Federal Auto Auctions: How to benefit from the Government

If you are looking for federal auto auction deals, there is one name that you will encounter where it all pretty much begin and ends. This is the independent government body called the US General Services Administration (GSA).

This department is part of the federal government and is tasked with providing communication, products, offices and transport to federal employees.

The GSA therefore plays a vital role in managing Federal property. This includes a vast federal motor fleet in excess of 200,000 different vehicles. Part of its role is therefore the disposal of surplus cars, SUV’s and trucks at federal auto auctions.

Before reading on, I want to let you know:

Here is my recommended comprehensive Auction Listing: Gov-Auction

Recent legislation in the form of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from the Obama Administration has included a mandate for the GSA to purchase an increasing number of so-called ‘Green Vehicles’ such as electric powered and hybrid cars. This over the short- and medium term will give a rise to the disposal of some of the GSA’s older models – a perfect scenario if you’re looking for a good deal at auctions.

One thing that can be said about these federal auctions is that they occur frequently. There is hardly a day that goes by that the GSA does not conduct fleet sales at auctions across the country. The federal government has a vast network of vehicles actively managed. The result is that every day in different States (and for many days in more than one State), these auto auctions are held. The auctions are open to all and not just reserved for professional dealers. All you are required to provide is proof of your Social Security number in order to partake.  

The Auction Day 

When you attend the federal auto auction for the first time it may well be a bit of a ‘shock on the system’. Auctions are renowned for their perceived lack of order – at least it seems so to the novice. Don’t panic though. The GSA will have representatives on the floor that assist bidders throughout the auction process. The auction starts with a brief summary of the motor being read out and an item number so bidders can refer back to their catalogue. When the bidding process starts things move quickly, so pay careful attention. If you do find yourself to be a little lost, ask the representative to confirm to you the vehicle being bid on as well as the price. You need to respond swiftly though, as an item takes an average of around a minute to be auctioned off. In the unlikely event of the vehicle not being sold, the item may be auctioned again at a later stage on the same day. This is known as a ‘re-run’. If there were no successful bids on this round, it will be left for another day.

Although most of the GSA’s auctions take place in-lane at public outcry auctions, they do tend to allow a fraction of the fleet to be auctioned online. These vehicles are ones scheduled to be sold during the live auctions, but have also been allowed to be auctioned online during the days running up to the actual auction day. This is a comfortable way to get involved ‘early doors’ without the hassle of making your way to the public event.

Federal auto auctions have always provided quality vehicles at sometimes staggeringly low prices. Competition is extensive, but if you attend enough of these you are bound to find real gems.

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