The MTA is Auctioning Off All the Stuff You Left on the Subway When You Were Drunk
- Courtesy @NYCTSUBWAYSCOOP
Last Wednesday the MTA began a month-long auction of property left on the train. The sad truth of the MTA’s Lost and Found, it seems, is that very few items are found.
A lot of it is likely never searched for. Think about it: would you assume your item to be turned in? More likely, just the opposite: No sooner do the train doors close than you lose all hope of ever seeing the lost item again. But then again, it depends on what was left behind.
See the MTA website to view photos—and print a bidding form to send or fax.
Looking through the pictures, the auction seems geared to resellers: Craigslist and ebay entrepreneurs, or maybe a church pastor who wants to jumpstart a thrift shop. The auction is organized in bulk lots, each with a photo and minimal description and there’s a $50 processing and tax fee per sale.
A lot of nine bicycles, or another with three old violins, seem possibly worth the hassle and fee. But other bundles just don’t. A lot of “Various Household Goods” for example, lists “pink rose decorative lights,” a “Presto Fry Daddy Deep Fryer, iron baking pans and a Rock Band Keyboard Stand.”
Most debris of yesteryear and cheap plastic is easier to replace than go searching for. It’s certainly fascinating to see the things we don’t go looking for. Other items for sale include: A slew of watches, rings and bracelets; Ipods, Walkmen, early tablet readers; various tripods, cameras; “Italian Ladies Shoes,” a safe! Most of it looks old, outdated, or simply shoddy.
Then again, some of it (three shiny saxophones!) only appreciate with age and must be sorely missed to this day.
