Government Auction Sales

Government Auction Sales US | UK Car Surplus

OVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS

Most people are completely unaware of the bargains that can be found in the most unlikely of places: the government! We're used to reading about the Pentagon paying $59.00 for a wrench, about the national debt rising higher and higher, so it's excusable to not think of government and "sales" in the same sentence.

Yet nearly every level of government from city and town on up through county, state and federal, has possession of excess property that must be disposed. If this can be accomplished and money raised at the same time, why not? We want government to be fiscally responsible, right?

The most common methods of parting with this overage of property is through auction sales. These affairs offer a unique opportunity to the right person -- purchases at bargain basement prices that you can turn around and sell at a profit! The money to be made staggers the imagination.

Whether it's property seized by police officers or customs officials to repossessions by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are thousands of items of all types available at rock-bottom prices. Whether you're merely buying for yourself or seeing this as a line of business that could make you a substantial profit, the key is to identify and locate these auctions.

You name it! Houses, cars, jewelry, yachts, farm Gov't equipment, computers, firewood, it's there for the bidding -- and the buying! And, eventually -- the selling for profit!

You don't need much experience for this. You are familiar with what many of these items cost today on the open market. If you buy it far enough below market value, you can still sell the property yourself at a discount and make a handsome profit.

If you yourself have always wanted to own a luxury yacht, here's your chance. You'll never find your dream purchase at a lower price.

You could even start a second-hand store or set up shop at a flea market or swap shop to peddle your merchandise after you've acquired it. Many of these places are havens for shoppers. You've simply gone them one better by obtaining the good(s) at an even lower price than they'll pay -- and be pleased with their "bargain".

The purpose of our booklet is to point you in the right direction to find out about the various auctions that are held by virtually all branches of government. The listings in this book are as up to date as possible. Contacting these places listed should give you the information you need to begin your auction attendance.

There are open-bidding auctions where you shout out the dollar value you're willing to pay following a minimum bid requirement called by the auctioneer. There are also sealed- bid auctions where you submit the price you're willing to pay. You only get one shot at that type of bidding.

Be careful with the open bid auctions. You can become so focused on a particular piece of property that you end up in a "bidding war" for it that ends up with you paying more than you should and cutting well into your eventual profit. Be disciplined! Set a dollar limit ahead of time so that you can let certain items go if the bidding goes too high. This is a business now, so common money sense is important. You must now think in terms of expenses vs. revenue.

If you have a certain hobby or interest, property in this area may be your natural market. If you specialize, it can help you concentrate on only those items in the large auctions areas where there are hundreds of people bidding for thousands of goods. Your focus will be in your area and you'll soon be an expert on costs, prices and resale’s of this commodity.

Auctions can be hyped up -- to the point of temptation to overbid. Don't do it! Remember your goal, your budget and your knowledge of what things cost and you'll do fine. Through the contacts listed in this booklet, you will find yourself on a regular mailing list of government auctions. Often, with the notice, you'll receive a catalogue of the items to be sold and approximately what time they'll be auctioned. This will allow you to budget your time wisely at these affairs and not get lost in the shuffle.

Good luck!

STATE GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS

These are the state contacts and a brief description of auctions held at this level of government.

ALABAMA: Alabama Surplus Property P.O. Box 210487 Montgomery, AL. 36121 (205) 277-5866

Alabama auctions offer a variety of goods usually three times a year. Items: office equipment, cars, farm machinery, trucks, boats, tractors and more. There is a mailing list you can be placed on.

Several auctions per year, held on the third Wednesday of the month chosen. Mailing list. Items: vehicles, shop equipment, typewriters, computers, copiers and more.

HAWAII No state surplus auctions.

IDAHO Division of Purchasing (208) 327-7465

Idaho's state agencies hold their own auctions. You must contact the specific state agency directly. Auctions advertised in newspaper.

ILLINOIS: Central Management Services Division of Property Control 3550 Great Northern Ave. Springfield, IL. 62707 (217) 793-1813

Auctions held at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield two or three times per year on Saturdays. Mailing list available for $20/year. Items: desks, chairs, calculators, cameras, refrigerators and more.

INDIANA: State Surplus Property Section 229 W. New York Street Indianapolis, IN. 46202 (317) 232-0134

Auctions held as needed each year. No mailing list, but contact this office in May for a schedule.

IOWA: Department of Natural Resources Wallace State Office Bldg. Des Moines, IA. 50319 (515) 281-5121

Auction is second Saturday of May for items such as boats, fishing rods, tackle boxes and hunting equipment. The Vehicle Dispatchers Garage holds vehicle auctions three to four times per year. Call (515) 281-5121.

KANSAS: State Surplus Property P.O. Box 19226 Topeka, KS. 66619-0226 (913) 296-2334

Many items left over for sale following offering to state agencies. Contact office for information on events.

KENTUCKY: Office of Surplus Property 514 Barrett Avenue Frankfurt, KY. 40601 (502) 564-4836

Saturday auctions every two to three months as needed. Items: vehicles, desks, chairs, couches, beds, lawnmowers, etc. Mailing list is available.

LOUISIANA: Division of Administration Louisiana Property Assistance Agency P.O. Box 94095 Baton Rouge, LA. 70804-9095 (504) 342-6849

Auctions held on the second Saturday of each month at 1502 N. 17th St. Items: medical and office equipment, boats, bicycles, televisions, vehicles and more.

MAINE: Office of Surplus Property Station 95 Augusta, ME. 04333 (207) 289-5750

Public auctions five to six times per year. Primarily vehicles. No mailing list.

MARYLAND: Department for Surplus Property P.O. Box 122 8037 Brock Bridge Rd. Jesup, MD. 20794

No public auctions. Address above is a "retail" store for surplus property.

MASSACHUSETTS: State Purchasing Agency Department of Procurement & General Services Surplus Property One Ashburton Place Boston, MA. 02108 (617) 727-7500

Public auctions six times per year, usually on Saturdays. Vehicles primarily. No mailing list.

MICHIGAN: Department of Management & Budget State Surplus Property P.O. Box 30026 Lansing, MI. 48913 (517) 335-8444

Mailing list. Several auctions per year. Items: office furniture, household goods, machinery, livestock, vehicles and more.

MINNESOTA: Surplus Operations Office 5420 Highway 8 New Brighton, MN. 55112 (612) 639-4022

About 15 auctions per year held around the state. Items Gov't Auctions include vehicles, boats and snowmobiles along with jewelry, furniture, computers, stereos and more. Mailing list.

MISSISSIPPI: Bureau of Surplus Property P.O. Box 5778 Jackson, MS. 39288 (601) 939-2050

Two to three auctions per year of machinery and vehicles. Mailing list.

MISSOURI: Surplus Property Office Materials Management Section P.O. Drawer 1310 Jefferson City, MO. 65102 (314) 751-3415

Regular auctions held throughout the year. Items: clothing, office equipment and vehicles. Mailing list.

MONTANA: Property and Supply Bureau 930 Lyndale Avenue Helena, MT. 59620 (406) 444-4514

One auction a year for vehicles. Mailing list. Other property auctioned the second Friday of each month.

Region Nine Region Ten 525 Market St. 29th Floor General Services Admin. San Francisco, CA. 94105 Excess Personal Property (415) 774-5240 400 15th Street SW Auburn, WA. 98001 (206) 931-7763

RESOLUTION TRUST CORPORATION

In the 1980s, there were a vast number of savings & loans failures and the U.S. Government contracted with the Resolution Trust Corporation to dispose of personal property and assets accumulated during the last few years.

There is a wide inventory that is constantly changing. The key contacts:

The Affordable Housing Disposition Program

1-800-624-HOME

Resolution Trust Corporation National Assets Specific Inquiry Program: (800) 431-0600

Regional Assets Sales Hotline (800) 348-1484 For real estate: (800) 782-3006.

SUMMARY: You're in business now!

These are a wide assortment of contact listings for you to begin your new career in the buying and selling business. People are going to buy goods -from you or someone else. Why not take advantage of the outstanding savings you can achieve by using the government to do your acquisitions for you.

You always thought the government only took taxes from you. Here's a chance to get some back! Of course, it will probably increase your taxes as your income goes up, but that's a good problem to have, right?