Expected auction boost thanks to Heathrow Terminal 5

Greasby's Auction rooms in Tooting,  auction lost luggage.

If luggage cannot be re-united with passengers after a set length of time, it is released to the auction house for clearance.

Following the troubles at Heathrow Terminal 5, there could be a higher number of luggage items than normal.  Greasbys usually deal with around 300 bags per week and could be facing more than normal.

The auctions are run on a "per case" basis.  All luggage has been opened and expensive electrical items are removed to be auctioned separately.  All other items are returned to the bag.

Bidders on the luggage have no idea what is actually inside and its seen almost as a lucky dip.  Some bidders have been fortunate and obtained suitcases with designer clothes inside, whereas others have just received someone's dirty clothes and underwear.

Some bidders are literally there to obtain a cheap, good quality suitcase for traveling, with the contents often ending up on Ebay.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stipulates that airlines must spend 100 days trying to reunite lost bags with their owners before selling them off.

British Airways still has some time before the time limit to return the remaining bags.  British Airways are one of the Airport Operators that sell lost luggage, they in turn, donate all the proceeds from the auction to charity.

Published by: Andy Skinner