Where these high-tech lots in Germany come from
German high-tech auctions come mainly from three sources. Customs and public authorities sell their ex-government equipment on Zoll-Auktion: laptops, monitors, printers and phones replaced after a few years of service. Courts and bailiffs offer seized devices on Justiz-Auktion, often smartphones and tablets, sometimes locked. Finally, liquidations and insolvency proceedings put entire company stocks up for sale: IT fleets, network equipment, demonstration home appliances. Add to that hundreds of private auction houses. Authorities and companies often sell in lots of several devices, which suits resellers, repairers or associations equipping a premises. Equipment is described in German, with mentions such as "ungeprüft" or "defekt": the actual condition is not guaranteed. Sales are scattered and little known outside Germany, which means many lots go without a bid.
How to bid from the UK
Bidorado is a free search engine: it brings together public and private auctions in Germany, translated into 7 languages. You do not bid on Bidorado: you are redirected to the seller's official website, where you create your account and bid. For Zoll-Auktion and Justiz-Auktion, registration is free and there are no buyer's fees. At VEBEG, the federal company that sells government and military equipment, sales are often by sealed tender: check the VAT regime indicated on each lot. At private sellers, buyer's fees (Aufgeld) are generally 15 to 20% at liquidators and industrial platforms, often 25 to 33% at art auction houses. German VAT of 19% is added depending on the regime: VAT extra, VAT included or margin scheme. Bidorado displays the price with buyer's fees and VAT when known. Read each seller's terms before bidding.
The real price: fees, VAT and budget
The displayed price is not the final price. At private sellers, add buyer's fees and VAT. At Zoll-Auktion and Justiz-Auktion, no buyer's fees, but VAT may apply depending on the lot. At VEBEG, the VAT regime varies from lot to lot: read the lot details. An EU business with a valid intra-community VAT number can often buy without German VAT by providing proof of transport (Gelangensbestätigung), depending on the seller. Also allow for transport: many lots are for collection on site ("nur Abholung"), and lithium batteries limit shipping with many carriers. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU, to be checked before bidding. Finally, an auction generally offers neither warranty nor right of withdrawal like a classic online purchase. The right reflex: calculate a total budget, including transport and refurbishment, before setting your maximum bid.
Collection and transport of equipment
Many high-tech lots are collection only, especially large volumes: PC fleets, monitors, printers, network equipment. Lithium batteries restrict shipping with many carriers, which pushes sellers to insist on collection. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU, but you must check lot by lot. If you are buying from the UK, arrange transport before the auction ends: a German carrier or collection by your own means. Allow for a suitable vehicle and packing materials. For small devices, ask the seller if they ship and at what cost. The notes 'ohne Netzteil' or 'ohne Ladekabel' mean without charger: bring your own power supply. Keyboards are often in German layout (QWERTZ), a detail for laptops. A lot for collection can remain unsold: that is the purpose of the Bidorado Radar, which spots these scattered sales.
Paperwork and formalities
Between Germany and another EU country, there are no customs duties. Only delivery outside the EU (Switzerland, UK, Norway...) triggers import duties and VAT. For business purchases, a valid intra-community VAT number often allows buying without German VAT, with proof of transport (Gelangensbestätigung), depending on the seller. Ask for the invoice in your company's name. For seized devices, check that the lot is free of any charges: a sale by a court or bailiff generally transfers ownership, but read the terms. An auction usually offers neither warranty nor right of withdrawal like a classic online purchase: each seller's terms apply. Keep the invoice and proof of payment for accounting and any dispute. If in doubt about the VAT regime, ask the seller before bidding.
Pitfalls to avoid with high-tech
The number one pitfall with seized iPhones and iPads is the note 'Aktivierungssperre' or 'iCloud-Sperre': the device is locked to the previous owner's Apple account and remains unusable. Also check for 'MDM' or 'Geräteverwaltung': the device is enrolled in a company fleet and can be blocked remotely. 'BIOS-Passwort' indicates a computer locked by password, 'SIM-Lock' a phone locked to a carrier. 'Ohne Festplatte' means without hard drive, often removed to protect data: plan for a replacement. 'Akku defekt' indicates a faulty battery, and lithium batteries complicate shipping. 'Ungeprüft' and 'defekt' mean untested and faulty: the risk is real. Lots often consist of multiple devices, with no warranty. Read every description in German and compare the cost of refurbishment before bidding.