| A government auction is a good place to | | | | on its own or in conjunction with other |
| buy quality or unusual merchandise at a | | | | agencies. For example, the U.S. Air |
| bargain. Government auctions take place | | | | Force runs its own auctions. The U.S. |
| continually, both online and in | | | | Marshals Service runs the auctions for |
| different parts of the country. | | | | itself and the Department of Justice, |
| Information on all government auctions | | | | the FBI, the DEA, the INS and the ATF. |
| can be found at Firtgov.gov. This is | | | | This means that any merchandise seized |
| billed as being the official United | | | | by any of these agencies is auctioned |
| States government portal. It contains | | | | through the U.S. Marshals Service. The |
| information on all federal, state and | | | | U.S. Treasury handles auctions for |
| local government auctions. What do | | | | itself and the IRS. Border Patrol and |
| governments have to sell at auction? | | | | Customs handle their own auctions, and |
| They sell surplus goods and seized and | | | | so on. What makes it even more |
| forfeited property at auction. Surplus | | | | difficult is that they all have their |
| goods are goods that the government | | | | own quirks and rules that the buyer has |
| bought and no longer needs. This can | | | | to be aware of. For example, houses |
| include anything from office furniture | | | | sold at the IRS auctions can be redeemed |
| and office equipment to telemetry | | | | by the original owner within a specified |
| guidance systems and Coast Guard boats. | | | | period of time. The owner has to pay |
| Forfeited property can consist of houses | | | | the auction price plus the interest and |
| that had a federally guaranteed mortgage | | | | the buyer cant do anything about it. |
| that the owner defaulted on. When the | | | | That is why it is important to know the |
| mortgage is foreclosed on, the house is | | | | rules that the auction functions under. |
| sold at auction. Seized property is | | | | The best thing to do is to look at the |
| property that criminals owned and | | | | different auction at Firstgov.gov. The |
| purchased with money earned from the | | | | rules and procedures are given for each |
| commission of crime. This can include | | | | of the online and in-person auctions |
| houses, boats, cards, planes, artwork, | | | | with instructions on where merchandise |
| jewelry, various personal belongings, | | | | can be viewed prior to the auction. |
| etc. When the government seizes this | | | | Joseph is the proud owner of Gov |
| property, it sells it at auction to the | | | | Auctions, a website that willexplain |
| highest bidder. | | | | everything you need to know about |
| The problem with government auctions is | | | | Government Auctions. We invite you to |
| that there is not just one big auction. | | | | visit our site today and see what we |
| Each agency has its own auction either | | | | have to offer. |