The majority of average citizens are not aware that most police agencies, including your local town’s police department, your county Sheriff’s department, as well as the law enforcement agencies at the state and federal levels, have massive amounts of property of all kinds in their possession. This property has either been seized or confiscated by the powers of the agency, or it was lost or abandoned by the former owners. When the warehouses and parking lots start to get filled up it is time for general police auctions and police auto auctions to take place.

While some of this property that goes into a police auto auction, or a general property auction, is there as the result of arrests, seizures and forfeitures, there is also a lot of property in the warehouses of public agencies simply because of the carelessness on the part of the property owners. There are many cases where someone absentmindedly leaves something like a bicycle behind and never takes the additional steps to see if it had been turned into the authorities.

In addition, a great deal of personal property of all kinds is confiscated from theft rings and drug busts, and because the property was not marked with any identification, it was impossible for the items to be returned to the rightful owners.

At the general property government auctions you will find an incredible variety of clothes, electronics and household items, but it is the police auto auctions that people seem to get the most excited about because of the incredible deals on vehicles that are possible. Not only will you find cars, truck, SUVs, and vans at these public auto auctions, but often there are recreational vehicles and other “toys,” such as boats, motorcycles, bikes and jet skis.

A police auto auction can be a very practical place to search for a reliable car that is in good condition, especially if you would like to make it yours for just a fraction of the real market value. Many of the seized cars at these police public auctions tend to be a mixture of vehicles that are later models, as well as many that are 5 to 15 years old. Most of the cars were impounded because the owner of the vehicle committed some type of crime that gave the law enforcement agency the right to seize the vehicle and sell it.

Because most of the seized cars that have been impounded by police were operational at the time that they were taken off of the street because of driver infractions, many people feel more secure about buying from a police auto auction. In contrast, there are many repossessed cars that are sold through auto actions by banks and finance companies because people stopped making payments on the car due to some kind of mechanical malfunction.

If you are interested in the police auto auctions in your area, then you can contact your local police agencies in your town, your county and your state, and request a listing of all of the auctions that are scheduled. If you have never been to a car auto auction before, then it is a good idea to go and observe one and try to meet people who have a lot of auction experience and pick up some helpful pointers.

Online auctions are a great way to find a bargain on almost everything and it is an excellent way of getting the best price for selling something of your own. These are Virtual auctions on the Internet. The seller sells the product to the person who offers the highest price. These products include houses, cars, seized electronics, jewelry, books, antiques and others.

Online auctions are different from their real-world counterparts. You are free to take your time browsing the listings and bidding takes place over a period of days rather than minutes. Online Auctions offer good opportunity for anyone wishing to start an online business for a number of reasons. If you feel you have the persistence necessary to run your own successful business, this is one opportunity you should consider.

There are thousands of online auctions on the Internet with more popping up everyday. People love them because they can usually find great bargains. Businesses are now also seeing the benefits of online auctions. Some of them:

Ø You could sell your excess or discontinued products at an online auction. It’s an effective way to make extra income without any loss for your business. Thus you can make a profit depending on how much people will bid for your excess inventory. Also excessive inventory can be cleared off cost effectively.

Ø An easy way to test new product prices is to see what people will bid for them at an online auction. First, sell your product at three different online auctions. Next, calculate the average selling bid from all three auctions and that will be your selling price for your new product. Hence we can know the exact selling price of the product.

Ø There are numerous auction sites for bidding any product. Some of the auction sites draw over millions of hits a year. The key to being successful is to sell your product at multiple online auctions at the same time. Suppose if we sell a product at one hundred online auction sites that would be one hundred sales a day! This way we can increase our sales at one time.

Online auctions is the best place if you’re looking for a collectible or thinking about selling an antique We’ve seen the benefits of online auctions but there are some common mistakes to be avoided in online auctions:

1. Listing an item with wrong auction expiration time.

It’s a known fact that more buyers browse auction sites on Sunday evenings than any other time during the week.

2. Not giving your listing the attention it deserves - Lots of people place items without photos and even good description. Some people use all kinds of flashing animation, multicolored text and other bells and whistles in an attempt to entice bidders. Listings like these are distracting, hard to read, and will always discourage people from bidding, resulting in a lower final sales price. So just give the description of the article upto the mark.

3. Using a reserve price - Use the fixed to guarantee that one will get a minimum price for an item. This also ensures the good quality of the product. People will not bid on “Reserve” auctions, as they don’t want to get “Reserve not yet met” message.

4. Not planning your business activities - It is always better to create business plan and start implementing it. Some businesses require procedures to be done everyday so plan it thoroughly.

5. Not selecting several good drop shippers - Your business should be stable. Drop shippers can quit and also they can kill your business by not meeting your expectations. So keep rotating them until you get several good ones for your business.

Online Auctions offer good opportunity for anyone wishing to start an online business for a number of reasons. If you feel you have the persistence necessary to run your own successful business, this is one opportunity you should consider.

Beginners look at property auctions as a way of snagging a bargain, or finally getting that farm they’ve had their eye on for twenty years. To the seasoned pro, it’s just another day at the office; a handy way of adding to their portfolio. To get the best out of them, you need to prepare in advance. Here are a few tips to help you on your way:

1. Look at newspaper classifieds, the Yellow Pages and internet search engines. Call nearby real estate agents. Add your name to local auctioneer’s mailing lists.

2. Get a list of properties. Get as much information as possible beforehand from the auctioneer. Visit the properties; auctioneers generally have a preview date. Have any property you’re interested in inspected by a qualified surveyor, if you can afford it. If you can’t, take your most knowledgeable friend with you to have to take a gander at it.

3. Choose your desired property. Get its specifics: size, amenities, how much is owed on it, if anything, and what the opening bid is. Get pre-approved for a mortgage, if needed. Have your financing set up before you bid.

4. Compare the sales prices of similar properties in the area so you have a good idea of what it’s worth. Prices for similar properties within three miles of the site are the most reliable.

5. A deposit may be due on the day of the auction. Some auctions may require bank letters of guarantee, banker’s draft or a cashier’s cheque in order to bid. Upon a successful bid, a deposit may be payable in cash, by certified or cashier’s cheque, or by a personal or business cheque accompanied by a bank’s letter of guarantee. You can’t just turn up, bid and walk away; you’ve got to have cash to hand!

The remaining balance of the winning bid price is due X number days after the auction has closed. No purchase can be contingent upon financing. All purchases are based on the ability to close.

6. Check terms and conditions carefully before bidding. Not all terms are the same for every auction. There is no limit to the number of lots you can buy.

7. Check the auction time, date and venue. Go to the venue one hour before the auction time. You can meet on-site staff, confirm your registration and get any questions answered.

8. Mentally set your maximum bid. Don’t get swept up in the excitement. Stay quiet if there are several people bidding on the same property; your bid will only escalate matters. When most have dropped out and the bidding has slowed down, you step in. You can avoid bidding up your own fee.

9. The first and second properties on the list go for the cheapest price. People are waiting to see what the other fella is doing. A couple of good deals go by before they realise they’d better get cracking. Their timidity could be your chance!

10. Penalties for backing out of a winning bid can be steep, so be sure of what you’re getting into. Contact your lender as soon as possible after the auction to finalise your mortgage.

11. Property bought at auction is ’sold as seen’, with no warranties, guarantees or disclosures. It’s up to you to check it out beforehand.

12. Listen to the auctioneer before the auction begins. The bidding process should be be explained in detail.

13. Consider the additional costs of buying at auction; the auctioneer’s fee, any liens or taxes owed against the property.

14. Realize that you’re not obliged to buy anything. Walk away and be glad if the deal isn’t right for you.

Auctions are a quick way to expand your real estate portfolio, or get your first house. Many people bidding will be professional. With a bit of research and preparation, you can be too!

A car auction is a like any other where a commodity is sold to the highest bidder. Most potential customers attend an auction believing that the price of a used car would be substantially lower than the market value. However, this is often not the case. In addition, car auctions are infamous for marketing flooded and stolen vehicles, which are bought by unsuspecting customers.

In general, there are six types of car auctions. They are as follows: - Wholesale car auctions: These are held by car dealers for other car dealers. - Public car auctions: These are open to all. - Company car auctions: These are open to employees of the company. - Police & Government car auctions: These are usually open to all customers. - Bank, Insurance, and Salvage car auctions: These are open only to car dealers. - Online auctions: The most recent addition to car auctions, they are open to all.

Although all auction types involve a risk component, online auction is possibly the most risky. This is because, you bid only by seeing the car’s features and photo on a website. If you become the highest bidder, you are bound by contract to pay even if you have not seen the car in person. Sellers often give incorrect or false information about their car. Therefore, run a used car title check on the VIN# to verify the seller’s claims. The seller may not list the VIN# and may provide wrong information about the model, year, tax payments, and insurance cover of the car. A Vehicle History Report will enable you to verify these factors. Another problem associated with online auctions is that the seller may ask friends to make false bids just to hike the price of the vehicle. In addition, you may have to travel long distances to pick up the purchased vehicle.

In the other types of auctions, you can inspect cars before bidding. Therefore, arrive at the auction site well in advance. Check whether all the VIN# stickers in a car match. Otherwise, it was either stolen or repaired with the parts of another car. Ensure that the car comes with the title. If you are in a hurry to buy and no title is available, at least ensure that the contract states exactly when the title will be provided to you. Otherwise you will have to run around for it. Before you bid, remember that you will have to pay a buyer’s premium in addition to the price of the car. This could be 5 to 10% or lesser; find that out earlier. Furthermore, check out the traffic light behind the auctioneer to find out whether the status of the car title is red, yellow, or green. Everything about the title is fine if the light is green. Ensure that title status is mentioned in the contract. A Vehicle History Report is important in these types of auctions too.

The main intention to purchase from an auction is to obtain a used car at a rate much lower than the market value. Therefore, decide on the model of the car, check your bank balance, and decide on the price you can go up to before bidding. Don’t get carried away by all the bidding activity around you.

If you’re in the market for a new car, but you can’t afford the high price of retail, visiting a government auction in person or online can be a smart way to go. Government auctions are notorious for having some of the best automobiles going at a fraction of the prices you’d pay from a dealer or private owner.

Government auctions can be found in all kinds of jurisdictions, ranging from small, local authority auctions to large federal auctions. They can include everything from the top of the line, just released vehicles to older cars that have been well cared for in a government fleet.

Let’s take a look at some of the types of vehicles that can be found at government auctions:

Newer model cars, trucks, light vans
The newer cars found at government auctions are generally those that have been seized from suspects by various law enforcement agencies. This means they might not be in tip top condition, but they could be, as well. In these cases, the government auctioning authority will be interested in making as much money as possible, but the fact is these cars can end up selling for a real steal. No law enforcement agency can afford to store an endless amount of vehicles seized from drug dealers or other bad guys.

Middle of the road cars
Many government agencies have a policy that dictates how old cars in their fleet can be. Once they reach this point, regardless of mileage, they are auctioned off and new vehicles are purchased. These cars can be very good buys and generally have been cared for within a fleet system, so they’re practically guaranteed to have all their maintenance in place. They can be very good buys for those interested in government auctions.

Older vehicles
These, too, can be found at government auction. Whether they are retired fleet or seizures, some of these vehicles can be purchased for a fraction of their real value. If you’re looking for a particular type of car, or a classic, don’t discount a government auction as a place to look.

Now that you understand just about any kind of vehicle can be found at government auction, let’s look at the types of agencies that might host auctions:

Local law enforcement
These government auctions are favorites of those who want newer models cars. Since many states allow their local agencies to maintain some of their seizures to sell and purchase newer equipment, it’s possible to get your hands on a brand new car for a fraction of its sticker price by going this route.

State auctions
These can include a combination of fleet retired vehicles and seizures. Here you can find everything from standard government issued cars to the latest sports vehicles.

Federal auctions
The many agencies within the federal government also host their own auctions or combination auctions. At these you can find a variety of different types of cars, trucks and light work vehicles, too.

Government auctions are fantastic for finding really good deals on a variety of cars and trucks. Since the agencies aren’t looking to make a “profit” per say, the prices on the starting block can be more than reasonable.

Getting a great deal on an automobile purchase is nearly impossible, but there are places to turn for good buys and even better cars. One such place is a repo auction. But, many people don’t quite understand what repo auctions are and they don’t seem to realize what hidden treasures can be found at them.

Let’s look at some of the top questions and answers surrounding repo auctions:

What is a repo auction?
A repo auction is one that’s held on behalf of banks and other lenders to help liquidate merchandise that’s been defaulted back into the bank’s ownership. Everything from houses and cars to boats and trucks can be had at repo auctions. In the automotive market, a repo auction can be a very good place to get a good deal on a vehicle that’s newer and generally in pretty good shape.

Why do banks take part in repo auctions?
Banks that write car loans or mortgages don’t want to own a fleet of vehicles or a neighborhood of homes. They want the interest earned on the loan, not the merchandise. To help them recover the financial loss experienced in a default, they often host auctions to recoup their money. This doesn’t mean the bank will necessarily let a car go for thousands and thousands less than its value, but since it really is only interested in covering its loss, savings likely will be realized. Sometimes the savings can be great.

What kind of cars can be found at repo auctions?
Just about any type of car, truck or van that a bank will write a loan for can be found at a repo auction. Typically these are newer model vehicles that are worth the “risk” to the bank.

What is the condition of vehicles at these auctions?
That will vary from vehicle to vehicle quite honestly. Most vehicles are in very good shape, but that doesn’t mean all of them are. It’s important to ask questions about items you might bid on. Don’t take it for granted the car is in perfect working order.

Are their warranties on purchases from auctions?
Sometimes. Generally, the banks themselves auction the cars off “as is,” but it’s possible manufacturer warranties will extend to the purchase. It will all depend on the banks, the cars in question and who made them.

What kind of deals can be had?
Again that will depend on the car in question and the loan that was outstanding on it, but generally you can pick up newer cars for a fraction of the sticker price by going to auction. Of course, you have to place the winning bid to do so.

How do you find these auctions?
They are generally listed in newspapers, magazines, on television and there are even special computer programs that know exactly where to look to find upcoming auctions. Some of these programs can sort auctions by those that have particular cars, too.

A repo auction is a different way to buy a car, but the truth is it can be a great way to do so. There’s no reason to pay full price, but it is a good idea to exercise judgment and look carefully before bidding.

In today’s economy, homes are not the only thing being foreclosed on. People are also losing their storage units. When people don’t pay the bill on their storage unit, the contents are auctioned off. The storage company is paid off and the buyer gets to keep the contents that are in the unit. You could get junk or treasure. People have been known to get thousands of dollars worth of stuff at storage unit auctions for just a few hundred bucks.

Storage Unit auctions are a great way to make some quick money part time. You can easily buy an entire storage unit for pennies on the dollar and sell them on Ebay or at flea markets. A great way to make money fast with the resale of the items from your storage unit auction is to take them to an Ebay drop off store. This way, you can spend more time buying your items at the auction and don’t have to spend too much time listing and shipping your items for resale.

But, the first trick to making money from storage unit auctions is finding them. If you can’t find it, you can’t buy it.

The first place to look for storage unit auctions is online. Just do a Google search for storage unit auctions and your city and you will quickly find a list of places to start. Many of the companies that auction off contents of storage units have websites and listings of upcoming auctions.

The next place to look for storage unit auctions is in the newspaper. To find the advertisements in the paper, look in the legal notices section. The reason for this is that the storage company will need to go to court and file a lien against the storage unit before the contents can be auctioned off.

Another great place to look for storage unit auctions is from the storage company itself. The storage unit company will often maintain a mailing list of upcoming auctions. You never know what you will find out until you ask.

You can also look for storage unit auctions by looking in the phone book. Find the auction houses in your local phone book and call them to see if they do storage unit auctions. If they do, ask to be on the mailing list.

As you can see, storage unit auctions are easy to find if you know where to look. Happy hunting!

Whether you are a seller or a buyer at online auctions, it’s important to understand how auctions work and how to buy or sell products securely. While online auctions offer many benefits as well as an opportunity to buy and sell internationally, the business can be risky. In fact, online auctions rank near the top among consumer fraud complaints. Use the tips below to maximize your Internet auction benefits.
Selling Auction Items
Before starting an online auction business, you should understand your legal obligations. Carefully create “terms of sale” that explain what you expect from the buyer and what the buyer should expect from you. When describing items, be very descriptive. Include the condition of the item, any flaws in the product, and state whether it’s used, new, or reconditioned. Be sure to price the item high enough to cover your investment, and include an adequate amount for shipping.
Be very specific on shipping terms, your return policy, and any restocking fees. Also, always include photos with your items when possible. Auction items with photos tend to sell well. Once you’ve sold an item, be sure to ship it on time and give good customer service at all times.
If accepting payments through an online auction, choose a method that will enable you to sell around the world. Some payment options are only feasible in your particular country. Many third-party online merchant services offer international payment systems. Find the one that works for you and your customers. Remember, with online auctions, you might receive orders from anywhere… Egypt, South Africa, USA, Kenya, UK, India, Indonesia, Germany, Argentina, France, Brazil, Nigeria, or anywhere in Europe.
Buyer Auction Tips
Buying from online auctions can be a great way to get quality products at low prices. Some products you might find at an auction online include salvage items, real estate properties, cars, antiques, auto care products, computers, jewelry, electronics, books, clothing, and so forth. The possibilities are endless.
If you’re an auction buyer, observe the rules and terms of the auction online before placing bids. Keep up-to-date on auction news to become familiar with the latest trends. Make sure the item you are considering is what you’re really looking for. Check out the description, photos, guarantee or warranty, condition of the product, size, brand name, and so on. Also, consider shipping into your cost and from which country the item will be shipped. If you bid lower than retail, the shipping charges could make the product cost even more than the retail value. Some sellers will offer free shipping with high-ticket items.
Also, consider the seller’s return policy, payment methods, and their feedback rating (if available). If no feedback is available, it’s up to you to determine if you want to give the new seller a try or not.
Be Safe as an Online Auction Bidder
Protect your personal information. Never give the seller more information than is needed. Your social security number, bank account information, or personal login information to the bidding site or any other site should never be solicited. If the seller tries to obtain this information from you, turn them in to the bidding site for investigation.
With these tips in mind, you can successfully start an online auction business or become a smart auction bidder. The opportunity for global auction business has never been greater than it is right now!

Several years ago after having lost some valuable items stored in a storage bin, I learned that unpaid mini storage bins are sold at auction. There are basically 2 types of auctions that are conducted for the storage units. One is whole bin storage auctions and the other is piece by piece auctions. The storage auctions I am going to discuss in this article are the whole bin storage auctions.

When you attend a whole bin storage auction you will see just how quickly it is conducted and over. You might show up at 9:50 am, and the auction start at 10:00 am, and at 10:30 am the auction is over. Five or six storage bins have already been sold. That’s pretty fast.

The fun part for me is the idea of treasure hunting. Storage facility auctions can sometimes reward you with some great treasures. On the other hand it could provide you with a lot of junk that you are responsible to dispose of. But over the years I have made a lot of money, and I have filled my home several times over with items I’ve kept from storage auctions. I say several times over, because I can keep something for a while then replace it with something else later, and practically for free. I made my money back and then some on the other items that came from the auction.

If you were given the opportunity to go through people belongings without getting into trouble, would you be the type that is curious enough to do it? These storage auctions are the curious minded persons dream. You not only get to own all the items that are in the storage unit you win the bid for, but you also get the fun of rummaging through the drawers and cabinets to see if there is a hidden stash of jewelry somewhere. I have found money in pockets, and jars of change. Once I found a stash of thousands and thousands of old wheat pennies. Some dating back to as far as 1909.

If you like clothing and would even like making money in used clothing then you have found the niche you have been looking for. You have never seen the likes of clothing that you can get for a song. Often you will find clothing at the storage auctions that still have the tags on them. I have clothed my family for years, and often with top brand named clothing too. At one time I was getting a few hundred dollars a month from a consignment shop. The possibilities are practically endless with things you can do with the clothing. My wife at one point saved jeans that we did not sell to make denim quilts with. My mom is a seamstress and has gotten hundreds of buttons from me simply from the clothing that is not worth keeping. The ideas go on and on.

I think over the years I have gotten enough restaurant equipment to start my own restaurant. At one storage auction I got stacks and stacks of Pizza Hut type deep dish pans. That was years ago. I gave some to friends and sold dozens and dozens of them on eBay. I still use the ones I kept frequently. I just can’t say enough about the fun and profits that I have gotten from storage auctions of the past 10 years. I have not stopped using storage facility auctions as a part time and sometimes full time business since I started going to them 10 years ago.

If you are looking for a great opportunity to have a lot of fun, and possibly make a lot of money too, you might consider the storage auction business for you. With the high cost of living these days, the idea of getting a lot of your clothing for pennies, and making some money from your home based business is just good sense.

Are you thinking about buying at a government car auction? This article is designed to provide you with the details on how government seized auctions work and how they can get you the best deal on used car. Specifics may vary from auction to auction; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.

Government seized auctions are a great place to pick up high end luxury car at a fraction of its original retail price. Have you ever pulled up next to a fully loaded Mercedes at a stop light, glanced over and noticed that the driver is barely out of high school? How could they possibly afford the car payment on that kind of ride? Well, they probably purchased the vehicle at a government seized car auction and paid next to nothing for it.

If you have ever dreamed about owning a high-end luxury car or a customized vehicle loaded with aftermarket parts and accessories, you’ve probably done just that - dreamed about it. Paying retail price for a car like that can put a huge dent in your wallet or your savings account. However, you can get a car like that for much less.

Government car auctions get their supply from criminals. When someone is convicted of a crime, like drug trafficking, the government can seize their assets, including their vehicle. Bad for the criminals but good for you! Government seized automobiles are usually luxury vehicles - BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus - and sometimes you may even come across and exotic import like an Aston Martin, Maserati, Ferrari or even a Lamborghini! Not many people can afford a car like this, but it’s possible if you attend a government seized auto auction.

It costs a lot of money to store cars. That’s why government agencies are quick to liquidate their surplus auto inventory as quickly as possible so that they can save money. Government car auctions may also feature their own surplus vehicles, or those no longer needed. These can be passenger vehicles, decoy cars, heavy equipment or even motorcycles, bicycles and ATVs. Other cars features at government auctions are retired police cars or fleet vehicles. These kinds of automobiles are replaced regularly by their respective agencies and are usually domestic cars with high mileage that have been meticulously maintained. You are much more likely to receive vehicle history with a government-owned and operated vehicle than you are a seized vehicle. Keep this in mind if vehicle history is important to you.

There are literally thousands of vehicles available at government seized car auctions. There could be an awesome bargain right around the corner from where you live and you may never know it if you’re not looking. If you’re in the market for a car, especially a high end luxury car, and you don’t want to pay full retail price, government car auctions are the way to go! You will find some of the best values in the car auction market without sacrificing all of your money.