$1m quake-damaged appliances and furniture go under the hammer

Bidders can view earthquake-damaged goods at the Turners Auction room in Penrose today and tomorrow. Photo / Greg Bowker

More than $1 million worth of electronics, appliances and furniture damaged in the Christchurch earthquake will go under the hammer this weekend.

Among the goods deemed by insurers to be unsuitable for sale on the shop floor after the September 4 quake are 45 Apple iPads and 110 laptop computers.

Most items in the non-reserve auction are in good condition.

Some have superficial scratches or damaged packaging.

Turners Auctions marketing manager Lisa Gay said it was one of the biggest auctions of electronic and household goods the company had conducted.

"Logistically it was a big job. Around 20 people were unpacking and laying it all out for a good solid week," said Ms Gay.

The 4000 items had to be recorded, checked for damage, photographed and loaded on to the website.

The goods were sent to Auckland in several shipping containers after the Christchurch branch became overwhelmed with quake-damaged goods.

Among the items on offer are 58-inch plasma televisions, a camera with a $6000 retail price tag and 20 air conditioning units.

Wooden bed frames, glass dining tables, lounge suites and king-size mattresses are also among the goods spread out in the Turners warehouse usually used for the auctions of large long-haul trucks.

Ms Gay is expecting a big turn-out for the auction.

The online catalogue has had more than 300,000 hits since last Friday and has been viewed by about 19,000 people.

"We're confident everything will go."

Potential bidders are able to view goods and plug in electrical devices to see if they are in working order today and tomorrow at the Turners auction room in Penrose.

A full catalogue of all the lots in the auction, including photos, is available at www.turners.co.nz/quake.

Auctions start at 10am on Saturday and Sunday.