Looking for a budget-friendly way to score Apple AirPods? You might be surprised to learn that the TSA could be your next go-to source.
Why It Matters
Apple AirPods are among the most popular wireless earbuds globally, but they come with a hefty price tag. New AirPods (1st Generation) can cost up to $249; however, countless pairs are left behind at airport security checkpoints, creating an unexpected opportunity for savvy shoppers.
TSA auctions off these lost items through platforms like GovDeals, offering a chance to buy electronics, including AirPods, at a fraction of their retail price. This not only helps buyers save money but also reduces waste from unclaimed gadgets.
Group of people waiting in line at self-service kiosks for check-in, bag drop, and boarding pass printing at Austin Bergstrom airport, featuring United and American Airlines logos, and TSA checkpoint signs, Austin, Texas. Group of people waiting in line at self-service kiosks for check-in, bag drop, and boarding pass printing at Austin Bergstrom airport, featuring United and American Airlines logos, and TSA checkpoint signs, Austin, Texas. Smith Collection/Gado / Contributor/Getty Images
What To Know
The TSA partners with online auction sites like GovDeals, where government agencies sell surplus and unclaimed property. Listings can include high-demand gadgets like AirPods, laptops and other electronics. These auctions provide a variety of items that were either confiscated at airport security checkpoints or left unclaimed.
GovDeals has a dedicated page specifically for Apple AirPods, featuring various auctions with listings such as “Apple AirPods Pro Gen 1 with MagSafe Charging Case Model A2190.” These listings typically include basic details like “both power on” without extensive condition reports.
Bidding for AirPods starts as low as $11, with similar items available in the $26 to $200 range, depending on the AirPods model.
Some listings also provide multiple photos, allowing bidders to assess the condition more accurately. Descriptions may note any visible wear, missing components or functional issues, but details can vary between listings.
Bidders can inspect items by appointment before bidding, which is especially useful for high-value electronics. If you are the highest bidder, payment typically must be made online within five business days. Depending on the seller, you may only have 24 hours to pick up your item if local pickup is required. For shipped items, the cost and delivery timeline will vary based on the seller’s policies.
While TSA auctions can be a goldmine, they come with risks. Items are sold “as-is,” meaning no returns or guarantees, so buyers should review photos and descriptions carefully. AirPods may also have battery issues, missing parts or cosmetic damage.
What Happens Next
To place a bid on GovDeals, you’ll have to sign into your account, enter your desired amount in the “Enter Bid” field on the asset page and click “Place Bid.” There is an “Auto-bid” feature, enabled by default, which lets you set a maximum bid limit. The system automatically increases your bid when outbid, up to your set limit. You can uncheck this for a straight bid.
Bids can’t be retracted, but you can lower an active auto-bid to the minimum to increase the chances of being outbid. Some items have reserve prices, and if unmet, sellers aren’t required to complete the sale—even if you’re the highest bidder.
Um die besten Erfahrungen zu bieten, verwenden wir Technologien wie Cookies, um Geräteinformationen zu speichern und/oder darauf zuzugreifen. Wenn Sie diesen Technologien zustimmen, können wir Daten wie das Surfverhalten oder eindeutige IDs auf dieser Website verarbeiten. Die Nichteinwilligung oder der Widerruf der Einwilligung kann bestimmte Merkmale und Funktionen beeinträchtigen.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
