1.) Alabama
19.) Louisiana
37.) Oklahoma
2.) Alaska
20.) Maine
38.) Oregon
3.) Arizona
21.) Maryland
39.) Pennsylvania
4.) Arkansas
22.) Massachusetts
40.) Rhode Island
5.) California
23.) Michigan
41.) South Carolina
6.) Colorado
24.) Minnesota
42.) South Dakota
7.) Connecticut
25.) Mississippi
43.) Tenessee
8.) Delaware
26.) Missouri
44.) Texas
9.) District of Columbia
27.) Montana
45.) Utah
10.) Flordia
28.) Nebraska
46.) Vermont
11.) Georgia
29.) Nevada
47.) Virginia
12.) Hawaii
30.) New Hamshire
48.) Washington
13.) Idaho
31.) New Jersey
49.) West Virginia
14.) Illinois
32.) New Mexico
50.) Wisconsin
15.) Indiana
33.) New York
51.) Wyoming
16.) Iowa
34.) North Carolina
*State Unclaimed
17.) Kansas
35.) North Dakota
Property*
18.) Kentucky
36.) Ohio
* Local City & County
Auctions*
State & Local Government Auctions: The Moneymaker of the 1990's
OVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS
Most people are completely unaware of the bargains
that can be found in the
most unlikely of places: the government! We're used to reading about
the
Pentagon paying $59.00 for a wrench, about the national debt rising
higher
and higher, so it's excusable to not think of government and "sales"
in the
same sentence.
Yet nearly every level of government from city and
town on up through
county, state and federal, has possession of excess property that must
be
disposed of. If this can be accomplished and money raised at the same
time,
why not? We want government to be fiscally responsible, right?
The most common method of parting with this overage
of property is through
auction sales. These affairs offer a unique opportunity to the right
person purchases at bargain basement prices which you can turn around
and
sell at a profit! The money to be made staggers the imagination.
From property seized by police officers or customs
officials to
repossessions by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, there
are
thousands of items of all types available at rock bottom prices. Whether
you're merely buying for yourself or seeing this as a line of business
that
could make you a substantial profit, the key is to identify and locate
these auctions.
You name it! Houses, cars, jewelry, yachts, government
farm equipment,
computers, firewood it's there for the bidding… and the buying! And,
eventually the selling for profit!
You don't need much experience for this. You are
familiar with what many of
these items cost today on the open market. If you buy it far enough
below
market value, you can still sell the property yourself at a discount
and
make a handsome profit.
If you yourself have always wanted to own a luxury
yacht, here's your
chance. You'll never find your dream purchase at a lower price.
You could even start a secondhand store or set up
shop at a flea market or
swap shop to peddle your merchandise after you've acquired it. Many
of
these places are havens for shoppers. You've simply gone them one better
by
obtaining the good(s) at an even lower price than they'll pay and they'll
be pleased with their "bargain".
There are open bidding auctions, where you shout
out the dollar value
you're willing to pay following a minimum bid requirement called by
the
auctioneer. There are also sealed bid auctions where you submit the
price
you're willing to pay. You get only one shot at that type of bidding.
Be careful with the open bid auctions. You can become
so focused on a
particular piece of property that you end up in a "bidding war" that
ends
up with your paying more than you should and cutting well into your
eventual profit. Be disciplined! Set a dollar limit ahead of time so
that
you can let certain items go if the bidding goes too high. This is
a
business now, so common money sense is important. You must now think
in
terms of expenses vs. revenue.
If you have a certain hobby or interest, property
in this area may be your
natural market. If you specialize, it can help you concentrate on only
those items in the large auction areas where there are hundreds of
people
bidding for thousands of goods. Your focus will be in your area and
you'll
soon be an expert on costs, prices and resale's of this commodity.
Auctions can be hyped up to the point of temptation
to overbid. Don't do
it! Remember your goal, your budget and your knowledge of what things
cost
and you'll do very well. Through the contacts listed in this booklet,
you
will find yourself on a regular mailing list of government auctions.
Often,
with the notice, you'll receive a catalog of the items to be sold and
approximately what time they'll be auctioned. This will allow you to
budget
your time wisely at these affairs and not get lost in the shuffle.
This report shows you exactly who to contact about
auctions in your state!
We also show you how to find municipal and county auctions. Read on!
STATE GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS up to list
These are the state contacts and a brief description
of auctions held at
this level of government.
Alabama Surplus Property
P.O. Box 210487
Montgomery, AL 36121
(205) 277-5866
Alabama auctions offer a variety of goods usually
three times a year.
Items: office equipment, cars, farm machinery, trucks, boats, tractors
and
more. There is a mailing list you can be placed on.
up to list
ALASKA:
Surplus Property Management Office
2400 Viking Drive
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 279-0596
It's best to call the Juneau office (907) 465-2172
to be placed on their
mailing list. There are weekly auctions of smaller items like furniture
and
office equipment and spring and fall auctions for larger items like
cars.
Office of Surplus Property
1537 W. Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-5701
Auctions held four times
per year. Items: computers, cars, furniture and
thousands of other pieces. Mailing list is available.
up to list
State Marketing & Redistribution Office
6620 Young Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 565-8645
Mailing list available. Both regular and sealed bid
auctions are held.
Weekly events.
Office of Fleet Administration
1416 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 657-2318
up to list
Open bid auctions once a month of surplus vehicles
on Saturdays at
Sacramento or Los Angeles. Mailing list.
Department of Correctional Industries
State Surplus Agency
4200 Garfield Street
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 321-2200
Several auctions per year. Mailing list is available.
Nonprofit
organizations have first choice.
up to list
CONNECTICUT:
State Auction Department
60 State St. Rear
Wethersfield, CT 06109
(203) 566-7018 (or (203) 566-7190)
Eight to ten auctions per year. Vehicles usually
auctioned on the second
Saturday of the month. Registration fee.
Division of Purchasing Surplus Property
P.O. Box 299
Delaware City, DE 19706
(302) 834-4550
up to list
In May and September, there are public auctions of
vehicles, office
furniture and other surplus property. Mailing list is available.
Department of Public Works
5001 Shepard Parkway
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 404-1068
Vehicle auctions held the first and third Tuesday
of the month. No mailing
list. Registration fee.
FLORIDA up to list
Department of Management Services
813A Lake Bradford Road
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(904) 488-5272
This address is a "retail" store with items available
for sale. Motor
Vehicle Bureau (904) 488-5178 holds vehicle auctions once a month at
various locations throughout the state.
Department of Administrative Services
Purchasing Division, Surplus Property
1050 Murphy Avenue, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 756-4800
Several auctions per year, held on the third Wednesday
of the month chosen.
Mailing list. Items: vehicles, shop equipment, typewriters, computers,
copiers and more.
up to list
No state surplus auctions.
Division of Purchasing
(208) 327-7465
Idaho's state agencies hold their own auctions. You
must contact the
specific state agency directly. Auctions advertised in newspaper.
up to list
ILLINOIS:
Central Management Services
Division of Property Control
3550 Great Northern Ave.
Springfield, IL 62707
(217) 793-1813
Auctions held at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield
two or three
times per year on Saturdays. Mailing list available for $20/year. Items:
desks, chairs, calculators, cameras, refrigerators and more.
State Surplus Property Section
229 W. New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 232-0134
Auctions held as needed each year. No mailing list,
but contact this office
in May for a schedule.
IOWA: up to list
Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Bldg.
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5121
Auction is second Saturday of May for items such
as boats, fishing rods,
tackle boxes and hunting equipment. The Vehicle Dispatchers Garage
holds
vehicle auctions three to four times per year. Call (515) 2815121.
State Surplus Property
P.O. Box 19226
Topeka, KS 666190226
(913) 296-2334
Many items left over for sale following offering
to state agencies. Contact
office for information on events.
Office of Surplus Property
514 Barrett Avenue
Frankfurt, KY 40601
up to list
(502) 564-4836
Saturday auctions every two to three months as needed.
Items: vehicles,
desks, chairs, couches, beds, lawn mowers, etc. Mailing list is available.
Division of Administration
Louisiana Property Assistance Agency
P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 708049095
(504) 342-6849
Auctions held on the second Saturday of each month
at 1502 N. 17th St.
Items: medical and office equipment, boats, bicycles, televisions,
vehicles
and more.
MAINE: up to list
Office of Surplus Property
Station 95
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-5750
Public auctions five to six times per year. Primarily
vehicles. No mailing
list.
Department for Surplus Property
P.O. Box 122
8037 Brock Bridge Rd.
Jesup, MD 20794
No public auctions. Address above is a "retail" store for surplus property.
MASSACHUSETTS: up to list
State Purchasing Agency
Department of Procurement & General Services
Surplus Property
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7500
Public auctions six times per year, usually on Saturdays.
Vehicles
primarily. No mailing list.
Department of Management & Budget
State Surplus Property
P.O. Box 30026
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 335-8444
Mailing list. Several auctions per year. Items: office
furniture, household
goods, machinery, livestock, vehicles and more.
MINNESOTA: up to list
Surplus Operations Office
5420 Highway 8
New Brighton, MN 55112
(612) 639-4022
About 15 auctions per year held around the state.
Items include vehicles,
boats and snowmobiles along with jewelry, furniture, computers, stereos
and
more. Mailing list.
Bureau of Surplus Property
P.O. Box 5778
Jackson, MS 39288
(601) 939-2050
Two to three auctions per year of machinery and vehicles. Mailing list.
MISSOURI: up to list
Surplus Property Office
Materials Management Section
P.O. Drawer 1310
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-3415
Regular auctions held throughout the year. Items:
clothing, office
equipment and vehicles. Mailing list.
Property and Supply Bureau
930 Lyndale Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-4514
One auction a year for vehicles. Mailing list. Other
property auctioned the
second Friday of each month.
NEBRASKA: up to list
Office of Administrative Services
Material Division, Surplus Property
P.O. Box 94901
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 479-4890
Auctions held three to four times per year. Items:
office furniture,
computers, couches and more. Separate vehicle auctions held. Mailing
list.
State Purchasing Division
Kinkead Bldg. 400 Capitol Complex
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-4070
Second Saturday in August at 2250 Barnett Way, Reno,
Nevada, 89512.
Separate sealed bid auction mailing list is available, too. You must
bid at
least once over two to three auctions or you'll be dropped from the
list.
Office of Surplus Property
up to list
78 Regional Drive Building 3
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2126
Two auctions per year of vehicles and other property. Mailing list.
Purchase and Property Distribution Center
CN234
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 530-3300
State vehicle auctions as needed. Mailing list.
Highway & Transportation Department
up to list
P.O. Box 1149
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Last Saturday in September. Vehicles and office equipment. Mailing list.
Office of General Service
Bureau of Surplus Property
Bldg. #18, Harriman State Office Bldg. Campus
Albany, NY 12226
(518) 457-6335
Frequent auctions around the state. Sold by category. Mailing list.
State Surplus Property
up to list
P.O. Box 33900
Raleigh, NC 27636
(919) 733-3889
Sealed bid auctions. Mailing list. Warehouse available to inspect items.
Surplus Property Office
P.O. Box 7293
Bismarck, ND 58507
(701) 224-2273
Annual auction each September. Items: vehicles, office
furniture and
equipment. Auction is advertised two days in advance.
State and Federal Surplus Property
up to list
4200 Surface Road
Columbus, OH 43228
(614) 466-5052
Public auctions and sealed bid sales several times
per year. Mailing list.
Items: vehicles, office machines, furniture and more.
Central Purchasing Department
Central Services, B4, State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-3046
Several auctions throughout the year. $10 gets you on a mailing list.
Department of General Services
up to list
Surplus Property
1655 Salem Industrial Dr., N.E. Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-4714
Public auctions held every Friday of items such as
vehicles, desks,
computers, snow plows, horse trailers and more.
General Services Department
Bureau of Vehicle Management
2221 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 783-3132
Vehicle auctions at least ten times per year. Mailing
list. Bureau of
Supplies (7177874083) also auctions numerous items. Mailing list available.
Department of Administration
up to list
Division of Purchase
1 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Rare public auctions, advertised in local papers.
Sealed bids to a list of
buyers of vehicles and office equipment. Call to see if you can get
on the
list.
Surplus Property Office
Division of General Services
1441 Boston Avenue
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-5490
Warehouse is at above address. Auctions held periodically.
No mailing list.
Public Transportation Office (8037371488) keeps a mailing list for
its
vehicle auctions held every five to six weeks.
Bureau of Administration
up to list
State Property Management
701 East Sioux Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-4935
Two auctions per year, spring and fall. Vehicles. Mailing list.
Department of General Services Property Utilization
6500 Centennial Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1711
Periodic auctions of vehicles and assorted machinery. Mailing list.
State Purchasing & General Services Commission
P.O. Box 13047
Capitol Station
up to list
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-3445
Every two months, auction of vehicles, office furniture,
machines and
highway equipment is held. Mailing list.
State Surplus Office
522 South 700 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(801) 533-5885
Auctions of vehicles, office furniture and heavy
equipment are held four or
five times per year. Mailing list.
Central Surplus Property Agency
RD #2 Box 520
Montpelier, VT 05602
up to list
(802) 828-3394
Warehouse at Central Garage on Barre Montpelier Street.
Items: office
furniture and machines. Public auctions for vehicles in May and September.
Mailing list.
State Surplus Property
P.O. Box 1199
Richmond, VA 23231
(804) 786-3876
Regular auctions for all types of items including
office equipment,
computers, tractors, bulldozers and more. Mailing list. Cars auctioned
twice a year.
Office of Commodity Redistribution
2805 C. St. SW Bldg. 5, Door 49
up to list
Auburn, WA 98001
(206) 931-3931
Central warehouse open noon to 2:30 PM on Fridays. Cash only.
State Agency Surplus Property
2700 Charles Avenue
Dunbar, WV 25064
(304) 766-2626
Auctions every month. Items: chairs, desks, telephones,
computers and more.
Mailing list.
Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 7396
Madison, WI 53707
up to list
Warehouse at Hill Farm Bldg., 4802 Sheboygan Avenue.
Department of
Administration (6082668024) holds public auctions every month for vehicles.
Mailing list.
State Motor Pool
723 West 19th St.
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7247
STATE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY up to list
There are billions of dollars in this country in
unclaimed money sitting in
state property offices money from uncashed stock dividends, forgotten
bank
accounts, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, safe deposit boxes
and
similar uncollected items.
People move, die, lose track of various accounts;
it all adds up to huge
dollars. After a stipulated period of time that this money goes unclaimed,
the state is notified and then tries to track down the rightful owners
of
the money.
How does this affect you? Obviously, if you think
you may be the
beneficiary of some of that unclaimed money, you can contact your state's
department of revenue to find out more. The other possibility is the
opportunity to help track down the missing individuals. State resources
being slim these days, you may be able to earn a finder's fee by locating
the person.
Finder's fees can range fairly high depending on
the amount you make
someone aware that they're entitled to receive. Some states have formal
rules on the fee you could be paid. There is a concern on the states'
part
about overcharging the beneficiary, so keep the fees reasonable. It
is a
way to earn some money through your ability to track people down and
tell
them about their unclaimed cash.
Contact your state's department of revenue for a
lead on this information
and about any fee restriction or regulation that may exist.
LOCAL CITY & COUNTY AUCTIONS up to list
There are far too many municipalities to try and
list them all here. To
find out if your county, parish or town holds surplus property auctions
just contact their main office and ask someone. Usually, they are only
too
happy to help. The larger the city or county is, the more likely they
are
to hold auctions for surplus property. If you live in a rural area,
don't
be discouraged. Even if your town does not hold any auctions, you might
still benefit from contacting them as they may be able to steer you
toward
a nearby county or town that does!
SUMMARY: You're In Business Now!
This is a wide assortment of contact listings for
you to begin your new
career in the buying and selling business. People are going to buy
goods
from you or from someone else. Why not take advantage of the outstanding
savings you can accumulate by having the government locate your
acquisitions for you?
You always thought the government only took taxes
from you. Here's a chance
to get some back! Of course, it will probably increase your taxes as
your
income goes up, but that's a good problem to have, right?
Good Luck!
up to list
(Just click on your preference)
Some New pages added on 4/17/99