Auctions : Christmas on the block

Whether voucher, a kitchen mixer or wool socks: One of those classic finds, on Christmas eve, under almost every Christmas tree. Just stupid, that, of all things, the obvious things are to be elected in polls regularly to the most unpopular gifts. Creativity must be at the mess not at all difficult: anyone Who wants to for his sweetheart something Exclusive, which could strike on auctions. Because there are many a unique price can be lucky to get hold of – and at a bargain.

Wide selection of lost property

That, for example, in the case of the Deutsche Bahn. Every Thursday, the group auctioned off in Wuppertal, anything to let passengers in the trains. Per year, train employees, around a quarter of a million items. More than half goes back to the original owner. In the case of valuable things like laptops, there are even 90 percent. The Rest will come but, if after three months nobody has reported, under the Hammer.

The choice is huge: cameras, Skateboards, Designer handbags or bracelets are often among the auction pieces. Popular of left travel are also auctions suitcases. Whether it gets printed in a high-quality evening wear or underwear, will be a Surprise. Many a case is going away for 60 Euro for other participants to shell out even 200 euros. That depends on whether the auctioneer gives a hint of what treasures might be hiding in the suitcases. Also a whole assortment of stuffed animals, the train, to the suffering of the little train that found their Teddy ever again. to auction

Federal cross of merit

What passengers so everything is forgotten in the compartment, it is astonishing that the railway employees themselves sometimes: It's breast implants were already on the auction table, a prosthetic leg, or a Stradivarius violin. Models of this kind are among the most expensive instruments in the world. And if you are lucky, the may even become the carrier of the Federal cross of merit, at least unofficially. Because even a merit to lie in a more relaxed order has changed the owner, reported to the rail. No matter how special the items were: get Rid of the car is, sooner or later, everything said in the group.

if you expect only professional bargain hunters, is wrong. Fun bidders, friend-cliques and families to pull the auctions. "Some of them offer quite eagerly, while others are more cautious," said a railway spokesman. Some to beat again. Between 50 and 70 bidders take part in the rule, and occasionally even 300.

In the Central lost property office in Wuppertal, 1300 square meters in size, to store the lost treasures in high metal shelves in a well-stocked Department store. 14 people are employed here. The value or the authenticity of such pieces of jewelry determine add to experts. The next auction takes place on the Thursday before Christmas eve. Regularly the web auctions your lost things, but also in train in other stations of major cities, most recently in Düsseldorf.

authorities operate Online auction platform

to Whom the time for visiting an auction in Wuppertal is missing, you can participate in Online auctions, such as "zoll-auktion.de". The operator of the virtual auction house the Federal government, the Länder and the local authorities. There is no longer a commandment, what authorities or customs in the Finger gets – from watches, model Railways, to Antiques, such as a 100-year-old button accordion. The starting price for the Instrument is 100 Euro.

Also in fine spirits and wines are regularly found on the Portal. Recently, a Whiskey-lover bought a bottle of Macallan Scotch from the year 1976, which had seized the main customs office in Rosenheim. The contract there was for 1650 Euro. In addition, customs auction, but also offers a wide range of much lower drop. "Here is always to make a bargain," says Michael Bender from the competent main customs office in Gießen.

Almost 5000 local authorities and communities, you start per month, a total of around 4000 auctions. In the state's coffers with around 86 million euros have been invested in the past year. A considerable part of this made vehicles. The customs sold on the platform seized Cars, the authorities decommissioned cars from your fleet.

Who wants to make his adult grandchild so with great pleasure, may here find a small runabout. And also for people with special preferences, there is something to that old prison buses or fire trucks of the fire brigade are available for bid. 1000 Euro is it. The only drawback: From a quick blue light trip through the city of nothing is probably. In order to get on the road, must be removed the theft alarm system in General.

beginners should watch

In the case of vehicles should be bidder, but your aware of the risk, says the ADAC, because in the case of public auctions, the liability for defects can be excluded. Thus, a fill car differs from the car of a used car dealer. This does not exclude the liability. "You bought the proverbial cat in the bag", the ADAC to consider. In addition, should take a beginner from the sophisticated strategies of the professionals in Eight. "Professional bidders participate often is difficult to define as Exotic, then, to actually make a bargain," said an ADAC spokesman. Added to this is that government vehicles have often already reached the limit of the vehicle's life. "It is so difficult to land an actual hit."

Who for his loved one but nothing is too expensive, could buy a castle, an island or a whole village. The Berlin-based auction house Karhausen is known for a curious real estate, in the past year, the auction for the Christmas season, the Brandenburg's 15-souls-the-spot Alwine. For Modest, Karhausen also has a small forest and meadow pieces or garden plots in the offer.

trade with parts of the listed building are offered on The Internet stages of the state Opera for 75 Euro

missed The last auction before Christmas desperate gift finder, however. The next property will come here again in March next year under the Hammer. How about a gift certificate for the next auction?