Where these laptops come from
Notebooks and laptops auctioned in Germany come mainly from three sources. Public authorities dispose of their refurbished IT equipment, offered on the customs platform, with no buyer's premium. Courts and bailiffs sell seized devices, also with no buyer's premium. Add to that insolvency and liquidation stock, sold through private platforms or auction houses, with buyer's premiums and VAT rules that vary by seller. Many machines are sold in lots of several devices, which suits buyers who can refurbish them or reuse parts.
Checkpoints before bidding
Read the German description word for word. A laptop may be sold ohne Festplatte, with the drive removed to protect data. A BIOS-Passwort sometimes blocks startup, and a device enrolled in MDM or Geräteverwaltung remains under corporate fleet control. On mobile devices, the Aktivierungssperre or iCloud-Sperre makes the device unusable: this is the most common trap. Also check SIM-Lock, ohne Netzteil or ohne Ladekabel, Akku defekt, as well as ungeprüft and defekt. Keyboards are often in German QWERTZ layout. An auction generally offers neither warranty nor right of withdrawal.
Collection, shipping and VAT
Many lots are for collection on site, marked nur Abholung, particularly because lithium batteries restrict shipping with many carriers. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU: ask for confirmation before bidding. Between Germany and another EU country, no customs duty applies. Only delivery outside the EU, to Switzerland, the UK or Norway for example, incurs import duties and VAT. An EU business with a valid VAT number can often buy without German VAT by providing proof of transport, depending on the seller.