When authorities businesses must do away with stuff, they put it up for public sale.
That’s what makes authorities public sale websites, like GovDeals.com, an excellent place to seek out really distinctive finds at a steep low cost.
GovDeals permits you to search 1000’s of listings in nearly each class, from heavy gear and actual property to nice artwork and jewellery.
(We’re not kidding. You should buy an ambulance or a large ruby, all from GovDeals.)
What Is GovDeals?
Consider GovDeals like eBay however for governments.
As soon as an merchandise falls out of use, public organizations — from state faculties to legislation enforcement — public sale it off to the general public.
Again within the day, many businesses positioned adverts within the native newspaper once they wished to unload outdated gear or seized property.
GovDeals, together with a handful of different web sites, lets governments listing gadgets for public sale on-line as an alternative, the place they will attain a much bigger viewers. All the cash generated by the sale is returned to the company.
You’ll find absolutely anything on GovDeals, together with train gear, college projectors, laptops, meals storage gadgets, kitchen gear, vans, buying and selling playing cards, RVs, Ralph Lauren wallets and looking knives.
GovDeals has generated over $2.5 billion in gross sales because it was based greater than 20 years in the past, in accordance with the corporate’s web site.
How Does GovDeals Work?
Like eBay, you possibly can bid on gadgets listed on GovDeals and there could also be a reserve, even when the beginning bid is basically low. The consumer with the best bid when the public sale ends will get the merchandise if the reserve has been met. You’ll must create an account to get began.
You virtually all the time want to choose up the merchandise in individual. Not often, an company will ship you the merchandise for a charge.
You’ll be able to seek for gadgets by location or product sort. Every itemizing accommodates details about the merchandise, together with cost and pickup directions. Learn over these particulars rigorously.
Some sellers require you to pay them instantly, for instance, whereas others allow you to pay by means of GovDeals’ on-line platform.
13 Loopy Reasonably priced and Bizarre Issues We Discovered On GovDeals
It’s arduous to totally respect the randomness of GovDeals till you begin scrolling by means of listings.
When you begin, it’s arduous to cease.
Wait, they’re actually promoting that?
Listed below are 13 unusual issues we discovered on GovDeals. Belief us, there’s a lot extra to go round.
1. Yamaha Child Grand Piano — $875
- Beginning bid: $1
- Successful bid: $875
- Offered by: College of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas
- Supply obtainable: No.
Sure, you learn that proper: A child grand for $875, as an alternative of 1000’s. This Yamaha piano performs effectively and has been disassembled in preparation for a transfer. The one drawbacks embrace some scratches, a probably caught maintain pedal and a lacking bench. However, because the advert says, “Upright pianos are for rookies — now’s your shot at a child grand!”
You’ll be able to browse extra devices and musical gear here.
2. Milk Cooler — $50
- Beginning bid: $50
- Successful bid: $50
- Offered by: Mooresville Graded College District in North Carolina
- Supply obtainable: No
Want a brand new cooler? This 115-volt Delfield milk cooler with an air curtain is in good working situation — and value 1000’s new. Consider all the additional milk you possibly can retailer in that factor.
If it’s gear, you could find it on GovDeals — exercise equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, fire and police equipment, heavy equipment …
3. Seven 14k Yellow Gold Bracelets —$370
- Beginning bid: $20
- Successful bid: $370
- Offered by: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – Unclaimed Property Division in Austin, Texas
- Supply obtainable: Sure, included
Positive jewellery is a well-liked class on GovDeals — particularly gold jewellery. This lot from the Texas Division of Unclaimed Properties contains seven 14k bracelets totaling 11.1 grams of gold. There’s some scratches and indicators of floor put on, however it offered for $370 after 30 bids.
That’s a tough revenue of $215 simply based mostly on the worth of gold after you pay gross sales tax and charges.
There’s extra the place that got here from. To see all the jewellery offers, click here.
4. Three Fitbits — $20
- Beginning bid: $5
- Successful bid: $20
- Offered by: Denver Metropolis and County Authorities in Colorado
- Supply obtainable: Sure, for an extra $20
Three Fitbits of unknown situation with no warranties or ensures? In the event you don’t thoughts taking a shot in the dead of night, you possibly can attempt your luck. Perhaps one among them even works!
GovDeals provides an array of personal electronics, together with AirPods, iPhones, computer systems, tablets, printers, radios, desk telephones — you possibly can even choose up a cassette participant.
5. Set of 12 Birthday Bear Beanie Infants — $22.25
- Beginning bid: $10
- Successful bid: $22.25
- Offered by: Metropolis of Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky
- Supply obtainable: No
We’re unsure why Bowling Inexperienced’s metropolis authorities has a dozen birthday Beanie Babies (which promote for about $10 every) — however we’re right here for it. And look, they even come on this fashionable glass show case.
The collectibles class on GovDeals will increase extra questions than it solutions. Why is a metropolis promoting a megalodon shark tooth? How did 300 comedian books find yourself in a police proof room? Why is an airport itemizing sports activities playing cards?
6. A whole lot of Books — $5
- Beginning bid: $5
- Successful bid: $5
- Offered by: Berkeley County Authorities in South Carolina
- Supply obtainable: No.
Need to replenish your bookshelves or begin a library? This lot contains 619 books, 12 CDs, 35 DVDs and one puzzle. Greatest downside? Authors, titles and topic issues aren’t listed within the publish, so it’s arduous to know what you’re getting.
There’s much more than books underneath the educational heading. You may take house an animatron, microscope, furnishings, a smartboard, calculators. There’s additionally a book class with textbooks, manuals and outdated library books.
7. 2005 Pierce Enforcer Fireplace Truck — $7,300
- Beginning bid: $500
- Successful bid: $7,300
- Offered by: Indian River County Authorities in Vero Seashore, Florida
- Supply obtainable: No
Sure, for lower than $8,000, you can also personal a fire truck. Clearly, it’s not good: It has 178,201 miles on it, and the pump has a leaky mechanical seal that must be overhauled. However hey, in case you’re available in the market for a hearth truck …
And who isn’t, take a look at these surplus trucks.
8. A number of Workplace Furnishings — $1
- Beginning bid: $1
- Successful bid: $1
- Offered by: College of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama
- Supply obtainable: No
It’s loopy that each one this office furniture offered for simply $1 — effectively, technically $1.23 after tax and charges. The lot contains 25 chairs, three metallic bookcases, 12 workplace desks and tables, three submitting cupboards and one double seat.
Furniture abounds on GovDeals and there are some good offers available.
9. Kiln — $1,325
- Beginning bid: $100
- Successful bid: $1,325
- Offered by: Montgomery School in Rockville, Maryland
Supply obtainable: No
Need to fireplace up your individual pottery facet hustle? This kiln may assist get you began — and it offered for 1000’s lower than an identical new one. The vendor says it’s in good situation “however wants some TLC.”
The arts and crafts part isn’t all kilns and pottery wheels. It’s additionally stickers, bowling pins, baskets and framed artwork.
10. 2005 Ford Crown Victoria — $1,125
- Beginning bid: $300
- Successful bid: $1,125
- Offered by: Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Workplace in Thibodaux, Louisiana
- Supply obtainable: No
With used automobile costs so excessive, we gained’t decide in case you bid on this Crown Vic with a V8 engine. It is perhaps 17 years outdated with 199,277 miles, however hey, it nonetheless runs. Plus the physique and paint are in good situation. One fairly notable downside: The powertrain management module “must be changed sooner or later.”
You’ll be able to click on by means of a whole lot of cars on GovDeals, even classic ones.
11. Over 1,600 Bricks — $50
- Beginning bid: $50
- Successful bid: $50
- Offered by: Ashtabula County Technical & Profession Heart in Jefferson, Ohio
- Supply obtainable: No
Building supplies aren’t low-cost nowadays, so this lot of 1,680 bricks is a steal. The bricks have been used as a part of an academic program. They’re in good situation even when they appear just a little wonky. Contemplating the common price for 1,000 bricks runs about $350 to $900, you possibly can in all probability overlook these superficial blemishes.
Other than low-cost bricks, you could find lumber and different building materials.
12. 5 Mini-iPads — $125
- Beginning bid: $125
- Successful bid: $125
- Offered by: Somerset Included College District in Texas
- Supply obtainable: No
Who is aware of if these 2nd era mini iPads with 16GB of storage really work. However at $25 a chunk, you may wish to place a bid simply to seek out out.
Take a look at extra iPads and tablets here.
13. Two Cafeteria Tables — $20
- Beginning bid: $20
- Successful bid: $20
- Offered by: Santa Rosa County College District in Milton, Florida
- Supply obtainable: No
Want some further seating at your subsequent occasion? You will get each of those highschool sized cafeteria tables in good situation for lower than $25.
Different Authorities Surplus Websites
GovDeals isn’t the one sport on the town relating to authorities auctions.
Listed below are a number of different authorities public sale websites the place you could find bargains:
Joyful cut price looking!
Rachel Christian is a Licensed Educator in Private Finance and a senior author for The FinanceGrabber.