23/06/2024 Support-Team Auktionen
Bags that are not returned to their owners after a three-month search by the airlines are considered unclaimed and end up in the hands of the customs office. But what happens to the suitcases before they end up in the hands of the auctioneer? After a waiting period of around three months, the suitcases are inspected, sorted and finally released for auction
In this article, you will learn all about the exciting journey of the suitcases from the airport to the auction and how you can bid successfully at such an auction.
A suitcase auction is a special type of auction in which lost or unclaimed luggage is auctioned off. These pieces of luggage, which have not been collected by their owners after a three-month waiting period, are treated as lost property and are finally put up for auction. The auctioneer presents the suitcases without any information about their contents, which makes the auctions particularly exciting.
Interested parties can bid at such suitcase auctions, placing their bids by raising their bidding card. The highest bid wins the auction and the winner can take the piece of luggage with them in cash against payment of the amount bid and the applicable VAT and auction fees.
This type of auction attracts bargain hunters hoping to find valuable items such as laptops, branded suitcases or other personal possessions. However, the risk that the contents of the suitcase will not meet expectations remains an essential part of the appeal of such auctions.
In recent years, these auctions have increasingly taken place online, allowing for wider participation. Online platforms offer the opportunity to bid and place the highest bid from the comfort of your own home, making it even easier to access these exciting auctions.
Before suitcases are auctioned, they go through a clearly structured process. First, the airlines try to identify the owners of the luggage. This process usually takes around three months. During this time, the suitcases are stored in a central warehouse and regularly inspected.
Baggage that still remains unclaimed after this waiting period is forwarded to specialized facilities such as the Unclaimed Baggage Center. There they are carefully inspected. First, the suitcases are checked for dangerous or illegal contents to ensure that nothing dangerous is being auctioned. Wet and perishable contents are removed, as are prohibited items such as weapons or illegal substances.
Following the security check, the suitcases are sorted by category. Clothing is cleaned, electronic devices are checked for personal data and deleted if necessary. Valuable items such as jewelry are assessed and authenticated. The suitcases and their contents are then prepared for auction, where they are either sold directly to auction houses or auctioned via online platforms.
The comprehensive process ensures that all auctioned luggage is safe and in the best possible condition, while maintaining the excitement and surprise effect for bidders.
An airport baggage auction offers an exciting opportunity to bid on lost or unclaimed baggage. The process typically begins with bidders registering and receiving a bidder number. These auctions take place either directly at the airport or at a nearby auction house.
The auctioneer presents the suitcases one by one without the bidders being able to see the contents beforehand. This increases the tension. The auction starts with a minimum bid. The participants place their bids by raising their bidding numbers. The person with the highest bid wins the auction and can take the suitcase after paying the bid price and any fees. Payment is usually made in cash.
In recent years, suitcase auctions have also increasingly shifted to the internet. Online platforms offer the opportunity to bid from the comfort of your own home. These online auctions follow a similar process to physical auctions: The cases are presented online and bidders place their bids digitally. The winning bid is also made online, and the winning luggage can either be picked up or shipped for an additional fee.
The combination of the possibility of finding valuable items and the excitement of not knowing what is in the suitcase makes these auctions particularly appealing. Whether directly at the airport or online, suitcase auctions offer a unique experience for bargain hunters and adventurers alike.
A suitcase auction begins with the registration of the bidders, who receive a bidder number. The auctioneer presents the suitcases one after the other and the bidders place their bids. The highest bidder wins the auction and must pay the amount in cash immediately. The suitcases can be purchased either on site or online.
Suitcase auctions are held at most major airports in Germany, including Munich Airport. The exact dates for the suitcase auctions are published by the respective airports and should be researched in advance.
Illegal items, such as weapons or drugs, are removed before the auction and handed over to the relevant authorities. Wet or perishable food and dirty laundry are also removed to ensure that no one is harmed.
As a rule, cash payment is possible at suitcase auctions. The auctioned suitcase must be paid for and collected immediately after the auction.
After the three-month storage period has expired, the airport automatically acquires ownership of the abandoned suitcases. These are then released for auction. The original owner no longer has any legal claim to the luggage after this period has expired.
Due to the airport's own liability and warranty conditions, complaints and exchanges are usually excluded. It is recommended that you keep a cool head and have realistic expectations
It is advisable to prepare well and take a look at the suitcases to better assess the condition of the luggage. You should also set a fixed budget and stick to it to avoid getting into a bidding frenzy.
Luggage auctions are a fascinating opportunity to bid for lost or unclaimed suitcases. Participants have the chance to find valuable and interesting items. While cash is certainly not included in the auctioned suitcases, the contents of the suitcases remain a mystery until the winning bid is made, which adds to the excitement and appeal of these auctions. With the right preparation and a clear budget, you can enjoy the unique atmosphere of a suitcase auction and potentially discover some real treasures.
Case auctions not only offer excitement and surprise, but also a sustainable opportunity to put found items to new use