So What Goods are Available at Government Surplus Auctions?

In short, I would say you name it and you will find it but I will break that down and be a little more specific!

Vehicles – these may be vehicles that have been used by government officials for various duties. Government departments will normally have policies on how often they will turnover their car stocks, once a vehicle has reached a certain age it may be auctioned. These vehicles will normally be well maintained in line with health and safety legislation. Other categories of vehicles that may be available will include vehicles seized from those perpetrating illegal acts and abandoned vehicles. So as you will see, there is  large variety of vehicles available from good solid used cars, to luxury models to older stripped out cars that were no longer of use to the owner.  Government auctions will provide a list of vehicles available with accurate descriptions and you can inspect the vehicles before purchase so you will know exactly what you are bidding on.

You will not general find military vehicles for sale as many models are deemed unfit for use on public roads. Please beware of the scammers telling you, that you can buy military vehicles for your personal use as you will generally find their claims to be untrue.

Land and Property – areas of land and even residential property can be available at government surplus auctions. Again this property may have been owned by a government department that no longer has use for it or it may have been seized for non payment of taxes by the owners or because it has been purchased by the proceeds of crime.

Personal/Electronic/Other Items – you can let your imagination run free here. Think of all the goods people try to smuggle across borders or try to get past security at airports (minus the drugs and weapons) from jewelry to designer goods and electronic items. There will also be a myriad of items that have once been used by government departments but that they no longer need and this could range from office furniture to power tools to coffee machines to books. There really is no limit to what you will find. The only thing I will say is that you are unlikely to find goods that are brand, spanking new complete with the original packaging but then I would rather get what I want at a real low price than inherit yet another cardboard box to dispose of!

Where Can I Find Government Surplus Auctions?

There are numerous ways to find these auctions. Many of the resources are free and there are some paid services that provide comprehensive listings.

Free Resources

-       Local Newspapers/Classified Advertisements

-       Trade Journals

-       Local Government Agencies

-       Online Government Websites

-       Radio/TV Advertisements

-       Notices in town halls, post offices or other public buildings.

If you are someone who likes to keep an eye out for a bargain or you are looking for something that you don’t need to have immediately, checking out the above resources will most likely fulfill your needs.

Paid Resources

There are a number of websites that provide listings of government and repossession auctions. These tend to provide full listings of all the auctions taking place around the country. If you are looking for something specific and have a limited budget or timeframe in which to get it or you are looking to buy goods regularly to sell on at a profit, it might be worth your while checking out one on these services. I am not encouraging you to spend money you don’t need to spend, the above list of free resources may be all that you need in your circumstances, but if you don’t have time to check the papers or browse government websites looking for auctions, then it might be worth a few dollars to save you time and make sure you don’t miss an auction you want to attend. If you are interested in exploring this option further, then why not check out this FREE Trial to see if the service is of value to you before parting with your hard earned!

Can I Buy a Ferrari with 10 miles on the Clock for $1 at Government Surplus Auctions?

You can probably buy a Ferrari with zero miles on the clock for a dollar or ten at your local toy store, but being realistic you won’t get that kind of bargain at a government surplus auction. Having said that, the government is not looking to profit from the goods sold and needs to avoid racking up storage and handling costs for goods they no longer require, so you will find goods available at prices much lower that you would buy them elsewhere. There will often be reserve prices at these auctions to ensure that fair value is achieved, but you can be sure that government agencies don’t buy anything at retail prices and with their purchasing power they will often be getting a discount on the kind of wholesale prices normal businesses with pay. Knock off a bit more for fact that these goods have been used and you can start to see some juicy bargains on the horizon!

Just a Few More Tips Before the Bidding Starts

Before attending an auction check out a list of goods available and pay attention to the descriptions. If you are planning on buying high ticket items such as a house, land or a car, you might want to do a little research on market values etc. before going to the auction. Make sure you inspect the goods you are going to bid on prior to the auction to make sure they are to your satisfaction.

Also, some auctions will require you to have ID to register and you will need to check their payment requirements. Many auctions accept various forms of payment but normally you will have to be able to prove that you have the funds via a certified check, cash, confirmation of your credit card limit etc. It is worth finding out the exact requirements before showing up at the auction.

Now are you ready to go get some bargains at government surplus auctions?

Police impound auctions take place regularly in all major cities. They may be run by government officials or by third party auction agencies. They will often be advertised in local newspapers, so it is worthwhile keeping an eye out for these notices. Alternatively there are some online services that provide full listings of impound, government and repossession auctions nationwide.

Cars will only be available at police impound car sales when the legalities in respect of the case they were involved in are complete, so you don’t need to worry about this aspect. However, prior to attending an auction, you would be best advised to check out the listing of vehicles available. By doing this you can narrow down the cars you would like to bid on. You should consider carrying out a background check on any vehicle you are seriously interested in. You should also check the market value of the vehicles on your shortlist at this time and set your maximum bid so that you are mot distracted at the auction.

Before the auction, you will have an opportunity to inspect the vehicles. As cars and property are generally sold “as seen” at these auctions, it is important to carry out an inspection of the bodywork, interior and also to run the engine and check oil and transmission fluids. You may consider bringing a mechanic with you if you are not knowledgeable about cars.

You will also need to bring some identification, such as a drivers license to the auction. Some auctions require proof of funds such as a letter from your bank or credit card company. Purchases will normally be finalized on the day of the auction.

Police auctions represent a great opportunity to purchase a good used car at a significantly reduced price. The more auctions you know about, the more chance you have of getting the car you want at a price you can afford. Do a little research before the auction and make sure you inspect any vehicle you wish to bid on, before the auction commences. When it comes down to it, the process involved is very simple and well worth a little research for the kind of savings you can make on police impounds at auction.

You can get fulls of police, repo and government auctions with this free trial.

Given the current economic position, government auctions provide members of the public (that’s you and me!) with a great chance of finding that car, boat, motorcycle, truck etc. that we want for a great bargain. Don’t make the mistake, that some people make and think it is all too complicated. It is easy really as you will see in the video!

Find out how to get listings of all the auctions in your area right here!

There are services that provide comprehensive auction listings to give you the best opportunity of finding the right vehicle or property at the right price. Some of these services cost a few dollars but you can get a free trial of one of the best services available here.

If you want to find out where the auctions are in your area click here for a FREE TRIAL of governmentacutions.org services!

Buying repossessed cars is a great way to take advantage of the current economic climate. With repossessions on the increase there is an ever growing number of good used cars available and these cars are usually sold to the highest bidder at car repo auctions. You can achieve great value at these auctions, with bidding often starting as low as $100, but there are some foolish people out there that don’t get the kind of savings that you can make if you avoid some common mistakes. Since you are doing some research I know you are smarter than some, but I am going to provide the information you need to ensure that you are well prepared for the process of buying repossessed cars and that you get a quality vehicle at the lowest possible price.

Some people wait until they are desperate for a new car and rush along to an auction with shiny object syndrome and the pressure of having to walk away with a vehicle, any vehicle. These people will never get the best savings. Why? They haven’t done any research. You can get a list of repossessed cars for sale at the auction prior to auction day. With this list in hand you can check out the history of the vehicles you are interested in and also the current market value. By doing this you can discount any vehicles that have a problematic past and also decide in advance what your top bid will be for the vehicle in accordance with the prevailing market value. I always advise that you set this limit below the market value to ensure you are getting a real bargain.

While attending any car auction, the cars available are normally on what you see is what you get basis. However one advantage of bank repossessed cars is that they are normally well maintained by the original owner right up until the repossession. Also given the sudden impact of the recession we are in, you will find a great number of late models available. Some people get distracted by the shiny new car they want and don’t take advantage of the opportunity to inspect the vehicle before the auction. You should always take some time during the auction’s inspection period to go over any vehicles you are interested in buying. Start off with a visual inspection for signs of any damage to the body of the car and then start up the engine and listen to the sound of it for any unusual noises. I would also advise you to check the electrics are working and to dip the oil and transmission fluids. By doing this you will have confidence that you are bidding on a good used car and you will avoid the headaches of repair bills in the future. Be sensible about your criteria at this point. I will definitely disregard a vehicle if I suspected an engine fault but if it had a few scratches on the body work, I will bear in mind that value of the saving I could make on the car and make a judgment based on that.

Now auction novices, who are buying repossessed cars, will often be bidding against experienced car dealers who are attending the auction to find stock for their car lot. Don’t let that put you off though. If you have researched the market value, the car history and completed your inspection, you are ready to start bidding with the best of them. The only thing you really need to ensure at this stage is that you are in control of your bidding. Don’t behave like an amateur and get caught up in the excitement of the bidding or become so attached to one particular repo car that your budget multiplies in your mind. Stick to the limits you decided on before the auction begins.

Those who decide they are going to buy at the only auction they know about are more likely to lose control, as the auction day comes to an end. There are auctions taking place on a regular basis and if you have decided on a particular model that you want or if bids are going above your budget, you can relax in the knowledge that you just attend the next auction. Check out your local newspapers or save yourself some time by investing a few dollars in an online service that will give you comprehensive auction listings.

Get Comprehensive Auction Listings with This FREE TRIAL.

So in short, if you do some research in advance of the auction, inspect the vehicles you are interested in, stick to your guns and stay in control during the bidding and are prepared to wait for another opportunity, you can be the one bragging about the ridiculously low price you paid for your car. You might on the other hand want to keep that to yourself and let people think you paid a fortune for that amazing car in your driveway. Buying repossessed cars represents a great buying opportunity for the smartest buyers. Be smart and get great value!

Get a FREE TRIAL of GovernmentAuctions.org services here!

1)    If you are concerned that buying a repossessed RV is somehow wrong, given that its availability is due to someone’s misfortune, please rest easy. Financial institutions will make a repossession order in certain circumstances and the value they can sell the vehicle serves to reduce the outstanding debt. Also recreational vehicles and other properties are repossessed and seized for a number of other reasons such as non payment of taxes or criminal activity.

2)    Decide on the type of RV and the specifications you require based on your intended use. Do some research on the models available and make a shortlist of those that suit your requirements.

3)    Find out where the repo auctions are taking place in your area. You can do this by making enquiries at your local financial institutions, searching through your local newspapers for auction notices or by using an online service that will provide comprehensive auction listings to you.

4)    When you choose an auction, get a list of the vehicles available for auction and check the list against your shortlist. Do some more research on the current market value of the RVs. You can do this by checking at dealerships or by consulting a resource such as the Kelley Blue Book. Decide on your budget at this stage and ensure that you have the necessary proof of finances that may be required by the auctioneer. This many include a letter from your bank or credit card company, for example.

5)    Prior to the auction, inspect the RVs that you are interested in. Check for any unusual wear and tear, signs of damp, mould or mildew and also start up the engine. You should also check that the lights and electrical items are working. If possible it may be worthwhile bringing an RV expert along with you to check out the vehicle.

If you do some background research, you will be well prepared on the day of the auction. It is really important to check the RVs you intend to bid on and to be aware of the value. On a final note, do not enter into any bidding wars on the day. Some people get caught up in the excitement of the auction and don’t achieve the best value available. If you go to the auction well prepared and keep a cool head on the day, you will have a choice of repossessed RVs and be in a position to make some huge savings.

Find Comprehensive Auction Listings with this FREE TRIAL!

Buying repossessed boats has allowed many fulfill their dream of owning a boat, they would not have been able to afford if they bought a used boat at a dealership. Dealers often buy up stock at repo auctions and then sell them on a profit. Shoppers, who are in the know, understand that if they cut out the dealer or middleman, they will be able to make significant savings and get the best deal possible. So how do you begin to find bank repo boats for sale? I will tell you about the best resources available and give you a few pointers to ensure that you will attend your first auction with expert knowledge.

How to Find Repossessed Boats for Sale

There are a number of places that you can find repo boat auctions.

1.    Banks/Financial Institutions – If you contact your local banks and financial institutions they should be able to inform you of any upcoming auctions in your area.

2.    Local Newspapers – Auction notices will usually be found in the legal notices section of your local newspapers. Some types of auction are legally obliged to provide public notices in local publications.

3.    Online Auction Services – These services provide comprehensive listings of all the auctions available countrywide. They can cost a few dollars to join but the more auctions you know about the better chance you have of getting the boat you are looking for at the right price, so it may be worth a small investment. (FREE TRIAL Here)

How to Prepare for an Auction

1.    If you are a boat enthusiast you will probably already know what type of boat you are looking for, but try to define your choice by make and model. Decide on any features that you require and take a look at the prevailing market values of the boats that interest you. You should use this information to set your budget.

2.    Prior to the auction, check the list of boats available and shortlist those that best match your requirements.

3.    Before showing up to the repo auction, make a list of any documentation or identification, you will need to register for the auction.

4.    Take your time to inspect all the repossessed boats on your shortlist prior to the auction start time. If you know a boat mechanic, it may be useful to bring them along with you. However, if you are going it alone, make sure you do a visual inspection for  any signs of damage and run the motor or engine to ensure that it is running smoothly and that there are no signs of smoke.

When the Auction Begins

1)    It is important that you stick to bidding on the items you have selected in advance and that you have inspected.

2)    Don’t get caught in a bidding war. It can be tempting for an auction novice to get caught up in the excitement but this can radically reduce your potential savings. Stick rigidly to your budget. If you don’t get the boat you want at your first auction, there will be others and by sticking to your guns, you will achieve a more successful outcome.

A little research and preparation can pay huge dividends when purchasing repossessed boats for sale at auctions. There is no need to pay a dealers premium, when you can attend the auction yourself and buy your boat directly from the source. Sellers really need to sell their stock to recoup losses and avoid storage charges and you can benefit greatly from their desire for a quick sale if you adhere to the advice above

FIND OUT WHERE ALL THE AUCTIONS ARE AT WITH THIS FREE TRIAL.

Interesting Video On Boat Repossessions

Looks like more and more boats are being repossessed!