Would you buy someone’s lost baggage? Sydney Airport launches online auction
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Have you been looking for an air fryer? Maybe a camera or a new laptop? Well, now you can get one at Sydney Airport (well, not actually at the airport)!
We know this sounds bizarre, but we’re not kidding.
Thousands of unclaimed items that were left behind at the airport are being put up for auction, and Aussies have been encouraged to start placing their bids online as soon as possible.
One frequent flyer’s loss is another bargain hunter’s dream when Sydney Airport’s Lost Property Auction returns. This comes after a two-year break because of the pandemic.
More than 3000 unclaimed items have been put up for sale and the public has a week to place their bids online. All proceeds are donated to charity.
According to Sydney Airport’s website, the auction will run online from Sunday, 5 February to Sunday, 12 February, with bids starting at $5.
The lost property auctions have raised over $1.4 million for charity since 2013, and the money raised during this year’s auction will be donated to Bayside Women’s Shelter. It is an organisation based in South East Sydney dedicated to responding to women and families in crisis, and working with the community towards education and prevention of domestic and family violence.
‘Not only is this auction a great chance for shoppers to grab a bargain, but it’s also a wonderful way to support an organisation that’s making a meaningful difference in the community,’ the website said.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: ‘There is a treasure trove of goods to pick from, including laptops, cameras, bags, perfume, and it wouldn’t be a post-pandemic auction without an air fryer.’
He said that they also have unique items, like a hedge trimmer, circular saw, and sun lounge. ‘Although we’re still scratching our heads wondering how that ended up at the airport,’ the CEO added. Honestly, we’re baffled as well.
There’s even a classical violin up for grabs, as well as a record player, a dozen Bluetooth speakers, and a 50th-anniversary edition of Abbey Road on vinyl.
A statement from the airport said that last year, more than 4,000 items were returned to passengers. But the remaining unclaimed property is donated to local charities or repurposed in Sydney Airport’s Lost Property Auction.
‘With millions of people coming through the terminals each month, unfortunately, things do get left behind and Sydney Airport has a dedicated team working hard to reunite lost property with travellers.’
Bayside Women’s Shelter General Manager Sallianne Faulkner said that they were ‘delighted and grateful’ to be the beneficiary of the auction this year.
‘We will use the proceeds to develop and fund a new social enterprise hub, working together with our community toward breaking the cycle of domestic and family violence,’ she stated.
Ms Faulkner said that the organisation’s vision is to create a sustainable hub where survivors can ‘begin to rebuild their lives’ by learning and growing in the safety of their community.
‘Sydney Airport’s ongoing support will allow us to open a community hub including a café, which will provide women with skills development, training and paid work to help set them up for the future.’
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers is hosting this year’s auction. According to their website, they’re offering four themed auctions, and each one is timed online. Within each auction, the bidding on the first lot closes at the published closing time, and the subsequent lots close 30 seconds apart.
James Badgery, the Director of Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, predicted that the technology-themed auction will be a hit ‘with over 120 laptops, 60 headphones, and more than a dozen cameras available’.
If you’re interested in the auction, you can find the catalogue (separated into four themes) below:
Well, members, what are your thoughts on this? Will you be taking part in the auction? Let us know in the comments section!
We know this sounds bizarre, but we’re not kidding.
Thousands of unclaimed items that were left behind at the airport are being put up for auction, and Aussies have been encouraged to start placing their bids online as soon as possible.
One frequent flyer’s loss is another bargain hunter’s dream when Sydney Airport’s Lost Property Auction returns. This comes after a two-year break because of the pandemic.
More than 3000 unclaimed items have been put up for sale and the public has a week to place their bids online. All proceeds are donated to charity.
Who travels with an air fryer? Credit: Kmart Australia
According to Sydney Airport’s website, the auction will run online from Sunday, 5 February to Sunday, 12 February, with bids starting at $5.
The lost property auctions have raised over $1.4 million for charity since 2013, and the money raised during this year’s auction will be donated to Bayside Women’s Shelter. It is an organisation based in South East Sydney dedicated to responding to women and families in crisis, and working with the community towards education and prevention of domestic and family violence.
‘Not only is this auction a great chance for shoppers to grab a bargain, but it’s also a wonderful way to support an organisation that’s making a meaningful difference in the community,’ the website said.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: ‘There is a treasure trove of goods to pick from, including laptops, cameras, bags, perfume, and it wouldn’t be a post-pandemic auction without an air fryer.’
He said that they also have unique items, like a hedge trimmer, circular saw, and sun lounge. ‘Although we’re still scratching our heads wondering how that ended up at the airport,’ the CEO added. Honestly, we’re baffled as well.
You can even bid on lost jewellery at the auction. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels
A statement from the airport said that last year, more than 4,000 items were returned to passengers. But the remaining unclaimed property is donated to local charities or repurposed in Sydney Airport’s Lost Property Auction.
‘With millions of people coming through the terminals each month, unfortunately, things do get left behind and Sydney Airport has a dedicated team working hard to reunite lost property with travellers.’
Bayside Women’s Shelter General Manager Sallianne Faulkner said that they were ‘delighted and grateful’ to be the beneficiary of the auction this year.
‘We will use the proceeds to develop and fund a new social enterprise hub, working together with our community toward breaking the cycle of domestic and family violence,’ she stated.
Here are the items up for grabs. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club
Ms Faulkner said that the organisation’s vision is to create a sustainable hub where survivors can ‘begin to rebuild their lives’ by learning and growing in the safety of their community.
‘Sydney Airport’s ongoing support will allow us to open a community hub including a café, which will provide women with skills development, training and paid work to help set them up for the future.’
The café will help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives again. Credit: Lisa Fotios/Pexels
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers is hosting this year’s auction. According to their website, they’re offering four themed auctions, and each one is timed online. Within each auction, the bidding on the first lot closes at the published closing time, and the subsequent lots close 30 seconds apart.
James Badgery, the Director of Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, predicted that the technology-themed auction will be a hit ‘with over 120 laptops, 60 headphones, and more than a dozen cameras available’.
If you’re interested in the auction, you can find the catalogue (separated into four themes) below:
- Technology, cameras, and gaming items can be found here. Bidding will close at 11 am on Saturday, 11 February.
- Handbags, sunglasses, and clothing items can be found on this link. Bidding will close at 2 pm on Saturday, 11 February.
- Jewellery and watches can be found on this link. Bidding will close at 11 am on Sunday, 12 February.
- Beauty, alcohol, art, and homewares can be found here. Bidding will close at 2 pm on Sunday, 12 February.
- 120+ laptops
- 60+ headphones
- 20+ phones and tablets
- 16 cameras
- 15 Bluetooth speakers
- 140+ jewellery items
- 40+ bottles of wine/spirits
- 60+ sunglasses and glasses
- 50+ handbags, backpacks and wallets
- A hedge trimmer
- A Makita circular saw
- A violin
- An air fryer
- A record player
- 50th-anniversary edition of Abbey Road on vinyl
- An outdoor sun lounge
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