A mobile office has now been launched in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and the Grand Ducal Police, with the objective of rendering these auctions more professional and modernising the organisation.
Auctioneer Simone Ehlinger primarily sees cars at auction, with around 700 vehicles sold each year. These are usually state vehicles or confiscated cars.
Romain Heinen, the director of the Administration for Registries, explained cars were the most frequently sold items, but furniture, equipment, scrap metal, mobile phones and jewellery also frequently appeared at auctions. The sales add around 1.5 million euros a year to state coffers.
The Administration's biggest issue to date was the organisation of auctions: conditions were variable depending on the locations where auctions were held, as not all sites are appropriately set up.
The commissioning of a mobile office has put paid to this problem. Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna was present at the collection of the keys on Wednesday. He said the van was equipped with internet access to enable car payments, providing better services for customers. Overall it would improve efficiency and increase bidding.
Customers attending auctions have also changed. Two security guards are now present at every sale to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Officials have also launched a Facebook page in an effort to improve communications.
