| Did you ever wonder what happens to all that | | | | surplus property.The fun part is actually bidding and |
| government equipment that is | | | | winning items. You can easily purchase things |
| purchased each year by federal, state, and local | | | | at 80%-90% off of retail! I personally purchased a |
| governments? They don't just throw | | | | color laser printer at 10% of it's |
| it away! By law, all unused and out-dated equipment | | | | value! Granted, I needed to drive 3 hours to pick it up |
| must be sold back to the | | | | and I needed to clean it once I |
| public at a public auction! That's right. Everything is | | | | got it home, but it works flawlessly.The business part |
| available to you and I the | | | | of the equation is in purchasing large lots of equipment. |
| American taxpayer. There are primarily two ways | | | | I |
| that the government does this: on- | | | | personally buy and sell large quantities of computer |
| site auctions or online auctions.At an on-site auction, | | | | and office equipment. You can |
| the government agency disposing of the property | | | | purchase computer and monitors by the skid load! I |
| must | | | | resell to friends and neighbors |
| usually post a public notice about the auction such as | | | | who get a good deal as well. I can sell them |
| the location, date, time, and | | | | equipment 50% off of retail and still |
| items to be auctioned off. There is usually an | | | | double my money! The local government auctions |
| inspection period, especially if there | | | | usually have the best deals as |
| are high-priced items that are to be auctioned off. | | | | there are typically fewer bidders competing against |
| Bidding is usually open to | | | | you. I purchased $12,000 worth |
| anyone, but you generally must pre-register on-site at | | | | of computer equipment for $65! I also picked up a |
| the auction to bid. On site | | | | conference table and beautiful |
| auctions may include items like used vehicles, boats, | | | | retro conference chairs!Remember though, to bid with |
| aircraft, computer equipment | | | | your head and not above it. Research carefully what |
| and military surplus. Some of the items are new, most | | | | you are interested in and what it would bring in resale. |
| are used, and a small | | | | Set a firm price in your mind |
| percentage of it is junk.Online Auctions are available | | | | and don't go over that price. Don't ever get caught up |
| to anyone with an internet connection and can be | | | | in the heat of the moment |
| found on various website. The federal government | | | | when the bidding starts going crazy! Take a step |
| typically uses the GSA auction | | | | back and re-evaluate before you |
| site at gsa.gov/auctions. The military uses State and | | | | pay more for something than you wanted to.Dean |
| local | | | | Novosat regularly attends local government auctions |
| governments may have their own websites. You | | | | and participates online.Much of what he wins, he |
| may need to call your local | | | | resells. |
| government agency to find out how they handle | | | | |