Knives, jewelry, laptops up for grabs at Calgary airport sale

CALGARY– If you’re looking for a deal on knives, household appliances or electronics, put the next chapel sale at the Calgary International Airport on your calendar.

People were lined up 50 deep Thursday morning waiting for a chance to buy items surrendered at airport security or turned into lost and found.

Everything from knives, scissors, suitcases and jewelry to small appliances, souvenirs and electronics are sold to raise money for the YYC Interfaith Ministry.

“The Aviation Interfaith Ministry was created some 29 years ago to facilitate the need of stranded passengers or people who are in trouble travelling,” Chaplain Gordon Smith said.

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“People are engaged in working pretty hectic schedules and sometimes people just need an encouraging word, an ear to listen to, or someone to talk to, and we fill that need.”

Hundreds of items are on sale and they’re all marked down to garage sale prices.

Man Vettl is looking for a used laptop.

“I’m just checking the model numbers and comparing it to the retail prices, and this laptop is about $250, which is a great price for it,” Vettl said.

“I work at Easter Seals Camp Horizon,” Brandon MacLean said. “So this is the best spot to get scissors nice and cheap. And they’re good for kids at camp, and that’s why we’re here.”

“I have bought a whole bunch of Swiss Army knives because they’re quite cheap, and I tend to lose them,” Cody Chatfield said.

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Besides items turned in at security, quite a lot of jewelry is lost at the airport. In Thursday’s sale, there were several gold rings appraised at $3,000 and $4,000 that were sold for a minimum of 30 per cent of appraised value.

Some people were looking for gifts, some for items around the house, and others for tools on the job in the cash-only sale.

While the event is a big success, it continues to amaze chapel staff what travelers try to take with them on a plane or forget while rushing to catch a flight.