Looking for a bargain? Year round, the federal government offers hundreds
of millions of dollars worth of property and goods - from animals to real
estate - at remarkable prices. The Customs Service sells seized property
- jewelry, camera, rugs - anything brought in from another country. The
IRS auctions off everything imaginable -- boats, cars, businesses. The
U.S. Postal Service sells unclaimed merchandise, including lots of books.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUCTIONS
U.S. Department of Defense
The Defense Reutilization Marketing Service
P.O. Box 1370
Battle Creek, MI 49016-1370
1-616-961-7331
1-800-800-219-8168
The largest of these government auction bargain houses is held by the
Defense department. The Defense Department buys in such quantity that the
price they pay for goods is pennies on the dollar compared to what you
and I would have to spend. Any excess goods are typically held for auction,
sold at a loss, and resold, by people like you and me, for a huge profit!
The merchandise can range from nuts and bolts to ships and planes. (I'm
not kidding!) Can you imagine all the goods that the Defense Department
buys? Clothes, office supplies, computer equipment, automotive products,
building materials, electronic equipment, canned goods, even some occasional
jewelry. (No comment.) Almost anything you can think of is sold at a Defense
Department auction. The beauty of it is, if you can't make money reselling
it, or you can't use it, don't buy it!
These auctions are typically held once a month at more than 175 military
bases around the the country and at an additional 20 or more locations
worldwide. That makes the bargain hunting easy!
For more information call the Department of Defense at 800-468-8289
and experience huge results.
Federal Depository Insurance
Corporation (FDIC)
Federal Depository Insurance Corporation
4340 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
The FDIC sells at auctions the furnishings and equipment of failed commercial
banks. Consult the blue pages in your phone directory for the regional
FDIC office nearest you. Each regional office handles their own personal
property disposal. Professional auctioneers are contracted to auction off
the accumulation of desks, calculators, chairs, computers and other furnishings
that banks normally have. These auctions will be advertised in the auction
section or classifieds of local newspapers.
The FDIC also holds open for offers costly commercial property and real
estate. For a full catalog of these listings across the country, which
also includes homes over $250,000 call call your local operator for the
number.
They will send The Liquidation book which is the marketing list that
is most current. All the property the FDIC has to sell is in this book,
but if you are interested in bidding on a house under $250,000, it is wise
to ask them for the phone number of the FDIC sales office in your area
that is in charge of selling them, and then contact them directly. About
97 percent of the listings in it are commercial offerings such as hotels,
offices, and industries. Sales of commercial real estate are advertised
nationally by the FDIC in such papers as The Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Customs Service
U.S. Customs Service
E.G.& G. Dynatrend
2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 705
Arlington, VA 22201
1-703-273-7373
E.G.& G. Dynatrend, under contract with the U.S. Customs Service,
auctions forfeited and confiscated general merchandise, including vehicles,
on a nationwide basis. Items include everything from vessels-both pleasure
and commercial-to aircraft, machinery, clothes (in both commercial and
individual quantities), jewelry, household goods, precious Astons, liquor,
furniture, high technology equipment, and infrequently, real estate. Public
auctions and sealed and open bid methods are all used. Items are sold only
by lot and number of items in a lot ovary from one to many. You must bid
on the entire lot.
The U.S. Customs Public Auction Line is 703-351-7887.
U.S. Customs auctions are held every nine weeks in the following eight
cities: Los Angeles, CA; Laredo, TX; Nogales, AZ; Miami, FL; Edinburg,
TX; Houston, TX; Chula Vista, CA (San Diego, CA area); Jersey City, NJ;
El Paso, TX. Other auctions are scheduled at different times at various
other cities also.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Have you ever wondered what happened to those holiday presents that
never arrived? There's a great chance that the U.S. Postal Service sold
that merchandise to the highest bidder at a U.S. Postal auction.
These items which can contain anything from compact disc players and
camera equipment to books, clothes, and even small appliances are usually
sold in bins for less than $100.00! The condition of the merchandise at
this type of sale is usually excellent since most of it is new.
For more information call one of the mail recovery centers in Atlanta,
Philadelphia, San Francisco or St Paul.
We know you'll get great results.
I.R.S.
Well, I guess we all know what can happen if you don't pay your taxes.
Not only will you have to pay huge penalties and interest , have your wages
taken, bank accounts frozen and then seized, but you may end up with your
personal belongings being taken and sold at an I.R.S. auction.
There are some great bargains at these auctions that someone is going
to take advantage of, and it may as well be you.
You will find merchandise ranging from (these items were auctioned off
recently) a 1991 17 ft center console sunbird boat, to baseball cards such
as Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Mickie Mantle, Berra, Clemente,
and Ted Williams. Many times you will find items such as office equipment,
furniture, t.v.'s and automobiles. The list of items found at these auctions
is as broad as your imagination.
For more information call the I.R.S. at 800-829-1040.
Visit these auctions and you'll enjoy excellent results.
STATE, COUNTY, CITY & MUNICIPAL AUCTIONS
These auctions are usually sponsored by the police departments, the
division of motor vehicles,utility companies and the local government purchasing
departments. The items that are on the auction block are either confiscated
or are surplus goods that once again, will be sold to the highest bidder.
Some examples of some of the items sold from around the country in just
one week are.... in Casa Grande Az., farm and construction equipment. In
Lake Forest Calif., vehicles, jewelry, electronics, and personal property.
In Florida, the Village of Palm Springs, audio visual equipment, computers,
office furniture and supplies, hand tools and vehicles.In New Jersey, trucks,
trailers, green houses, forklifts, and cultivators. In just one week, 31
states held government auctions!
The opportunities certainly exist, and once again very few people know
about or take advantage of this terrific opportunity.
For information on these local auctions contact your county courthouse
and you too will find yourself with tremendous results.
HOW TO BID
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Offer a very low bid at the outset. This will make the other bidders wary
of the value of the merchandise and keep them from making competitive bids.
-
Only increase your offer by half of what the auctioneer is asking for.
This tactic will slow the overall bidding for the item that is being auctioned.
In the long run this will help keep the final price lower than if you just
let the auctioneer have his way.
-
Bid higher than the original asking price. This may sound a bit strange
but it will probably keep others from bidding. They'll sense that you really
want the item and will be afraid the price will go too high.
-
Never seem to anxious or too excited about a particular item. The auctioneer
will sense this and ring up counter bids that do not exist just to get
you to pay more.
-
Follow these simple steps and you'll reap great results.
PRECAUTIONS
-
Examine the merchandise first. Make sure of the quality of the goods and
then comparison shop by checking in the classified section of the newspaper
to help determine the value of the items up for auction.
-
Write down a set price and stick to it! Public auctions get people very
excited, and when that happens the prices can rise very rapidly. Sticking
to your price will help insure that you make a profitable decision.
-
Make plans to transport your purchases. There is no worse feeling than
getting a tremendous buy on a fabulous antique and then not be able to
get it home.
-
Find out the type of payment the agency accepts. Many government agencies
accept credit cards, and all of them will accept cash and cashiers checks,
but most will not accept personal checks.
-
This was also mentioned in bidding strategies but is worth repeating. Always
be on the lookout for phantom bidders. That is when the auctioneer pretends
there was a bid from someone who does not exist, just to get your bid higher.
WHERE AND WHEN IS THE NEXT GOVERNMENT AUCTION?
The following is a list of federal and state auctions. If you
plan to attend one of these auctions please call the number listed for
terms of payment. These terms will vary from office to office and state
to state.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
THE DEFENSE REUTILIZATION MARKETING SERVICE
P.O. BOX 1370
BATTLE CREEK, MI. 49016-1370
800-222-DRMS
616-961-7331
-
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLAZA, SW
WASHINGTON DC 20260-0001
202-268-2000
-
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATIONS PROPERTY
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
CRYSTAL MALL 4 ROOM 709
WASHINGTON DC 20406
703-557-7785
-
U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE
E.G.&G. DYNATREND
2300 CLARENDON BLVD., SUITE 705
ARLINGTON, VA. 22201
703-351-7887
703-351-7880
-
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
800-829-1040
-
MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY:
U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE, SEIZED ASSETS DIVISION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
600 ARMY-NAVY DR
ARLINGTON, VA. 22202
202-307-9237
-
HOMES:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
451 7TH ST SW
WASHINGTON, DC 20410-4000
202-708-1422
202-708-1220
202-708-1832
202-708-0324
-
HOMES:
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
810 VERMONT AVE NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20420
202-233-4000
-
REAL ESTATE:
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION PROPERTY SALES
800-GSA-1313
-
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT DIVISION
409 THIRD ST
WASHINGTON, DC 20416
202-205-6660
800-827-5722
-
FIREWOOD:
U.S. FOREST SERVICE TIMBER MANAGEMENT, U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
14TH & INDEPENDENCE AVE. SW
BOX 96090
WASHINGTON, DC 20090-6090
202-205-0855
202-205-0857
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CHRISTMAS TREES AND SEEDLINGS:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DIVISION OF FORESTRY
1849 C ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20240
202-653-8864
202-205-1389
-
BURROS AND HORSES: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
850 HARVARD WAY
RENO, NV 89520-0006
702-785-7400
STATE AUCTIONS
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ALABAMA:
ALABAMA SURPLUS PROPERTY
PO BOX 210487
MONTGOMERY, AL 36121
205-277-5866
-
ALASKA:
SURPLUS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE
2400 VIKING DR
ANCHORAGE, AK 99501
907-279-0596
-
ARIZONA:
OFFICE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
1537 WEST JACKSON ST
PHOENIX, AZ 85007
602-542-5701
-
ARKANSAS:
STATE MARKETING AND REDISTRIBUTION OFFICE
6620 YOUNG RD
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72209
501-565-8645
-
CALIFORNIA:
OFFICE OF FLEET ADMINISTRATION
1416 10TH ST
SACRAMENTO, CALIF 95814
916-657-2318
-
COLORADO:
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES, STATE SURPLUS
AGENCY
4200 GARFIELD ST
DENVER, CO 80216
303-321-2200
-
CONNECTICUT:
60 STATE ST REAR
WETHERSFIELD CT 06109
203-566-7018
-
DELAWARE:
DIVISION OF PURCHASING SURPLUS PROPERTY
PO BOX 299
DELAWARE CITY, DE 19706
302-834-4550
-
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:
DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS
5001 SHEPPARD PKWY
WASHINGTON, DC 20032
202-404-1068
-
FLORIDA:
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES
813 A LAKE BRADFORD RD
TALLAHASSE, FL 32304
904-488-5272
-
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION OF MOTOR POOL, BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES
813 B LAKE BRADFORD RD
TALLAHASSE, FL 32304
904-488-5178
-
GEORGIA:
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, PURCHASING DIVISION
SURPLUS PROPERTY SERVICES
1050 MURPHY AVE SW
ATLANTA, GA 30310
404-756-4800
-
HAWAII:
STATE GOVERNMENT STOCK CONTROL DEPARTMENT
808-735-0348
-
IDAHO:
DIVISION OF PURCHASING
208-327-7465
-
ILLINOIS:
CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, DIVISION OF PROPERTY CONTROL
3550 GREAT NORTHERN AVE
SPRINGFIELD, ILL 62707
217-782-2141
-
INDIANA:
STATE SURPLUS PROPERTY SECTION
229 W NEW YORK ST
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46202
317-232-0134
317-232-1365
-
IOWA:
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
WALLACE STATE OFFICE BLDG
DES MOINES, IA
50319
515-281-5145
-
KANSAS:
KANSAS STATE SURPLUS PROPERTY
P O BOX 19226
TOPEKA, KS 66619-0226
913-296-2334
-
KENTUCKY:
KENTUCKY OFFICE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
514 BARRET AVE
FRANKFURT, KY 40601
502-564-4836
-
LOUISIANA:
DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION, LOUISIANA PROPERTY ASSISTANCE
AGENCY
P O BOX 94095
1059 BRICKYARD LA
BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9095
504-342-6849
-
MAINE:
OFFICE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
STATION 95
AUGUSTA, ME 04333
207-289-5750
-
MARYLAND:
MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
P O BOX 122
8037 BROCK BRIDGE RD
JESSUP, MD 20794
410-799-0440
-
MASSACHUSETTS:
MASSACHUSETTS STATE PURCHASING AGENCY
DEPT OF PROCUREMENT AND GENERAL SERVICES
ONE ASHBURTON PLACE
BOSTON, MA 02108
617-727-7500
-
MICHIGAN:
STATE OF MICHIGAN, DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
STATE SURPLUS PROPERTY
P O BOX 30026
3353 N LOGAN
LANSING, MI 48913
517-335-8444
-
MINNESOTA:
MINNESOTA STATE SURPLUS OPERATIONS OFFICE
5420 HIGHWAY 8
NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112
612-639-4022
-
MISSISSIPPI:
BUREAU OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
P.O. BOX 5778
WHITFIELD RD
JACKSON, MS 39228
601-939-2050
-
MISSOURI:
STATE OF MISSOURI, SURPLUS PROPERTY OFFICE
MATERIALS MANAGEMENT SECTION
P.O. DRAWER 1310
117 N. RIVERSIDE DR
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102
314-751-3415
-
MONTANA:
PROPERTY AND SURPLUS BUREAU
930 LYNDALE AVE
HELENA, MT 59620-0137
406-444-4514
-
NEBRASKA:
NEBRASKA OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
MATERIAL DIVISION, SURPLUS PROPERTY
P.O. BOX 94901
LINCOLN, NE 68509
402-479-4890
-
NEVADA:
NEVADA STATE PURCHASING DIVISION
KINKEAD BLDG ROOM 400
CAPITOL COMPLEX
CARSON CITY, NV 89710
702-687-4070
-
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
OFFICE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
78 REGIONAL DR
BUILDING 3
CONCORD, NH 03301
603-271-2126
-
NEW JERSEY:
NEW JERSEY PURCHASE AND PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION CENTER
CN-234
TRENTON, NJ 08625-0234
609-530-3300
-
NEW MEXICO:
NEW MEXICO HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
SB-2 7315 CERRILLOS RD
P.O. BOX 1149
SANTE FE, NM 87504-1149
505-827-5580
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NEW YORK:
STATE OF NEW YORK OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICE
BUREAU OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
BUILDING 18
W.A. HARRIMAN STATE OFFICE BLDG CAMPUS
ALBANY, NY 12226
518-457-6335
-
NORTH CAROLINA:
STATE SURPLUS PROPERTY
P.O. BOX 33900
RALEIGH, NC 27636-3900
919-733-3889
-
NORTH DAKOTA:
SURPLUS PROPERTY OFFICE
P.O. BOX 7293
BISMARCK, ND 58507
701-224-2273
-
OHIO:
OFFICE OF STATE AND FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY
4200 SURFACE RD
COLUMBUS, OH 43228
614-466-5052
-
OKLAHOMA:
CENTRAL PURCHASING DEPT. CENTRAL SERVICES
B-4 STATE CAPITOL
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105
405-521-3046
-
OREGON:
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES, SURPLUS PROPERTY
1655 SALEM INDUSTRIAL DR N.E.
SALEM, OR 97310
503-378-4714
-
PENNSYLVANIA:
GENERAL SERVICES DEPT, BUREAU OF VEHICLE MANAGEMENT
2221 FORSTER RD
HARRISBURG, PA 17105
717-783-3132
717-787-4083
-
RHODE ISLAND:
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, DIVISION OF PURCHASE
1 CAPITOL HILL
PROVIDENCE, RI 02908
401-277-2375
-
SOUTH CAROLINA:
SURPLUS PROPERTY OFFICE, DIVISION OF GENERAL SERVICES
1441 BOSTON AVE
WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29170
803-822-5490
-
SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
1500 SHOP RD
P.O. BOX 191
COLUMBIA, SC 29202
803-737-6635
-
SOUTH DAKOTA:
BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION, STATE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
701 EAST SIOUX AVE
PIERRE, SD 57501-3321
605-773-4935
-
TENNESSEE:
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES PROPERTY UTILIZATION
6500 CENTENNIAL BLVD
NASHVILLE, TN 37243-0543
615-741-1711
-
TEXAS:
TEXAS STATE PURCHASING AND GENERAL SERVICES COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 13047
CAPITOL STATION
AUSTIN TX 78711-3047
512-463-3445
-
UTAH:
UTAH STATE SURPLUS OFFICE
522 SOUTH 700 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84104
801-533-5885
-
VERMONT:
VERMONT CENTRAL SURPLUS PROPERTY AGENCY
RD 2 BOX 520
MONTPELIER, VT 05602
802-828-3394
-
VIRGINIA:
STATE SURPLUS PROPERTY
P.O. BOX 1199
RICHMOND, VA 23231
804-786-3876
-
WASHINGTON:
OFFICE OF COMMODITY REDISTRIBUTION
2805 C ST SW
BUILDING 5, DOOR 49
AUBURN, WA 98001-7401
206-931-3931
-
WEST VIRGINIA:
WEST VIRGINIA STATE AGENCY SURPLUS PROPERTY
2700 CHARLES AVE
DUNBAR, WV 25064
304-766-2626
-
WISCONSIN:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
P.O. BOX 7396
HILL FARM BUILDING
4802 SHEBOYGAN AVE
MADISON, WI 53707-7396
608-266-3965
608-266-8024
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WYOMING:
STATE MOTOR POOL
723 WEST 19TH ST
CHEYENNE, WY 82002
307-777-7247