Seized property offered at government auctions and police auctions are veritable treasure chests for bargain hunters. There is an astounding array of new and used merchandise, sold at rock-bottom prices, sometimes less than 10% of market value!
What is exactly seized property? This is property taken under state or federal “seizure laws”. These laws allow law enforcement agencies to seize property that was used or acquired from illegal activities, was improperly imported into the country, or didn’t have required taxes or duties paid.
For instance, if a drug dealer uses the money he made from drug trafficking to buy a car or truck, even a house, it can be confiscated under the “seizure law”. Jewelry, furniture, computer equipment, art all can be seized.
The numbers and types of seized property that is sold through government auctions is mind-boggling. You can buy cars and trucks, boats, antiques, jewelry, office equipment, even aircraft. And they can be had for mere pennies on the dollar.
Another source of these auction goods is merchandise that was seized by US Customs. The seizure can be for improper importation, or failure to pay import duties or taxes. The Customs agency will often seize entire cargo containers full of property. These are usually brand new goods originally intended for retail sale, that are now liquidated through a government auction.
Government auctions and police auctions are held individually by by each agency, from federal government agencies like US Customs, the FBI, IRS, and DEA, even your local city government and municipal sheriffs departments. Each agency is responsible for holding it’s own auctions, some online, some at specific locations.
So how do you find these seized property auction treasures? There are essentially two ways: first, you can look through listings, but you can spend countless hours as each agency holds it’s own auctions, and they can change daily, weekly, etc. Alternately, you can join a government auction membership site that puts all those listings together in one place. Membership sites vary, however, so before signing up make sure you check out reviews such as those found at Government Auction Site Reviews.
Seized property auctions are literally treasure troves of merchandise. With a little time spent looking, you can find those deals of a lifetime on virtually anything in the world!
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