Government And Police Auctions - What's the story?
How can this be true? Why would anyone sell cars and other property so cheap? These Government and Police Auctions sound like a great way to save a lot of money on great quality items, particularly cars, but it really does sound too good to be true! What is the catch?
In a nutshell, federal, state, local governments and different law enforcement agencies regularly seize and auction off surplus and unclaimed property, including cars, bikes, boats and a variety of other items.
None of the organizations mentioned above are in the business of storing and dealing any type of merchandise, so the seized properties must be auctioned off quickly to avoid paying the high costs of storing and maintaining them. This typically works out great for the public as they're able to buy these items at severely discounted prices.
Cars and other motor vehicles are typically very popular at Government and Police Auctions. Car dealers get their inventory from these sources as well and typically frown upon disclosing this type of information to the general public, cutting them out means great savings for you.
In a nutshell, federal, state, local governments and different law enforcement agencies regularly seize and auction off surplus and unclaimed property, including cars, bikes, boats and a variety of other items.
None of the organizations mentioned above are in the business of storing and dealing any type of merchandise, so the seized properties must be auctioned off quickly to avoid paying the high costs of storing and maintaining them. This typically works out great for the public as they're able to buy these items at severely discounted prices.
Cars and other motor vehicles are typically very popular at Government and Police Auctions. Car dealers get their inventory from these sources as well and typically frown upon disclosing this type of information to the general public, cutting them out means great savings for you.
How Government And Police Auctions Work
Get a good background on how these auctions work
Government and Police Auctions are held all over the US. Auctions can be held at the same locations on a regular basis and the schedules vary as well. Most auction houses will hold auctions on a monthly basis, but they can also go quarterly or annually.
Listings for these auctions are usually found in local newspapers and in some cases announced on the radio. These auctions do not only include automobiles, other items like jewelry, antiques and even real estate can be found.
If you're looking for an affordable car, this is one way to do it. But remember that these auction houses gear to make the most they can from these auctions and in some cases buyer premiums apply, but don't let this discourage you, you can in fact save a lot of money compared to buying from a pre owned lot, you just need to pay attention and do your homework prior to attending an auction.
To attend and bid at an auction you must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license. Some auctions are restricted to licensed car dealers only, but the majority of them are open to the general public.
Typically at Government auto auctions there is a preview, or inspection period of about two to three days, this provides you with an opportunity to get under the hood and inspect a number of vehicles thoroughly before you go bidding. Typically there are no warranties or guarantees about the condition of the vehicle, which is really not at all different from pre-owned car dealers. Some vehicles have factory warranty left, this is particularly true of Government fleet and service vehicles.
In the case that your chosen vehicle is out of warranty, you will have the option to purchase additional warranty coverage after you win the vehicle. This of course is highly recommended but read the contract clearly and determine exactly what is covered.
Typically Government and Police auctions do not carry buyers fees or registration fees, but check with the auction house. If the auction is run by a third party company, they would most certainly charge a premium.
To get more detailed information on how to approach these types of auctions, take this Free 5 day course on Government and Police Auctions. It will clear up a lot of doubts and encourage you to attend.
Listings for these auctions are usually found in local newspapers and in some cases announced on the radio. These auctions do not only include automobiles, other items like jewelry, antiques and even real estate can be found.
If you're looking for an affordable car, this is one way to do it. But remember that these auction houses gear to make the most they can from these auctions and in some cases buyer premiums apply, but don't let this discourage you, you can in fact save a lot of money compared to buying from a pre owned lot, you just need to pay attention and do your homework prior to attending an auction.
To attend and bid at an auction you must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license. Some auctions are restricted to licensed car dealers only, but the majority of them are open to the general public.
Typically at Government auto auctions there is a preview, or inspection period of about two to three days, this provides you with an opportunity to get under the hood and inspect a number of vehicles thoroughly before you go bidding. Typically there are no warranties or guarantees about the condition of the vehicle, which is really not at all different from pre-owned car dealers. Some vehicles have factory warranty left, this is particularly true of Government fleet and service vehicles.
In the case that your chosen vehicle is out of warranty, you will have the option to purchase additional warranty coverage after you win the vehicle. This of course is highly recommended but read the contract clearly and determine exactly what is covered.
Typically Government and Police auctions do not carry buyers fees or registration fees, but check with the auction house. If the auction is run by a third party company, they would most certainly charge a premium.
To get more detailed information on how to approach these types of auctions, take this Free 5 day course on Government and Police Auctions. It will clear up a lot of doubts and encourage you to attend.
Ok, So these Auctions Sound Great.. But What's the Catch?
Government and Police Auctions Are Usually the Safest
When it comes to Government Auto Auctions in particular, the biggest catch is that there is always a lot of competition. Why? Well Government fleet and service vehicles are always the best maintained. These vehicles are kept in service for about 3 to 4 years and mileage is also low. Making them great for retailing. So generally it is best to buy from a Government auction.Other catches are that there is in fact some risk involved, however you will significantly decrease or eliminate that risk by doing your due diligence. You would never buy a car from a pre-owned dealer without asking questions or finding out as much as you can about the vehicle, would you? Well this is really no different, in fact in some cases when you're not at a Government auction but a seized car auction or any other type of auction run by a private company, you must scrutinize more before you decide to start bidding.
Follow the Free 5 day guide to Government and Police Auctions and you'll be on your way to a new set of wheels in no time.
How do I find Listings for Government and Police Auctions?
There are two ways to find these auctions..
Cars and other property auctions are always listed in local newspapers, however not all auction houses close to you will advertise. You can also do some legwork and contact your local, state and local federal offices and ask if they run any kind of auctions.
By far the easiest way to find auctions close to you is via directory services. The following site specializes in Government and Police Auctions, they have collected a database of over 4,000 auction around the country that allow the general public to participate.
The services through these directories only include listings of available auctions for you to attend, they also include some of the listed inventory by the auction houses, but you won't find specific details about the condition of the vehicles or prices. To obtain that information you must contact the auction house or visit the lot and inspect a few vehicles yourself.
By far the easiest way to find auctions close to you is via directory services. The following site specializes in Government and Police Auctions, they have collected a database of over 4,000 auction around the country that allow the general public to participate.
The services through these directories only include listings of available auctions for you to attend, they also include some of the listed inventory by the auction houses, but you won't find specific details about the condition of the vehicles or prices. To obtain that information you must contact the auction house or visit the lot and inspect a few vehicles yourself.
Here's my favorite link:
Other lenses about Government and Police Auctions
Find the information you need!
-
Government Auction Listings
-
If you want to attend a government auction you need to search for all the ones available in your area, there should be a handful. Directory services help everyone find Government auction listings throughout the country and are more than affordable....
-
Government Seized Car Auctions Tips
-
Government Seized Car Auctions are typically done at live auctions in different parts of country and there are literally thousands of them. Online auto auctions are also convenient, mostly popularized by eBay, but there are certain disadvantages to b...
-
Public Government Auctions
-
Each year several Government and Law Enforcement Agencies end up with surplus, unclaimed and seized property that collectively ends up being sold in "Public Government Auctions". The properties are not just homes, they are also cars, motor bikes, cam...
-
Government Auto Auctions Guide
-
Government Auto Auctions are a great way to save a lot of dough on a pre owned car. These types of auctions are nothing new, but yet most people are unaware of these opportunities. Some assume that these auctions only allow car dealers to attend and...
by Chass
Government and Police Auctions have long been the most economic way to get a pre owned vehicle, without paying inflated prices. Take the Free-5 Day co... (more)
