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