Anyone ever participated in Treasury Dept. auction?

[Quepos1]

Items seized by U.S. Government? If so, what was your experience?

[bamaboy473]

I would guess that Government auctions should run the same. We've done some GSA auctions and a 52' Hatteras was one of them. Some random observations for you:
a. The item is REALLY and truly AS IS< WHERE IS. Don't expect anything to be working as it should.
b. Dirty? Yes, they don't clean anything and it might have been sitting out for a looooong time before the Marshalls release it for sale.
c. There's an Inspection date for these auctions. You'll have to take your wrench to see the boat with you. Take a water supply if they'll let you start the motors. Sometimes they do, sometimes not.
d. There is no warranty. None, Nada. Zip.
e. Title can a friggin nightmare. Try chasing a title down from the gummint.
f. If you buy something, don't give your money away until you have been totally satisfied about the how and why and when a title will be delivered to you. It might take many months, so check with your State DMV about how to use your boat while waiting for the title. If your state says, "no exceptions to the 30 day rule", think about whether the deal is so good that you'll be happy to park the boat for several months or so.

Other than that, these are great ways to save a bundle!!

[UaVaj]

For the trouble. Unless you are a refurbisher. It's more work than it's worth.

Just make sure you buy it way below wholesale so you can sell it at wholesale after you refurbish it.

Otherwise stick with turn key and fork over the $$$ instead.

[BigShrimpin]

I attended a few in CA. Department of General Services Fleet Management Auctions. You can get some good deals, but everything in at the end of it's useful life, so most items are for parts. There were some good items too, but the bidding went up pretty high.

[billh1963]

BigShrimpin - 7/19/2008 10:05 PM

I attended a few in CA. Department of General Services Fleet Management Auctions. You can get some good deals, but everything in at the end of it's useful life, so most items are for parts. There were some good items too, but the bidding went up pretty high.

That has been my experience as well. I've tried a few auctions over the years and most stuff was already worn out beyond its useful like. Anything that was good was usually bid to its real value or higher. As was said earlier, you're better off just to buy it right to begin with.

[thomas70]

I've tried to purchase several boats to refurb. but they always got bid way past what they were worth.

[Kamper]

bamaboy473 - 7/19/2008 3:45 PM
... e. Title can a friggin nightmare. Try chasing a title down from the gummint. ...

I'm surprised to hear that. My state holds auctions twice a year and includes federal items. The notice states a DMV official will be there to issue a title on the spot. So many vehicles are sold by the Feds, you'd think this detail would have been worked out decades ago.

I've been a couple times to look but didnt't see anything I liked enough to come back and bid.

[bstnsportsfan]

Can someone post a link to the Dept of Treasury Auction? I think I've gone to it before, but can't for the life of me remember the site. Thank you.