Move over, eBay! The government is right behind you! As a competitor, that is!
By chance, I came across a Web site that lists auctions (some online) and takes bids for vehicles seized by various government departments. Curious, I Googled for “government auctions,” and was amazed at what came up. Auction fans and bargain hunters, be sure to check out these sites.
U.S. Department of the Treasury
The home page of the U.S. Department of the Treasury/Seized Real Property Auctions reads, “From the extraordinary to the ordinary . . . our auctions have it all.” Wow! The U.S. Treasury must have hired a copywriter for this auction site! It’s quite compelling—at least compared to the bland auction sites that some of the other departments publish.
The Department of the Treasury auctions real estate seized throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Items include homes, commercial buildings, vacant land, and multi-family residences. Proceeds from sales go to support continued law enforcement and provide restitution to victims.
Oh, did I mention that the seizing happens through IRS—Criminal Investigation; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the U.S. Secret Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives? “Most property,” reads the FAQ, “is seized due to smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, credit card fraud, food stamp fraud, mail fraud or other illegal activity.” Is it just me, or is anyone else not too keen on living in a house recently owned by an outlaw biker gang?
If that doesn’t worry you, you can bid in three ways. You can be present at the auction, submit a bid by mail, or bid electronically. Electronic bidding is available for select auctions. If you win your bid, be prepared to pay cash, please. The government does not offer financial services.
The U.S. Postal Service—Not Just for Stamps Anymore
Ever wonder what happens to the damaged, unclaimed and claim-paid items that the U.S. Postal Service comes across? It looks like it’s auctioned off!
These are not online auctions, but the site posts dates, locations and a preview schedule for inspecting the merchandise. At the time I wrote this, several auctions were scheduled. Perhaps you can find that long-lost birthday gift!
IRS Auctions
The bad news is that the IRS seizes your property and other valuables if you fail to pay taxes. The good news is that you can buy it back via IRS Auctions .
According to the Web site, the IRS no longer maintains a mailing list about its auctions, but uses the Web site instead. When I checked, there was information about auctions for a number of real estate properties (commercial and non-commercial), various coins and precious metals, stock certificates, antiques, art, jewelry, collectibles and luxury items, automobiles, motorcycles and trucks, turnkey business opportunities, and firearms.
Wanna buy a really sharp looking sailboat? Bidding starts at $6,000.74. You’ll also need to pay another $2,600 for docking and storage fees. Oh, and you’ll have to move it from Ohio, unless you happen to live in Cleveland. You can download the mail-in forms for your bid.
U.S. Government Surplus Auctions
The State and Local Surplus Property Web page links to surplus auctions for many, if not all, U.S. states. The sale items represent federal and state-owned surplus property.
Following the link to California’s surplus auctions, we find considerable information about the program, plus news about upcoming public auctions and a link to the auctioneer’s Web site. The private-sector auctioneer posts an auction listing on the Web site three days prior to the auction. (There were no listings on the day I visited the site.)
Government Liquidation
The Government Liquidation site is an online marketplace for the sale of U.S. Government surplus and scrap material to the public. It claims to have more than 500 commodity categories and thousands of surplus items added weekly.
“Whether starting a new business or expanding an existing one, GL provides small business owners and end users with an opportunity to cost-effectively realize their dreams,” reads the site, whimsically.
Categories include aircraft parts, audio and video equipment, boats, computers, heavy equipment, electrical equipment, industrial equipment, machinery, material handling equipment, medical and dental equipment, scrap metal, plumbing, testing equipment, and trucks and related equipment. Auctions in progress on the day I visited included a dental chair unit, a radiograph unit, a utility boat, a 5-ton truck tractor, a furnace system, and a great deal more.
Interested site visitors can sign up for e-mail notification or subscribe to the RSS feed.
Department of Justice’s Asset Forfeiture Program
According to the Web site, the Department of Justice’s Asset Forfeiture Program , administered by the United States Marshals Service, manages and disposes of properties seized and forfeited by federal law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorneys nationwide.
When I visited, the site listed a number of current asset auction sales (all real properties) scheduled for the months of June and July. The site also links to a national sellers list—a list of agencies and entities that are authorized to sell items seized by the U.S. Marshals Service. This list included personal property, real estate, motor vehicles, boats, business inventory, art, jewelry, antiques and collectibles.
GSA Fleet Vehicle Sales
“Giving you great value is our goal,” the organization says. According to the FAQ, GSA Fleet Vehicle Sales will sell approximately 35,000 vehicles this year. Most vehicles will be available between April and September, when a majority of the leases expire, but sales are conducted throughout the entire year.
This site sells used vehicles after the leases expire; it does not sell seized vehicles. To bid, you appear at the facility on the day of the auction, where you receive an auction-bidder number. You may start the vehicle to check the engine and the air conditioner, but you are not permitted to take it for a spin.
Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service
Looking for used military items? Go to the DRMS site to bid. DRMS disposes of excess property received from the military services. The inventory changes daily, and includes thousands of items, from air conditioners to vehicles, clothing to computers, and much more.
According to the Web site, property is first offered for reutilization within the Department of Defense, and then transferred to other local agencies or by donation to state and local governments. Excess property not reutilized, transferred or donated is sold to the public as surplus
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No doubt you’ll find plenty of good deals. However, I noticed that none of these sites provide a section for eBay-type feedback comments. You don’t get to rate the government as a seller!
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Tags: auction sites, auctions, buy online, online auctions
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