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State Government Surplus Auctions
State Government Auctions
The following is a descriptive listing of state government offices which
offer auctions or donations of surplus property.
Alabama
Alabama Surplus Property, P.O. Box 210487, Montgomery, AL 36121,
205-277-5866. Alabama auctions off a variety of items about three times
per year, including office equipment, heavy machinery (such as milling
machines and drill presses), and vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats,
and tractors. Trailers, medical equipment, tires, dossiers, and lathes are
also sold. The state advertises upcoming auctions in the classified
section of local newspapers. Upon written request made to the above
address, you can be put on a mailing list. You will then be notified 2 or
3 weeks in advance of each upcoming auction, but you won't receive a list
of items. Lists of items can be picked up at the above office 2 days
before the auction. Payment can be by cash, cashier's check, or personal
check with a bank letter of credit. Items are available for viewing two
days prior to the auction. No bids by mail.
Alaska
Office of Surplus Property, 2400 Viking Dr., Anchorage, AK 99501,
907-279-0596. The Juno office is 907-465-2172. Call it for general
information and mailing list information. Alaska's Division of General
Services and Supply sells surplus office equipment, including furniture and
typewriters, every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 12:pm, and from 1:00 pm to 4:00
pm in a garage sale fashion with prices marked for each item. For items
costing over $100, cash or cashiers checks are required. Vehicles, at
various locations throughout the state, are sold during sealed bid or
outcry auctions twice a year, in the spring and fall. Payment is by
cashiers check after you have been notified of your winning bid.
Arizona
Office of Surplus Property, 1537 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007,
602-542-5701. About four times per year, Arizona auctions off everything
from vehicles to miscellaneous office equipment and computers. Items are
sold by lots rather than individually; and prices, especially cars, can be
below blue book price, depending upon opening bids. Vehicles range from
empty frames to Jaguars. A mailing list is maintained. You can have it
sent to you for no charge. Individual cities and county governments in
Arizona also hold their own surplus auctions.
Arkansas
State Marketing and Redistribution Office, 6620 Young Rd., Little Rock, AR
72209, 501-565-8645. Arkansas conducts both bid and retail, fixed price
sales of surplus items. On Wednesdays, between 7:30 am and 3:00 pm, buyers
may view and purchase items, which include office machines, tables, and
tires, valued at under $500. Larger, more valuable items, including
vehicles, medical equipment, mobile homes, and machine shop and automotive
supplies, are auctioned off. You can have your name placed on the auction
mailing list for various categories such as computers, autos and
miscellaneous equipment. You must bid three times to keep your name on the
mailing list. The state also conducts sealed bids by mail. The bid fee is
$1. No personal checks are accepted for sealed bids. All items are sold
"as is," with no refunds or guarantees implied or stated.
California
State of California, Office of Fleet Administration, 1416 10th St.,
Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-7527. California sells surplus office
equipment or other supplies only to schools and other non-profit or
educational institutions. However, once a month on Saturdays, the General
Services Department of the state holds open bid auctions at Sacramento or
Los Angeles State Garages of surplus automobiles previously owned by state
agencies. Vehicles can be viewed from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. The auction
begins at 10:00 am. Vehicles may include sedans, cargo and passenger vans,
pick-ups (mostly American-made). You can receive 2 weeks advance notice by
getting on the mailing list. Auctions are occasionally advertised in the
newspapers. Minimum bid prices are set for exceptionally nice cars. Only
state agency vehicles are sold. Payment is by cash, cashiers check, or
certified check. Personal checks are also accepted, but items may not be
picked up until the check has cleared. Successful bidders have up to one
week to pay for and pick up the cars (the following Friday). Out-of-state
checks are frowned upon. Prices vary greatly, and some vehicles have
required minimum bids.
California Highway Patrol, Used Vehicle Sales Office, 2812 Meadowview Rd.,
Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-421-0285. CHP auctions off vehicles such as Olds
Sierras, Chevy Capris, Buick Centurys, 4x4's, Mustangs, motorcycles, and
many more. Most have air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes.
Minimum bids are stated on a recorded telephone message. The auction is by
sealed bids which are opened at 3:00 pm daily; winners may be present or
notified by telephone. Payment is by cashiers check, certified check, or,
money order only -- no personal checks or cash accepted. Bids may be
submitted and inspection is available between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Colorado
Department of Correctional Industries, State Surplus Agency, 4200 Garfield
Street, Denver, CO 80216, 303-321-2200. Several times a year, Colorado
auctions off its surplus property, excepts for motor vehicles, which are
not sold to the public. Auctions are pre-announced in newspaper ads, and a
mailing list is also maintained. To be put on the mailing list, call the
above number. The auctions of state property are held the third Thursday
of every month. If you are on the mailing list, you will receive notice
the weekend before the auction with a brief description of the items.
Non-profit organizations have first choice of state surplus items, which
can include typewriters, desks, computers, file cabinets, hospital beds,
and much more. Payment may be made by cash, money order or personal checks
with two IDs.
Connecticut
60 State St. Rear, Old Wethersfield, CT 06109, 203-566-7018, or
203-566-7190. The state holds tag sales on a daily basis between noon and
3:45pm. Items vary from day to day. Vehicles are auctioned separately 8
or 9 times per year, with ads in the 4 largest newspapers and on 2 radio
stations giving advance notice. There is no mailing list. These auctions
are usually on the second Saturday of the month. Vehicles commonly
available include Ford LTD's, Plymouth Horizons, and Chevrolet Chevettes,
and may be viewed one hour prior to the auction. Buyers may also purchase
a brochure with vehicle descriptions when they pay the $3 registration fee.
Delaware
Division of Purchasing Surplus Property, P.O. Box 299, Delaware City, DE
19706, 302-834-4550. About two, sometimes three times each year, in May
and in September, Delaware publicly auctions off vehicles, office
furniture, and other surplus or used property. Vehicles include school
buses, paddle boats, vans, pick-up trucks, heavy equipment, and sedans.
Prices depend on the condition of the item and how many people are bidding
for it. Vehicles may be inspected and started up prior to the auction, but
may not be driven. You may get on a mailing list to be advised of upcoming
auctions. A flyer with information and conditions of payment will be sent
to you.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia Property Division, 202-767-7989. DC holds vehicle
auctions every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. Vehicles include cars,
trucks, buses, ambulances, and boats. Inspection and viewing is available
at 8:00 am, one hour prior to the 9:00 am open bid auction. Prices and
conditions of vehicles vary greatly. No mailing list is kept. Auctions
are posted 45 days in advance in the Washington Times. A $50 cash entry
fee must be paid to attend an auction and is refunded if no car is
purchased. Cars must be paid for in full at the auction by certified or
cashier's check. Twice a year confiscated bikes and property found inside
of cars go to auction.
District of Columbia Office of Property Control, 202-767-7586. In the
past, this office auctioned off items such as clothing, typewriters,
cabinets, tools, refrigerators, and more at the DC Police Training Academy
facility. Such auctions are becoming increasingly infrequent and may be
discontinued altogether in the future. No mailing list is kept, but
advance notices are placed in The Washington Post. Viewing of items is
allowed the day of the sales. Cash only is accepted.
Florida
Department of General Services, 813 A Lake Bradford Rd., Tallahassee, FL
32304, 904-488-5272. DGS holds no auctions. A retail store, located at
the above address, is open from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on weekdays for public
retail-type sales of various items, excluding vehicles. Items include
office supplies, computers, medical equipment, mowers, calculators,
typewriters, couches, desks, chairs, tables, air conditioners, black
boards, and filing cabinets.
Department of General Services, Division of Motor Pool Bureau of Motor
Vehicles, 813 B Lake Bradford Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32304, 904-488-2041.
Once per month, somewhere in Florida, items are auctioned for the state by
First Coast Auctions at 904-772-0110. Descriptive information and viewing
schedules are published in newspapers. The above number has recorded
auction information. Surplus items, including motorcars, heavy equipment
and boats are sold. Automobile auctions take place anywhere from 10 to 40
times per year, with dates set 4 to 6 weeks in advance at various auction
locations throughout the state. The auctions are advertised. Industrial
equipment is also included, along with various kinds of used and
confiscated vans, trucks, cars, and Blazers. Pleasure and fishing boats
are also auctioned. Items may be viewed prior to the auction.
Georgia
State of Georgia, Department of Administrative Services, Purchasing
Division, Surplus Property Services, 1050 Murphy Ave, SW, Atlanta, GA
30310, 404-756-4800. Georgia auctions vehicles, including sedans, wagons,
trucks, vans, buses, and cement mixers; also shop equipment, generators,
typewriters, copiers, computers, tape recorders, and other office
equipment; as well as audio-visual equipment, cameras, electronic
equipment, and air conditioners. They keep a mailing list and also
advertise the auctions in local newspapers. Merchandise may be inspected
by pre-registered bidders two days before an auction, which are held on the
third Wednesday of a month -- but not necessarily every month. Auctions
begin at 8:30 am if federal property is to be sold, otherwise at 9-9:30 am.
Vehicles may be started up, but not driven. Sealed bids are also used, and
deposits are required with these. For auctions, items are payable with
cash or check with sufficient I.D. if the amount is under $501.00. For
personal or business checks in amounts over $50l.00, property will be held
until the check clears. Items must be paid for on the day of sale. A
recent Georgia auction offered 40 sedans between 3 and 15 years old, 30
pick-up trucks from 5 to 22 years old, vans dating from 1965 to 1989,
tires, tractors, farm equipment, shop equipment, office equipment, and 3
lots of televisions.
Hawaii
State Government Stock Control Department, 808-735-0348/0349. Hawaii does
not conduct surplus sales at the state level. Federal public auctions are
held by the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office, 808-476-6872.
Idaho
Bureau of Supplies, 5565 Kendall St., Boise, ID 83706, 208-327-7468. In
1991 the Idaho state legislature dissolved centralized public auctions.
Each state agency now holds its own auction or has a commercial auctioneer
handle its surplus. If an agency decides to auction cars through sealed
bids, it must advertise in 3 newspapers for 10 days. To find out if, when,
and what an agency is disposing of through auction, contact that agency
directly.
Illinois
Central Management Services, Division of Property Control, 3550 Great
Northern Ave., Springfield, IL 62707, 217-793-1813. Two or three times per
year this office auctions vehicles and property. Auctions are held at the
Illinois state fairgrounds on Sangamon Avenue in Springfield. Auctions are
always held on Saturdays. Property includes office equipment, desks,
chairs, typewriters, restaurant equipment, calculators, cameras,
refrigerators, and filing cabinets. Scrap metal and equipment not easily
moved are sold by sealed bid. The office maintains a mailing list which
costs $20/year to subscribe. Notices of auctions and bids are mailed out 3
weeks prior to the auction. The auctions are also advertised in advance in
local newspapers. All the cars auctioned have a minimum mileage of 75,000
miles and were driven by state employees. Minimum bid begins at $300.
Prices vary widely, but below-market prices are available. Illinois
auctions off vehicles by open bid auctions. (Confiscated cars are sold at
federal auctions and may present greater possibility for a bargain.)
Indiana
State Surplus Property Section, 545 W. McCarty St., Indianapolis, IN
46225-1239, 317-232-0134, warehouse; 317-232-1365, office. Indiana holds
auctions as items accumulate through open cry auctions to the highest
bidder. Auctioned items are primarily office desks, supplies, scrap metal,
and occasionally computer equipment. During the summer months, the state
sells surplus from the Department of Transportation and the Department of
Natural Resources. There is no mailing list. Auctions are advertised the
first Thursday of every month in the Indianapolis Star and Recorder.
Vehicles are sold on the first Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am at 8800
Brookville Road, Indianapolis by public auction. The auction date and
selected auctioneer changes every year. The switch is made during July.
Call the above office in May to obtain the new schedule. Sealed bids must
contain 100% deposit. Payment is by cash, certified check, cashiers check,
or money order. No personal checks or letters of credit are accepted.
Items purchased must be removed from premises by 8:00 pm the day of the
auction.
Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA
50319, 515-281-5145. The Department of Natural Resources holds an auction
when and if a sufficient number of items have accumulated, on the second
Saturday of every May. Items disposed of include boats, fishing rods,
tackle boxes, guns, and other fishing and hunting equipment, as well as
office equipment. Payment is by cash or check with appropriate
identification. There is no mailing list, but auctions are advertised in
local newspapers.
Vehicle Dispatchers Garage, 301 E. 7th, Des Moines, IA 50319, 515-281-5121.
The Department of Transportation holds auctions, if there is sufficient
accumulation, three to four times per year at 9:00 am on Saturdays. The
state disposes of approximately 500 vehicles yearly through these auctions.
They mostly sell patrol cars, pickups and trucks. All have at least 75,000
miles of travel on them, and prices vary widely. A deposit of $200 is
required on the day of the sale, with full payment due by the following
Thursday. Payment may be made by cash or check with an accompanying letter
of credit guaranteeing payment by the issuing institution. Viewing is
possible Friday all day and Saturday morning prior to the sale. There is a
mailing list. Auctions are advertised in the local papers.
Kansas
Kansas State Surplus Property, P.O. Box 19226, Topeka, KS 66619-0226,
913-296-2334, FAX: 913-296-7427. The State Surplus Property office sells
sedans, snow plows, and everything they have, from staples to bulldozers.
Property is first offered to other state agencies at set prices for 30
days. Whatever is left over is opened to public sale at the same prices.
Prices tend to be competitive. Items not sold by auction are sold by
sealed bids, with a catalog available containing descriptions of items and
where they are located. Confiscated vehicles are not sold to the public.
They are disposed of by county courthouses, usually to county agencies. To
obtain copies of catalogs describing sealed bid items, write to the above
address. It will be sent to you for 3 months, after which time your name
will be purged unless you re-request it.
Kentucky
Kentucky Office of Surplus Property, 514 Barrett Ave., Frankfurt, KY 40601,
502-564-4836. Kentucky holds public auctions on Saturdays every two or
three months (there were 9 in 1988). Items may include vehicles, desks,
chairs, calculators, typewriters, file cabinets, tape recorders, electronic
equipment, couches, beds, and lawnmowers, to name a few. Merchandise may
be viewed the day before an auction. The office maintains a mailing list
and also advertises upcoming auctions in local newspapers. Some items are
auctioned by sealed bids. Property is payable by cash, certified check, or
money order.
Louisiana
Division of Administration, Louisiana Property Assistance Agency, 1059
Brickyard Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, 504-342-6849. Public auctions are
held on the second Saturday of every month at 9:00 am at 1502 North 17th
St. Items may be viewed at the warehouse from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm the week
before. Property sold ranges from medical and office equipment, to boats,
shop equipment, typewriters, file cabinets, pinball machines, bicycles,
televisions, adding machines, and chairs, and vehicles such as Chevy
Impalas, Dodge Chargers, Ford Escorts, and pickup trucks. All items are
sold "as is" and "where is." Payment is required in full the day of the
auctions, but no personal or company checks are accepted. In addition, all
merchandise must be removed within five days after the sale. Auctions are
conducted by a different auctioneer each year, depending on who wins the
bid for the annual contract.
Maine
Office of Surplus Property, Station 95, Augusta, ME 04333, 207-289-5750.
Five or six times per year, Maine publicly auctions off vehicles on the
grounds of the Augusta Mental Health Institute. You must register to be
able to bid, and then you will automatically be notified of upcoming
auctions. Vehicles may include police cruisers, pick-up trucks, Buick
Regals, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and heavy equipment, such as large
trucks, graders, and backhoes. Inspection is allowed between 1:00 pm and
3:00 pm on the Friday before, and 8:00 am and 10:00 am the day of the
auctions, which are always held on Saturdays. The impound yard opens at
7:00 am. Vehicles may be started up but not driven. Personal checks,
money orders, certified checks, and cash are all accepted. Office
equipment and other non-vehicles items are sold by tag sale once per month,
and prices are negotiable. Exact date, place, and time of auctions are
announced in local newspapers, but there is no mailing list. Payment is
due for both vehicles and other items the day of the auction or sale.
Maryland
Maryland State Department for Surplus Property, 8037 Brock Bridge Rd.,
Jessup, MD 20794, 301-799-0440. Office furniture and the like are sold or
donated to non-profit organizations or state agencies, and vehicles are
sold to dealers only. The state maintains a retail store for surplus
property at its warehouse at the above address. After a certain length of
time, items that do not go to non-profits or state agencies become
available to the public at set prices at its retail store.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Purchasing Agency, Department of Procurement and
General Services, Surplus Property, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108,
617-727-7500. About six times per year, Massachusetts holds public
auctions of surplus property. Bidders must register in the morning by
filling out a card. The State Purchasing Agency places ads in The Boston
Globe on the Sunday and Wednesday prior to each of the auctions, which are
normally held on Saturdays. Vehicles are usually auctioned after about 60
or so accumulate. Vehicles sold include sedans, wagons, vans, and pick-ups
with an average age of 7 years. The average car has over 100,000 miles.
Most of the cars are Chevy Celebritys, Dodge Aries, and Crown Victorias.
Conditions range from good to junk. Viewing is available the day before
the auction from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Purchases are "as is". No start-ups
allowed. The state does not auction other surplus property, in general,
but occasionally special auctions are held for boats, parts from the
Department of Public Works, and most recently, helicopters.
Michigan
State of Michigan, Department of Management and Budget, State Surplus
Property, 3353 N. Logan, Lansing, MI 48913, 517-335-8444. The state
auctions off all kinds of office furniture, household goods, machinery,
livestock, and vehicles, such as sedans, buses, trucks, and boats.
Auctions are held at different locations for different categories of
property. The State Surplus Property Office sends out yearly calendars
with auction dates and information. Contact them at the above address to
have it sent to you. Double check dates because additions or changes may
occur. Auctions are also published in the local newspapers. Payment may
be made by cash or check and should include the 4% state sales tax. No
refunds are made. Inspections of merchandise are available either the day
before from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm or the morning of an auction from 8:00 am to
9:30 am. Auctions begin at 10:00 am. Items must be paid in full on the
day of sale by cash or check. Buyer has 3 working days to remove the
property.
Minnesota
Minnesota Surplus Operations Office, 5420 Highway 8, New Brighton, MN
55112, 612-296-5177 or 297-7340; HOTLINE: 612-296-1056. Minnesota holds
about 17 auctions per year at different locations around the state. They
sell vehicles such as old patrol cars, passenger cars, trucks, vans,
suburbans, and trucks, as well as tractors, boats, snowmobiles and outboard
motors. The state also auctions off furniture, office equipment, kitchen
equipment, tools, and confiscated items such as vehicles, computers,
jewelry, car stereos and radios, and other personal effects. Many of these
items are sold under market price. Recently an $80,000 Mercedes-Benz sold
for $70,000. You may be put on a mailing list to receive a calendar for
the schedule of upcoming auctions for the year. Auctions are advertised in
the locale where they occur by radio, TV, and newspaper, and in St. Paul
newspapers. Inspection of property is held from 8:00 am to 9:30 am, an
hour and a half before the auction begins; and payment is by personal check
for in-state residents, cash, or money order.
Mississippi
Bureau of Surplus Property, P.O. Box 5778, Whitfield Rd., Jackson, MS
39288, 601-939-2050. Up to three times a year, Mississippi auctions such
items as machinery, textiles, ammunition boxes, and unrepairable vehicles.
Contact the above office to be put on the mailing list. Auctions are
advertised in state newspapers. Inspections are allowed during the two
days before the auction. Payment may be made by cash, bank draft, or check
with bank letter of credit.
Department of Public Safety, Support Services, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS
39205, 601-987-1453. The state cars that are auctioned are mostly Ford and
Chevy patrol cars, and only occasionally vans and other types of vehicles.
State cars are usually wrecked or old. Most have at least 100,000 miles on
them. Recent average prices have ranged from $1200 to $1500. The state is
keeping cars longer, so less are being sold. These agency cars and others
from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, military bases, Narcotics
Division, and U.S. Marshal's Office -- which includes confiscated cars --
are auctioned the first Tuesday of every month by Mid South Auctions, 6655
N. State St., Jackson, MS 39213, 601-956-2700. Call to be put on the
mailing list. Many car dealers as well as the public attend these
auctions, so prices are competitive. Bargains are still possible.
Recently, a 1991 Cadillac was sold at auction for $25,000. Payment must be
in cash or cashiers check -- no personal checks. The balance is due the
day of the auction.
Missouri
State Of Missouri, Surplus Property Office, Materials Management Section,
P.O. Drawer 1310, 117 N. Riverside Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65102,
314-751-3415. At various times throughout the year, Missouri holds regular
public auctions, as well as sealed bid auctions of merchandise located at
various places in the state. The wide range of items include clothing,
office equipment and vehicles. No confiscated or seized vehicles or other
items are sold. You can be put on a mailing list to receive notices of
upcoming auctions, plus they are advertised in local newspapers. For
regular auctions, inspection is available the day before or on the day of
the auction; and sealed bid items may be viewed two or three days before
the deadline. Items may be sold by lot or individually. Payment may be
made by cash or personal check.
Montana
Property and Supply Bureau, 930 Lyndale Ave., Helena, MT 59620,
406-444-4514. Montana holds a vehicle auction once a year, of about 300
state vehicles. Contact the above to get on the mailing list. The
auctions are by open cry and sealed bid. All items are from state surplus;
nothing is seized or confiscated. These auctions are advertised in local
newspapers prior to the auction. In addition, the state offers other
property for sale each month on the second Friday of the month. The sales
include items such as office supplies, computers, chairs, tables, and
vehicles including trucks, vans, sedans, highway patrol cars, and more.
Payment can be by cash up to $300. Higher amounts must be paid by
certified or business check, or bank check.
Nebraska
Nebraska Office of Administrative Services, Material Division, Surplus
Property, P.O. Box 94901, Lincoln, NE 68509, 402-479-4890. Three or four
times a year, Nebraska auctions off office furniture, computers, couches,
and more. Separate auctions are held for vehicles and heavy equipment --
also about three or four times per year. Auctions are advertised in
newspapers and on radio, and a mailing list is also kept. Sealed bid
auctions are held for property such as scrap iron, wrecked vehicles, guard
posts, and tires. Items are available for viewing two days prior to the
auctions, which are held on Saturdays at 5001 S. 14th St. All items are
sold "as is". Payment, which can be made by cash or check, must be in full
on the day of the auction.
Nevada
Nevada State Purchasing Division, Kinkead Bldg., Room 400 Capitol Complex,
Carson City, NV 89710, 702-885-4070. The sales and auction are located at
the warehouse at 2250 Barnett Way, Reno, NV 89512. About once a year,
Nevada holds a sale on the second Saturday in August of such items as
calculators, desks, cabinets, tables and chairs. Office equipment is
released for sale to the public at a set price. The sale is held to clear
the warehouse, and is on a first come, first serve basis, with minimum
prices to cover service and handling marked on the property. Very few
vehicles are confiscated. Most are surplus turned in by other state
agencies for resale. Vehicles and motorcycles are auctioned. Public
auctions are not served by mailing lists but are advertised in the
newspapers. You can be put on a mailing list to receive notice of sealed
bid auctions of 19 categories of merchandise, including heavy equipment,
boats, and planes. Once you have requested to place your name on the
mailing list, if you do not subsequently bid on two consecutive occasions,
it will be removed. Payment is by cash or local check with proper I.D. No
out of state checks accepted. For vehicles, you can put down a 5% deposit
with 5 days to complete payment. The county, city and University of Nevada
also advertise and hold public auctions.
New Hampshire
Office of Surplus Property 78 Regional Dr., Building 3, Concord, NH 03331,
603-271-2126. New Hampshire holds two auctions per year of vehicles and
other equipment, such as office furniture and machines, and refrigerators.
Vehicles, which include Omnis, cruisers, pickups, vans, and sometimes
confiscated vehicles may be viewed the day before the auction, while other
merchandise can be viewed on the same day just before the auction. A
mailing list is maintained, and ads are also placed in local newspapers
prior to the auctions. Acceptable payment includes cash and certified
funds.
New Jersey
New Jersey Purchase and Property Distribution Center, 1620 Stuyvestant
Ave., Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-530-3300. New Jersey auctions used state
vehicles such as Chevy Chevettes, Dodge vans, various types of compacts,
and occasionally buses and heavy equipment. Frequency of auctions depends
on availability which currently averages once per month. Vehicles may be
inspected and started up the day before the auction from 9:00 am to 3:00
pm. Payment is by cash, money order, or certified check. No personal
checks. A 10% deposit is required to hold a vehicle, and then the
successful bidder has 7 calendar days to complete payment and remove the
vehicle by Friday. If an item is left after that, even if paid in full, a
$20 per day storage fee is charged. To be advised of auctions, put your
name on the mailing list by writing the address above. Phone calls to be
put on the mailing list are not accepted. A recent vehicle auction in New
Jersey offered a variety of Dodge and Chevy vehicles, ages ranging from
three to thirteen years, with mileages from 50,000 to 130,000. Other
surplus items are not put up for public auction; rather they are offered to
other state agencies.
New Mexico
New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department, SB-2, 7315 Cerrillos
Road, P.O. Box 1149, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1149, 505-827-5580. About once a
year, on the last Saturday of September, New Mexico auctions off vehicles,
including sedans, loaders, backhoes, snow removal equipment, pick-ups,
vans, four-wheel drives, and tractors. They have some office equipment as
well. The items come from state agencies. You may place your name on a
mailing list to receive the exact date of the auction and descriptions of
merchandise up for bidding. A public entity auction is held first. The
published list of items to be publicly auctioned consists of what is left
over. Everything is open auction; there are no sealed bids. Items may be
inspected the day before the auction. Payment is by cash, checks with
proper I.D., money orders, or cashier's checks. No credit cards.
Department of Public Safety, State Police Division, Attn: Major W.D.
Morrow, P.O. Box 1628, Santa Fe, NM 87504. The above holds a public
auction on the second Saturday in July at 4491 Cerrillos Road. Call the
above to be put on the mailing list. It is also advertised in local
newspapers. Items sold include everything from calculators to cars. They
come from seizures and surplus from other agencies. The vehicles may be
viewed and started up the Friday before the auction. Payment may be by
cash, money order, cashier's check or personal check with bank letter of
guarantee.
New York
State of New York Office of General Service, Bureau of Surplus Property,
Building #18, W.A. Harriman State Office Building Campus, Albany, NY 12226,
518-457-6335. The Office of General Services holds auctions continuously
in locations around the state. The items are so numerous that the state
finds it necessary to sell them by category. You can designate which
categories you are interested in on the mailing list application. Items
are sold as they become available. Sales are advertised one week in
advance in local newspapers. These items include surplus and used office
equipment, scrap material, agricultural items (even unborn cows). Most
categories such as medical, photographic, institutional and maintenance
equipment are sold through sealed bids, usually in lots of varying size.
To participate in a sealed bid, you place your name on a mailing list for
items in seven different categories, then make your bid by mail. The
highest bidder wins and is notified by mail. Mailings give as much
information as possible about the items being auctioned; but state
officials stress that merchandise is sold "as is" and "where is". They
advise viewing property in person before making a bid. A ten percent
deposit is required with each sealed bid. Vehicles are sold by public
auction and may include cars, trucks, buses, tractors, bulldozers, mowers,
compressors, plows, sanders, and other highway maintenance and construction
equipment. Large items are sold individually, and smaller equipment, such
as chain saws, is more likely to be sold in lots. These auctions take
place about 55 times per year. It is always possible that enough surplus
may not accumulate to warrant an auction. The state warns that just
because an auction is scheduled is no guarantee that it will occur.
Payment may be made by certified check or cash. A ten percent deposit will
hold a vehicle until the end of the day.
North Carolina
State Surplus Property, P.O. Box 33900, Raleigh, NC 27636-3900,
919-733-3889. North Carolina sells through sealed bids surplus merchandise
located across the state, including vehicles and office equipment, by
sealed bid. Office equipment includes furniture, typewriters, desks, and
chairs; and vehicles include Reliances, Crown Victorias, Mustangs, and
vans. For a fee of $15 you can be placed on a mailing list to receive
weekly advisories of what is for auction, with a description of the item
and its condition. Otherwise, if you visit the warehouse in person, you
can pick up free samples of bid listings and look at lists of prices that
items sold for in previous auctions. The warehouse is located on Highway
54 - Old Chapel Hill Road. Payment is by money order or certified check,
and you have 10 days to pay for your merchandise and 30 days to pick it up.
Items may be inspected two weeks before an auction from Monday to Friday
between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. On Tuesdays, the warehouse is closed between
1:00 pm and 3:00 pm when the bids are opened and the public is then invited
to attend. The state may reject bids that are too low.
North Dakota
Surplus Property Office, P.O. Box 7293, Bismarck, ND 58502, 701-224-2273.
Once a year, usually in September, the Office of Surplus Property auctions
through open bidding surplus office furniture and equipment, as well as
vehicles and scrap materials. The auction is advertised the two days
before and merchandise may be viewed the morning of the auction. The
auction is held at Igo Industrial Park. Cash, cashiers checks, or money
orders are acceptable forms of payment. Personal or business checks are
accepted only with a bank letter of credit.
Ohio
Office of State and Federal Surplus Property, 226 N. Fifth St., Columbus,
OH 43215, 614-466-5052. Ohio holds public auctions and sealed bid sales on
a wide range of office machines and equipment, furniture, and vehicles.
The sealed bid sales are held at various locations around the state for
inoperable vehicles. These may be inspected any time after you receive
your bid invitation in the mail. No mailing list is maintained. Call or
write for the information. When you attend an auction, you can fill out a
label that will be used to notify you of the next auction. Other vehicle
auctions are held three to four times a year, depending on the amount
accumulated. Inspections are available the day before. Vehicles may
include sedans, trucks, vans, 4x4s, boats, mowers, tractors, and chain
saws. No seized or confiscated items are sold. At the time of the
auction, a 25% downpayment is required, with the balance due by the
following Monday (auctions are held on Saturdays). For the sealed bid
auctions, payment must be by money order or certified check.
Oklahoma
Central Purchasing, State Capitol, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, 405-521-3046;
general information only for public auctions, 405-521-3835; for information
on sealed bids, 405-521-2126. To get your name on a sealed bid mailing
list, call 405-521-4951. The charge is $10 for which you will receive all
the information and descriptions. Oklahoma auctions vehicles as they
accumulate. The state advertises upcoming auctions in local newspapers.
The state tells their condition. Vehicles often have from 80,000 to
120,000 miles on them and it is rare for a car to be rated as fair -- which
means it is in running condition. They are usually bought by wholesalers.
State agency cars such as Celebrities and Dodge Aires are commonly sold,
but occasionally seized or confiscated cars are sold. Agencies most likely
to have auctions are: Department of Human Services (occasionally vehicles
and other items, but they usually take their cars to public auctions);
Wildlife Department (vehicles); Department of Public Safety (vehicles); and
the Department of Transportation (vehicles). The Department of
Transportation has four auctions per year. The cars and trucks can have
120,000 miles on them. They are usually not in good condition. The state
advises that you contact each agency separately for details. Sealed bid
auctions of all kinds of merchandise are also held. You may request your
name to be placed on a mailing list, but if you do not bid three times, it
will be removed. Otherwise, visit the office to view a catalog of
listings.
Oregon
Department of General Services, Surplus Property, 1655 Salem Industrial Dr.
N.E., Salem, OR 97310, 503-378-4714 (Salem area). Oregon auctions both
vehicles and other equipment, such as office furniture. Merchandise may
include snow plows, horse trailers, a lot of computer equipment, desks,
chairs, tires (which are good deals) or shop equipment. Although some is
"junk," other items are in excellent condition, and bargains may be found.
Items come from state agency surplus and confiscations. On rare occasions
exotic items such as a Porsche and hot tub have been sold. Public sales
are held every Friday at set prices. Auctions are held on the first
Saturday of every month. Occasionally, two or three times per year, sealed
bid auctions are held separately from the 7 to 10 open auctions held each
year. The frequency of auctions depends on the amount of items to be
disposed. The numbers of vehicles for sale is increasing. Cars are sold
every week at set prices. In one week, 100 cars were sold. Brochures are
created for all sales. To receive it, have your name placed on the mailing
list. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the address listed above
or call the 24 hour information line that is always kept current,
503-373-1392. Ads are also placed on radio and in local newspapers in the
areas where the auction will be held, giving the date and location of the
auction. The procedure is to register and obtain a bidder number, which
you hold up when you are making a bid. The forms may be obtained from the
brochure or at the auction site. At the same time as you register, you
must show some form of identification. The conditions and terms of sale
change with the circumstances, but are always listed in the brochure.
Personal checks are accepted, but no title of ownership is sent until the
check clears the bank. At the public sales held every first Saturday, if
you pay by Mastercard or Visa, title is immediately released. You can also
pay 10% down at the auction site and pay the balance at the office with
Mastercard or Visa. The vehicle and general merchandise auctions are
usually held on the same day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.
Pennsylvania
General Services Department, Bureau of Vehicle Management 2221 Forster St.,
Harrisburg, PA 17105, 717-783-3132. About 10 times per year, depending on
the number of cars accumulated, the DGS auctions off all kinds of vehicles,
especially Aires, Chevettes, Cavaliers, Omnis, Cherokees, and Ford LTDs.
Many have mileages under 100,000, and ages commonly range from 1979 to
1986. There are about 200 cars at each auction. They are mostly used
state agency cars that have been replaced, but up to 3 seized cars are also
sold each year. An inspection period begins two weeks before an auction on
Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the storage facility
located at 22nd & Forster Sts. in Harrisburg. Inspection period ends 2
days before the auctions. Each car has a form detailing its condition. It
will state if the car must be towed. All cars are sold "as is". Cars are
started up the day of the auction, which is open cry. If you request an
application, you may have your name put on a mailing list for advance
advisories of auctions for a period of one year. A $100 deposit is
required (cash or annual surety bonds only) if you win a bid, with full
payment due within five working days by cashier's check, certified check,
or postal money order. No personal or company checks accepted.
Bureau of Supplies and Surplus, Department of General Services, 2221
Forster St., Harrisburg, PA 17105, 717-787-4083. Contact the above for a
brochure explaining auction procedures. The Bureau of Supplies and Surplus
of the General Services Department sells such items as mainframe computers
and off-loading equipment, office furniture and machines, including
typewriters, desks, chairs, sectional furniture, filing cabinets, copy
machines, dictaphones, and calculators. This merchandise is first offered
to other state agencies, then municipalities, and is then put up for public
sale after five days. There is no mailing list for notification of
upcoming auctions, but ads are placed in the local newspapers in the area
where an auction will be held. However, you can be put on a mailing list
for some specific items such as heavy equipment that is sold by sealed bid.
State which categories of bidder's lists you are interested in. The notice
you receive will give date, times and places to inspect and submit a bid.
A $100 security deposit must accompany the bid. Property is sold at set
prices. You may call to find out what items are currently for sale, or
visit the warehouse which sells mostly office equipment such as computers,
desks, chairs and file cabinets, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday
through Friday.
Rhode Island
Department of Administration, Division of Purchase, 1 Capitol Hill,
Providence, RI 02908, 401-277-2375. Rhode Island's Division of Purchase
auctions off its surplus vehicles and office equipment, as well as other
items through sealed bid to a list of buyers who are usually in the
business. Most of the cars sold have no plates and must be towed. They
are sold primarily to wholesalers. Office equipment and supplies are
primarily sold to suppliers. If the state ever does hold a public auction,
it advertises two or three times in the local papers.
South Carolina
Surplus Property Office, Division of General Services, 1441 Boston Ave.,
West Columbia, SC 29170, 803-822-5490. South Carolina sells items ranging
from vehicles, to office and heavy equipment. Property is collected in
monthly cycles and offered first to state agencies before being put up for
sale to the public. No mailing list is kept for it, but you can visit the
warehouse on 1441 Boston Ave. in West Columbia, which is open between 8:00
am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Prices are tagged; there is no
auction. Every 6 to 8 weeks, the General Services Division holds public
auctions of items by lot for State, Federal, and Wildlife Department
property. A mailing list is kept for advance advisories and property
descriptions. There is a $15 fee, payable by check or money order, to
receive the mailings annually. Items can be inspected two days prior to
the sale. You are advised to make notes of the numbers of property you are
interested in, then to check back to inquire if it is still available,
since state agencies have first choice.
South Carolina Public Transportation Department, 1500 Shop Road, P.O. Box
191, Columbia SC 29202, 803-737-6635, for general information;
803)737-1488, for mailing list. About every five weeks, the South Carolina
Department of Public Transportation holds auctions of its used and surplus
vehicles, which include everything from patrol cars, trucks, and passenger
cars, to highway equipment. To have your name put on a mailing list of
upcoming auctions, call the number above. Payment is by cash, check or
money order. Banking information will be requested for personal checks.
Vehicles may be viewed from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on the Monday and Tuesday
before the auctions, which are always held on a Wednesdays at 10 am. You
may start up the cars. It is open bidding. Usually about 100 cars are
sold at each auction.
South Dakota
Bureau of Administration, State Property Management, 701 East Sioux Ave.,
Pierre, SD 57501, 605-773-4935. Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the
Department of Transportation holds on its premises public auctions for
office equipment and vehicles, including Chevy Citations and pick-ups.
Most vehicles have over 85,000 miles on them and sell for well under market
price. The cars usually sell for under $5000. Most are surplus or have
been replaced at state agencies. A few are from seizures or confiscation.
You may visually inspect the vehicles prior to the auction, but you may not
enter them. However, during the auction, the vehicles are started and
demonstrated. Auctions and special sales are located wherever the most
property has accumulated in the state. Call or write the above office to
have your name put on the mailing list. There is no charge. Terms are up
to the auctioneer. Title is released only after checks clear, or
immediately if accompanied by a bank letter.
Tennessee
Department of General Services Property Utilization, 6500 Centennial Blvd.,
Nashville, TN 37243-0543, 615-741-1711. Tennessee auctions surplus
vehicles, and machinery of various kinds -- milling machines, lathes,
welders, and metal working equipment. Desk and office supplies are sold
only to public organizations such as schools. The vehicles are of all
types, including dump trucks, pick-ups, sedans, and station wagons.
Auctions are held twelve times a year in Jackson, Dandridge, Nashville, and
Chattanooga. A mailing list is kept, and auctions are advertised in local
newspapers. Items are available for inspection the day before the auction.
Keys are in the car, and start ups are allowed. Register at no charge the
morning of the auction. Payment can be in cash, cashier's checks, or
certified check.
Texas
Texas State Purchasing and General Services Commission, 1711 San Jacinto,
P.O. Box 13047, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711-3047, 512-463-3445.
Every two months, Texas auctions off vehicles, office furniture and
machines, and highway equipment. You must apply to be put on the mailing
list, which will give you a brief description of items available at the
next auction (call 512-463-3416). It will also tell you the location of
the auction, which changes often. You may call the agency selling the
property to arrange to inspect it; however, merchandise that is on site is
available for inspection two hours before the auction. Items are mostly
used state property, although some is confiscated as well. You must
register to bid beforehand. Most registrations take place the day of the
auction, beginning at 7:00 am. Payment on a winning bid is due at the end
of the auction. Cash, cashiers check, certified check, money order, bank
draft with Letter of Credit, or personal or company check with Letter of
Credit are acceptable forms of payment. Items sold on site must be removed
the day of the sale. For off-site items, 30 days are usually allowed for
removal. Texas also holds sealed bid auctions, where you make a bid by
mail. First, you indicate what category of property you are interested in,
and they will send you bid forms and descriptions of items in that
category. Sealed bid participants are notified by letter if winning bids
and the exact amount due. Deposits for non-winners are returned. Also,
each of the Texas state agencies hold local sales, for which each has its
own mailing list and advertises in the local papers.
Utah
Utah State Surplus Office, 522 South 700 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104,
801-533-5885. Four or five times a year, Utah auctions of vehicles off and
office furniture, as well as heavy equipment, whenever property
accumulates. Most items are sold by public auction, although sealed bid
auctions are sometimes held as well. Mail-in bids are accepted if you
can't attend in person. A 10% deposit is required. It is refunded unless
you win the bid. Most of the public auctions are held in Salt Lake City at
the address above, although some are occasionally held in other parts of
the state. You may request your name be put on a mailing list to receive
advance notice of auctions and a description of the items. Auctions are
always held on Saturdays. Property may be viewed the Friday prior to an
auction. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, cashier's check, and
personal checks up to $100 with two forms of I.D. No business checks are
accepted. Items must be removed and payments must be made in full on the
day of the auction.
Vermont
Vermont Central Surplus Property Agency, RD #2, Box 520, Montpelier, VT
05602, 802-828-3394. Vermont sells low-priced surplus office furniture and
machines on retail basis between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm daily at the Central
Garage on Barre Montpelier Rd. Items include desks, chairs, file cabinets,
and book shelves. Twice a year, vehicles, which may include police
cruisers, dump trucks, and pick-ups, are sold by public auction, on a
Saturday in late May and September. A mailing list is kept to advise you
in advance of upcoming auctions. To have you name placed on it, contact
the auctioneer. Local newspapers also advertise them. Vehicles may be
inspected the Friday before an auction. The auctions are open bid, "as
is", and "where is". There are no hold backs. The highest bid, even if it
is far below market value, will take the item. A 25% deposit is due the
day of the sale. The balance is due in 2 days, by the following Tuesday by
3:00 pm. Payment is up to the auctioneer, who is a private contractor.
Usually, checks must be bank-certified, and a deposit is required to hold
any vehicle not paid for in full the day of the auction.
Virginia
State Surplus Property, P.O. Box 1199, Richmond, VA 23209, 804-786-3876.
Virginia auctions everything but land. It sells vehicles, office equipment
and furniture, computers, tractors, bulldozers, dump trucks, pick-ups, and
vans. Some of the cars are in good condition. Scrap metal, tires, and
batteries are sold separately. Auctions may be held on any day of the week
except Sunday. Sales are by both public auction and sealed bid. Agencies
have the discretion to decide which way their surplus is sold. There are
sealed bid offerings every week, and as many as two auctions per week.
Twice a year there are auctions for cars only. The rest are mixed. Items
are occasionally seized, such as jewelry. Auction sites are at various
locations around the state. You may write to place your name on a mailing
list for both public auctions and sealed bid auctions; phone call requests
are not honored. For sealed bid, there are usually 100 to 200 items
available. Inspections are encouraged. They are allowed the day before
the auction and again for a couple of hours on the day of the auction. For
sealed bid items, you may call for more details on the items offered for
sale or to make an appointment to inspect the items.
Washington
Office of Commodity Redistribution, 2805 C St. S.W., Building 5, Door 49,
Auburn, WA 98001, 206-931-3931. Every Friday the public can visit the
store at the central warehouse. It is open from 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm and
purchases are for cash only. Washington holds auctions of used state
vehicles, conducts "silent bids" (auctions where the bids are written
rather than spoken), and also sells surplus materials by sealed bid (bids
are placed through the mail) via catalogs. The vehicles are auctioned
about every three months and include all kinds of used state conveyances,
from patrol cars, to trucks and passenger cars, most having over 100,000
miles. There are few new luxury or confiscated type vehicles. The "silent
bids" are held once a month, and include large quantities of office
furniture sold by the pallet, with the exception of typewriters, which are
sold individually. You may visit the warehouse to inspect the items
beforehand. Payment may be made by cashiers check, money order, or cash,
but no personal checks. For the sealed bids, you may request a catalog of
merchandise, which includes everything from vehicles, to scrap material,
office equipment, computers, clothes, cleaning fluids, tools, and pumps.
For any of these sales, you may request to be put on the mailing list at
the address above.
West Virginia
West Virginia State Agency Surplus Property, 2700 Charles Ave., Dunbar, WV
25064, 304-768-7303. Contact the above to be put on the mailing list.
Statewide sealed bids have a separate mailing list you must specifically
request. For sealed bids, prospective buyers can inspect only by going to
the site. Each month, West Virginia auctions such items as chairs, desks,
telephones, computers, typewriters, office equipment and furniture, and
other miscellaneous property, as well as vehicles. They are all auctioned
at the same auction. The vehicles range from police cruisers to Cavaliers,
Mustangs, some Crown Victorias, and an occasional Mercedes, in varying
conditions. The auctions are always held on a Saturday. Inspection is
available the week before the auction from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. On auction
day, the gate opens at 9:00 am. Miscellaneous property is sold until 12:00
noon. Then all the cars are sold. If time allows, any remaining
miscellaneous property is auctioned. Payment may be by personal check,
business check, or certified check, but no cash. Payment is due in full
the same day. For sealed bids, payment is due within one week after a bid
has won. Deposits, usually 20% of a bid, are returned to unsuccessful
bidders, or in the case of winning bids, applied to the purchase price.
Wisconsin
Department of Transportation, Hill Farm Building, 4802 Sheboygan Ave.,
Madison, WI 53705, 608-266-3965. Call 608-267-3620 to inquire whether a
specific item is for sale. The Department of Transportation continuously
sells a variety of merchandise from its warehouse in Madison. These items
vary greatly from week to week, but may include work tables, desks, files,
calculators and other office equipment and furniture, as well as vehicles.
Call ahead before visiting the facility to view the property, which is sold
at set prices. The few surplus items the state has are used up by other
organizations or sold informally as parties express an interest. A small
room stores all the items. Computers, however, and occasionally road finds
accumulate. These are sold by sealed bid and you can call to get on the
bid list.
Wisconsin Department of Administration, P.O. Box 7880, Madison, WI 53708,
608-266-8024. The Department of Administration holds vehicle auctions
approximately every month -- usually with around 100 vehicles, including
passenger vehicles, vans, trucks, and station wagons, all of different
makes and models, such as Renault Alliances, Plymouth Horizons, Ford
Escorts, and Chevys. Most are in running condition. Cars that need towing
are rare and clearly designated. The vehicles are usually at least four
years old, or have at least 70,000 miles on them. The auctions begin on
Saturday at 10:00 am. Cars may be inspected the Friday before from 1:00 pm
to 6:00 pm. The public may also inspect and start up the cars from 8:00 am
to 10:00 am on the morning of the auction. You may have your name placed
on a mailing list for advance notice of auctions; however, the auctions are
also advertised in local newspapers. There are no sealed bids. Payment is
by cash, personal check, cashiers check, or money order. No credit cards.
The full amount is due the day of the auction. Occasionally, if the
auctioneer is consulted at pre-registration, a small delay for bank loan
arrangements are pre-approved so that the prospective buyer can bid.
Wyoming
State Motor Pool, 723 West 19th, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-7247.
Although it first donates most of its surplus property to other state
agencies, Wyoming does auction its remaining surplus vehicles, which may
include pick-ups, vans, sedans, and jeeps, and also tires. Although most
have high mileage -- from 80,000 to 100,000 miles, the majority are
dependable vehicles. You can have your name placed on a mailing list to
receive advance notices of auctions, which are held when items accumulate.
On the average, one or two auctions are held each year. The state also
advertises in local newspapers. Inspection of the vehicles is available
between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm the Friday before the auction, which is usually
held on Saturdays and begins at 10:00 am. No start ups are allowed.
Anything known to be wrong with the car will be on the list handed out at
the auction, or sent if you are on the mailing list. Payment depends on
the auctioneer who is a private contractor. Usually, cash or check with
proper I.D. are acceptable. Some cars go for well below market value, but
others may bid up in price, depending on the mood of the crowd.
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