MIA Lost & Found Sale May Yield Treasure On Saturday
MIAMI (CBS4) - If you're planning to do some shopping this weekend you may want to skip the mall, and instead head to the airport because the Miami Aviation Department is holding its annual lost and found public auction this Saturday.
The casualties of tens of thousands of people's rushed forgetfulness could be your golden ticket. These are the treasures and trinkets that were lost, forgotten, or abandoned at Miami International Airport in the last seven months.
"Sometimes they get absentminded, they lose them, they leave it on a table somewhere, they're not thinking about it- they're rushing to get to their flight," said Airport Spokesperson Marc Henderson.
If you're looking for a bike, a meat slicer, or enough guitars to start a rock band you're in luck. You can also dig through dozens of bags of jewelry, cell phones, and sunglasses. If you're into artwork you'll have your pick of pieces likely picked up at exotic locations.
Paul May genuinely enjoys auctioning off these goodies.
"Sometimes it's good stuff, sometimes mediocre, and sometimes not so good so it's a gamble, but people like that excitement, hoping and praying they're gonna get a good buy," said May.
Many bidders will hope for a good price on more than 100 shiny laptops, expensive camera equipment, and other technological finds. If you're in the market for a stroller, you have a mountain of them to choose from, likely cast aside by travel-weary parents.
"What we have is just about everything," said Henderson.
Don't forget the biggest gamble in buying the lost and found loot- the suitcases. Any of the 450 pieces of unopened luggage could go home with you.
"Whatever's in that luggage, you bid on it, you win it, it's yours," said Henderson.
The biggest suitcase score May knows of came several years ago when a man found 10,000 dollars worth of British pounds inside. The money made at the auction will go to Miami-Dade's Aviation Department to maintain the airport.
The last auction, in September generated $90,000.
The auction will be held at 5600 N.W. 36th Street, Building 845, Third Floor.
Auction attendees will be allowed to preview auction items on Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. before the auction begins. Cash only will be accepted.
