Public Government Auctions

Public auctions have always been popular among second hand retailers, particularly pre owned car dealers, so much so that some public government auctions are particularly reserved for licensed auto dealers and the general public are usually kept out.

Most auction houses realized that the public's money is good enough and open the doors to everyone. Government auto auctions are popular because typically these vehicles come off Government fleets and are always the best maintained. Normally these vehicles have a service life span of about 3 to 4 years, keeping the mileage reasonable as well. Therefore making them a very good value.

Because such great value can be had from these auctions, pre owned car dealers would never share their sources with anyone, they attend closed auctions as well as public auctions and are seasoned experts with solid bidding strategies.

The general public is only informed via paper ads and in some cases radio ads, but the advertising is generally kept low key. Auction houses do not have to advertise much, they open the doors and the public simply knows where to find them.

You can locate auctions in your area by doing some foot work yourself and contacting local Government agencies or looking through the Sunday paper. However the easiest way to find auctions and many of them listed in your area is to use a directory service that lists all available Public Government Auctions by zip code.

The only thing that can guarantee success is you. Meaning you must do your due diligence when you plan on buying form public Government auctions. They're great for saving money, but one particular area where you must scrutinize is at Government auto auctions.

I'm covering automobiles mostly because these are the items that can usually cost the buyer more distress if they pay too much or get a bad deal.

Although Government auto auctions are popular because of the quality of their inventory, you are still buying something pre owned, which is not different than buying it from a pre owned auto dealer. Some of their cars still have factory warranty that can be transferred to you, and some vehicles don't.

In either case, whether you purchase from a Government auction or any other type of auction, you must make sure your vehicle is properly researched and inspected. Getting a full inspection, even if you have to hire a mechanic to inspect it for you, and running a full history report on your car will give you peace of mind.

As far as how to approach your first auction, when you locate an auto auction near you, it is highly recommended that you first attend at least once to simply observe. Get a good feel for how the whole process works. The bidding process can go very quickly and may be confusing at first. You must also review and be clear about the rules of the auction house.

If the auction house insists on payment in full when you win the auction, you should insist on a title in hand, or have a specific date listed on your purchase contract for when the title will arrive. Titles are very important pieces of information and must be clean. Pay attention to the title research part, if the title comes back red or yellow, stay away and search for a vehicle with a green title.

Here are some resources to help you find your next or first Public Government Auction:

Gov-Auctions.org - Over 4,000 Government auctions listed throughout the United States.

SeizeCars.com - Guarantees listings in every state. Cars and trucks from $100, all makes and models.

Visit this online resource for a broader list of auctions directories