design.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06I love it!
0:20:11 > 0:20:14With their profits, Sharon and Al decide to immediately
0:20:14 > 0:20:18reinvest in the biggest single lot they've ever bought.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- It won't go in, Al.- I'll get it in. Don't worry. I will get it in.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28One way or another! Is that the lot?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Al, you just ain't packed it properly!- No, of course I haven't.
0:20:41 > 0:20:47The highlight of the auction was my snowballs. Well, I say snowballs.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49They look more like pebbles to me.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57There was 231, I believe, for £14.16, all told,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00which works out to be 7p a packet.
0:21:00 > 0:21:06I will make something like on the estimations of £350 profit.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09But actually, at the time, when we was looking at them in the auction...
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- I said they're rubbish.- You said, "What do you want that shit for?"
0:21:17 > 0:21:22eBay, here I come! Oh, how do you spell polystyrene?
0:21:24 > 0:21:31Right. There we are. Looks just like a frosted snowball/pebble.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37Lovely! I've got faith... I've got faith in you, babies!
0:21:37 > 0:21:39You're going to make Sharon rich!
0:21:42 > 0:21:44After two years of trading,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Sharon and Al have amassed a profit of £3,000.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- Now Al wants to gamble the lot. - Tell me about the Porsche.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Yeah, the Porsche!
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Porsche. Worth having a little dabble on, at the right price.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Porsches sell. We know Porsches sell.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- Who do you know's bought a Porsche? - You know they sell!- No! Come on.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- Who do you know's bought a Porsche? - I don't know personally but they sell because I watch them.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- I don't know anybody who's bought a Porsche recently.- You wouldn't know anyone like that, would you?
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- Why wouldn't I know anyone like that? - But it's worth taking a gamble.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- You haven't even seen the bleeding thing!- No, but that's what I said.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- We go down and look at it first. - It's hardly a pot of gold, is it?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26It's a pot of bleeding rust!
0:22:40 > 0:22:43It's definitely the same one, isn't it?
0:22:43 > 0:22:48Men's two tone 18 carat Rolex Oyster with the same serial number.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52And they've got that listed at £2,160.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57So wouldn't be a bad little profit margin!
0:22:57 > 0:22:58If this does turn out to be genuine, yeah.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I'm going to, you know, sort of think to myself, well, you know what?
0:23:02 > 0:23:05I'm going to obviously spot a bit of quality
0:23:05 > 0:23:07when I need to spot a bit of quality.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10My eye is somehow tuned into, you know...
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Out of a room of 250 people, for some reason,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17I was the only one that had the guts and the confidence to go for it.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22If this Rolex turns out to be real and it sells for £2,000,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26you know, that could be the start of a business.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28I might fly, I might sink.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32All these entrepreneurs, Richard Branson,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35obviously Malcolm Walker, the founder of Iceland, they took a punt,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38they took a chance and it worked for them.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49In London, Richie has also just taken a punt.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53He's been offered the lease on the paint-spraying garage where
0:23:53 > 0:23:55he sometimes works.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59It's an opportunity he can't turn down.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03This is my future, isn't it, here?
0:24:03 > 0:24:05This will be something for the kids and my missus and that.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08In the long run, it will give me a few holidays and that a year,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11so this is quite important, but I still love
0:24:11 > 0:24:14going down the auctions cos you can have a tickle down there.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17In partnership with mate Dave,
0:24:17 > 0:24:22the garage has become an around-the-clock enterprise.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26This is the office up here, which needs a bit of transforming.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29We need to repair a few bits cos the previous owner
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- left it as a bit in a shit hole, didn't he, Dave?- Yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34And there's our little pit down there
0:24:34 > 0:24:37that we pull out and make when we sleep here the night.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Why do have to stay here in the evening?
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Well, some nights, we're really busy.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43It's just easier to just kip the night.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46There's a shower and a toilet in there.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Need to fix the hole in the wall.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Someone smashed a hole in the wall.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Tell me about what you're going to call this garage.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54I've already tried Autocare,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58but the name's already taken for a limited company. So I've typed in...
0:24:58 > 0:25:00On the internet, there's a website to go on,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02and I typed in Autocare & Sons.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06So that's what it's going to be named - Autocare & Sons
0:25:06 > 0:25:09for my boys as well cos one day, hopefully, they'll take it over.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- Ooh!- On his way home,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Richie picks up the box of pictures won at auction for £36.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23That is the one you just took out.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- You're not telling me, right...- Yeah.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- ..that the bird has drawn this with pencil?- Of course she has.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Of course she's done it in pencil. You don't believe it, do you?
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- You don't believe they're originals? - She has, though, look.- Yeah.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- It's just come off his head, innit? - That's the original to this.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I think this head's charcoal, innit? That's charcoal on his head.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Don't rub it off.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58'The box contains 19 pictures including five pencil drawings
0:25:58 > 0:26:01'and a collection of 1920s illustrated book covers.'
0:26:03 > 0:26:06What do you think, Richard?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10I think they're crap, James, to be honest with you.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I don't believe in nothing until I sell it
0:26:13 > 0:26:15and get a handful of money in my hand.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Then I go, "Bloody hell, weren't they good, them pictures?!
0:26:17 > 0:26:19"Shall we see if we can get some more?"
0:26:19 > 0:26:21That's when I'll believe it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25To find out more about the illustrations,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Richie and Nikki turn to the internet.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Before long they find a similar print on the website
0:26:30 > 0:26:33of an upmarket London gallery.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35How much is that worth? Is that a grand plus?
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Fuck off!- 1,800 quid! Fuck!
0:26:38 > 0:26:41'Signed and inscribed with a title watercolour...'
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Right, we'll have the day off work. Where's this gallery?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48We'll slip on down there, eh?
0:26:55 > 0:26:59In Essex, Sharon's at a car auction to view a Porsche
0:26:59 > 0:27:01that Al's interested in.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Oh, God, it's found it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Here it is.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16How big a dent in your finances would this be?
0:27:16 > 0:27:18All what we've made.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22All that that's gone in my little pot from boat sales. Every damn penny.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26It's really clean, isn't it?
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Ah, split in the roof.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- That's all stitched in so it's got to be a new roof, innit?- Yeah.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36That's a shame, innit?
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Other than that it's really clean.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43There's not a ripple on it.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46I've got to be honest, this one's quite nice,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48but don't let him know I said it.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50It's better condition than what I thought.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53It's a shame about the rip in the back but...
0:27:55 > 0:27:58..ah, maybe I could call in a couple of favours.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I might know someone who might know someone with a roof.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05What do you think you might bid up to?
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Today, what? 2,500. Tops.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11He reckons he's going to get it for two five?
0:28:11 > 0:28:14ENGINE REVS
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Yeah, that's all right.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- That sounds nice, don't it? Seems all right.- There's no fumes.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34- He won't get it.- You never know.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36You never know.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- AUCTIONEER:- Next one, number 6201.
0:28:43 > 0:28:44The Boxter.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46You want it, you bid.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- How much?- Three.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54The Porsche comes under the hammer.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Starting at 25.
0:28:57 > 0:28:592,600.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01At 26.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Three two, tops.
0:29:03 > 0:29:0626, 27, 28, 29.
0:29:06 > 0:29:082,900.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11£3,000.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12£3,100.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14At 31.
0:29:14 > 0:29:1631 across the way.
0:29:16 > 0:29:1732, 32, 32.
0:29:17 > 0:29:1933.
0:29:19 > 0:29:203,300.
0:29:20 > 0:29:2233, 33, 34.
0:29:22 > 0:29:243,400.
0:29:24 > 0:29:2735, 35.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30We have a bid at 35.
0:29:30 > 0:29:3250? 350?
0:29:34 > 0:29:353,550.
0:29:35 > 0:29:383,550 twice.
0:29:38 > 0:29:403,550, sold.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50What happened there?
0:29:52 > 0:29:56Just bought a fucking Porsche, ain't he?
0:29:57 > 0:30:003-5-5-0.
0:30:00 > 0:30:023,550.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Sharon and Al go to pay for the car.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's a provisional bid at the moment because you didn't meet the reserve.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13- Sorry?- It's a provisional bid at the moment.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- You didn't meet the reserve. - Oh, didn't make the reserve?- No.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18There was a reserve on it and it hasn't reached the reserve
0:30:18 > 0:30:21so he might not have bought it.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Got to go to the office now
0:30:24 > 0:30:28and they've got to phone up see if they accept.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30He's keeping his fingers crossed they'll say yes
0:30:30 > 0:30:34and I've got everything crossed hoping they'll say no.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Anticipation now. We're safe, eh?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- You bid 3,550.- Yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49He would like 3,800.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- No, it's too much.- No.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- That was our limit.- That's it. - That was our limit, yeah.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- We went to our limit, didn't we? - We went over the limit.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02It's there and it's gone, innit?
0:31:02 > 0:31:04It's there and gone.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16In Wales, Ieaun has an appointment to get his watch valued.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22But not before his dad passes judgment.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27If it's real, then this is 18 carat gold all the way through here.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30The Rolex crown is there. It's also there where it should be.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34It's on the wristband.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37But things like the fact that the wristband both sides
0:31:37 > 0:31:41of the bit that's hidden are both...
0:31:41 > 0:31:42They're not engraved.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46They're actually stamped right through with the Rolex name.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48If it is a copy, it's a really good one.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54I'm not quite convinced that that second hand is sweeping,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57which is supposed to be the original test.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00I still think there's a little teeny jerk there.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- Right, I'll see you later, Dad. - See you later.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- Give me a ring, mate. Good luck with it.- Cheers, Dad.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I didn't really sleep very well last night.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21I was, er, still pacing around at half past one this morning.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26I was on YouTube watching loads of films on how to spot fakes.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I'm 99.9% sure now it's real.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Well, whatever happens, I've got a Rolex, whether it be fake or real.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40HE GROANS
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Right, it looks very nice.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50It was just catalogued as two watches,
0:32:50 > 0:32:55so anyone walking past wouldn't have...even looked.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Right, well, these watches look lovely on the outside
0:32:57 > 0:33:01and are very difficult sometimes to verify whether they're genuine
0:33:01 > 0:33:05or a copy, so what we need to do is have a look inside.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16CLOCKS TICK
0:33:36 > 0:33:37Right.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Did you pay a lot for it, Ieaun?- No.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It works out £12.65.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Well, that's not far off the price it's worth, unfortunately.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56It's not a genuine Rolex.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01- Bummer.- It's a Chinese copy, but not all lost.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- Right.- It's still a usable watch.
0:34:03 > 0:34:09- Oh.- Not the crock of gold you were looking for.- No, no.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15Absolutely gutted.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20I honestly thought, you know what, I found something genuine, but...no.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28For Ieuan, the dream of his own business is temporarily on hold.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32It's back to the day job.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37You know, you win some, you lose some,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41but one day I will find that hidden treasure.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44You know, if I don't stay positive,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47then what's the point in dwelling on it, you know?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49People have bad news all the time, you know.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53I've had a bit of bad news but it's not the end of the world.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55# Come with me
0:34:55 > 0:34:57# You will see
0:34:57 > 0:35:01# It's a world of pure imagination. #
0:35:13 > 0:35:16BELL RINGS OUT
0:35:16 > 0:35:19SHOUTS: Old iron!
0:35:19 > 0:35:23The old way to earn a living.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Brian comes from a long line of rag and bone men.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31After 50 years in the business, he's got it down to a fine art,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35scouring the Essex suburbs for junk nobody else wants.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38- It's all right to take the... - Yeah, course it is.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43We've been recycling since 1911.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Everyone thinks it's a new thing, don't they?
0:35:46 > 0:35:47We've been doing it for years.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Brian's not just eco-friendly,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55he's an expert at turning old metal into hard currency.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01On the back of the wagon now, over £100. Approximately £100.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05When he's picked the neighbourhood clean,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Brian heads off to his local scrap yard.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Unlike most people, he doesn't just sell his scrap.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14He also comes here to buy.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18You look at that heap and think that's a load of old rubbish.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21I look at that heap and say that is a gold mine.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23That is a gold mine.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31That is a frame for a bike carrier.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Two wheels go in here
0:36:33 > 0:36:36and then they put a bolt on the front and it goes behind a bike.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37I'm going to put that to one side.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39I want that
0:36:39 > 0:36:41cos I've got a pair of wheels that go in that, see?
0:36:41 > 0:36:44This was an old Post Office bike.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45Very rare at the moment
0:36:45 > 0:36:48and there's a lot of collectors of bikes about.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50These bikes are worth a lot of money done up.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52They could make £100 for the three.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54A lot of people would look at these bikes and say
0:36:54 > 0:36:57they're a load of scrap.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58Yeah, there is.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02It's them few people look at it and say they're pound notes.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05'Brian's latest find is a Victorian log-burner.'
0:37:06 > 0:37:09That's all complete. That's a log grate.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10Once I get hold of that,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13all I'll do is clean it up with a wire brush, put it in an auction.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15That's going to make £150-£200.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18How much have you had to pay for it?
0:37:18 > 0:37:20I give £50 for it.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25A fortnight later,
0:37:25 > 0:37:28the wood burner goes into a specialist salvage auction.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- AUCTIONEER:- 50 bid, 60 bid, 70 bid, 80 bid, 90.
0:37:32 > 0:37:3595 for the log burner.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36£100, sir.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Bid £100. Bid £100. And five?
0:37:39 > 0:37:40Sold then at 100.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Down there, £100 cash. 100.
0:37:47 > 0:37:4940 quid, cheers, ta.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51It's a game, innit?
0:37:51 > 0:37:54And the buzz you get, it's better than sex, I tell you.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57It's better than sex.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Especially as you're getting older!
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Brian doesn't only look to the scrap yard for new stock.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12From time to time, he also does house clearances.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17After winning a new contract, he's on his way to collect some furniture
0:38:17 > 0:38:20including one piece he's particularly interested in.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24This is very exciting.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28It's a corner cabinet and the inlay on it is, oh, to die for.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Could be two or three thousand.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Could be in the tens of thousands if it's right.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40For £2,500, Brian's bought most of the furniture in the house.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- Are you taking that as well? - That one there. That, that, that.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- The dresser.- You managed to get the dresser off.- Yeah.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51- All these bits and pieces. - That's got to be unscrewed.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Yeah, that one's got to be unscrewed.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Well done.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59The item he's most interested in is the three-cornered cabinet,
0:38:59 > 0:39:03which he thinks might date back to the 17th century.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Right, that goes up.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11The inlay is absolutely gorgeous. See the inlay around that door?
0:39:11 > 0:39:15It's got the right hinges. H-hinges.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18It's obvious, innit, look. H.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20They call them H-hinges.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Look at the patina on it. You just can't buy that.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25You can not produce that patina.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28That's hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years of use.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31You have to go diagonally.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- Everyone all right?- Yeah.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39Does some of your furniture have sentimental value?
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Yes, it all does, yes.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Been in the family for quite a few...generations.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Very sad, yes.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48We only look after it for somebody else.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50That's all we do, cos you can't take it with you.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Yeah, someone else is going to get fun out of it.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54The only people that ever took anything with them
0:39:54 > 0:39:58were the Egyptians, weren't they, you know?
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Brian's spotted another item that could be a money-spinner.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous that is.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06It's a three-planked refectory table.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Look, one, two, three.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12And the patina on it. Look at the patina.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Look, there's no corners, no sharp corners.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Think of all the people who've touched that over 200 or 300 years.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20How old do you think it is?
0:40:23 > 0:40:261650 to 1750, something like that.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Within 100 years, that century, yeah.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34- Does that make it valuable? - Well, yes, yeah.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36I don't like saying too much in front of him.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39You don't educate people, do you?
0:40:41 > 0:40:44£1,200 to £1,500.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Brian's plan is to put all the furniture
0:40:48 > 0:40:51into an upmarket international auction.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Little gold mine, innit?
0:40:53 > 0:40:56You know, I spent a lot of money.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58I'm hoping to make a lot of money.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03If the wind's in your direction, and luck's on your side,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06it could make £8,000, £9,000, £10,000.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Richie and Nikki have had the £36 box of prints
0:41:21 > 0:41:26valued by an auctioneer who specialises in 20th century art.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29They valued this one at £300 to £500
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and this one at £200 to £400.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35- He said don't even dismiss that there. That's worth money.- Yeah.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38He said it's a print but don't dismiss it.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40That's worth about £40, £50.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43We was like, "Wow!" So everything in this box is worth...
0:41:43 > 0:41:45It's virtually worth something, each piece.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47- Even them.- They're a tenner apiece.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49He went, "They're not originals but they're old."
0:41:49 > 0:41:51They're not like, new, they're old.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- They're old prints.- Advertisements.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- They're worth money.- Yeah, I reckon there's a few grand here at least.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- Few grand, yeah.- Really?
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- Yeah, easy.- Definitely.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- He was, like, "Put 'em in." - "Bring 'em back.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08"Make sure you bring 'em back because we definitely will sell them two."
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- That's what he said. They'll definitely sell.- Yeah.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15The maddest thing about it is I would have never ever ever ever have
0:42:15 > 0:42:18bought that. Never bought this.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Never have bought the box.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24- Not in a million years. I'd have looked at it and gone...- Whatever.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29.."Shit, that is" and carried on walking around the auction.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32I look at them now and think, yeah, they are pukka, ain't they?
0:42:32 > 0:42:34It's just cos you know they're worth money.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36Well, I'd love three to four.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Three to four is definitely what I would like to get on it.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42- Means you've got more money for the garage.- Mmm.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51While Al's dream of becoming a Porsche dealer has come to nothing,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Sharon's pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap philosophy
0:42:54 > 0:42:56is also now in trouble.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03A month after buying 231 packets of polystyrene snowballs,
0:43:03 > 0:43:05she still has 229 to sell.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11And is trying everything to get rid of them.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17You're just going to love these.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20- Good seller, these. Will be a good seller.- Right.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23Snowballs. Artificial snowballs.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27On eBay, there's a bloke on there and he's selling them,
0:43:27 > 0:43:31four of these for £3.82,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34PLUS £3 postage.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37For you, one packet £1.50. You'll be able to knock 'em out £2.99.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41Er, yeah, we don't sell them.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44You're not doing Christmas decorations, no?
0:43:46 > 0:43:49With Sharon's project snowball stalled,
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Al has once again been looking for second hand cars.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57You've redeemed yourself, petal, you've redeemed yourself.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59What have you found?
0:43:59 > 0:44:031984 Ford Granada Mark II.
0:44:03 > 0:44:072.8 V6 manual hearse.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11And, actually, I tell you what, it looks in really quite good condition.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13It looks nice, doesn't it?
0:44:13 > 0:44:14He's had a lot of work done on it
0:44:14 > 0:44:19and he said he has the receipts as well, so it's not a rubbish thing.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23This will be so easy to sell, that's the thing, innit?
0:44:23 > 0:44:26It will be so easy to sell because it's unusual
0:44:26 > 0:44:28and people just love unusual things.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Sharon and Al win the auction
0:44:35 > 0:44:38and take possession of their new car for £1,000.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44The Grim Reaper is yonder!
0:44:44 > 0:44:48We're a bit old to be driving a car like this really.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50But, quite frankly, we'll use it for our funerals anyway,
0:44:50 > 0:44:53if we've still got it.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Agreed, it could upset a few people.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00They might think, "Oh, how disgusting and, eurgh,
0:45:00 > 0:45:03"fancy driving a car that a body's been in."
0:45:03 > 0:45:05I shouldn't think a body's been in it.
0:45:05 > 0:45:06I don't know. I don't really care.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10They're not in here now, so why worry?!
0:45:10 > 0:45:13CAR RATTLES
0:45:13 > 0:45:15Bloody rattling.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22Back home, the hearse begins to look like
0:45:22 > 0:45:24it wasn't such a bargain after all.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27It's a dog.
0:45:27 > 0:45:28Yep, definite dog.
0:45:28 > 0:45:29That's its nickname, "Dog".
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Yeah, that's what we call it. We call it Dog.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34That's the car's name, Dog.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36That's what we call it, Dog.
0:45:37 > 0:45:38I mean, look at it.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43I've literally had to glue some of the paintwork down on it
0:45:43 > 0:45:45to stop it coming off any more.
0:45:45 > 0:45:46The flames are beautiful.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49Whoever the artist was who did the flames, right,
0:45:49 > 0:45:52they can customise, there's no two words about it.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55It's just a shame about the rest of it, really.
0:45:55 > 0:45:56The floor was all wet.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00I've got paper on it at the moment cos it's soaking the water up.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03So what we'll do is we'll work on the interior,
0:46:03 > 0:46:06get that up to reasonable standard.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09When we can, tidy up the paintwork.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12That's when we're going to make the money.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14You've got to either have a private person buy it
0:46:14 > 0:46:16because they really, really like it,
0:46:16 > 0:46:18you're going to have Goths buy it,
0:46:18 > 0:46:20because they're going to get married and want a different car,
0:46:20 > 0:46:23and the other, my last resort, would be
0:46:23 > 0:46:26get on to Elstree, see if they're doing a film
0:46:26 > 0:46:30that they then need some tricked-up hearse to be blown up.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39At an up-market auction room in Colchester, Brian's also intent
0:46:39 > 0:46:43on turning a big outlay into an even bigger profit.
0:46:47 > 0:46:51He's delivering the furniture he bought for £2,500
0:46:51 > 0:46:52at a house clearance.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56- It's a nice piece, isn't it? - Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?
0:46:57 > 0:46:59- Nice piece, nice patina.- Oh, yes.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04But not every piece is living up to expectations.
0:47:05 > 0:47:06When I first saw this,
0:47:06 > 0:47:08I thought, "What a lovely thing",
0:47:08 > 0:47:11- then I noticed the glass has been changed.- It is, yeah.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13It started off as a hanging cupboard with a panel door.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17Somebody's changed it to the glazed door and put a base on it.
0:47:17 > 0:47:22I don't think it'll bring a lot, because it's got a replacement door.
0:47:22 > 0:47:26- It's probably £40-£50. - As it is, cos it's been ruined.- Yep.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30I had high hopes of the cabinet.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32- INTERVIEWER:- You had hopes of thousands today.- Oh, yeah.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35If it had been William and Mary and it was original, all perfect,
0:47:35 > 0:47:36it would have been.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38It would have been.
0:47:38 > 0:47:39It would have been.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43As long as I make a profit, I ain't worried.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46What does the wheeler dealer hope for?
0:47:46 > 0:47:50The wheeler dealer is hoping to double his money, plus.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- Yeah? - And what's the plus in this case?
0:47:52 > 0:47:58The plus could be treble. You don't know. You don't know until the day.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01And you've got the right buyers in that room or on that phone.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07It's auction day and there are over 800 phone and online bidders
0:48:07 > 0:48:11from around the world competing with buyers in the room.
0:48:11 > 0:48:12- AUCTIONEER:- 40 for you, madam.
0:48:12 > 0:48:1442, new bidder.
0:48:14 > 0:48:1644, 46, 48.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19With 13 pieces of furniture for sale,
0:48:19 > 0:48:23Brian's brought his wife Sheila along to see how they fare.
0:48:23 > 0:48:24Lot 1240,
0:48:24 > 0:48:27the George III oak dresser.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31The first of Brian's lots is a 200-year-old Welsh dresser.
0:48:33 > 0:48:34Here we go.
0:48:36 > 0:48:373? 3 is bid. £300, now.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40320. 320, 340,
0:48:40 > 0:48:42360, 380...
0:48:42 > 0:48:45The dresser's attracting a lot of interest.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47600.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48£600 in the room.
0:48:48 > 0:48:50All done now at £600.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54That was handy.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56If it was a good day and we'd had two or three people,
0:48:56 > 0:48:59it might have made 1,000, but I'm pleased with 600.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03Next up is an 18th-century chest.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06At £200, straight in at £200.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08210 anywhere else?
0:49:08 > 0:49:10At £200 now. At 210, anywhere?
0:49:10 > 0:49:13At £200, gentleman seated. 210 anywhere else?
0:49:13 > 0:49:16But this time, there's little interest in the room.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18At £200 now. 210 anywhere?
0:49:20 > 0:49:22Done, selling then at £200.
0:49:22 > 0:49:25HAMMER FALLS Disappointed with that.
0:49:26 > 0:49:28Things go from bad to worse.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32An antique writing table doesn't find a buyer.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35I was...
0:49:35 > 0:49:37well, shocked, really, it didn't sell.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40Very nice piece, very pretty piece, and it didn't sell.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43And nor does the cabinet.
0:49:43 > 0:49:47It was only a £40 reserve, £40-£60,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49and it didn't make the £40.
0:49:53 > 0:49:56Brian is in danger of barely breaking even,
0:49:56 > 0:49:58but one big piece is left to sell -
0:49:58 > 0:50:01the 16th-century refectory table.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04There it is.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07Now, I'm very pleased with that.
0:50:08 > 0:50:12Very pleased with that, because you don't find them like this,
0:50:12 > 0:50:14untouched - ain't been interfered with.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I've had them and you find they've got great, big nails
0:50:17 > 0:50:21where they've nailed them to the top and nails in the joints.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24Well, this ain't been touched. It's as it is.
0:50:25 > 0:50:30Lot 1298 now, the 18th-century oak refectory dining table.
0:50:30 > 0:50:31Straight in at 480.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33On the internet at 500.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36520, 540, 560,
0:50:36 > 0:50:37580.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39At 620 on the internet, 640...
0:50:39 > 0:50:41International bidders are pushing the price up.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44- Told you.- At 780.
0:50:44 > 0:50:49800. At £800 now, with me as a commission bid on book.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51All done, selling at £800.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Made nice money, that did, nice money.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59It may not be the big payday Brian was after,
0:50:59 > 0:51:02but in total, he's made an estimated £1,000 profit.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05I think we all earned a few quid.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07That's what it's all about.
0:51:08 > 0:51:09I made money.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11Made money.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13How can you not be happy when you make money?
0:51:13 > 0:51:15I'll be wheeling and dealing in my coffin.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17When I get to them gates, I'm going to have a deal with him.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19I'll probably buy the gates off him.
0:51:21 > 0:51:23And sell them to the bloke behind me.
0:51:28 > 0:51:33All right, mate, yeah, that Fiesta outside, that little, silver Fiesta?
0:51:33 > 0:51:34It needs a back bumper.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37For Richie, profits aren't coming so easy.
0:51:37 > 0:51:38All right, mate? See you in a bit.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41Instead of making money, his garage is costing him.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44This is pressure.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Every morning I open them doors, if I have my staff in as well,
0:51:48 > 0:51:53I've got to find £1,500 a week to pay staff and rent.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56And that's not me, I'm not getting nothing.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58Last week, I think I took home 200 quid
0:51:58 > 0:52:02to pay some bills and I'm used to taking £500 a week home.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11With the specialist art auction still weeks away,
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Richie and Nikki have arranged to meet a contact
0:52:14 > 0:52:16to discuss a quick sale of their prints.
0:52:18 > 0:52:23It's a buyer who likes to stay well below the radar.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25- These are the pictures. - They're the ones.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Got four pencil ones, haven't we? Four of them.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32Although the pictures are potentially worth £4,000,
0:52:32 > 0:52:34the cash buyer only offers 1,200.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40A few days later, the couple decide to accept.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44I've sold the pictures, they've actually gone now,
0:52:44 > 0:52:46so...
0:52:46 > 0:52:48How much did you get for them?
0:52:48 > 0:52:49Got 1,200 quid for them.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53I asked 15 but I ended up getting bartered down to 12.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55I could do with the dough, to be honest with you,
0:52:55 > 0:52:56to pay my rent on my garage.
0:52:57 > 0:52:58Yeah, that's...
0:52:58 > 0:53:01What... Are you pleased about that?
0:53:01 > 0:53:06Yeah, I'm pleased. I would have preferred the 1,500, but 1,200...
0:53:06 > 0:53:09For £36, I really am happy.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11I'm quite happy about that.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14If I put them in the auction, maybe they won't even sell in the auction
0:53:14 > 0:53:17and I've got to wait a month for my cheque if they do sell,
0:53:17 > 0:53:21so that's a long old time to wait, innit? I can cop 1,200 quid now,
0:53:21 > 0:53:23so I copped the 1,200 now.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29- I'm a lucky little git, really, aren't I?- Yeah.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31I am a lucky little shit sometimes,
0:53:31 > 0:53:35cos I'm a trier. I try hard, I work hard as well, mate,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38so one day, I hope I have a right touch.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39Have a right little tickle.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43I've had a few little tickles, like that little tickle we just had there.
0:53:43 > 0:53:451,200 for them pictures, that's lovely, that,
0:53:45 > 0:53:49but hopefully one day I have the £1.2 million tickle,
0:53:49 > 0:53:52not the £1,200, you know what I mean?
0:53:52 > 0:53:54If you want it, mate, you'll get it.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02After a month, Sharon and Al's pimped-up hearse
0:54:02 > 0:54:04still remains unsold.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10But undeterred, they've decided it offers them
0:54:10 > 0:54:14a unique marketing opportunity at their local car-boot sale.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19I suppose the hearse is a big selling point, really.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22An attention seeker, an attraction.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25I think it's fun, I think it's funny.
0:54:25 > 0:54:29Last item into the hearse is a box of the unsold snowballs.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36What have I got? 216 packets, at least,
0:54:36 > 0:54:37to sell yet.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42But the beauty is, right, I might only have sold 15 packets,
0:54:42 > 0:54:45but I'm actually in profit.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49So whatever we sell there, every single packet is a profit.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52- That is a laugh. - You've just covered your costs?
0:54:52 > 0:54:54No, I'm actually in profit.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56I'm actually £4.16 in profit.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07Sharon and Al head for Pitsea Market near Basildon.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15Car broke down.
0:55:15 > 0:55:16It broke down?
0:55:16 > 0:55:19It hasn't broken down - we can't turn it off.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21I think the starter motor's stuck,
0:55:21 > 0:55:23so we had to dismantle the battery.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26So let's hope it starts when we put it back on!
0:55:28 > 0:55:32Before long, though, their plan to draw in the crowds starts working.
0:55:32 > 0:55:33- It's amazing.- Thank you.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Absolutely amazing car. It's stunning.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38And it does have, actually, new carpet in the back.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41I was going to say, there ain't the coffin in there, then?!
0:55:41 > 0:55:43No, there might be later when I get him home.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47Yeah, I don't like the bonnet up much.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49- You don't like that?- No.
0:55:49 > 0:55:50It don't look right.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53- But the flames are smashing. - Oh, thank you.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56SHE LAUGHS
0:55:57 > 0:56:01Shouldn't really be talking about a hearse, should we?
0:56:01 > 0:56:03That's £7, please.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06Word gets around and soon they're doing a brisk trade.
0:56:06 > 0:56:07Oh, look.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09That's £10, please.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13There you go. That's lovely, thanks a lot. Ta.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14Thank you, cheers, mate.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Thanks.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19But one item is still not moving.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23Can I not interest you in any snowballs, darling?
0:56:23 > 0:56:25No, I've got my decorations done so far, sorry.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28No little gaps around your tree to pile up snowballs?
0:56:31 > 0:56:34By the end of the day, not a single pack of snowballs has sold,
0:56:34 > 0:56:37but it's still been a bumper car boot.
0:56:38 > 0:56:43We must have taken... I would say we've taken about 110, 120.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47That little wad goes up there.
0:56:51 > 0:56:52And there's all that there.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Yum-yum.
0:57:01 > 0:57:03MUTTERING AND SCRAPING
0:57:05 > 0:57:08The hearse may have been a triumph at car boot,
0:57:08 > 0:57:11but the exertion has left it on its last legs.
0:57:11 > 0:57:12We've got problems at the moment.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14The alternator, which is this bit here...
0:57:15 > 0:57:17..isn't working.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20And the starter motor, which is down below underneath,
0:57:20 > 0:57:22down here on the engine,
0:57:22 > 0:57:26that isn't working, that's broken, so we can't sell it at the moment.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28We've got to get them repaired.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31You get a lot of come back on cars.
0:57:32 > 0:57:34Leave that to the professionals.
0:57:34 > 0:57:38We'll still stick with our bits and pieces.
0:57:38 > 0:57:40But if one come along at the right price...
0:57:42 > 0:57:43..we'd probably do it.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47I think we should just stick at what we do best.
0:57:47 > 0:57:49We're good at selling rubbish.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52Nobody, really and truly, can sell rubbish like I can.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55Yeah, that's true.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02This is really an interesting find, you know?
0:58:02 > 0:58:03It's a bronze chess set.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07The low estimate, we're looking at a couple of million.
0:58:07 > 0:58:08They're not copies.
0:58:08 > 0:58:12They've got to be genuine pieces by each of the artists.
0:58:12 > 0:58:14Check them bad boys out.
0:58:14 > 0:58:17If I can be a millionaire, I'll be a millionaire.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19I won't forget my roots.
0:58:20 > 0:58:23- AL:- We're on our way to France, here we come.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26See, it looks just like England.
0:58:26 > 0:58:28AUCTIONEER SPEAKS FRENCH
0:58:28 > 0:58:31I'm not understanding a bloody word!