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Terminal Bargain Hunting

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

TAMPA - Ever wonder what happened to that watch, iPod, television or car tire you lost at the airport?

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority at Tampa International Airport may have the answer.

At 9:30 this morning, the annual auction of lost-and-found items will begin at the airport maintenance hangar, 4102 N. West Shore Blvd. (south on West Shore off of Hillsborough Avenue). Doors open at 8 a.m.

Items up for bid include jewelry, books, clothing, luggage, cameras and video games. There's even a beauty queen crown, said Sharon Weaver, senior director of administration and information technology for the authority. More than 11,000 items will be sold.

In the past, bidders have bought a chandelier, a car door, plastic yard cows and an artificial limb, Weaver said. A few years ago, someone found $2,000 in a picture frame sold inside luggage.

The first auction was held in 1998 and attracted 250 people.

Today, about 1,000 people are expected to crowd into the maintenance hangar, which can hold three airplanes, Weaver said. Last year's profit was $25,000.

People who have lost something within the past 18 months at the airport should arrive at the hangar at 7:30 a.m. Authorities will try to help them find their item before the auction.

Even if those people can't locate their lost item, they still can buy someone else's.

"Think of 1,000 people walking around and looking at items," Weaver said. "It's exciting and fun."

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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