FULL EPISODE | Series 8 Episode 5 | Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Added: 2026-05-15

[00:00:01]This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, the show that pitches TV's [music] best-loved antiques experts against each other in an all-out battle for profit.

[00:00:11]>> [music] >> And gives you the insider's view OF THE TRADE.

[00:00:17]WHO'S THAT?

[00:00:19]EACH WEEK ONE PAIR OF DUELING dealers will [music] face a different daily challenge.

[00:00:24]The original cheeky chappie. Lovely.

[00:00:27]Putting their reputations on the line.

[00:00:29]For the house. How I thank.

[00:00:32]And giving you their top tips and savvy secrets on how to make the most money from buying and selling.

[00:00:39]I'm feeling rather lucky.

[00:00:42]Buckle up. We're about to witness [music] an antiques extravaganza that pits two of the biggest names in the business in a fight [music] for bargaining supremacy. This is the showdown, the toughest challenge our two purchasing powerhouses have had to face so far. They're lean, mean, profit-finding machines, and they're on a mission to scour the country and the continent plundering the finest treasures they can find, but they must then sell on for maximum profit.

[00:01:10]Coming up, it's a bartering battle as John tries some French flattery. [music] Moi non mais.

[00:01:18]He doesn't want to take 30 euros for it.

[00:01:21]Mark drops [music] to new levels to get a deal. Can I offer you a tenner?

[00:01:26]I'm on my knees. I'm on my knees. And John shows you how to spot [music] if pottery isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[00:01:33]I have checked to see if there's any restoration, and the places [music] to look are that anything that protrudes on pottery is likely to get knocked and damaged. This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

[00:01:52]>> [music] >> Today our two courageous collectors face one last battle for supremacy as they square up to each other and step into the mighty showdown arena. Yes, these Spartans of syllables are going to need to draw their bargaining [music] broadswords and exchange trading blows to stake claim to the best trinkets in town. First up is a man who slices through a deal like a [music] knife through butter. He's the assassin of antiques. It's John "The Hammer" Cameron.

[00:02:25]I am still itching to buy something.

[00:02:27]Facing him today is the antiques world's wiliest negotiator. [music] He's like a bloodhound to a bargain. His bark though is definitely worse than his bite. It's Mark "Frankie" Franks.

[00:02:37][music] We will beat the Cameron. In today's showdown, our dealers will need to be on the top of their game to claim victory. [music] They both have 1,000 pounds of their own money to spend, and all the profits go to their chosen charities.

[00:02:50]>> [music] >> So, John Cameron and Mark Franks, it's time to put your money where your mouth is. Mr. Cameron.

[00:02:56]>> The Hammer.

[00:02:58]>> [laughter] >> Got some of this. Come on. Suck it to me.

[00:03:01]>> Welcome to the mighty showdown. Um right, the rules are really simple.

[00:03:05]We've both got to buy two items at every event we go to, and we've got 1,000 pounds to spend in total.

[00:03:12]Okay. You can sell up to four items wherever you want. The rest will be sold at an auction in direct competition with your opponent. The winner is the dealer who makes the most profit. We're in the last round, Mark. Is it going to be a knockout for one of us, or is it going to go to points? What do you reckon? Is that your towel that's just been thrown in?

[00:03:30]>> [laughter] >> Come on, let's get on with it.

[00:03:32]Our experts are straining at their leashes to get out there buying. So, let's get round one of this mighty fight started. Both our boxing bodgers know that the 1,000 pounds that they have to spend [music] must cover any restoration repairs and buying fees. This is a four-round bout with them scrapping in their favorite arenas, the UK antiques market, an auction, a car boot sale, and a foreign antiques market.

[00:03:59]Round one is at the Bob Evans Antiques Fair in Peterborough. With over 15,000 visitors, our dealers will have to box clever to beat the crowds and each other. And it's the Portsmouth pummler who's straight out of his corner hoping to land the first blow.

[00:04:14]Well, these are interesting. It's a set of Doulton jugs. They're meant to look like leather, which would have been used for drinking out of back in, well, certainly sort of medieval times. These have got silver mounts, which make them quite nice, actually. When looking at anything like that, you really got to give it a close look because some of the restorers today can do a very good job. And having done exactly that, John decides to buy them and pays 180 pounds.

[00:04:39]They're made of It's called silicon ware, which is a a patent body that Doulton made, and they date from 1890.

[00:04:46]How do I know they date from that? Well, each one has a little silver mount. All the hallmarks match. I have checked to see if there's any restoration. I can't see anything, and the places to look are the places where you'll often see chips, so around the foot, rim, handles.

[00:05:01]Anything that protrudes on pottery is likely to get knocked and damaged, but I think there's some profit in that, and I'll drink to that. So, that's the first blow to John, but Mark is ready to retaliate, and he's pulling no punches as he goes for an authentic railway sign.

[00:05:16]>> [music] >> Go on, Mark, step on the sign. No, we'll do 65.

[00:05:19]65, gone and deal.

[00:05:21]Aren't they nice? Cast iron, well over 100 years old.

[00:05:26]The reason I can tell you that is because as time went on, they would use aluminum, they would use plastic, they would the the signs would be cheaper, thinner.

[00:05:37]So, this is heavier, heavier grade.

[00:05:39]65 quid.

[00:05:41]It's a doddle, really.

[00:05:42]>> Yes, Mark has steamed through his first buy and evens up the score sheet, but John is determined to claw that lead back as he eyes up a bronze tiger. Is this going to be falling down money?

[00:05:53]Very, very best is 120. I I can't go no less than that. Okay, I'll give it a 120.

[00:05:58]Bargain.

[00:05:59]In the latter half of the 19th century, around the 1870s, there was a big demand in Europe for all things Japanese. And what I've picked up here, I think probably dates at the last quarter of the 19th century. It's been cast in bronze, and it's really nicely done. The the tiger stripes are actually raised up and are polished, while the rest has a nice matte finish to it. Now, I've paid 120 pounds on it. This piece of game, well, it might just be my prize of the day. And with that, the fighter from Portsmouth has done all he can in this round. Not one to be left behind, Mark's picked up a piece of jewelry, a small charm in the shape of a railway signal light for 60 pounds. I've had a look through my eye glass. It's 375, 37 and 1/2% gold, which is very standard. All I've got to do is now sell it and make a profit. Doddle. Yeah, well, don't speak too soon, Frankie. There are three more buying rounds before you even think about selling. So, at the end of the day, will it be John's jugs or Mark's warning [music] sign that wins the match? Before we dive into round two, let's see how much they've spent.

[00:07:04]>> [music] >> John and Mark's showdown budget is 1,000 pounds. John has spent 300 pounds on his two lots, leaving him with 700 pounds in his kitty. [music] Mark has spent less than half this amount, parting with 125 pounds, [music] so he is left with 875 pounds.

[00:07:23]So, it's time to step [music] up a gear as round two is about to get underway.

[00:07:27]Our two antique-spotting supremos are about to take [music] on the room, the internet, and each other as they do battle in the fearsome arena that is the auction. [music] Gildings Auctioneers in Leicestershire, to be precise. Our experts will need to be fearless if they want to leave victorious, but [music] there's one word that strikes fear into any dealer's heart. Commission. I'm going to have to buy items here at auction, pay commission, and sell them at auction, and pay commission. So, really, I've got a double-edged sword.

[00:07:55]I've really got to work hard to make a profit out of this one.

[00:07:59]Watch me. So, it's all eyes on Mark, but he should watch out for his old China John as he's already in the bidding for a decorative lamp.

[00:08:07]>> [music] >> I'll rise to that now. I'm selling at 45.

[00:08:12]Well, it's Chinese porcelain. It's known as blanc de chine, or white China, and was probably made in the Fujian region, southeast China. I think it's actually Guanyin. She's known as the goddess of mercy to both the Taoist and Buddhist religions. Chinese porcelain is very popular at the moment, so I should be able to get out of that with a profit.

[00:08:33]Yes, John's little China girl sits in at 53 pounds 10 with auction fees, but there's no time to dwell on that as Mark is back in the fray as a Victorian oil lamp has taken his fancy.

[00:08:45]75, 85, and 95, 5 at 95 pounds then. At 95 pounds then. Put the hammer down.

[00:08:55]That was hard work, wasn't it? Yes, but John thinks Mark may be in the dark about a thing or two. I don't know if anyone's told Mark, but electricity was invented some time ago. Yes, because in the world of antiques, you never buy anything old, do you, John?

[00:09:09]I've seen lots of oil lamps, but this one I find particularly elegant. If you look inside the actual glass, you can see the wick. Now, the point of this is, round the side, there's some beautiful facets. Lovely, lovely facets around the edge. Really stunning. I paid a lot of money for it, but I think because it's elegant and it's smart, I think it's going to light the way. Well, hopefully it'll see him into the black as Mark gets the Victorian oil lamp for 112 pounds 10 with fees, but John is far from burnt out as he's back at the post and bidding again on a bronze [music] sculpture.

[00:09:44]Selling at 50.

[00:09:46]John has a firm grip on this competition, picking up his reproduction bronze statue for 59 pounds with fees.

[00:09:55]Now, what is this, you may ask?

[00:09:57]Cataloged as a reproduction bronze group mounted on marble with three children engaging in a tug-of-war. But, what I didn't notice was this charming little dog who's also lending his uh his strength to their to their efforts.

[00:10:11]There's no age to it. I've no idea who I'm going to sell this to, but one thing for sure, I'm probably going to put as much effort into that as they're putting into tugging that rope. So, with that, he's finished for the round, and the pressure is now all on Mark. He [music] likes a Victorian mold that's up next, but will he turn to jelly as he enters the bidding? 110 at 110. At 110, I'm going at 110.

[00:10:36]>> [music] >> For a minute there, I thought you wobbled. I get it.

[00:10:39]John [clears throat] made a joke.

[00:10:41]Well, it does happen, Mark. Our collector stayed firm [music] and got his Victorian jelly mold for 129 pounds 80 with fees. It's a Victorian jelly mold. All in all, considering this is probably 150 years old, most of the berries are still perfect. I did some homework, and guess what?

[00:11:00]I found another one available for 675 pounds.

[00:11:07]Now, I know it's not really worth that, but I still think to the right person, this is going to be a winner.

[00:11:14]And as the hammer goes down, we reach the end of round two. But, will John's tug-of-war figure pull in the money, or will Mark's oil lamp bring in the big profits? [music] Let's check on the spending so far.

[00:11:27]Our boys started out with a showdown budget of 1,000 pounds. John has now spent 412 pounds 10, leaving him with 587 [music] pounds 90 in his kitty. Mark has spent 366 pounds 90, giving him 633 pounds 10 to spend in the remaining two rounds.

[00:11:46]The battlefield for round three is the car boot sale at Ford Airfield, and both our dealers are as keen as mustard.

[00:11:52]>> This is a very good car boot sale, and there is quite a lot of antiques here.

[00:11:56]I've got about 600 quid to spend.

[00:11:58]Keep them peeled. Going to try and find some quality. Let's go.

[00:12:03]Well, I've just under 600 pounds left of my showdown money, and so I've got to buy at least two items here today, and it won't be too difficult trying to put a dent in that. But, what I do want to do is make sure I've got some money left for our trip to Paris.

[00:12:17]Well, don't head to the Bureau de Change just yet, as you still have some serious spending to do here. And it's not long before John spots something he rather likes the look of.

[00:12:27]It's a reproduction telescope. I mean, literally, you would say it's brand new, although you can see it's oxidized a bit.

[00:12:32]>> [snorts] >> What's the best price you do on this?

[00:12:34]Probably 85 quid. 85?

[00:12:36]Just so one of us will be right. 85 quid.

[00:12:38]>> [laughter] >> Not everyone's cup of tea, but I live near the sea, and there's one or two properties I know that just crying out to have a telescope in their townhouse looking out over the Solent. So, at 85 pounds, I should be able to see a decent profit in that. Yes, the sky is the limit for John, but did he spot Mark in the distance who's back [music] to his bartering best?

[00:13:01]100 pound.

[00:13:02]I do 120, best I can do. Meet me in the middle at 110.

[00:13:06]>> [music] >> Okay, deal. You're a gentleman. Thank you very much.

[00:13:08]>> So, no messing there, but what has that hasty haggle bought him?

[00:13:12]The roundedness and the squareness makes me think it's late Victorian, because as you went into the Edwardian period, it got very square. The slides inside are made of oak, which is a really good sign. It's going to cost a few quid to restore, to be honest. If this could speak, it'd be really interesting, more interesting than me.

[00:13:31]Surely not, Mark. So, whilst he shoots the breeze with his [music] new cupboard, John has managed to coast his way to another buy.

[00:13:38]It's a twin bottle coaster. You would put your your bottle of claret in here, and you would literally have this on the dining table. And the original models of these, they they go back to the to the middle of the 18th century, when every gentleman, every self-respecting gentleman would have an array of items for the dining table. They're they're reproduction, not a huge amount of age, but silver-plated. I've paid 100 pounds for them. Hopefully, we'll be drinking to my success. So, John is busy toasting to his own triumphs, having picked up the bottle coasters for 100 pounds. Mark has returned to his favorite [music] store, and he's keen not to let on how desperate he is.

[00:14:17]Can it be really, really cheap, pretty please?

[00:14:19]15's the best I can do on it. Can I offer you a tenner?

[00:14:23]Ooh, I'm on me knees. I'm on me knees. I think so, yeah. Yes, go on, then.

[00:14:29]Now, it's got a polished pontil.

[00:14:31]Now, that means this was made on a on a big pole, and then they snapped it off, and then that would be polished out. I I think it's 1960s.

[00:14:40]For a tenner, I'm not going to make a fortune. I might get the 15 you asked for initially.

[00:14:45]I might get 20. Which would make a 100% profit, Mark. But, it's not time for the selling just yet, [music] as there's still one more buying round to go. So, as the car boot sale draws to a close, let's check on the spending so far.

[00:14:58]Both our boys started the showdown with 1,000 pounds of their own money. John has spent 597 pounds 10, leaving 402 pounds 90 in his kitty.

[00:15:07]>> [music] >> Mark has parted with slightly less, 486 pounds 90, meaning he has 513 pounds 10 going into the final round.

[00:15:17]>> [bell] >> So, time to raise the curtain on the final round of this spending spectacular, and what better place than Paris at the Porte de Vanves flea market.

[00:15:27]Jonathan. Mr. Franks. How are you doing?

[00:15:30]Yes. Here we are at Porte de Vanves, and uh we've still got items to buy and money to to spend. If I may deduce. So, shall we? Huh? Au revoir. A preview. A preview. A bientôt. Come on, let's go.

[00:15:41]There is my French. [music] So, as the boys from Blighty get going, hoping to discover foreign gems, John is the first to act. I'm having a look at this glass inkwell here, and the lady's telling me that it's by Baccarat. It isn't a signed piece, but she has a pattern book here uh with designs from Baccarat. And what is a special prix?

[00:16:03]30. 130. 100 uh francs? Yes. Oh, wait. Francs.

[00:16:08]Francs.

[00:16:09]Francs.

[00:16:13]Yes, John manages to charm his way into getting the glass inkwell for 90 pounds 91. Is the writing on the wall for Franksy? Well, maybe, because John is powering on, and he's seen some more glassware that could have his name all over it.

[00:16:28]This is a a novelty bottle. Quite like that, actually. I First of all, I thought it might be uh Admiral Lord Nelson and Trafalgar Square, but this is actually a Napoleon, and this is I pre- I guess probably would have been given away either with a sauce or or a brandy. Combien?

[00:16:45]40.

[00:16:46]40?

[00:16:47]Uh 40?

[00:16:49]40? No. No? Moi non mais.

[00:16:52]>> [laughter] >> He doesn't want to take 30 euros for it.

[00:16:56]I'm going to bite the bullet. I'm going to pay 40 euros for it. Well, although the stallholder appeared to see through John's attempts at flattery, he secures his glass column for 36 pounds 36, [music] and is all bought up. Mark, however, is still to part with any euros at all, but that may well change as he takes a trip down memory lane. What year is it from? Come on, think about it.

[00:17:17]You've got your flared trousers on now.

[00:17:19]You're watching Starsky and Hutch on the telly. What year is it from? Bang, 1970s.

[00:17:23]The only problem I've got in Paris is going to be double bubble, i.e., a bit too expensive. Monsieur.

[00:17:32]Je voudrais le dernier marchand prix, s'il vous plaît.

[00:17:38]Come on.

[00:17:40]Come on.

[00:17:42]Dernier prix. 40.

[00:17:44]Vendu.

[00:17:46]How easy was that? Good man.

[00:17:48]Yes, that's how you do it. Mark gives us all a swift lesson in cross-channel charming as he gets his lamp for 36 pounds >> [music] >> 36.

[00:17:58]But, he still needs one more purchase, and after looking high and low, eventually picks up an ornate mirror that sets him back 45 pounds 45.

[00:18:08]And as the last boxes get shoved into the back of the vans, and most of the stalls are clear, I buy this beautiful mirror.

[00:18:16]Now, let's really look at what I've bought.

[00:18:20]It's probably about 1910, 1920.

[00:18:23]It's a pine frame. It's smothered in gesso, which is like a fine plaster. If you look up there, you can actually see the plaster where it's been damaged.

[00:18:32]It's got a bit of foxing. This is where the mercury mirror has come off. Now, if this is bang in the center where you look at your pretty face, I would be out. But, cuz it's at the side, that's fine. We can live with that. 50 euros is what I gave the lady. It's a deal. It's a steal. It's the buy of the century.

[00:18:48]Yes, bold words there from South London's finest. And with that final Parisian purchase, both our dealers can do no more than hope that their trip to France proves profitable.

[00:19:00]The showdown buying is now all done and dusted, but before our two eager beavers head home, time for a quick check on the spending totals.

[00:19:08]Our haggling hotshots each started the day with 1,000 pounds of their own money. John's showdown selection has cost him 724 pounds 37. Mark has spent quite a bit less in his bid for victory, a total of 568 pounds 71. [music] But, what do our two purveyors of profit think of their chances of victory?

[00:19:32]So, Mark, the last of the showdown items have been bought. How are you feeling?

[00:19:38]Relieved is the word that springs to mind. Absolute relief.

[00:19:42]Your favorite item?

[00:19:45]Uh I would say the oak cupboard. And I've got somebody in mind that's going to possibly help me restore it, hopefully. My favorite item is probably my silver plated wine trolley with the little cherubs on. Really like that.

[00:19:58]But, remember now we've got to pick four items from the eight to put into auction without reserve. That's That's not a nice thing to say John, is it? Without reserve. So, what do you reckon? A points decision? Uh yeah, I feel totally KO'd. May the lord be with you John. And I'll probably see you next at the auction house.

[00:20:17]>> Yes.

[00:20:18]>> [music] >> Yes, bagging their booty was just the start of today's ultimate challenge for glory. Mark and John must now transform into selling superstars to market their merchandise for maximum profit. [music] But, the showdown has a twist. The auction.

[00:20:35]Mark and John must each put four of their eight items under the hammer where they'll have no haggling power over what the buyers will be willing to pay.

[00:20:43][music] They might see their profits soar or they could lose it all. Over [music] in Portsmouth, John's hold up at home and he's sorting through his stock.

[00:20:52]So, here are my eight showdown items.

[00:20:56]Eight you're saying? I can only see seven. Well, one of them, my glass Napoleon column that I picked up in France, well, as you can see I had a bit of an accident coming back. The stopper is still in one piece and I may manage to even sell that yet even as damage limitation. But, reflecting on the other pieces, well, I'm fairly pleased with what I've got.

[00:21:18]The telescope whilst reproduction is not extortionate, I think there's a profit there. My porcelain figure of Guan Yin, I think I'm going to take that off of the base and just sell it as a porcelain figure. Then my favorite item from the car boot was my silver plated wine coaster trolley. Another classy item, my Baccarat inkwell. That needs to go on a very smart lady's desk. Love my Doulton jugs. 180 pounds, pretty sure I'll get a profit. My little bronze Meiji period Japanese tiger, I've taken a piece of wood from my log pile, stripped back the bark. I think that's really brought him to life.

[00:21:56]Hopefully, I've added a bit of value to it.

[00:21:59]I see good profits with this lot.

[00:22:02]John's decided to sell the broken glass bottle at auction along with the bronze statue of the tiger, the porcelain figure, and the wine holder. So, now it's over to Mark who's in his South London stronghold going over his goods.

[00:22:14]Now, the train sign.

[00:22:16]This is my showdown favorite. It cost me quite a lot of money, but I think there could be a big profit in that. The cupboard, I love it, but I'm not sure that the restoration it's going to cost to get it right will give me that much of a profit. Now, the glass, that was cheap. This could really do well. I need to find out the maker, do some more homework on that. The lamp, unfortunately, the funnel got broken, so that needs to be replaced. The little signal, that should wipe its mouth and get me money back minimum.

[00:22:47]The jelly mold, I paid on for that, but if I got the right person to buy it, this could actually do very well. And the lamp, you love it or you hate it. To the right person, I can double my money or triple my money, but we will have to wait and see what happens. The mirror could look good with a bit of work and this could bring me a big big profit.

[00:23:06]He's decided to put the mirror, the train sign, the signal charm, and the cupboard into auction. And just one more question. Who is the fairest of them all? Yes, it's me. Woo!

[00:23:19]Looking good there Franky, but now it's time for deeds not words. [music] Our experts need to back up their plans with actions as they hit the selling trail.

[00:23:27]But, remember no deal is truly sealed until they shake hands on it.

[00:23:33]And it's John who gets proceedings off to a flying start. He's done his homework and found Andrew, a Portsmouth antique dealer with a special interest in Doulton pottery. He's hoping [music] he'll buy the jugs that set him back 180 pounds. Now, I love these because they're modeled as the old leather jacks.

[00:23:50]>> I haven't seen these before in my life and I've probably had about a thousand or so Doulton pieces go through my hands. And we can date these fairly accurately because we've got the silicon China mark on the base which comes in in 1881.

[00:24:02]1891 it has England underneath as you know. All three of them wonderfully have their little silver mounts.

[00:24:09]All hallmarked for 1890 and all have the maker's mark of Cornelius Saunders and Frank Sheppard. I would be reluctant to let them go for less than 300 pounds. I think they're worth that.

[00:24:21]Yeah, I'll do 300.

[00:24:22]>> 300. You would? Do you know what? You're a gentleman. I'm glad you're having them Andrew.

[00:24:26]So, that deal nets John a profit of 120 pounds.

[00:24:31]Franky, you could be staring down the barrel of a very heavy defeat.

[00:24:36]Tough talk from the hammer, but Mark's away like a shot as well. Never one to wobble on a deal, Franky's in London to sell his Victorian kitchenalia.

[00:24:45]I'm here to see one of the most extraordinary jelly makers in the world.

[00:24:52]Mark is here to meet Sam, one half of jelly makers Bompas & Parr at their latest exhibition. But, will he set Franky up for a profit? Now, I bought this jelly mold at an auction. It is gorgeous. I've seen them online, very similar. It's Victorian and I think it's quite stunning.

[00:25:10]Are you interested in buying it? Take a look at it Sam. Wow. I love all the quilting around the sides. It's really beautiful. Looking at it now, I'm a little bit um apprehensive um for the reason that it's it's actually got some holes in it. Make me an offer I can't refuse. My hand's ready. At most 150 really.

[00:25:29]There's my hand. You're a gentleman.

[00:25:30]It's been a pleasure to meet you. So, that sale cooks up a healthy profit of 20 pounds 20.

[00:25:37]Mark then heads to Winchester with his oil [music] lamp. The Put Your Money Game Masters have paid for a replacement glass funnel, but will potential buyer Rex like what he sees?

[00:25:48]I would say that it would benefit from something like this.

[00:25:52]>> Okay, let's give it a go. Come on then.

[00:25:54]Because that is a reproduction one. Oh, this is? That is a reproduction yes. Whereas this is how it would have been, you see? I could do with something like that. It stands me in around about 115 pounds. You paid top money for that Mark. I would pay 105 pounds for that.

[00:26:12]Oh, I hate taking a loss, but I think I have to.

[00:26:14]>> Well done Mark. Thank you very >> Because if you won't pay top money for it, then no one else will.

[00:26:19]So, Mark gambled on Rex giving him a profit, but [music] with time moving on was left with no choice but to accept a small loss of 7 pounds 10.

[00:26:27]You win some, you lose some. I'm going to fight another day. And as Mark [music] slopes off to raise his game, John's got his next sale in his sights.

[00:26:37]The word telescope is the amalgamation of two Latin words, tele meaning far and scope to see. Well, I'm here on the Isle of Wight to see how far I can push my friend Colin to buy this telescope and give me a nice profit. I paid 85 pounds at the car boot. I'm hoping to double it up.

[00:26:53]Well, I brought the sunshine with me Colin. I ordered that for you mate. You are really spoiling us these days.

[00:26:59]Have a look through there mate. See how it looks.

[00:27:02]So, what do you think?

[00:27:04]Yeah, very interested. Very interested.

[00:27:07]I mean, it's a reproduction.

[00:27:09]Yeah. But, the nice thing about that is you won't be too worried about it. It's nice condition. How do you value this bit of bit of brass in Colin? 200. 200 quid. 200 200 pounds?

[00:27:19]>> Yeah.

[00:27:20]Top.

[00:27:21]200 pounds. Lovely. You've got yourself a deal. And that sale nets John a profit [music] of 115 pounds. He then goes on to sell his glass inkwell to Rachel, a dealer and collector who has always wanted her own piece of Baccarat glass.

[00:27:36]Very very pretty.

[00:27:39]He sells it for 190 pounds giving him a profit of 99 pounds and nine.

[00:27:45]Well, I sold my inkwell. Rachel was lovely and I doubled my money and guess what? I got even more kisses when I sold the item. But, ever nipping at his heels, Franky's got his nose to the grindstone. He's visiting a contact who's looking for some stylish pieces for his flat and Mark thinks his vase that cost him 10 pounds will be right up his street. I'm here in Kingston to see Kieran. I bought this piece of glass because he is at work. Kieran is a musician and today he's busking on the streets of Kingston. How you doing? How's it going?

[00:28:17]You all right? What's going on? Yeah, he's sounding good to me.

[00:28:20]>> I like this. Yeah. What do you think? I really I like it. It's lovely. It's nice, isn't it? But, take a look at it.

[00:28:25]Do you know what? This has got plenty of age. I think this is 1960s. What do you reckon?

[00:28:30]I think it's lovely, but I just realized that um I've said too many nice things about it cuz you're going It's music to my ears.

[00:28:36]IT'S ALL RIGHT, YOU KNOW. It's okay.

[00:28:39]Why don't you make me an offer I can't refuse? I'm thinking of sort of 25 30 pounds, something like that. All right, deal. Deal. You're done. What we up to?

[00:28:45]We're up to All right, 20 quid. 20 quid?

[00:28:50]And that sale nets Mark a 10 pound profit. So, good job busker Kieran's got plenty of cash on hand. I hope you like quids. What? Change is going to come.

[00:28:59]Change is going to come.

[00:29:01]Now, that was a really good deal and a profit, but take a look at this.

[00:29:06]Well, money's money Mark and in this game every penny counts. He then goes on to sell the lamp he bought in Paris to a contact who was looking for a present for a friend and that sale nets him a small profit of 3 pounds 64. But, Mark versus John might not be the only fight fought today. On the South [music] Coast, a battle is brewing as Gosport and Portsmouth scooter clubs line up against each other to settle old scores.

[00:29:31]John's arranged for these two opposing groups to square up with his tug of war statue as the prize.

[00:29:37]I'm here on Selsey [music] Common to meet the Portsmouth scooterists and the Gosport scooterists. This fierce rivalry between these two clubs and we're here to sort it out today with a tug of war match. I'm about to meet the two captains to see the rules of the game and how much they're going to pay.

[00:29:53]Bragging rights to the winners, the losers have to pay for the trophy.

[00:29:57]John's trophy set him back £59, but will he be able to pull off a profit today?

[00:30:02]The idea I've got today is that both teams have to pledge £10, okay? Yeah. Now, we have our tug of war.

[00:30:11]The winning side get to keep the trophy, the losing side have to pay £10 each.

[00:30:17]Are you okay with your that?

[00:30:18]>> I'm okay with that. Kevin, your team okay with that?

[00:30:21]>> Yeah. So, £10 the losers have to pay, the winners get the bragging rights and the trophy. Okay?

[00:30:27]Take me to your teams.

[00:30:29]With 10 men per team, John will get £100 for his statue, but who's going to win?

[00:30:35]Gosport ready? Yeah.

[00:30:37]Portsmouth ready? Yeah.

[00:30:39]On my marks, GET SET, PULL!

[00:30:56]£100 FOR THE TROPHY. [music] Portsmouth are off celebrating their victory. The Gosport boys have paid for the trophy. Everyone's a winner.

[00:31:04]Including you, John, as that sale nets you a profit of £41. And with that, all the private sales are done and the showdown auction is looming ever nearer.

[00:31:14]So, who's currently the leader of the pack and who's letting the side down?

[00:31:18]John has so far sold four of his buyers and turned an impressive profit of £375.09, >> [music] >> while Mark has also sold four items but is significantly behind with a profit of just £26.74.

[00:31:33]Our experts used all their knowledge and skill to find the best buyers for the items they had to sell, but now the remainder of this clash is out of their hands because all their remaining items must now be sold in the showdown showdown auction. Their bartering [music] brilliance can't help them here as they will have no influence over what happens next. They must trust in their buying choices >> [music] >> and hope that the bidders in Northwich are looking to splash the cash. As the final countdown begins, are our experts ready for this challenge?

[00:32:01]>> So, Mark, we're at the auction, how are you feeling? Uh quietly confident, but very nervous. How about you? Well, I'm like the same, you know, because it's the always the things that you think you're going to do well don't and the things you don't sometimes surprise you.

[00:32:13]Anyway, John, all we can do is cross our fingers.

[00:32:16]Before the auction begins, our anxious dealers check out each other's lots and Mark is the first to sink his teeth into one of John's. John has bought this lovely, lovely tiger and he's added a bit of wood. It doesn't do any favors for me. This is a nice thing. It's got lovely stripes down it and I think it's very saleable. The bit of timber, don't know what you're thinking, John.

[00:32:37]Well, it's all about the presentation, Mark. Take a look at John's blazer and it seems the hammer has taken a shine to one of Mark's lots. If I'm honest, I actually like this item. It's very novel and unusually for Mark, it's actually quite good. He's usually buying rubbish.

[00:32:52]Will his profits be go, go, go or will they be held up at the station?

[00:32:57]Well, like a runaway train, the action is gearing up. Proceedings are underway for this final face-off. It all comes down to this.

[00:33:05]The [music] fate of our experts lies in the hands of the bidders. Our dueling dealers take their place on the trading floor and first up, it's Mark's mirror.

[00:33:12]In a bid to raise more profit, he's used leftover paint to spruce it up, but John's got a few questions about Mark's DIY skills.

[00:33:21]What happened with the paintbrush?

[00:33:22]There's more paint on the glass. Did he have any more coming while his glasses on? It was like you used a bit of chewing gum for the fiber. I think it's going to buy day. Here we go. Here we go. It's nice lot, this one. Victorian painted bevel edge mirror, carved surround, good condition.

[00:33:37]Mark paid £45.45 for the mirror >> [music] >> and the auctioneer thinks it's a good piece, but will the room agree? Start me off at £30. Start me at £30 for the mirror, please. Nice things 30. It's a phenomenal slate.

[00:33:49]32, 32 in the room. 32 in the room now, looking at the 35. 35 the The front 25.

[00:33:55]For nothing. For nothing. 40 bit, 42, 42, 45.

[00:34:00]There's some interest, but will it be enough?

[00:34:02]Slowly, slowly catching monkey. 48 in the room and selling.

[00:34:07]So, I'm off to commission. I've lost a bit of money there.

[00:34:10]Yes, a disastrous start for Mark. After fees, he's made a small loss of £4.65.

[00:34:17]The showdown auction is never easy and it's already testing the toughest of our experts. So, will John fare any better with his first lot?

[00:34:25]His bronze tiger that cost him £120 is up next. He thinks his handiwork has added extra appeal. What did you think of the stand?

[00:34:35]Dreadful.

[00:34:37]More like firewood dreadful?

[00:34:39]Embarrassing dreadful. Here we go. 40, 60. I'm 40, 60. That's where I'm at.

[00:34:44]That's less than half what John paid for it, but who knows? Perhaps the bidders will spend big today. to the belly.

[00:34:51]Starting the bidding Nice.

[00:34:56]130 on the net, 140 with me. 150 on the net, 160 in the room.

[00:35:03]It's the stand. It's the stand.

[00:35:05]Wow, the crowd are going wild for John's tiger.

[00:35:08]In the room and I sell at 180.

[00:35:11]That sale gets the hammer off to a roaring start with a profit of £33, proving Mark all wrong when it comes to John's carpentry skills.

[00:35:19]>> Well, do you know what? I think that wood, Mark, gave it the eye of the tiger.

[00:35:23]And with that, John delivers a knockout blow to Franky, who's already had a rocky start. And it's not getting any better as his next lot runs out of steam just shy of a profit. His train sign brings in a small loss of £5.50. This crowd is giving Mark a rough ride. The showdown auction is once again taking its toll on even our most experienced of experts.

[00:35:46]Do you know what?

[00:35:47]Slightly flat. I thought we'd do better than that.

[00:35:50]Hm, that's nice. Our dealers are putting aside their rivalry and banding together to cope with this roller coaster ride of an auction. Up next is John's porcelain figure of the Chinese goddess of mercy, but is the hammer having a case of renovator's regret? Do you think she'd have been better left on the lamp? I think you've added value by taking that lamp off. Yeah, I think it's got a chance. Start me at £50. Do we have £50 on the figure? 50 I have, 50 I have.

[00:36:16]Looking at my 55 now.

[00:36:18]£50 is the bid and I sell for 50. Well, the bidders don't agree with Mark and the statue only gets one bid, notching up a small loss of £10.60 for John. The buyers aren't showing any mercy to our auction room heroes, but will this next sale signal a change in fortunes? Mark's small gold charm is about to go under the hammer. It cost him £60 and it's got at least one fan in the room. I actually really like this, Mark. I think this should do well. From your mouth to God's ears. 7 g, uh silvery thing, 55. And the auctioneer makes two, but is there anyone with cash to spend? 60 on the net. 65, 65 in the room. Commissions are lost. 70 on the net. 75.

[00:37:01]75 in the room. 80 on the net. 80 pounds on the net and I sell at 80. Sold. A small profit.

[00:37:11]Well, you've done better than a cup of tea, Mark, because you are in the black with a profit of £8.

[00:37:17]Is it a sign that the tide is turning for our dealers? Well, John will certainly have his work cut out making a profit on his next lot as the broken glass bottle comes under the hammer.

[00:37:27]Okay, look, I'll put it in.

[00:37:28]See how it goes. The stopper is still in good nick.

[00:37:32]Surely John's hopes of making anything on the £36.36 he paid are shattered. No wonder he looks nervous.

[00:37:39]458.

[00:37:41]It's uh not quite what it's cracked up to be.

[00:37:45]Oh, so the auctioneer does jokes, but this room has been hard to please. Will they bid on a broken lot?

[00:37:52]>> top and a small plastic bucket full of broken glass.

[00:37:55]>> The the stopper's good though, Peter.

[00:37:56]The stopper is still good. £1. We bid two, we bid three, we bid four, we bid five. Smashing all expectations, a bidding war has exploded. seven for the stopper now. We're at eight pounds, eight pounds, eight Round it off. nine pounds, nine at 10 pounds, 10 They all want it. 12 pounds the stopper is into double figures with This is all For 12 pounds, astonishingly, to beat 258. Snow and Eskimos, [music] I think. Yes, you've got some bottle, John. Impressive work selling a broken item, but he didn't quite crack making a profit and that sale leaves him with a loss of £30.36. [music] And next up is Mark's most expensive auction item, his [music] gothic oak cabinet. He's had it polished and the sides re-glued. So, after renovation costs, it's setting back £160.

[00:38:44]To make a profit, this will need to sell for nearly £200.

[00:38:48]It's got a real good chance, but it's not down to us, it's down to this lot.

[00:38:51]Start me off at £40, please. Start me at £40 only. It's a nice gothic. 40 bid, 40 bid at the back there. 42, 45, 48, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85.

[00:39:07]>> That's nowhere near what it needs to make.

[00:39:09]100 pounds the best. Any further interest?

[00:39:12]Bargain. Ouch. Mark puts on a brave face as he knows it's made a loss. In total, he's down £75.

[00:39:20]It just goes to show that the auction room tests the metal of the most hardened dealer. The crowd have not been kind to Franky today and now it's the very last lot, John's wine bottle holders. John's already had one big win at this auction. Will he be able to land another?

[00:39:36]Now, this is my favorite lot. I really would be disappointed if this if I hit a loss on this. It's a nice decorative item. Silver plated double wine coaster table card and I'm going to start the bidding at 200 pounds. 200 pounds I have >> I'm in profit there. with 220 now. 200 pounds the bid and I sell. 200 it is.

[00:39:56]I'm in profit. You'll be happy. I'm in profit. I'm happy with that. And so you should be John as that sale nets you an impressive profit of 70 pounds.

[00:40:05]You've done well. Put it there John.

[00:40:06]It's been a pleasure. Let's have a cuppa. Yes Frank and you're a good sport because you've had a tough ride and with that this mighty contest is game over.

[00:40:15]But there can only be one winner so who will emerge the champion of champions today?

[00:40:20]>> [music] >> Our battling bargainers each started out with 1,000 pounds of their own money.

[00:40:26]John's showdown buys cost him a total of 724 pounds 37.

[00:40:31]Mark's purchases including restoration costs [music] set him back 618 pounds 71. But the only thing that matters now is who's made [music] the most profit.

[00:40:41]All the money that John and Mark have made will be going to a charity of their choice. So let's find out who is today's put your money where your mouth is champion.

[00:40:49]Hello John.

[00:40:49]>> Mr. Franks. So what's the lowdown on the showdown Mark? How'd you get on? The jelly mold. That put a bit of a wobble into my step. I had great fun selling that. I have to say my my telescope bought at the car boot polished up nicely. Reproduction made a a respectable profit on that. Come on then. Let's see how he did. Okay. 1 2 3.

[00:41:10]Oh John.

[00:41:12]Mark that's not a minus. No it's not. If I do that it's gone. Back gone. Back gone. John was extremely lucky with his bit of broken glass. But he's a lucky bloke. Fair play to him. He did beat me.

[00:41:24]Luck was definitely on my side on this occasion. Who'd have thought [music] I would beat Mark by selling broken glass?

[00:41:30]So where's the money going?

[00:41:32]My chosen charity is Chestnut Tree House in Sussex part of the St. Barnabas Hospice Group. [music] It's a hospice that provides 24 hour respite and care.

[00:41:43]>> [music] [music] [music] [music]