When authorities businesses have to do away with stuff, they put it up for public sale.
That’s what makes authorities public sale websites, like GovDeals.com, an important place to search out really distinctive finds at a steep low cost.
GovDeals permits you to search hundreds of listings in nearly each class, from heavy gear and actual property to superb artwork and jewellery.
(We’re not kidding. You should purchase 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 schools 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Again within the day, many businesses positioned adverts within the native newspaper once they wished to unload outdated gear or seized property.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 record 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.
Yow will discover absolutely anything on GovDeals, together with train gear, college projectors, laptops, meals storage gadgets, kitchen gear, vehicles, buying and selling playing cards, RVs, Ralph Lauren wallets and searching 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’ll be able to bid on gadgets listed on GovDeals and there could also be a reserve, even when the beginning bid is admittedly low. The consumer with the very best bid when the public sale ends will get the merchandise if the reserve has been met. You’ll have to create an account to get began.
You virtually all the time want to select up the merchandise in particular person. Hardly ever, an company will ship you the merchandise for a charge.
You’ll be able to seek for gadgets by location or product kind. Every itemizing accommodates details about the merchandise, together with cost and pickup directions. Learn over these particulars fastidiously.
Some sellers require you to pay them instantly, for instance, whereas others allow you to pay by GovDeals’ on-line platform.
13 Loopy Inexpensive and Bizarre Issues We Discovered On GovDeals
It’s arduous to completely admire the randomness of GovDeals till you begin scrolling by listings.
When you begin, it’s arduous to cease.
Wait, they’re actually promoting that?
Listed here 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
- Bought by: College of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas
- Supply out there: No.
Sure, you learn that proper: A child grand for $875, as an alternative of hundreds. This Yamaha piano performs properly and has been disassembled in preparation for a transfer. The one drawbacks embody some scratches, a presumably 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
- Bought by: Mooresville Graded College District in North Carolina
- Supply out there: No
Want a brand new cooler? This 115-volt Delfield milk cooler with an air curtain is in good working situation — and value hundreds new. Consider all the additional milk you’ll be able to 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
- Bought by: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – Unclaimed Property Division in Austin, Texas
- Supply out there: Sure, included
Nice jewellery is a well-liked class on GovDeals — particularly gold jewellery. This lot from the Texas Division of Unclaimed Properties consists of seven 14k bracelets totaling 11.1 grams of gold. There’s some scratches and indicators of floor put on, nevertheless it offered for $370 after 30 bids.
That’s a tough revenue of $215 simply based mostly on the value of gold after you pay gross sales tax and costs.
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
- Bought by: Denver Metropolis and County Authorities in Colorado
- Supply out there: Sure, for an extra $20
Three Fitbits of unknown situation with no warranties or ensures? Should you don’t thoughts taking a shot at nighttime, you’ll be able to strive your luck. Perhaps one in every of them even works!
GovDeals provides an array of personal electronics, together with AirPods, iPhones, computer systems, tablets, printers, radios, desk telephones — you’ll be able to even choose up a cassette participant.
5. Set of 12 Birthday Bear Beanie Infants — $22.25
- Beginning bid: $10
- Successful bid: $22.25
- Bought by: Metropolis of Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky
- Supply out there: 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 trendy 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. Tons of of Books — $5
- Beginning bid: $5
- Successful bid: $5
- Bought by: Berkeley County Authorities in South Carolina
- Supply out there: No.
Wish to replenish your bookshelves or begin a library? This lot consists of 619 books, 12 CDs, 35 DVDs and one puzzle. Largest disadvantage? 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 beneath the educational heading. You possibly can 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 Hearth Truck — $7,300
- Beginning bid: $500
- Successful bid: $7,300
- Bought by: Indian River County Authorities in Vero Seashore, Florida
- Supply out there: No
Sure, for lower than $8,000, you can also personal a fire truck. Clearly, it’s not excellent: It has 178,201 miles on it, and the pump has a leaky mechanical seal that must be overhauled. However hey, for those who’re out there for a hearth truck …
And who isn’t, try these surplus trucks.
8. A lot of Workplace Furnishings — $1
- Beginning bid: $1
- Successful bid: $1
- Bought by: College of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama
- Supply out there: No
It’s loopy that each one this office furniture offered for simply $1 — properly, technically $1.23 after tax and costs. The lot consists of 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
- Bought by: Montgomery Faculty in Rockville, Maryland
Supply out there: No
Wish to fireplace up your personal pottery facet hustle? This kiln may assist get you began — and it offered for hundreds 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
- Bought by: Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Workplace in Thibodaux, Louisiana
- Supply out there: No
With used automobile costs so excessive, we received’t choose for those who 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 disadvantage: The powertrain management module “must be changed in some unspecified time in the future.”
You’ll be able to click on by a whole bunch of cars on GovDeals, even classic ones.
11. Over 1,600 Bricks — $50
- Beginning bid: $50
- Successful bid: $50
- Bought by: Ashtabula County Technical & Profession Heart in Jefferson, Ohio
- Supply out there: No
Building supplies aren’t low cost lately, 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 give the impression of being slightly wonky. Contemplating the typical price for 1,000 bricks runs about $350 to $900, you’ll be able to most likely overlook these superficial blemishes.
Except for low cost bricks, you could find lumber and different building materials.
12. 5 Mini-iPads — $125
- Beginning bid: $125
- Successful bid: $125
- Bought by: Somerset Integrated College District in Texas
- Supply out there: No
Who is aware of if these 2nd era mini iPads with 16GB of storage truly work. However at $25 a bit, you may wish to place a bid simply to search out out.
Try extra iPads and tablets here.
13. Two Cafeteria Tables — $20
- Beginning bid: $20
- Successful bid: $20
- Bought by: Santa Rosa County College District in Milton, Florida
- Supply out there: No
Want some additional 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 in the case of authorities auctions.
Listed here are just a few different authorities public sale websites the place you could find bargains:
Completely satisfied discount searching!
Rachel Christian is a Licensed Educator in Private Finance and a senior author for The PNW.