Where garden lots come from
Garden lots come mainly from German state and judicial auctions. Customs and public authorities dispose of outdoor furniture, tools and seized equipment. Company liquidations and insolvencies bring in nursery equipment, landscaping machinery and terrace furniture. Private auction houses also offer antique or designer garden furniture, statues and decorative items. Conditions are described in German: "defekt" for defective, "ungeprüft" for untested. Bidorado translates these terms and shows the all-in price, including buyer's premium and VAT.
Checks before bidding
Check the German description and photos: rust, split wood, missing blades or a seized mechanism are not always visible. For powered equipment, look for "ungeprüft" or "defekt" and factor in refurbishment. Check dimensions and weight, as a garden furniture set or a lawnmower is heavy and affects transport. At private auction houses, buyer's premiums apply, often between 15 and 33%, plus 19% German VAT depending on the scheme. An EU business with a valid VAT number can sometimes buy VAT-free by providing proof of transport.
Collection on site or delivery
Many garden lots are sold "nur Abholung", meaning collection on site in Germany. Plan a suitable vehicle, a collection slot and help with loading. Some sellers ship small items within Germany or the EU, but rarely bulky furniture. A carrier or a relay address in Germany allows you to bring a lot over. At Zoll-Auktion and Justiz-Auktion, there is no buyer's premium, which lightens the bill. At VEBEG, prices are excluding VAT and the sale is often by sealed tender. Always compare the total cost before bidding.