Government Auction Guides
How government surplus auctions actually run, written from buyer notes. Which site to pick, what shipping really costs, how to inspect a lot before you bid.
How Government Auctions Work (2026): Step by Step
How surplus auctions work step by step: register, inspect, bid, win, pay in 3-5 days, pick up in 5-15. Not Treasury bonds: cars, electronics, seized goods.
Read guide →10 Best Government Auction Sites, Ranked (2026)
10 government auction sites compared by buyer's premium, categories, and bid format. See which charge 0% and which hit 16.5% before you bid.
Read guide →Government Vehicle Auctions: $2k-$20k (2026)
Real price bands by type: fleet sedans $2k-8k, SUVs $5k-18k, pickups $4k-20k, police cruisers $3k-12k. Plus the federal and local fleets that sell most.
Read guide →How to Inspect Before You Bid at Auction: What to Check (2026)
What to check on vehicles (rust, mileage, brakes), heavy equipment (hours, leaks), and electronics before bidding. Plus when third-party inspectors pay off.
Read guide →$400-$3,500 Auction Shipping Costs (2026)
Vehicles ship $400 to $3,500 from federal lots. Per-platform removal deadlines (GSA 15 days), storage fees, and the 20% no-pickup penalty.
Read guide →GovDeals vs PublicSurplus: Which Should You Use?
Honest side-by-side comparison of GovDeals and PublicSurplus. Inventory, fees, payment, removal, and which platform fits your buying style.
Read guide →GovDeals FAQ: Does GovDeals Ship, Fees, Payment, Pickup (2026)
Straight answers to the questions buyers ask before their first GovDeals bid. Whether GovDeals ships, the 12.5% buyer's premium, accepted payment methods, removal deadlines, and whether the site is legit.
Read guide →GSA Auctions FAQ: Shipping, Fees, Payment, and Pickup (2026)
What first-time buyers need to know before bidding on GSA Auctions. Whether GSA ships, why there is no buyer's premium, accepted payment methods, the strict 15-day removal rule, and how to register.
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