You don’t need to find the end of the rainbow to find your pot of gold these days. Government Surplus Auctions a virtual treasure trove for bargain hunters. These auctions held by government agencies to sell on a large variety of goods that are surplus to current requirements or that have been seized by customs or law enforcement agencies. The goods available range from filing cabinets that are no longer required to luxury vehicles that have been seized from drug dealers. You, as a citizen of the United States, can purchase these items at government auctions with many lots being sold at cost price. The government is not looking to turn a profit on these items so you have the opportunity to grab a bargain for yourself, or you may even be look for goods to flip on for a profit on EBay or an equivalent site. Read on for all you need to know about the hidden treasure to be found at government surplus auctions.

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 vehicles will include abandoned cars, vehicles used by a variety of government departments in the line of duty and seized vehicles including luxury models.

Land and Property

Plots of land and even residential property can be found 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 nonpayment of taxes by the owners or because it has been purchased by the proceeds of crime.

Personal/Electronic/Other Items

This category of goods is limited only by your imagination and will include items once used by government departments that are now surplus to requirements, goods seized at border crossings or by law enforcement agencies or the IRS. You will find everything from domestic appliances to jewelry and power tools to office furniture at government auctions.

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 include local newspapers, classified advertisements, local government agencies and radio advertisements.

There are also a number of websites that provide listings of government and repossession auctions for a small fee. These tend to provide full listings of all the auctions taking place around the country. If you are looking for something specific 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.

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 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 identification to register and you will need to check their payment requirements.

Government surplus auctions are a great source of golden nuggets that you can buy at bargain basement prices. Whether funds are low and you need something that you can’t afford to pay full price for or you see a business opportunity as a reseller, it is well worth your time to consider this option.