0:00:02 > 0:00:05It's a game, innit? And the buzz you get.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07It's better than sex, I tell you.
0:00:07 > 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.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17HORN HONKS
0:00:17 > 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 > 0:00:28Think of that? You know who it is, don't you?
0:00:28 > 0:00:32For fresh stock they head to a very particular type of auction house.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Mickey Mouse.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Three, four, four.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Anybody else want a bag of earmuffs for six quid?
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Sifting through the junk in search of buried treasure.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45If that's a genuine Rolex watch...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48He's bought a Porsche, ain't he?
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- It's moody, innit? I can tell by your face.- Yeah.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56But will any of these dealers discover the lot that will
0:00:56 > 0:00:57make them millionaires?
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- If it was authentic, you know... - £200,000.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02HE LAUGHS
0:01:02 > 0:01:06I hope I find a nice something that's worth millions of pounds
0:01:06 > 0:01:08and I can never work again.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17In South London,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Toni and her mum June are regulars at their local auction house.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Toni started trading in low-value costume jewellery two years ago.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Now she's able to bid on the auction's most expensive lots.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42The item I like is a nine-carat white gold chain
0:01:42 > 0:01:45with an 18-carat white gold,
0:01:45 > 0:01:4716 diamonds cross.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54590, 610, 610.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59SHE GIGGLES
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Toni shares a home with her mum,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07which doubles as her business headquarters.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09I trade now in gold and silver.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14I still have a little bit of costume jewellery but, no,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16it's all gold and silver.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17I buy and I sell.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19These are all silver rings.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22There's 170 in there.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25These are all gold rings.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27This one is designer.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33You've got Tiffany, Gucci, Calvin Klein.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37I've only been doing this for two years and two months now
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and I've gone from, what was it,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44£387 my mum lent me in Majorca.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We went on holiday, I bought some jewellery over there,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and that was two years and two months ago.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52And now look at me.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Toni took up trading to keep herself busy after an attack of meningitis
0:02:59 > 0:03:03six years ago left her with permanent disabilities.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06On a daily basis,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09I never know from day to day what I'm going to be like.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I'm in continual pain
0:03:13 > 0:03:17in my left shoulder part.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22I've now got emphysema, which is to do with my breathing,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25but, hey ho, life's a bitch,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27you've got to carry on, you know.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Toni can only sell her wares within the range of her mobility scooter.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43At weekends, she heads to Wimbledon, her local car-boot sale.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Just knackers me.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58Everyone gets dealt bad hands at one point in their life, right?
0:03:58 > 0:04:00You've got two type of people.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05The people that mope, moan and end up dying miserable old sods, right?
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Or you've got people that say,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10"Right, that's the hand I've been dealt,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12"I've got to make the most of it."
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- All the details are on there. - Oh, right.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22'I want to go a step further, get myself a driver
0:04:22 > 0:04:26'and build my business up.'
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Right, it cost me 60.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Oh, go on, I'll do it for the price I paid.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- There you go, darling. - Thank you.- Thank you. Yep.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40You've got an Amiga there.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41I'll have to have a look at that.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44Before every auction,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Toni scours the online catalogue looking for bargains.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- Oh, look, they've got Durex.- Pardon?
0:04:53 > 0:04:55They've got a bag of Durex!
0:04:55 > 0:04:57You get to my age, they're a memory.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02Long past as well.
0:05:02 > 0:05:0592, that's that one.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09This week there's a sale of a huge collection of pocket watches
0:05:09 > 0:05:11whose owner has recently died.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- Look, Mum, that's not the light, is it?- No, that's a goldy tone.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Yeah, you got it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20That does LOOK gold.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23Well, gold or brass.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I do like that,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30but it'll still be a matter of waiting
0:05:30 > 0:05:33and seeing who's got the money and who ain't.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43In Lancashire, Danny's been wheeling and dealing for the past ten years.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48He's a well-known figure at local auctions.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53It's all about sort of standing out a little bit.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57People say, "Looking for quite a tall black guy, got a big afro,
0:05:57 > 0:06:02"gold teeth, cravat on his neck" you know.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03"I know just the guy!"
0:06:03 > 0:06:07Moving on to lot 171.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Two vintage record players.
0:06:09 > 0:06:1320, 22, 24,
0:06:13 > 0:06:1526, 28.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I've been going to auctions for years.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22There's always a big adrenaline, you know, a big pounding going on.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Quite a nice buzz really.
0:06:24 > 0:06:2836, 38, 40.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Guaranteed. Is this one working or have you not tested it?
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I've tested it, Pete. It all fires up...
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- Yeah.- ..but it doesn't go round.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50I'll give you £65 for the lot.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Can you give us 70, Pete, and I'll put you at the top of the list
0:06:53 > 0:06:57when I get any more audio equipment, and that's a promise?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00I'm really struggling to be...
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Well, go on, because I know you, all right, buddy.
0:07:02 > 0:07:0440.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08'I feel that I'm quite a good trader, you know, in whatever commodity.'
0:07:08 > 0:07:12I like the whole shebang, to be honest, you know, the buying,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14the selling, the bartering.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16I probably like the sound of my own voice.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- Done.- Yeah. I have been done again, yeah.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Doubled my money. Easy money.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Get a bit of cash in my pocket and I can roll on.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30You know, in this game, my tools is money. That's my tools.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32My tools is money.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I can't go to an auction house and say,
0:07:34 > 0:07:35"I'll pay you next week when I sell it."
0:07:35 > 0:07:38They're not interested. They want cash. They want money.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39They want paying.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46In the ten years since he's started trading,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Danny's buying has outstripped his selling...
0:07:50 > 0:07:52..and his late mother's home in Northamptonshire
0:07:52 > 0:07:55has become his warehouse.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08The place is chockablock with gear, you know.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12This is like my office-cum-store,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15cum, you know...
0:08:15 > 0:08:19It's to the ceiling, you know what I mean? It's to the bloody ceiling!
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Well, I've got a sort of a bit of a weird idea
0:08:22 > 0:08:26of having like a house auction, you know?
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Pretty much advertise it, lot everything up in here
0:08:30 > 0:08:31and sell it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33They do it in America
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and I truly believe that people will come from down in London
0:08:36 > 0:08:40and, you know, and surrounding areas, to come and buy it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41And who's going to be the auctioneer?
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Me. I'll be the auctioneer. Don't worry about that.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47I'll be the auctioneer. I'll be a lot better than
0:08:47 > 0:08:50a lot of them professional auctioneers out there.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59It's not just experienced dealers who can let their buying
0:08:59 > 0:09:01outpace their selling.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05In Yorkshire, Vicky's only been trading two years,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09but her garage is already overflowing with stock.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11A Fisher Price house.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15A coal model, entirely made of coal.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Laundry...posser.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Do you know, I just don't even know really what that is.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25To be honest, I'll be honest, a laundry posser and a posser head.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29I mean, people just love bedpans. Why is that?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I did sell one to a chap and he did say he was going to use it.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35It's grown.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It's grown too much, really,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39so we've had to have a garage built just to accommodate it.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41I mean, look at it.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44All this stock, it's got to be worth thousands, hasn't it, really?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I mean it's... Yeah, it will be, it will be worth thousands.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50We haven't got thousands from it because it's all sitting in a box,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53but it's probably worth £5,000, I would think, at least.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- Coffee?- Yeah, please.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Vicky has two sons and lives on a farm with her husband, Rod.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06Thanks.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Vicky's quite good at buying, yes, yes, fair bit of buying, yeah.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12You never know quite what's going to come through the door
0:10:12 > 0:10:14when she gets back from these events.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19Hello, little sheepies, baa!
0:10:19 > 0:10:23I really like the sheep - they're such a calming influence.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Hello! Oh, no, don't run away.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I'm really just a housewife, to be honest, that's what I am.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32That's what I do.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36You know, I've had children and so far that's all I've done.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40I haven't had a job since I had Thomas 20 years ago,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43and I feel terrible saying that. That makes me
0:10:43 > 0:10:46look like a real lazy person, but actually you know I have been bored,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I've been incredibly bored trying to find things to do
0:10:49 > 0:10:52because I can't stand just being in a house and cleaning it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58I have a massive desire to get a bargain, it's just something
0:10:58 > 0:11:01that if I don't, I tend to be a bit difficult to live with, actually,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06and it is a bit of a case of a bargain a day that keeps me going.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10It is a hobby and it's just turned into a nightmare, really, isn't it?
0:11:10 > 0:11:13It's a hobby gone mad.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15- Morning.- Hello.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Vicky's a regular at Sude Hill Auctions,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21a magnet for local bargain-hunters.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26AUCTIONEER INDISTINCT IN BACKGROUND
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- AUCTIONEER:- Barbie dolls, handmade,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33one, one, one, one, one, one, one,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35two bid, two bid,
0:11:35 > 0:11:40two bid, three. £1, two bid, two bid, nobody interested?
0:11:40 > 0:11:47£1, £1, £1. £1, £1, two.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Two plates, 3.61...
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Whilst Vicky's at home buying at auction...
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Titanic Boat sank.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56Titanic picture.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58..she's not yet found a place
0:11:58 > 0:12:01where she's as comfortable selling her wares.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04'I know people seem to make money at car boots but I never have.'
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I get people, "Oh will you take 50p for this, love?"
0:12:08 > 0:12:10You know, that's what they say to me.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'You know, like I spend my life wasting my time buying stuff'
0:12:13 > 0:12:14just to sell it for 50p.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17You know, I'm really not interested in that.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21That is one thing I would like to be - more of a businesswoman
0:12:21 > 0:12:25and not just somebody that's playing with it.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44In South London, Toni is on her way to the auction viewing day.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48Here!
0:12:48 > 0:12:52In this week's sale, there's a collection of pocket watches...
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- I'll come over and have a look at the watches with you.- Yes.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57..so Toni's called in Charles,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00her watch restorer, to give them the once-over.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06You might want to look at this one.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10You've got a back which is probably one of the nicest
0:13:10 > 0:13:11I've seen for some time.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Oh, my God.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18That, that's a nice watch. I would value that at least at £100.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I think it's a lovely watch.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25And this is what I was saying about keeping quiet,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29because even they haven't noticed.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36I'm glad my watch man turned up and he's found some gems in there,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40but he should have kept his voice down.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45But never mind, he'll learn.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53Lot 80, various old gold-plated and other yellow metal pocket watches.
0:13:53 > 0:13:5830, 30 I have, 32, 34, 36, 38...
0:13:58 > 0:14:02When the lot comes up, Toni's not the only one interested.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06115, 120, 125, 130, 135.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08She finds herself up against Jamie,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10another of the auction's heavyweights.
0:14:10 > 0:14:16190, 195, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240,
0:14:16 > 0:14:21250, 260, 270, 270.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Still in the front at £270.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Over the course of the sale, Toni wins several lots...
0:14:35 > 0:14:38..and comes away with a haul of 25 timepieces.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Thank you.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52You can see the engine turning work on the plates, which is
0:14:52 > 0:14:55an indication of the quality of the movement itself.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I'd be disappointed if we couldn't get 80 to 100 for it.
0:14:58 > 0:15:05We paid just under £550, cost. 25 pocket watches there.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08I think we can more than double our outlay,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11if not treble it or even more, potentially.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- What?- Potentially.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Polished and serviced, the watches soon start paying for themselves.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Yes, of course, open it up, sir. Help yourself.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30All fully working.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35How much are you selling them for?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38A lot more than we paid for them.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40That's 1803, that is.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43That one is £250, my love.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Over the next few weeks, the pocket watches are a big earner for Toni,
0:15:47 > 0:15:52generating plenty of profit to reinvest at the next auction.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01# I'm a love man
0:16:01 > 0:16:03# Call me the love man
0:16:03 > 0:16:06# That's what they call me I'm a love man... #
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Danny's bringing his long-term girlfriend Jo to Wellingborough
0:16:09 > 0:16:11to help plan his house auction.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14# Six feet one, weight 210... #
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Tell you what, this bloody song is made for me. Go on, Otis.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21SONG CONTINUES
0:16:22 > 0:16:27So, Jo, what I'm thinking is really, downstairs, you know, door
0:16:27 > 0:16:34wide open, you know, the door's wide open, they can come straight in.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37That one there will be lot number one. You know,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40put a bit of a sticker, one, two, these things here will have three,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42that will have four, that will have five, that will have six,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45that will have number seven, you know, and then they can just...
0:16:45 > 0:16:47You know, basically all they'll do
0:16:47 > 0:16:49is walk through and just see constant lots.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54'He told me about his house auction dream years ago, you know.'
0:16:54 > 0:16:55He's always writing things down.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57"What do you think of this, Jo? What do you think of that?"
0:16:57 > 0:17:01You know, and I'll say, "Yeah, it sounds good, get on with it."
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I think I'd want to be around here, somewhere just here.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Right, so you're going to have all the people...
0:17:05 > 0:17:07So that the people are in front of me there.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09You know, because you've got to take risks.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12If you don't take risks, then, you know, you'll never know,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14and he doesn't want to be one of them people who just says,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17"Oh, I should have done that, I should have done this."
0:17:17 > 0:17:18It is in him to do it.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23AUCTIONEER ON VIDEO SPEAKS RAPIDLY
0:17:23 > 0:17:29Bloody good he is. It's worldwide auctioneer championships.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34AUCTIONEER ON VIDEO SPEAKS RAPIDLY
0:17:34 > 0:17:36I wouldn't mind doing that,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39that whole tongue...tongue roller twister.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42I wouldn't mind getting to that, I tell you.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44HE MIMICS VIDEO
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I tell you what, it's flipping hard.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54If people are more happy, sort of quite like the atmosphere,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56then they're going to feel a lot more at home.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58If they're going to feel more at home
0:17:58 > 0:18:00they might put their hand in their pocket more, you know.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04AUCTIONEERS ON VIDEO SPEAK RAPIDLY
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I think they're flipping brilliant.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16Oh, I'll get my gloves out.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20In Yorkshire, Vicky is off to auction again.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Not massively clean. Don't look.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33We purchased the van because the amount of stuff that
0:18:33 > 0:18:40I have acquired is a practical impossibility to get into the car.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42We used to get it in the 4x4,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44but then we used to have to do two car journeys.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49I don't think we'd ever have imagined owning a van
0:18:49 > 0:18:52in our entire lives, until now.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58As part of her strategy to sell more stock,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Vicky's booked a stall at a prestigious vintage fair.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06To mark the event, she's in search of yet more fresh stock.
0:19:08 > 0:19:14We've got a suitcase here with a tin hat.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16These are very desirable.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20And we've also got... I daren't pull the trigger,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24but anyway... Perhaps we shouldn't do that.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Lot number seven.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- AUCTIONEER:- There we go, lot seven,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31a suitcase and the contents, all sorts of stuff in there.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Blimey, Dad's Army, there we go. Where do you want to be?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37There it is. You can play at Dad's Army at the weekend with this one.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40£3 for it, three, three bid, four bid, five bid.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Mr Mainwaring, thank you.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Five, six anywhere? Six, thank you. Seven? Seven, thank you. Eight?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49£8. Nine, thank you. A tenner...?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52The bidding starts low, but it's a popular lot
0:19:52 > 0:19:55and the price starts to climb.
0:19:55 > 0:20:0022, 24, 26, 28, at lady's bid at 26.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02All done at £26 and done.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Thank you very much indeed. Commiserations to the under-bidder.
0:20:16 > 0:20:22I paid more than my comfort zone for that, but I'm feeling excited
0:20:22 > 0:20:26so it must have something good. I feel it's got something good in it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31There you go. Over the top!
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Look at this.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Oh, God, yeah. That's quite impressive, isn't it?
0:20:42 > 0:20:45That's got to be authentic, hasn't it, from the point of view of age.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Definitely. And look, it's got straps, it's got the lot.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53Yes. It's got a date. 1939. There you are then, yeah.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- That's World War II, isn't it? - It's got to be, yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I'm quite chuffed with that.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59Yeah, it's good.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- That's not a real one, you know. - It's not a real one?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03No. I think some parent or whatever
0:21:03 > 0:21:05has taken a lot of trouble to make that.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Look, we have also, shooting flask.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Yeah, they're nice, aren't they? Yeah.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13And then you've got this.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17MUSIC BOX PLAYS
0:21:17 > 0:21:18Isn't that nice?
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Blimey. "Old vintage antique collectable military helmet
0:21:27 > 0:21:29"with no liner, 125."
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Everything I'm finding that's similar to this is over 100.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37This one's 229. That is getting quite exciting, actually.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42I might have to price that at a little bit more
0:21:42 > 0:21:47just to test it, actually, because it is an antique helmet. I think it is.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51A year ago I wouldn't have dared to
0:21:51 > 0:21:53take my stuff to an antiques fair.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56That was just something you watch on the telly, to be honest,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01but now I think, well, I know I can do it.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09With so much stock to choose from,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13selecting the right items for an event is crucial.
0:22:13 > 0:22:19That's definitely going. That's going. That's going.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Yeah, that's got to go.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28Right, OK, those are yesses, these are noes, this is my no pile.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- Maybe, maybe no, maybe not, what do you think?- Yeah.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33We'd take an enormous amount.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35It takes an enormous amount of effort of packing.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Putting it all out, we'd never sell half of it,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41if we take the whole lot, so it means even more work
0:22:41 > 0:22:44packing it all up and bringing it all back again.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47I like it to be really full, actually, I really do.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49That is half-full, that's no good at all.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52That's for when you're doing three different fairs in one trip,
0:22:52 > 0:22:53- but we're not.- We've got loads more.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Let's get it all in. You haven't put any of the tea tables in.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59There's just absolutely loads more space in there, isn't there?
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Better get labelling, I think. - You'll find something, I'm sure.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Oh, I will. Oh, I definitely will.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Oh, you've forgotten the tablecloths.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16At Wimbledon car boot,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Toni's taken a big step in expanding her business.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24This is my new partner.
0:23:24 > 0:23:31I advertised for a driver and Debbie decided to come in as a partnership.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Yeah, this is all new to me, so I'm learning from the best.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Hello, how are you?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38So she's teaching me as we go along,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41because obviously I know some designer watches,
0:23:41 > 0:23:42but not all of them.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46I most probably can do it cheaper, but I'd have to have a look.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Yeah, it's going well.
0:23:49 > 0:23:56I've now got a car, I've got a driver and yeah, I'm enjoying it now.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Now I can relax a bit.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02It's better to have a little bit of time, isn't it, than...
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Oh, this is luxury. This is luxury, babe.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Toni's brought Debbie to her first auction
0:24:19 > 0:24:22to teach her some of the tricks of the trade.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27In today's sale there's a sizeable consignment of yet more watches.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33They're grouped as single lots in sealed bags.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43I'd say it's not real.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47That is not worth it. You can just scrap it.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53If you can, turn that one over.
0:24:55 > 0:25:01Right, if you can... because I think that one is genuine.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08There are some good ones, good names.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11You've got your copies in there.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13There's quite a few Rolex ones there, aren't there, yeah?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Yeah. They're not Rolexes.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19But there was one in one of the bags.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24You actually mentioned it, that it looked like a Rolex. Yeah?
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Well, it had all the names at the bottom
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and that's a good 'un, I think.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Now you know why I said to you, right...
0:25:36 > 0:25:38You thought I wasn't interested.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43Nah, I was just like, "pass it on" because people watch you looking.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47They're thinking, "Oh, yeah, what's all this about?"
0:25:47 > 0:25:48You don't let on nothing.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57Right.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59It's two weeks before his house auction
0:25:59 > 0:26:02and Danny still hasn't decided what's for sale.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14As well as the house, he's got two other buildings
0:26:14 > 0:26:16full of potential lots.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21It's drawing near now
0:26:21 > 0:26:24and there's still quite a bit of work left to do.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26So I'm slightly worried, you know.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I want it to be the best that it can be.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33I don't want to be putting in a lot of crap in the auction,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36you know. It's got to look interesting and desirable,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39where people think, "Ooh, every lot's a winner."
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Definitely a lot more work than what I... But I think that's
0:26:42 > 0:26:45a bit of me all over really - sort of jump in and then
0:26:45 > 0:26:48worry about it once the sharks are chasing you type.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Any further on 20 for the nest of tables?
0:26:54 > 0:26:5818, 20 at the back there, any further on 20?
0:26:58 > 0:27:00To kick off his publicity campaign
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Danny's giving out leaflets at a local auction.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07House auction on Saturday, mate. House auction Saturday.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Give one to your mate. House auction Saturday.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Bring plenty of money with you.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Saturday, down by the train station. Straight down Midland Road,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20before you get to the train station, you bust a right.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25I've got to get the word out, so just keep spreading it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27- When's that, today?- Saturday.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32Danny's decided his auction needs an eye-catching centrepiece.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Just fancied something a little bit quirky to have in the sale,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46bit of a talking piece, really.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Maybe generate some interest or attraction, you know.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Not working 100%, but the bloke seems quite genuine.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02You know, he sort of said, well he's had in his barn for years
0:28:02 > 0:28:06and when he put it in the barn it were working.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Well, oldest trick in the book, that one.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11That'll be all right. Instead of charging 20p for a ride,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13just charge them 10p to sit in it.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- How much did you pay for it, Danny? - 100 quid.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22- Think you can make a profit on that? - I hope so. I believe so.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I better had do.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31The main part is getting punters there.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Once you've got punters there, then you're cooking with gas.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I think if I get the right clientele down on the day
0:28:37 > 0:28:40I've got no worries in making big bucks.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Get me in dizzy dream world, you know what I mean?
0:28:43 > 0:28:44I'll be saying I want five grand.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Yeah, well, today we're doing a Britain Does Vintage event.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59It's the first time we've done it, it's a very big vintage event,
0:28:59 > 0:29:01very popular I hope.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12At 10am, the doors open to the public.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Still haven't unpacked yet. There's about four boxes not touched yet.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30Oh, my God.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35All this stuff needs to go to good homes.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Not back to mine.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44The top-priced items on the stall are Vicky's most recent purchases.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Yeah I'm putting the steel helmet on for £50,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52and if I get £50 for it I will be really pleased.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55I think eight for that and ten for that.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59I think I had seven, but I'd let it go for six, that. Six.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- Thank you very much.- That's lovely, thank you. There you go.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- Enjoy, see you later. - Thank you.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- Bye.- Could do make it cheaper?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11I tell you what, I'll do it for 18 for the lot, that is my cheapest.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13How about 15?
0:30:13 > 0:30:1415?
0:30:18 > 0:30:2116, I'll do it 16, that is my absolute last. 16.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- 15.- 16.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Please. Please.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28I really like it, I will take it to China, back home.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- Really?- Really. I like it very much.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34I want to give it to my mum as a present.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- Go on, then. - Thank you.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Because you're going to take it to China.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43I think I either paid £1 or £2, I can't remember, no more than two,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46and I sold it for 15, so that's quite good, isn't it, really?
0:30:49 > 0:30:51We do have a box with that, actually.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54It's several hours before Vicky's army helmet
0:30:54 > 0:30:55finally attracts interest.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58So is £50 the bottom line on this?
0:30:58 > 0:31:01What were you thinking of?
0:31:01 > 0:31:02I was thinking, I was thinking of 30.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10I'll do 40, that is the absolute lowest.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Yeah, OK. Yeah, 40, yeah.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- OK.- Okey-dokey.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18It's not the price she hoped for, but it's still a clear £14 profit.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Thank you. Bag, please, bag, please.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24I'm happy with that. 1939, important date, so that's good.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Yeah, I'm happy, yeah. Most of the paint still on it.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30There we go. Are you going to wear it?
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I'm not, no. Thanks a lot, cheers.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37I'm here to sell, so if I make a sale and I'm making a profit,
0:31:37 > 0:31:41that's a good thing, that's what I want to do.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43I don't want to just sit on something.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45It gives me the money to go and buy another one.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47That's how I'm thinking of it.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52After seven hours it's almost the end of the fair.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56It might not actually look like I've sold a great deal
0:31:56 > 0:31:59because my table is completely crammed,
0:31:59 > 0:32:03but actually we've sold quite a lot because I'm always replacing.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Every time I sell something I replace it
0:32:06 > 0:32:09because I have hundreds of millions of things under the table,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13so I reckon we've probably... we're looking at about £300,
0:32:13 > 0:32:17maybe a bit more, so it spurs me on to go shopping again, really.
0:32:21 > 0:32:27Two hours after closing time, Vicky is still packing up.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31Packing all that stuff away is utterly demoralising,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35but it is a million times better when you have had a good day
0:32:35 > 0:32:37and I have had a great day.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39I have sold, I have bought stuff
0:32:39 > 0:32:43and I've sold it to people who love it, and that's fantastic.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46I'd love to have a pop-up shop, really.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49That's where I'd love to be,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51and events like this help me to do that,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53they help to push me forward that step.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Yeah, look at that.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Yeah, "We have short-term lets available
0:33:04 > 0:33:06"for this property, please call."
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Who knows? Who knows what the future holds?
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Ooh!
0:33:22 > 0:33:27In Sheerness, Kent, Alan's been trading for more than 30 years.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32But he has an unusual way of buying.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34Hello.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Forget research, it's all about gut instinct.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43I could be walking around an auction for an hour,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45not find anything, and all of a sudden
0:33:45 > 0:33:46I see something and there it is.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It's this very strong feeling that I get
0:33:49 > 0:33:53and it's almost like an alarm bell going off in my head which is saying
0:33:53 > 0:33:57"Buy that item." And, you know, it's got me...
0:33:57 > 0:33:59it has got me in trouble a few times.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02That's nice, isn't it? Don't you think?
0:34:02 > 0:34:03A nice big lump.
0:34:03 > 0:34:0582.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Alan doesn't just buy at auctions. If he gets wind of a bit
0:34:14 > 0:34:18of treasure, his instincts take over and he'll buy from anywhere.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24He's just bought a job lot of movie memorabilia, sight unseen,
0:34:24 > 0:34:26from a man in a car park.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Right.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Size of them!
0:34:41 > 0:34:42Yeah, I like 'em.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Clean 'em up a bit.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51For £400, he's got two life-size models of Laurel and Hardy...
0:34:51 > 0:34:53That's a nice one.
0:34:53 > 0:34:54..and 80 smaller figures.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Is that 400 quid well spent?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12I think I'm going to be all right, yeah. Yeah, I think so.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15But it's never over, is it, not until the lady sings.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I can't help getting excited, you know, because I am a chancer,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and I know it's only fibreglass but I think in the right place
0:35:29 > 0:35:31I might get 600 quid for them.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33So, happy days.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40'When the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43'the smallest public railway in the world, recently celebrated
0:35:43 > 0:35:47'its 21st birthday, Messrs Laurel and Hardy were invited to the party.'
0:35:47 > 0:35:49After some internet research,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Alan thinks he's discovered a potential buyer.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Laurel and Hardy have a historic connection
0:35:56 > 0:35:58with a railway station in Kent.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02'One of their jobs was to reopen the section from Romney to Dungeness.'
0:36:06 > 0:36:09So Alan's ringing the station manager
0:36:09 > 0:36:11to see if he wants to buy them.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15They're about six foot. They're resin.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18I'm not sure exactly how old they are
0:36:18 > 0:36:20but they wasn't made yesterday, you know.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24They're in good condition, they're in good condition.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26I was thinking about 500.
0:36:32 > 0:36:3422, 24...
0:36:34 > 0:36:36In South London, it's auction day.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Toni and Debbie are waiting for the lot with the Rolex in it.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44I wouldn't call it hidden treasure,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47but you do have items that slip through
0:36:47 > 0:36:54that are worth an awful lot more than what you've paid for it.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59Lot 94, six various ladies' wristwatches.
0:36:59 > 0:37:00£20?
0:37:02 > 0:37:0315?
0:37:05 > 0:37:0615, thank you.
0:37:06 > 0:37:1016, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30...
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Still in the front at £30.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Along with commission, the lot costs Toni £36.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25We're very happy.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28I'm pleased with my first go, so yeah, first experience.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Well, yeah, it was a good day.
0:37:30 > 0:37:35So we're going to go home now, have a cup of tea and have a look.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46How's it going?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Well, it's working. Fully working.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Well, that's the first time I've seen that.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04On the...round the centre there,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07you've actually got writing engraved around the edge.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11You don't normally get that on copies.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14You've got the serial numbers on the arms of here.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21I don't think this is a dud.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Let's feel the weight, because they say it's quite weighty
0:38:23 > 0:38:25because they use...
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- Yeah, you feel it.- Oh, yeah. - It's heavy.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33Is it looking good, Tone?
0:38:33 > 0:38:35It is.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38The forgeries that you get, right,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42they're so good, some of them now, right,
0:38:42 > 0:38:44you need to see the movement,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48but Rolexes, they have pressurised backs.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50I wouldn't touch that.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Toni will have to visit her jeweller to find out
0:38:53 > 0:38:55if she's hit the jackpot.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58I'd best be gentle with that one, then.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02If that is real, that is one and a half grand.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08Wow. You can't, you know, sniff at that, can you? Yes!
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Ray. I need you, Ray.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17In Wellingborough, it's the day before the auction.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Pull it, Ray, pull it, Ray.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Quick as you can, Ray, come on.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28I've got a viewing day in about, supposedly at, like, 12 o'clock,
0:39:28 > 0:39:3312 o'clock, midday, look at the state of the place.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36I'm still in a tizzle, still in a mess.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39A crucial job is yet to be done.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Danny still hasn't numbered the lots going into the sale.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48Right, lot number one. Lot number one.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50One, two, three, four pictures.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52One, one, one.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58Lot number two is one picture, Paris.
0:39:58 > 0:40:0136, taxidermy.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02Jo, I need you.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- What number are we on? - 65.- 65.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Danny and Jo have brought their five-year-old daughter Kyona along
0:40:09 > 0:40:12to give her a first taste of an auction.
0:40:12 > 0:40:1465.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Figureform, to keep your figure in form!
0:40:17 > 0:40:19SHE LAUGHS
0:40:19 > 0:40:21It's good! Do you want to have a go?
0:40:23 > 0:40:26At 12 o'clock, the lots are available for viewing.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31But it's a disappointing turnout.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36110, two times African busts.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40You should have started this last week. Who's your auctioneer, you?
0:40:40 > 0:40:41You could tell!
0:40:44 > 0:40:47And down, and down, and down.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52As well, as everything else, Danny's still got to prepare his star lot.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Watch the thing...
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Quite cool, isn't it?
0:41:00 > 0:41:01Does it work?
0:41:01 > 0:41:02No, well, there's a bit of...
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I don't think there's a lock.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Do you want me to hold it?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Yes, Danny, you plug it in because if you get a shock
0:41:12 > 0:41:13no-one will be able to tell.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17- Well! - SHE LAUGHS
0:41:17 > 0:41:18AAAAGH!
0:41:20 > 0:41:22HE GRUNTS
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Not too many wires. - Well, there's one here.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28You'll probably struggle to keep kids out of it tomorrow.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Working or not, if they've sat on it it's a pound.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38Viewing day is over, but only a handful of people turned up.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Little bit...a tiny little bit disappointed, really.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48I thought I'd get more people come here today, to be quite honest.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50I thought there might be more people
0:41:50 > 0:41:52coming here today to, you know, to view.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59In a last-minute attempt to drum up some interest,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Danny's got an interview on local radio.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07He's come to the headquarters of Radio Northants.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- All right? - Hi, Peter. Thank you.
0:42:10 > 0:42:11- I'm Julie.- Hiya, Julie.
0:42:11 > 0:42:17This is Radio Northants and we are with Danny Sebastian.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20So, what is the concept of your house auction?
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Well, my house is packed with gear and you know, and I thought,
0:42:24 > 0:42:29well, it'd be quite nice to sort of have an auction in a house.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Right, should the like of Christie's
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- and South...Sotheby's? Sotheby's... - Sotheby's?
0:42:34 > 0:42:37..Sotheby's be worried?
0:42:37 > 0:42:40They've got to be a little bit worried. They've got to be,
0:42:40 > 0:42:44because if this goes well, and I sort of carry it on,
0:42:44 > 0:42:46- then...- You hope they will be.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Yeah, I'll be heading for them big boys, you know.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52I'll be saying, "Hold on, leave a bit of room up the top
0:42:52 > 0:42:54"because I'm coming up!"
0:42:54 > 0:42:59Right. Ooh, what if nobody turns up?
0:42:59 > 0:43:02I think you probably mean "What if you get very,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05"very few customers, not enough?"
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Well, they'll be getting cheap lots.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09I'll be sulking a little bit
0:43:09 > 0:43:12because I'll be going, "Where do we start this? At £1? £1?"
0:43:12 > 0:43:13I mean, somebody puts their hand up,
0:43:13 > 0:43:16no-one's bidding against them, Jesus Christ.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18- Thank you so much.- Thank you, Julie. Thank you, Pete.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- It's been an absolute pleasure. - Thank you.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24- Cheers.- Have a good journey back. - I will do, thank you, bye-bye.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Alan is taking Stan and Ollie to see their prospective buyer
0:43:33 > 0:43:35at a railway station.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38I've got a feeling he's going to see them and then he's going to think,
0:43:38 > 0:43:41"Yeah, they're brilliant." Especially at that price.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44I think he's going to snap them up.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46I'm happy for him to get them cheap
0:43:46 > 0:43:49but I'm not going to sell them for less than 500.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59I can't come down on the price, I'm afraid.
0:43:59 > 0:44:00No. So you're looking for?
0:44:00 > 0:44:02500.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04Which is...it seems fairly cheap,
0:44:04 > 0:44:08you know, I mean a few people said to me maybe £500 each,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11but I'm not after a big profit, to be honest with you.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13No, no.
0:44:13 > 0:44:17I'm really more at the £300 mark, to be honest.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21I can authorise that amount myself, and we could do that today
0:44:21 > 0:44:26and we could pretty much shake on cash at that amount.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28I could do 4, but that's it, that is my best.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32- I'm really sorry about that.- No, no, no.- I didn't mean to waste your time.
0:44:34 > 0:44:38Deal not done, Alan and the boys are escorted from the premises.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40Shot himself in the foot, I think he has.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43Just for a measly 100 quid, you know what I mean?
0:44:50 > 0:44:5320 anywhere now? Anybody at 20?
0:44:53 > 0:44:55There at 22...
0:44:55 > 0:44:5715, 18...
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Setbacks don't keep Alan away from the auctions for very long.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02He's gone on a spending spree
0:45:02 > 0:45:05and he's found what he thinks is a money-making gem.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10It's an 18th-century violin.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14It was in a box with a load of other bits and pieces.
0:45:14 > 0:45:19The neck, this piece here, the neck was separate, it snapped off.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23I've glued that back on, and I have noticed that inside there is
0:45:23 > 0:45:28something in there, it looks like the date in pencil of 1715.
0:45:28 > 0:45:33That was £45 and I just don't know what it's worth
0:45:33 > 0:45:36but it could be £1,000, it could be £20,000,
0:45:36 > 0:45:37you just don't know, you know.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48What's that one?
0:45:48 > 0:45:52Now look at the price of that one, look, 11,500, yeah.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54There is always that chance.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58I mean, this, for all I know, this could be, you know,
0:45:58 > 0:46:00my boat coming in.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08Hoping he's got his hands on a rare 18th-century violin,
0:46:08 > 0:46:12Alan's brought it to London to get it valued.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Do you think he's going to spot your bodge job?
0:46:14 > 0:46:16No.
0:46:16 > 0:46:17I don't think he is.
0:46:19 > 0:46:24Because it does look like... It doesn't look like it's been touched.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28So...and hopefully I haven't...
0:46:29 > 0:46:32I mean, obviously if it's damaged it, if I have ruined it, say,
0:46:32 > 0:46:35by doing that, then he's going to know straightaway.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45Well, it's unusual to see an instrument not in its case.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47Where did you find this?
0:46:47 > 0:46:49I picked it up at a local auction.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52- OK.- There's actually a date inside.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55Oh, I haven't seen that yet. Where is that?
0:46:55 > 0:46:56It's written in pencil.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59You only get the last three numbers, which is 715.
0:46:59 > 0:47:00Oh, yes.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06I don't think it has any bearing on the date of the instrument.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09The numbers could be almost anything.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11It is a reproduction-style instrument
0:47:11 > 0:47:15and it probably is about 100 years old, not 200 years old.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Somebody perhaps has really loved this violin in the past.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21It's been involved in some kind of an accident and they've repaired it.
0:47:21 > 0:47:27That's actually quite a nice quality repair, it works very well.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29What would you like to know? Is it worth anything?
0:47:29 > 0:47:33- Is it worth anything? - OK. It is worth something.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35I think you could probably just put it back
0:47:35 > 0:47:38into a slightly more carefully chosen auction, you know,
0:47:38 > 0:47:41certainly get a couple of hundred pounds for it.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44Yeah, yeah, that's very interesting.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47£200, I mean, for a day at the auction,
0:47:47 > 0:47:51£150 profit, that's good for me, you know, I'm happy with that,
0:47:51 > 0:47:55and I've made a very professional repair there, you see?
0:47:55 > 0:48:00So...you know, there's another sort of string to my bow there.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02So to speak.
0:48:02 > 0:48:03So to speak, yeah.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12Toni's got an appointment at a local jeweller to verify the Rolex.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19I've never seen one like this
0:48:19 > 0:48:22and I've dealt with a lot of copy Rolexes.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26You can see them straight away, but this one I can't tell.
0:48:26 > 0:48:29If it's real, you're talking about...it's a ladies' one,
0:48:29 > 0:48:33the minimum £1,500.
0:48:33 > 0:48:34Keep your fingers crossed.
0:48:36 > 0:48:41I've never seen one with the marks on the back plate before.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43I've seen loads of copies.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47Well, I think if this proved to be genuine, a real Rolex watch,
0:48:47 > 0:48:51then you're looking at roughly about £5,000.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Five! I thought it would have been about 1,500.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57No, these bi-colour ones in Rolex watches are roughly about £5,000
0:48:57 > 0:49:02and so if you think that's a genuine one, if you get it checked
0:49:02 > 0:49:05then obviously you've won a little mini-lottery, I would say.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24To a layman this looks like a good-quality Rolex watch.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26Yeah.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29But I can tell by the look of it that it's not real.
0:49:29 > 0:49:35As a copy, I would say roughly £20, £25, but I would not pay
0:49:35 > 0:49:39any more than that, because you can get similar ones like this for £20.
0:49:40 > 0:49:45Well, it cost £5.90, so even if it was £20, I'm not losing.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50Yeah, I am disappointed that it's not a real one,
0:49:50 > 0:49:52but I'm not going to lose.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56He said £20, £25, as a copy.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59I know I can get £40 for that watch.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03So I've doubled what he said.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13Do you have a dream about the future?
0:50:13 > 0:50:15Everyone has ambitions.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18I know exactly the spot where I'd like to be -
0:50:18 > 0:50:21on the beach in Majorca, and that is the truth.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24Thing is, though, I don't do the Lottery,
0:50:24 > 0:50:28so it's a question of, I've got to find that little gem, haven't I?
0:50:31 > 0:50:35In Sheerness, Alan sold his £45 violin online.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40To begin with I started it off at £19.99.
0:50:40 > 0:50:47Friday morning I looked at it and it'd gone up to 500.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51And I was, like... I had to look at it twice
0:50:51 > 0:50:53because I thought, you know, "Am I seeing things?"
0:50:55 > 0:50:58Well pleased, I am well pleased.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03Spurred on by success, Alan thinks selling online
0:51:03 > 0:51:07may also be the best way to get rid of Stan and Ollie.
0:51:09 > 0:51:1245 watchers, that's quite a lot of watchers.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16Yeah, we're at £155 and we've got 30 minutes to go.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19There's two people there that definitely want it,
0:51:19 > 0:51:21it's just how much they're prepared to pay.
0:51:21 > 0:51:22Nine minutes.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27155.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30Oh, still not moving.
0:51:30 > 0:51:34Maybe I was being greedy, maybe I should have took his 300.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39It's getting frightening now, it's getting close.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42Last minute now.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44And it still hasn't moved.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47Nope, still not.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Oh, it's gone up a little bit - a fiver, it's gone up a fiver.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53Someone's put in a bid.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59Oh, there you go, £206.
0:51:59 > 0:52:00Oh, well.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04It's... In hindsight I should have took his 300 quid.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07But you've got to just brush it off.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Today I might have lost some money, I took a chance,
0:52:10 > 0:52:16I lost out, but tomorrow I might take a chance and be quids in.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19This time next year I could be...
0:52:19 > 0:52:22I mean, I don't like to say it but I could be a millionaire.
0:52:22 > 0:52:23HE CHUCKLES
0:52:27 > 0:52:31Where do we want to be? Somebody bid me now, somebody start me off.
0:52:31 > 0:52:33Where shall we start? It's a lovely piece of ivory.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35£40? That seems like a reasonable bid.
0:52:35 > 0:52:3740, 40 bid.
0:52:37 > 0:52:3940 bid, 42.
0:52:39 > 0:52:4242 bid. At 42 I've got. 45, 45.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Right, go on, right, come on.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49It's 10am, and Danny's auction is due to start in an hour's time.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51It's just the last-minute chaos, I suppose.
0:52:51 > 0:52:55We still need things photocopying, bidding sheets
0:52:55 > 0:52:57and things like... It's just all bonkers.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59I'm getting a bit worried now.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01If the people come, he's cracked it,
0:53:01 > 0:53:05but I'm just a little bit nervous about the numbers.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10There are 230 lots in the auction.
0:53:12 > 0:53:17It's a new concept, you know. I think it's got ground, really.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20If this is successful there'll be another one in three months.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23I'll be straight on it. Just hope it works.
0:53:23 > 0:53:24Nice, isn't it?
0:53:27 > 0:53:33Morning, everybody. Thank you very much for coming today.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35So we're going to go with lot number one.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- Where's the lot? - Is that number one?
0:53:38 > 0:53:40Jo, I'm waiting.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43I don't even know what lot number one is. I can't even find it now.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45Lot number one, Jo.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47Lot number one, where is it?
0:53:47 > 0:53:49Please.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53Here we go, here we go, lot number one.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55I've got a nice retro picture here.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58In fact we've got four. Where shall we start the bidding?
0:53:58 > 0:54:01- £20? Come on.- £1.- £1.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05£1 we'll go, then. £1, £1. A pound we're starting at.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08- somebody bid me £2.- £2. - £2 I've got. Where's three?
0:54:08 > 0:54:10- Come on.- Go on, D.
0:54:10 > 0:54:11£4 bid I've got now.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15- Six, six, six, six. - £6 I've got. £6. Come on.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17I know he's a bit of a dreamer,
0:54:17 > 0:54:19but this were his dream, and he's doing it now,
0:54:19 > 0:54:22so his little dream's come true, so, you know, great.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Any more bids? Come on, I'm going to sell it.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Sold, £6.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30- Lot number 36. - We're coming.- In the hallway.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Nice little bit of taxidermy, this. 60 quid.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37This taxidermy is mustard at the minute, it's red-hot.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40Come on, somebody bid me 20. £10 bid, where are you?
0:54:40 > 0:54:44Come on, somebody give me a fiver. Come on, where are you?
0:54:44 > 0:54:45£10 bid. Where's 12?
0:54:45 > 0:54:50Come on, it's worth that all day. Come on, come on, come on.
0:54:50 > 0:54:51She's got that.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Danny's getting through the lots, but at knock-down prices.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58Seven.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01I'll say, folks, this concept we're trying to put on here,
0:55:01 > 0:55:05I mean, it can only work if I get a bit of a profit.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08I'm not asking for too much, but I do want something.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12People factor is not good.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Considering all the leaflets he put out,
0:55:15 > 0:55:19with his... you know, 3,000 leaflets, it is quite slow.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22Right, next lot is the aeroplane. This is a lovely lot, come on.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24Not many of you left now, is there?
0:55:24 > 0:55:27Come on, where do you want to be now? Where do you want to be?
0:55:27 > 0:55:29- 100? Where do you want to be? - Does it work?
0:55:29 > 0:55:32No, it doesn't work, it needs a bit of TLC,
0:55:32 > 0:55:34but I'll tell you something,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37I bought it off a chap and the chap had it in his shed
0:55:37 > 0:55:43for about six years, but when he put it in the shed, it were perfect.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46Come on, somebody bid me. Cost me 95 quid.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49Anybody want to bid me 50 quid?
0:55:49 > 0:55:52I'm willing to take a loss. Shall we leave it?
0:55:52 > 0:55:54OK, we'll leave it, we can come back to it.
0:55:56 > 0:56:00After 150 lots, Danny takes a short lunch break.
0:56:00 > 0:56:04You know, it's a learning curve, it's a learning curve
0:56:04 > 0:56:06and I'm definitely doing some of that.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09You know, the second half of the sale, the afternoon part,
0:56:09 > 0:56:11I'm going to move around the items
0:56:11 > 0:56:14rather than sort of stand on the rostrum away from it.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17Try and generate a little bit more interest, type thing.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20Where's all my buyers at? Where's all my buyers at?
0:56:20 > 0:56:22Right, are we ready?
0:56:22 > 0:56:25Let's start again. Come on, be quick, be quick.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Right, Figureform, hey.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29This does the trick.
0:56:29 > 0:56:31£12 bid, £12. At £14, £14, £14.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34£14, 16. £16, £16, £16.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37Come on, bid me up, now. £18, 20. £20 bid, £20 bid, £20 bid,
0:56:37 > 0:56:40£20 bid, £20 bid, £20 bid.
0:56:40 > 0:56:44It's a good lot, this, nice impressive lot.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46112. Sold.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50Come on, don't be shy now. 25, 25, 25, 25.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53- 26.- 26, 26 bid, 26 bid, 26 bid.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Don't be shy.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59At five o'clock, Danny finally reaches the end of the catalogue.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Come on, I'm going to sell it. Sold.
0:57:01 > 0:57:06I must say thank you very much to everyone for attending.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09Appreciate it. Please see you in three months.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12Well done, well done.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Let's have a look.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27- 1,400 quid.- Ooh!
0:57:27 > 0:57:29GIRL GIGGLES
0:57:32 > 0:57:33Are you happy with that?
0:57:33 > 0:57:35- Get out of it! 1,400?- Yeah.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37There's a bit more coming in now.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39£1,400 will do me.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42- Do you, won't it?- Yeah.- I want to count it.- Get out of it!
0:57:42 > 0:57:43I want to smell it!
0:57:43 > 0:57:48Mm! We like the smell of money, don't we? I want to smell it, eh?
0:57:50 > 0:57:54With the final payments in, Danny's done even better than he thought.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56Closer to £2,000.
0:57:58 > 0:58:01I'll definitely do another one, without a shadow of a doubt.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03I'll definitely be doing another one.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06It is a lot of time, a lot of effort, it's a lot of hard work,
0:58:06 > 0:58:10but I tell you what, I enjoyed it.
0:58:10 > 0:58:11I did enjoy it, you know.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14And whatever you do, you've got to enjoy it.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16Cheers!
0:58:16 > 0:58:18CHEERING