Police Auction Can Be Source Of Good Merchandise
Some of the best deal you can find on some decent merchandise may be at a police auction. Many departments confiscate stolen merchandise when they make an arrest and if the rightful owner is not able to be located, it often times ends up on the table at a police auction at whatever is the highest bid. Many items are new and others may be used but there is no guarantee on the merchandise.
It is not only cars and other large items confiscated from drug dealers and those jailed for white-collar crime. Many of the arrests result in court-ordered forfeiture of items the court determines was likely purchased with money from an illegal activity. Items of this sort sold at a police auction are usually in excellent condition and often command a higher price, but still represent a large discount.
Other items may be found by the public and turned into the local police department in hopes the owner can be found, Most state laws for the person finding the item to take possession of it, if no one claims it after a set period of time. Most the items turned in are not wanted by the finder and end up on the block at a police auction.
Some Departments Have Moved Auction Online
With everything that most police departments have to deal with, they may not have time to host a police auction and refer the merchandise to a professional auctioneer to handle the sale. There are many online auction sites specifically designed to sell merchandise from police departments, although they can also handle excess inventory and used equipment by the department as well as other municipal departments.
Most of the online police auction sites will not ship the merchandise as it remains in possession of the police department sponsoring the auction. Typically, once an auction ends the winning bidder will have to contact the department to arrange to make payment and pick up the item. Others may arrange payments over the internet and the buyer can pick the merchandise up at the police station storage facility by presenting their receipt.
Remember, there is no guarantee on any items purchased through a police auction and the responsibility of removing the merchandise is the winning bidders. It pays if there is an opportunity to view and inspect the merchandise before placing a bid. Some of the items may be in good condition and have value while others are only good for filling up the trash bin.
