(dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) - [Narrator] Today, the secret dealers are put through the wringer.

- How much is gonna buy 'em?

- £5,000.

- [Narrator] Dealing with two homeowners who know how to haggle.

- I'm really not willing to pay any more.

- How about 225?

- [Narrator] They're under pressure buying paintings.

- 165.

- Karen Dalmeny, yeah.

(dealers laughing) - [Narrator] And have a real scrap for some Persian silver.

- I am the collector.

(dealers laughing) - [Narrator] It's bidding with no holds barred.

- What did you pay for it?

- I was born 34 years ago, not yesterday, yeah?

- [Narrator] So who will triumph?

Dealers... - £225.

- Next.

- I'd have given a little bit more for that too.

- [Narrator] Or home owners?

- Are you impressed with Karen's bid?

- More than yours.

Yeah.

(dealers laughing) - I thought we was in a play called "Oliver Twist".

More?

- [Narrator] This house is home to Ian, his mum, Margaret and his ever-growing collection of antiques.

- I'm always on the lookout for things.

I did a degree in archeology, and naturally I look down at the ground wherever I walk.

The charity shop window, online auctions.

I look everywhere all the time.

Can't help it.

It's like a disease.

- [Narrator] It's an obsession that's taken over the house.

- There are so many things that he just hasn't got room for all of them.

He just can't see what he's got and try and get in his bedroom, it's a nightmare.

- [Narrator] Some of Ian's finest items include a botanical themed Minton dessert service and a 19th century oil portrait of a lady with a dog.

- Really good quality.

Possibly sold at Sotheby's or Christies in the past.

It's one of my favorite things.

I love them.

Hopefully the dealers will do too.

- [Narrator] Ready to dive headlong into Ian's collections are today's secret dealers.

It's Simon... - Anything with a bit of profit, that's the thing I'm looking for.

- [Narrator] David... - Sometimes it's just wonderful to have an object passed through your hands.

- [Narrator] And Karen.

- There isn't a maximum amount.

If I really want it, I'll spend the money.

- [Narrator] They've got just one hour to find what they want.

- I've no idea what's gonna be behind that front door when we go in there.

- [Narrator] And place their secret bids.

- If there's something I want, then I don't take prisoners.

- [Narrator] Then they'll have to fight each other and Ian to buy it.

- Bidding's so nerve wracking 'cause we know each other so well and we all know our weaknesses.

- Well... - Here we come.

- Come on, lads, let's do it.

- Right.

- Cor, your luck's in, David.

- [Narrator] Easy, Simon.

The only thing Karen's looking for upstairs is profit.

- Walk into a bedroom, absolutely smothered with oil paintings.

- First thing to catch her eye is a very dark oil painting of a cow.

- And this is in the style of the early sort of 19th century paintings that they used to do.

They stylized cows or bulls.

Desperately wants cleaning.

It's quite a nice thing though.

- [Narrator] This style of cow painting can fetch money, but it is dark.

Are you sure, Karen?

Downstairs, Simon's taking his task very seriously.

- Soon as I commit this pen to that bit of paper, comes out of that pocket.

so you have to use that very carefully.

- [Narrator] Thanks for that, Simon.

He stumbled upon a pair of Victorian Staffordshire figures.

- I don't particularly like Staffordshire to be honest with you.

You see lots of those horrible pairs of dogs and things like that.

But this is quite nice 'cause it's Victoria and Albert.

I've got one or two American clients that just might buy them.

Excuse me, madam.

Just wanna pop this on your bottom.

- [Narrator] David knows his art and he's also spotted the 19th century cow painting.

- One of Karen's secret bids of an old cow.

Nothing is meant by that, Karen.

- [Narrator] Steady, David.

- Very primitive, isn't it?

I don't think when the man who owned the cow commissioned this picture he expected it to come back looking like that.

Probably be in a house where they smoke 20 cigars a day.

Karen, little competition for you.

- [Narrator] That's two bids on the old cow.

Karen's still looking at pictures.

This time, it's Ian's favorite, the 19th century portrait of the lady and dog.

- I quite like this one.

The reason I quite like it is the dog, pure and simple.

Here's the little pooch.

It's quite nicely done, quite nicely painted.

I think I might have the customers for it.

There we go.

Looking good so far.

- [Narrator] Karen's happy and Simon's mood is about to improve too.

- Ah!

- [Narrator] He's found the Minton botanical dessert service.

- It's very nice because it's reticulated all the way around, the sort of basket weave.

What makes it particularly interesting is that it's a botanical subject, which is always very, very, very saleable and that is beautifully-made.

It doesn't come much more elegant than this.

I mean, that is a lovely piece of English porcelain.

Minton's a good name.

It always sells well because it is quality.

I love this.

The big question is, who wants to pay the most for it?

- [Narrator] Yes, there'll be a battle for the Minton.

Upstairs, David's playing follow my leader.

Now he's taking a look at the portrait of the lady and dog.

- Try and see if there's a signature anywhere.

I mean it's quite a nice subject that, isn't it?

Can't attribute it to anybody, but I just quite like it.

She's very typical Victorian, isn't she?

It's quite pleasing that.

- [Narrator] David's bid joins Karen's, again.

- [Karen] So, let's go.

- [Narrator] Karen's moving downstairs to give Simon some competition.

- Ha ha, found you.

- Hello Karen, how are you?

- So, two questions.

Why are you on the floor?

- I was on the floor, just, I fell over.

- Why are you hiding something behind your back, actually?

- [Simon] I haven't got anything behind my back.

- No, okay.

Yeah, I'm fine.

- [Narrator] You won't fool Karen that easily, Simon.

First, she's drawn to the pair of Staffordshire figures.

- This has got commerciality because of its subject.

The decoration is very poor.

Majority of this is white, which makes it less valuable.

Condition's good, that helps.

Not as desirable as they used to be, but I'm still one of those very old fashioned dealers that still loves buying them.

- [Narrator] Nothing to do with the prices being low at the moment, then, Karen?

Two bids down.

More china for Simon, an 18th century pearlware figure of Diana the Huntress.

- I come from Brighton and in Brighton Museum there's probably the biggest collection of pearlware in the world.

Jugs that are off the floor are that high and it's amazing.

The quality of it isn't what you would call fine porcelain, but you know, I think there's people out there that would buy that.

It's my duty as a dealer to procure it for them.

- [Narrator] Oh, that's novel.

Secret dealers as public servants.

- [Simon] So that's that.

- [Narrator] The dealers are laying bids all over Ian's collection and despite Simon's best efforts to hide it, Karen's moving in on the Minton dessert service.

- Beautiful little tiny panels here painted with butterflies.

Lovely puce mark on the back here, Minton's china.

It's got not only Minton on the back stand, but also the retailer.

Always a sign of quality.

Fabulous.

- [Narrator] They're all gonna want this.

- [Karen] There we go.

- [Narrator] Simon's heading upstairs to Ian's art collection.

First stop, the 19th century oil of the lady and dog.

- I would call paintings like this furnishing paintings because what you do get is sort of some people who rent an ancestor sort of thing, isn't it?

They put paintings of old people on the wall and you just assume it's their family.

I can see Karen and David left a bid on it, and it's certainly not my forte, but there's a decorative furnishing piece.

That's my bid down there.

- [Narrator] So three bids on the painting and David's about to make it three on the Minton dessert service.

- Isn't that lovely?

Quality.

All pierced, little vignettes of butterflies and little insects.

I think they're just lovely quality.

- [Narrator] It's good, and they all know it.

- [David] And that goes in to join them.

(upbeat music continues) - [Narrator] Time is almost up and Karen's found the pearlware figure of Diana the Huntress.

- [Karen] A nice thing.

Condition looks all right.

That's my bid.

- [Narrator] As the final seconds tick by, the dealers make their closing bids and cross their fingers there's a profit for them somewhere.

- You know what they say, you've gotta speculate to accumulate.

- [Narrator] The secret dealers have placed their bids on Ian's sprawling collection.

The huge variety here is ringing alarm bells.

- It's got a slightly dealer-ish feel to it all.

- That there's somebody who's involved in the antiques trade or certainly dabbles.

- So I think we might have a bit of a tough job here actually.

- [Narrator] They all want to get their hands on the Victorian oil portrait of the lady and dog.

- It's a nice painting.

Yeah, that I'd like to go home with.

- Looks like Queen Victoria actually smiled once.

I think I could sell it, yeah.

- It's the dog that does it.

That's the clincher.

- [Narrator] But Ian's been at this for years and he and is mum, Margaret, are a formidable team.

- You'll back me up today, won't you?

- Certainly.

- You'll automatically ask for more money?

- Automatically.

- Don't tell me to take the money.

Just keep saying more and more please, more please.

That's the way to do it.

- Yes, right.

- [Narrator] So how much dealer dosh is up for grabs?

- Should you accept our top bids, that's how much money you can make today.

- Thank you.

I shall open it up.

Ooh.

- Wow.

£4,510.

- [Simon] Wow.

- So you only bid on one thing, did you?

(all laughing) That's not too bad actually, but we'll try and get up a little bit more I think.

- [David] Ah, okay.

- Got our work cut out here today, I think.

- I can see that.

That's quite a lot of money.

I'm quite surprised it made as much as that.

- I think we've done well.

- Could have been more, but it could have been quite a lot less as well, so that was quite a good amount, I think.

- Yes, I think so too.

- [Narrator] The first battle is over the Minton botanical dessert service.

- I absolutely love the Minton dessert service.

I think I'd miss it if it went.

I do like that one.

- Beautifully painted.

I love the piercings in the plates.

- I really like this.

I have a customer who I know will buy it from me.

- It is fabulous.

It's wonderful, wonderful quality.

- I love Minton.

I went through a bit of a phase of collecting Minton and I had, not hundreds of bits, but I had a couple of dozen bits and I tried to go for quality.

It just jumped out, the quality of the gilding in particular was very good.

And again, the quality of the butterflies and the bees and there's a foliage on there, just stood out to be a little bit better than the average.

- But should we see where the money's going on this one?

- Yeah.

- Shall I go first?

My offer for your very pretty service is 175.

- Oh dear.

- Yeah, you see, I think any of our bids, I have to say you're gonna be a bit disappointed.

- [David] We're gonna hear, "Oh dear" again.

- But we'll try.

Mine is 275.

- Better.

It's still, hmm.

- You know what I'm gonna say, save the best to last.

I really like this, £410.

It really is not the best time in the world for it at the moment, so... - Right.

- Anyway, that's where I am.

I dunno if anyone wants to increase that?

- Well I'm struggling with them and I think that's a smashing bid, I have to say and I'm not going to try and better it.

- Nope, I'm out.

- Would you like to increase that please, Simon?

- No.

I think that's a bid to buy it.

I saw it and I'd like to buy it for £410.

- Why don't you have a look and see what the valuation is.

- Good idea.

(suspenseful instrumental music) - [Narrator] You might want it for £410, Simon, but you'll have to do better to tempt Ian.

- You are quite a lot less than the... - Well he hasn't gotta put his hand in his pocket, as he?

Now, two things.

One, if you sold it in auction and it made the lower amount, the time you knock your fees off, you would be looking at less than this.

- Right.

- But in the interest of me buying it and you being happy, would you take £450 for it?

(suspenseful instrumental music continues) - It's up to you.

- No, I think I'll hold onto it and hope the market maybe picks up.

- Would you take £460 for it?

- No.

- Would you take £500 for it?

(suspenseful music continues) - No.

- How much did you pay?

- I think I paid 520 hammer price, so with fees, probably about £700.

- £550 and that's it.

It's a strong bid, Ian.

- I do trust you, Simon.

- Sorry.

- I'll be looking on your website to see what you charge for it, but go on.

- Sold, thank you very much indeed.

- I was hoping, I think probably in all honesty for more, but it's again, it's probably my money back at least, which is a good thing.

- I'm really happy.

It's a very, very nice dessert service.

You know what, Ian?

I'd have given a little bit more if I'd had to.

- [Narrator] The next battle was over the 18th century pearlware figure of Diana the Huntress.

- The crescent moon above her head, but it always looks like a banana on top of her head to me.

So it makes me smile when I look at it.

- [Narrator] So would anyone slip up here?

The initial bids weren't to Ian's taste.

- 65 Quid.

He recoiled in horror.

- [David] My offer is £160.

- Better.

- [Karen] 210.

- [Narrator] And David upped the ante, forcing the others out.

- 220, I'll try.

- [Narrator] The secret valuation showed David was on the money, but Ian's an old hand at this game.

- I'm really not willing to pay any more.

- How about 225?

- Oh, I'm not gonna argue over a fiver.

Deal, okay.

Deal done, thank you.

- [Narrator] Ian's definitely not afraid of fronting up for more money.

- Cheeky, wasn't he?

- I think I paid 75 or 80 pounds for it just a few years ago.

So I'm really, really, really happy with that.

- [Narrator] Next is the 19th century naive painting of a cow.

- I love that little painting.

Although it's not the most valuable thing, it's probably my favorite.

- It is speculative and there could be an opportunity to earn a few quid out of this.

- We've seen things like that before on TV go for a lot of money, haven't we?

- Yeah.

- So I thought it was worth the risk.

- [Simon] It's a bit naive, isn't it?

- [David] Yes, it is, certainly.

- It's sort of painted on a dark night when there was- - No moon.

- Shall we show him the money?

- I'm embarrassed almost 'cause I think...

I don't like it as much as... - [Simon] You don't know that yet.

- Well I got that feeling.

£40.

- He doesn't like it.

(all laughing) - Well you know, I know nothing about paintings, but I thought it must be worth £120.

- Going the right way.

- My bid is, oh, 135.

- David, do you wanna come and play?

- No, I'm going to rule myself out.

- See, I know she's very good at these things.

- Well, I'm only £15 more than you.

- Yeah, no, but I mean I sort of jump in on your knowledge a little bit, so I'll go 140.

- That's being very mean, Mr. Schneider.

150.

- I mean it is very speculative, that painting, so I could just imagine taking that to an antique fair.

You know, when they start very early in the morning and it's dark anyway.

People come along and shine a torch.

No, someone come along shy a torch on it.

- [Karen] Selling school, as per Simon.

- Well you taught me everything I know.

£165.

- 170.

- One.

- I'm not gonna allow that bid, sorry.

Put your foot down, Ian.

180.

- She's getting angry now.

- 185.

- What are you doing?

190.

- 195.

- Why?

- I'm just having a bit of fun, really.

- But it's costing me money!

- [Simon] What's the valuation?

- Oh, we've not looked, have we?

We're having too much fun to look.

- [Narrator] Simon's little game has left him bidding way over the top valuation.

Someone's gonna cop this, but who?

(suspenseful music continues) - We're not gonna see that.

We're probably miles over it already.

- I'll tell you one thing.

It's three figures.

- Yeah, £1.50.

Go on Karen.

195.

- No, he needs a lesson.

Dump it on him.

It's yours, Simon, if they'll have you.

- Would you be prepared to take £195 for that painting?

- Would you be prepared to go any higher, Simon?

- Definitely, definitely not.

- Well, in light of this... - Well, it's only a bit over.

195 pounds.

- Thank you very much.

Do you wanna buy it back for 120?

(all laughing) - [Narrator] Simon might regret tangling with Karen.

- Annoyingly, I think he might make a profit.

- I'm happy with it and I'll let you know how I get on, I promise.

- [Narrator] We'll hold you to that, Simon.

Karen then went on a bit of a buying spree, picking up an early 1900s Zsolnay clock for £145, and a Victorian portrait of a gentleman for £175.

But Ian was playing hardball over the Staffordshire figures of Victoria and Prince Albert.

- [Simon] £85.

- Hmm.

Stingy, Simon.

- That's a good name.

- [Karen] Mine's a bit more, 165.

- Karen Dal-meanie, yep.

- Ooh.

(all laughing) - [David] £250.

- Not so Dollar-shy David.

Let's have a look at this, shall we?

- You're really quite excited.

Right at the top end.

- Thank you, David.

Deal done.

Thank you very much.

- Six, seven times what I paid for them.

I was flabbergasted.

- Delirious David, more like.

- [Narrator] Ian's last item is the 19th century portrait of the lady with a dog.

- Oh, this is a very pleasing picture.

Got a bit of quality about it.

Yeah, I like that.

- It's a young lady as opposed to an old lady, which is always more commercial.

And even more commercial, it's got the little dog.

- I really, really like that one, so I think I would have to be offered a lot of money to actually part with that one.

It's one of my favorite things.

I bought that at auction, actually, about two years ago, yeah.

I thought it was really good quality so I had to have it.

- What did you pay for it?

- I'll tell you that later.

- I thought if I'd just slip that in, he might have just answered.

- Good question, Simon.

- I was born 34 years ago, not yesterday.

- [Simon] Well, look, enough of all this.

Will £140 buy it?

- No.

- Right, fair enough.

- That was adamant.

Well, mine's a bit better.

310.

- [David] Mine's a bit similar.

300.

- [Ian] Right.

- You impressed with Karen's bid?

- More than yours, yeah.

- Get in there.

- [David] So, are you gonna come back?

- 320.

No.

He just went no straight away.

- Didn't like your three.

350.

- No.

Getting better, but no.

- Why don't you have a look at the the valuation and just see?

(suspenseful music continues) - [Narrator] Ian's instincts are right.

The dealers can do much better here.

(suspenseful music continues) - Yeah, still a way to go.

- Yep.

And the dog is very cute.

- That's the only reason I bid.

- [David] Yeah, we like dogs.

- It's an expensive dog at the moment.

It's the dog that's doing it for me.

I'll go 370.

- Oh, right.

(suspenseful music continues) - Nice here, isn't it?

(all laughing) - [Narrator] The secret dealers have locked horns with Ian over his favorite painting, a 19th century oil of a lady and a dog.

Karen's in the lead at £370, but there's work to do if they want to seal the deal.

- I mean, I'm not a great buyer of paintings, but it is quite decorative.

Okay, once more, £400.

- Right.

David, Karen, would you like to increase that offer?

- 420.

- Karen?

- Yeah, I just love the dog.

440.

- I think I'm sort of beyond where I'd like to risk any more money, so I'm out.

- David?

- Dog is quite sweet, isn't it?

- [Simon] Very sweet, isn't it?

- [Margaret] And the lace is beautiful.

- [David] The lace, absolutely.

Oh, well, another tenner.

450.

- 460.

- David?

(suspenseful music continues) - 480.

- No, I'm out.

It's not that nice.

- I think it's very nice.

Would you like to go any higher, David?

- No, 480, Margaret, Ian.

- Well the guide price is three to five.

I paid about 290 plus fees, so I will take your money.

Thank you, David.

- We have a deal?

Indeed.

- Fantastic.

Enjoy the dog.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

- I'm glad I bought it.

I'm glad.

I paid a bit more than I wanted to, but I'm glad I've got it.

- [Ian] It's still a profit for me so I'm quite happy, I suppose.

- Yeah, but I'll miss it.

- [Narrator] The dealers know they've been in a fight today.

So how much money has Ian prised from their pockets?

- All that's left to say is, here is today's spend of £3,425.

- Wow.

- You can come again.

I'll take it back.

(all laughing) - Brilliant.

That's fantastic, isn't it?

- It is.

- Thank you very much.

- [Narrator] Finally, Margaret can wave goodbye to some of Ian's collections.

So what's happening with the money?

- Auction houses, here we come.

Yay!

- I think I deserve a few of those.

- Hey, I don't think so.

- [Narrator] Stingy Simon had a tough time in the last house, so can he do better this time?

- A lot of these homeowners, I reckon they're all secret poker players.

They give nothing away.

- [Narrator] This time, he's battling Christopher... - I'm a gambler.

I like to speculate.

- [Narrator] And Mark.

- I love jewelry, silver, watches and if I see something that I really like, I will always try and buy it.

- [Narrator] If you thought Ian cuts a good deal, wait 'till you see retired ships captain Dmitri in action.

His collection is gathered from all over the world.

- When I was in Iran, working there, I noticed that they have some beautiful cigarette boxes.

So I try to have a collection.

I know about quality in silver because all my life I was collecting silver.

- [Narrator] Alongside the cigarette boxes is a pair of Persian silver pheasants.

And the dealers will also like his collection of gold watches.

- I collect them watches, but it seems that I have more than enough at the moment.

- Let's get in, let's get in.

- It's quite an interesting house.

There's certainly a mixture of things here.

Big elephant smoking a pipe as elephants often do.

- [Narrator] Mark is a regular gold dealer, so is he excited by this Raymond Weil quartz watch?

- This watch is actually made up 18 carat gold electroplate.

But when we look further, the strap has nothing to do with the head.

And if I turn this over, there is the mark 750 for 18 carat.

Do I wanna buy it?

The answer is yes because that strap has a gold content which has a good value.

That is not a bad bid.

- [Narrator] The others will have a fight on their hands today.

If Mark's all over the gold, Simon's heading for the silver and the pair of Persian pheasants.

- Now, English versions of these are highly collectible at the moment.

And even the ones made in the sort of sixties and seventies, 1960s and '70s, English ones are making very good money.

And the Victorian ones, well, they're really on fire at the moment, but they're not the same sort of quality as the English ones.

But there would be a market for them.

Definitely.

I'll stick that bid there.

- [Narrator] Will the two birds go cheap?

I'll get me coat.

Christopher has found an 18 carat gold Gucci wristwatch with a 9 carat strap.

- This nine carat gold and it's quite showy.

That is not a watch that an Englishman would wear.

That's the watch of a continental European.

- [Narrator] Elementary, my dear Christopher.

Shame he didn't spot the 18 carat gold watch case.

Oops.

Mark's discovered Dmitri's collection of Persian silver boxes.

- Are they silver or aren't they silver?

Because a lot of these can be made in base metal or very, very low grade silver.

There is no real system over there.

Is it 800 quality?

Is it 900 quality?

Very hard.

This is a gamble.

- [Narrator] The dealers will need all their experience to price these right.

There are pitfalls waiting everywhere for the unwary dealer.

Will Simon spot the 18 carat case on the gold watch?

- This would've been an expensive thing to buy because of the brand name Gucci.

It's on a nine carat gold bracelet.

I'm not sure that strap actually started off life on this watch to be perfectly honest.

But still, I don't think the actual watch itself is gold either.

I'll take a chance.

- [Narrator] Simon didn't spot the 18 carat case either.

Christopher has contra set connections.

What will he make of the pair of silver pheasants?

- Should I tell you where I see those?

On a dining room table, crisp white linen tablecloth, and these birds just peeking out from behind the water jug or something.

They're great fun and I am not going to let these be bought for the scrap.

Thank you Christopher.

Save us, save us!

- [Narrator] Is Christopher losing the plot?

- I lost the plot a long time ago.

- [Narrator] Well, that clears that up.

Now Mark's taking a look at that gold watch.

Surely he'll spot that 18 carat case.

- It's 18 carat.

- [Narrator] See?

Told ya.

- When we come to the strap itself, this strap is 9 carat gold.

It's nothing to do with the head whatsoever.

But this has been put onto that.

- [Narrator] Looks like Mark's the only one to spot its true worth.

- Now, here we go.

- [Narrator] In the next bedroom, Christopher's found the other gold plated watch with the 18 carat strap.

- It's so disappointing.

It is a quartz movement, battery driven watch.

So it hasn't got a Swiss watchmaker's movement in it.

Some would say it's not a watch.

A value of that piece in between is virtually none.

- [Narrator] So that's two bids down on the plated watch.

There's a real mixed bag of items to bid on in this house.

- Right, what have we got in here?

- [Narrator] What will Mark make of the Persian silver pheasants?

- These have got a bit of age to 'em.

Unlike the boxes, I think these are slightly older.

They look like the first quarter of the 20th century.

They're actually quite decorative.

I think those, I really ought to make a bid before they fly away.

Ooh.

Oh, that's terrible.

- [Narrator] You said it.

That's quite enough bird gags for one day.

Time is flying by now.

Oops.

And upstairs, Simon's casting his eye over the gold plated watch.

- I'm struggling to find a hallmark on it.

Oh, hang on.

I found a hallmark.

Nice clear one.

And it's 18 carat.

But the gamble on this is to work out what that watch weighs in the middle because that's not gold.

A little bit of mental arithmetic.

- [Narrator] Maths was taught differently in Simon's day.

- [Simon] Okay, so that's my bid on that.

- [Narrator] That's all three dealers in for the watch.

Time is almost up, and Christopher's rushing to get his bid on the three Persian silver boxes.

- This is gonna be really scientific.

My bid is gonna be...

I've actually worked about 28% for below scrap value.

- [Narrator] That's how you do math, Simon.

Calm and calculated.

So what figure will Simon reckon the silver boxes are worth?

- I can become the biggest dealer in Britain for Persian silver boxes today if I play my cards right.

Do I wanna become the biggest dealer in Britain for Persian... Oh, come on.

It's only money.

- [Narrator] Time is finally up and with all the precious metal up for grabs, this house has really played into Mark's hands.

- With Mark, there's gonna be competition on anything he thinks he can earn a few quid on.

Let's be honest, the man wants to earn money.

- Good day for me.

I'm happy.

- [Narrator] The secret dealers have placed their bids on the best of Dmitri's international collection.

- This house has been lived in by somebody who's traveled.

- Gold watches, silver boxes.

We're gonna have a good day today.

- There's a few things I wouldn't mind owning.

- [Narrator] They got most excited about the pair of Persian silver pheasants.

- They're a saleable object.

They're quite wanted.

- So I'm gonna have a good old crack at these.

- [Narrator] But the dealers won't have it all their own way.

Dmitri spent years battering in the Middle Eastern market.

He's an expert haggler.

- Well, you know, the Greeks are good traders.

If it is the correct price, yes, I would've love to sell them.

Otherwise I'll keep them in my stock.

- [Narrator] So how much of the dealer's cash is on the table?

- Dmitri, if you would accept our highest bids, we could be spending this amount of money with you today.

- Oh, 3050.

That's all?

- Oh.

- Oh dear.

Dmitri, something tells me you play poker.

- Yes I do.

- [Christopher] Something tells me you play poker quite well.

- Oh yes.

- [Narrator] The dealers will be lucky if that's all they spend today.

- He's a very good bluffer.

And you've gotta know when he's bluffing or when he is talking for real.

- [Narrator] The first battle is over the 18 carat gold watch and 9 carat strap.

Only Mark spotted the gold content.

- Don't think the watch is gold, but the strap is.

- Big brassy watch.

I'll be having a go at this.

- It's got an 18 carat gold head.

They think it's plate.

It's 18 carat.

- I'll tell you what I thought when I saw this, I thought of Aristotle Onassis.

And looking at you, I'm still thinking Aristotle Onassis - You have a fantastic- - Imagination.

- Imagination.

- He's trying to flatter you.

That's what he's trying to do.

- [Christopher] And succeeding.

- Well, let me say mine.

Come on.

Let's get to the to the business end.

240.

- [Christopher] Right, straight in, 280.

- Straight in, 300.

- [Christopher] There you go.

- [Simon] 310.

- [Christopher] 320.

- That was a bit quick, Dmitri, wasn't it?

Knocked me off my feet.

Go on Dmitri, in you go.

- [Narrator] The quick fire bidding hasn't gone nearly high enough, and Mark knows it.

- 330.

- £340.

- 350.

- 360.

- Simon?

- Go on, I'll try a little bit better.

370.

- [Christopher] 380.

- 390.

- Simon?

- Go on, it's 400.

- [Christopher] 420.

- 430.

- 435.

- 450.

- He obviously wants a gold watch.

Maybe he's gonna retire.

- 455.

- No, I'm out.

I think that's enough.

- 460.

- 465.

- 470.

- 475.

- 500.

- And five.

- 520.

- And five.

- 550.

- 600.

- I think that's enough for me.

- Sure?

- Yeah.

- Make it 650 and you have a deal.

- Dmitri!

- You have a bargain there.

I can assure you.

- Dmitri, you fired an arrow through my heart.

- Yeah.

- You know I want this watch.

Give me your hand, we got a deal.

Thank you very much.

- [Narrator] A good end prize, but opening at £300, Mark?

Shame on you.

- Listen, in life, God loves a trier.

And I'll always try.

- I thought it was going to be more than £1,000.

But anyway, a deal is a deal.

- [Narrator] The next items are the three Persian silver engraved boxes.

Opinion is split on their value.

- These are really objet d'art, as we call it.

It's very, very well done.

- But they're Persian silver boxes, at the end of the day.

- I quite like these boxes.

They're not bad quality, but I'm certainly gonna reckon them more than their silver value.

- I don't think they're that saleable.

But you know, each to his own opinion, we'll have to see.

- Dmitri, my dear old uncle worked in Tehran himself for some years and he was always bringing these boxes back without necessarily saying that they were very valuable.

Are you going to tell me these are very valuable?

- Very valuable indeed.

- I thought you might.

Yes, I thought so.

- I'm not here to give it to you as a present.

You have to pay if you like them.

- What do you actually want for these then?

How much is gonna buy 'em?

- £5,000.

- Dmitri, thank you very much for inviting us today.

- I don't think I've bid that much.

- No I haven't.

But I will tell you how much I've bid.

£303.

- £470.

- For the three?

- For the three.

- Hmm.

Well, what am I, 320 for the three.

- I have to say, I haven't got the market for it, so I'm just gonna shut up and rule myself out.

- Hmm.

I'm gonna have a little, little punt of 480.

- 490.

- I will bid 500, but I'm flagging it up.

That's my last bid.

- 510 quid.

- I think it's for you and Mark to decide whether you're gonna have a deal.

- [Narrator] Some way to go if Mark's gonna buy these.

Let the haggling commence.

- We are talking about £800, not less than that.

- And you know I would love to have a deal.

I just don't think we're gonna get there.

- I tell you my last.

650, and this is the final.

Mark, for you.

Special price.

- Dmitri.

I'm gonna say one thing.

£600.

Think about it.

Don't say yes.

Don't say no.

You've got five seconds.

One, two, three, four, five.

Have we got a deal?

Thank you, Dmitri, we've got a deal.

Thank you.

- [Narrator] Nothing is going easily today.

- I thought I was in a play called "Oliver Twist".

More and more.

- I'm very happy.

I made about six or seven times profit out of when I bought them.

- [Narrator] Mark also bought another of Dmitri's nine carat gold watches for £420.

And Christopher snapped up a gold plated Cartier ballpoint pen for £220.

And there was yet more gold up for grabs with the plated watch and 18 carat strap.

- Dmitri, for your watch, £460.

- [Mark] £550.

- [Christopher] Oh, there's gonna be tears when you see mine.

I'm bidding at £260.

- [Narrator] Mark knows his gold.

A good bid, but not good enough for Dmitri.

- The way to say it, £800.

- But it's not me, Dmitri.

I honestly... Trust, I've calculated it.

I'll give you 600 quid for it.

Let a man try and get a little profit.

- Make it 650 and we'll have a deal.

- But £50 could be my profit.

Seriously.

Give me your hand, 600.

Come on, Dmitri.

Thank you very much, we got a deal.

He wants every penny and a bit more.

- [Narrator] Today's final battle is for the Persian silver pheasants.

Who will fly off home with these?

- I bought them 25 years ago and I like them very much.

- They're far more valuable than the silver content.

- There's a chance here of a profit.

People like pheasants.

- They're probably the item that I would like most to buy in the whole house.

Well, I think we all like these.

So I suggest we see where the money is.

- Yep.

- And I'm happy to go first.

I think they're worth £185 for the pair.

- £200 for the pair.

- Well, you know, we're all there or thereabouts because I've got £170 for them.

But I'll tell you what, £210.

'Cause they are nice.

- I'm going to check my valuation.

- [Narrator] Marks in front, but I don't have to tell you what Dmitri thinks of his bid.

- This price that you have is maybe each one, not for both.

- Dmitri.

He does play poker.

You can tell, can't you?

- He's a good poker player, I can see.

I would like to give you £225.

- Next.

We are still very low.

- In your opinion.

Maybe not in in my opinion.

- But I am the correct one.

For start, I think it's okay.

- Dmitri, 270.

- [Simon] £290.

- 310.

- [Christopher] 335, Dmitri.

- £350.

- 360.

Think we've gone the full circle.

We now doubled the original bids.

- If you've got a retail customer in the right frame of mind, they'd probably pay more than 370 for them.

So that's my bid.

- 375.

- [Mark] 380.

- [Christopher] 390.

- [Simon] 400.

- Dmitri.

In the words of the very, very profound man, I'm out.

- You dunno what you are losing.

- It's called a profit.

- I'm out as well, Dmitri.

- Dmitri, £400.

I'd much rather pay you the 185, but that's history now.

£400 for the two pheasants.

Can we have a deal?

- Deal.

- [Simon] Shake my hand.

Thank you very much, sir.

You are a very, very good bargainer.

- [Narrator] I get the feeling Dmitri's made a killing on these.

- Very happy because I bought them in Tehran about $45.

- [Narrator] That's around a 1500% profit.

He's good, isn't he?

Dmitri pushed the dealers hard today.

So how much of their money has he taken?

- Do you know how much we spent?

- How much?

- £2,890.

There you are, my friend.

- Thank you very much.

I'm very happy and we experience will we make?

- Don't put that money away.

- Straight in the pocket!

We're gonna have a little game of poker.

- Anytime, sir.

Anytime.

- [Narrator] So what's Dmitri gonna do with his hard earned cash?

- I'm going, first of all, to a pub, have couple of pints and then a very expensive restaurant.

And if there is anything left, I'll buy a new watch.

- [Narrator] So have any of our dealers done well enough to splash out like Dmitri?

David had a hard time haggling with Ian.

- How about 225?

- Cheeky wasn't he?

- [Narrator] But it was worth that extra fiver for the pearlware figure of Diana the Huntress.

It sold for £250.

And as for the Staffordshire figures of Victoria and Prince Albert... - [David] £250.

- Not so dollar-shy David.

- Delirious David more like.

- [Narrator] Karen could be right, they're yet to sell.

But the Victorian portrait did sell.

How much was that doggy in the painting?

£550.

- I'm glad I bought it.

- [Narrator] It certainly wasn't Simon's day today.

Even he knew he probably paid too much for that cow painting.

- Do you wanna bite back for 120?

- [Narrator] But Karen didn't take pity on him and nor has anyone else yet.

But he was very confident about the Minton dessert service.

- I have a customer who I know will buy it from me.

- [Narrator] So where's that buyer, Simon?

But after going all guns blazing to buy the Persian silver pheasants... - Deal.

- [Narrator] He made his only profit of the day.

20 quid.

- Oh well, there's always next time.

- [Narrator] So did Mark manage to get the better of Dmitri today?

Not with the Persian silver boxes he hasn't.

- Oh, let me earn a profit, please.

- [Narrator] Mark did scrap the gold strap on the Gucci watch, but he hasn't sold the 18 carat head yet.

- Please let me earn a profit.

- [Narrator] But at least he managed to make a healthy profit on the Raymond Weil watch.

- There was only one winner and you know who he was.

- I think the best dealer today was the homeowner.

(Dmitri laughing) (upbeat music) (upbeat music continues)