Walter Lehnertz: « I am proud of the name like Bolle »

Mr. Lehnertz, many television viewers, you know as a dealer from the very beginning from “Bares for Rares”. What was the noblest piece you ever bought?

So my most bizarre purchase was a BMW Isetta for 18,000 euros. I bought them for a one -armed customer who is a good friend of mine. Two days later he called me and said: « Waldi, we have to sell the cart again, he has the gear lever on the left, and I have no arm at all. » Then we just sold the car again – to the manager of the « Kastelruther Spatzen ».

As a retailer in Horst Lichter’s flea show, you offer 80 euros as an entry-level bid, which is your trademark, you even have « 80-euro-foresti » entered as an artist name. Have you already signed official documents?

Yes, even my contracts for « bares for rares » I always sign with « 80-euro-Waldi », that is in my ID and is valid as an official signature. I enjoy it when I have to pay bills – I am proud of the name like Bolle.

You had nothing to do with television in front of « Cash for Rares », how did you get the new show in 2013?

A buddy of mine, such an ELVIS type, who collects the 1950s, is a cameraman. When the producers of « Bares for Rares » searched for a dealer who buys bizarre things, but also talking Tacheles, he said to them: You have to go to the Eifel, the Waldi is totally crazy. So I was invited to the casting, and in this way I ended up on the show.

And how did you get the idea of ​​writing crime novels? The new book « Murder on Estimate » is already her second thriller.

Horst Lichter always wanted me to write a book, such a dictionary hovered: « Eifllerisch – German, German – Eiflliche ». But I didn’t feel like that. Then the Rowohlt publishing house called my Holden and asked her if I could imagine writing a thriller. At first I said: I don’t write a book, what do you all want from me? When she didn’t let up, I said: When I write a book, it has to be authentic. And that’s how it is. Except for the murders, everything that is in the books has expired about as much on my farm. We do a lot of major events, of course something goes wrong again and again.

The second volume is called « Murder on the estimated day », and such events in which everyone can bring their junk have really exist. How much of what people bring is scrap?

Yes, the estimates really exist. There are up to 800 people who want to sell something. From junk to good things. Golden pocket watches and Hutschenreuther Väschen, everything. The devil is really going on.

Miriam Rademacher is named as the co-author of her crime novels. Do you only deliver the keywords and she writes the novels?

No, I also wrote down a lot, for example when I was traveling by car, and then sent her via WhatsApp. She then has to convert this into High German and ensure the right sentence construction, because I am not grammatically the best.

The hero of the books is the antique dealer Siggi, her alter ego. The books provide insights into everyday life in your shop. Among other things, it is mentioned in the fact that old erotic books sell better than Bibles. Also applies to antiques: sex sells?

Yes, I even have a special erotic room on my farm. It includes paintings with files and a thick « Playboy » collection. The guy I have from 1974 to 1989 had collected all the issues and had it binded to books

Should your crime novels actually be filmed?

That would of course be great. But then I also want to play Siggi myself. Incidentally, the publisher originally wanted to appear in the novels as a Waldi, so when I myself. But I didn’t want that because: when ʹne grandma reads the thriller and hears something of a dead person in my farm, she never comes into the Eifel again.

In fact, your anti -cladding in the Eifel is a real tourist magnet, the curious pilgrims in buses to you …

Yes, that is the « 80-euro-Waldi tour ». The bus companies then arrive here with 50, 60 guests. I have a small café with me on my shop, so I keep my welcome speech, and then there is a mood in the booth. There is always something going on for me, but always in a good mood, that’s important.

You are a Hansdampf in all alleys: you model, sing, sing your homemade pictures for several thousand euros, you are now the focus of your own documentaryoap on ZDF. Do you still have time for « cash for rares »?

I have to have it! « Cash for Rares » is my baby, which I have with the light. I have already reduced the number of shooting days a bit, but otherwise it goes on.

Are you and Horst Lichter also friends privately?

Yes, he was in my shop a few times a few times. We are friends. The nest can call me at any time of the day and night, and I am immediately available for him. We both have a special connection.

Is it astonishing how popular they have become through « cash for rares »?

You get used to it. It is important to me that I will stay as I am. There are celebrities who think better. That won’t happen to me in life. I am concerned with people. I make my jokes with everyone, whether poor, rich, thick or thin. I also do a lot for a good cause. I am in a motorcycle club, so we do small tours for people with disabilities so that they can also drive motorcycle. If I can spread fun so that the good mood is my reward.

Do you already plan new projects?

I would like to take part in the celebrity dart tournament because I like to play darts. And I would also like to participate in the WOK World Cup. Everything that is nonsense, I’m there (laughs).