The unusual bargains at Sydney Airport's lost property auction

Bargain hunters flock to Airport auction, solo travellers cop higher airfares, and popular servo charges $14k for a tank of fuel. Here are five things you may have missed this week.

Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction kicks off

A staggering 41 million travellers passed through Sydney Airport last year, and with thousands of people at the airport on any given day, it's no wonder things get left behind.

In the last year alone, the airport returned more than 7000 items to passengers.

Even so, more than 2000 items remain unclaimed, and they are set to be sold off in the airport's annual Lost Property Auction.

The event attracts plenty of keen bidders, and has raised more than $1.9 million for charity since 2013.

Behind the feel-good vibe, the auction is a chance to snare a bargain on anything from clothing and jewellery, to tech and homewares.

Bidding is done online, with bids starting from just $10.

Auction catalogues are available for viewing right now, with bids to close on varying dates - from June 9 for tech, to June 12 for beauty, alcohol and homewares.

Among the more quirky items for sale is a vacuum cleaner (who takes a vacuum cleaner on a flight?), several electric frypans (surely airline food isn't that bad...), a violin, various sets of golf clubs and a super-sized teddy bear.

Head to the website of Theodore Bruce Auctions to place a bid. Items need to be picked up from Sydney's inner west.

Solo travellers pay higher airfares

Half (48%) of Aussies are planning a solo trip in the next few years, but if you're heading to the US, it could pay to fly with a friend.

US website Thrifty Traveller says all three of America's largest airlines - American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta, are penalising solo travellers by charging higher ticket prices than passengers who travel as part of a group.

As a guide, a United Airlines domestic economy fare for a solo traveller was priced at $US269 one-way from Chicago to Peoria (a city in Illinois).

Yet the airfare for two (or three or four) passengers booking together, dropped by almost one-third to just $US181 per passenger for the exact same standard economy ticket.

Thrifty Traveller's report has attracted international media attention. In response, both Delta and United have backtracked, removing the fares that push single passengers into a higher price bracket. Thrifty Traveller has hinted that this could be a temporary measure until the furore dies down.

$14,000 to fuel up: Servo charges customers multiple times

It always pays to check your bank account regularly.

An EFTPOS glitch last Saturday saw Reddy Express (formerly Coles Express) service stations around the country overcharge some customers who paid for purchases by credit or debit card.

A number of customers were charged multiple times for the same transaction, with one hapless motorist reportedly being charged $14,000 for a single tank of petrol.

Reddy Express says it is working to refund all irregular charges as soon as possible.

If you visited Reddy Express on May 31, 2025 check your accounts.

If you've been overcharged, and not yet refunded, call 1800 656 055. Reddy Express has noted that certain types of transactions don't allow automatic refunds.

Comparison site sued for not actually comparing

Comparison sites offer a handy way for consumers to shop around.

But there's no doubt they work best when they display the prices of multiple providers.

Money watchdog ASIC alleges that wasn't the case with insurance comparison site Choosi.

ASIC is suing Choosi for allegedly misleading consumers through its funeral and life insurance comparison services.

Choosi's website states "We work with a range of trusted insurance brands, so we can make their policies available to you."

However, ASIC alleges the comparison service was, in reality, a distribution platform for funeral and life insurance policies issued by just one insurer - Hannover Life, from whom Choosi received "substantial sales commissions" totalling $61 million.

ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court says, "Comparison websites must provide a meaningful comparison service and not simply operate as a sales channel or distribution platform for companies."

She adds that while comparison sites can sometimes be useful for consumers, they should not be the only tool we use to shop around for financial products.

The high cost of cover for EVs

Electric vehicles have staked their reputation on delivering significant fuel savings.

But they can leave a dent in hip pockets when it comes to the cost of cover.

Analysis by Compare the Market (CTM) shows EVs continue to be slugged with higher premiums, which can be north of $3000 for some popular models.

Looking at quotes for comprehensive car cover across 11 insurance brands, CTM found a full EV can cost, on average, $2134 to comprehensively insure.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid EVs were cheaper to insure, with an average premium of $1649.

CTM also found what it described as "a shocking difference" between quotes from different insurers, which could see motorists paying hundreds - sometimes thousands - of dollars more for cover.

The quoted difference between the cheapest and most expensive insurer for the Tesla Model 3 sedan was $3100 for a similar policy.

For a cheaper EV like the MG 4 hatchback, the difference was $836.

It goes to show the value of shopping around.

A range of factors influence car insurance premiums, including the rising cost of repairs due to pricier parts and labour - which account for around 60% of claims expenses, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.

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