Ben Cooper had a tough time on Bargain Hunt this week after his team turned down his bonus buy.
The expert was paired with blue team contestants Elaine and Rachel for a classic day of buying, bartering and bidding.
The trio first tackled presenter Roo Irvine’s challenge – to find something connected to the outdoors. They went for an early 20th-century car lamp priced at £25.
A strong start at auction
Next up was an Art Deco mantel clock, bought for £54. Their final purchase was the most expensive – a 1960s Moorcroft vase at £130.
The auction started well. Their first item made a £30 profit, selling for £55. The clock didn’t do as well, selling for £45 – a £9 loss. But they were still up by £21.
That changed when the vase brought in just £90. Their total dropped to a loss of £19.
Enter the bonus buy
© BBCBen had one last trick up his sleeve – a Royal Worcester jug that he bought for £29.
If it sold well, it could still bring the team back into profit. But the contestants weren’t convinced.
Rachel said: “I’m going to say no. What do you think? You’re the oldest, you make the final decision.”
Elaine replied: “Let’s go no. I’m sorry, Ben.”
Rachel added: “Sorry. It was lovely though.”
Ben kept it simple: “It’s alright.”
The jug later sold for £35, making a £6 profit. That would have helped the team reduce their loss. After the auction, Rachel joked: “You smug sausage.”
The red team’s results
© BBCMeanwhile, the red team had their own challenge. They needed to find something linked to entertainment.
They went for a post-war Tri-ang baby walker at £28, a set of wooden index drawers at £75, and a 19th-century bottle for £29.
At auction, things didn’t go to plan. They ended up with a loss of £22.
Their expert, Philip Serrell, brought along a mid-20th-century pin dish as his bonus buy. He paid £39. It sold for £30 – a £9 loss.
A reminder to trust the experts
© BBCIt was a tough day for both teams. But Ben’s blunt two-word reply may have said it all.
His bonus buy outperformed two of the blue team’s own items – and could have helped ease their final result. Whether they’ll regret that decision remains to be seen.
But next time, they might think twice before rejecting the expert’s advice.
