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America's TRUE Choice for Current Auctions Information - Direct Access To Over 3,200+ LIVE and ONLINE Auctions Nationwide & Canada |
Why is property seized?
Most property is seized
due to trade violations, trademark or copyright violations, smuggling, drug
trafficking, money laundering, credit card fraud, food stamp fraud, mail fraud
or other illegal activity. However, not all property is seized. Other property
sold at our auction is General Order merchandise. This property was either
abandoned at ports of entry or duties/taxes were not paid.
Should I inspect
the Merchandise?
It is strongly
recommended that you attend auction previews. The preview is the only
opportunity you have to get answers to your questions regarding merchandise,
since items are sold "as-is" and all sales are final. Merchandise is often not
available for inspection the day of the sale. Please take advantage of the
previews as they are provided for your benefit. You can also take this
opportunity to register for the auction.
What will I have to
do in order to bid at an auction?
To participate in the
auction, you must register to bid prior to each sale. Bring a goverment-issued
photo ID to register and receive your bidder number and catalog. There is no
fee to register. Be sure to read and understand the Terms of Sale before you
bid. It is also strongly recommended that you attend auction previews in order
to inspect the merchandise and ask any questions you may have about the item.
You can also use this opportunity to register for the auction.
Can I get a good
deal at these auctions?
The final price of items
in the auction depends on public interest and what people are willing to pay
for the merchandise. Good buys are possible, just be sure to do your own
research and inspect the merchandise.
Is there a minimum
bid?
Generally, the
Government does not place a minimum bid on items. However, the Government
reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids. Those individuals who
cannot attend the auction in person are given the option to enter a written
bid. If any written bids are entered, they will begin the bidding from those
submitted.
What is a Reserve
Price?
It is a dollar amount
placed on an item by the Government. If you hear the auctioneer say "Bidding
closed, subject to the acceptance of the seller," it means the high bid did
not reach the reserve price. We then go back to the Government representative
and ask if they will accept the high bid. The good news? the majority of
property auctioned is sold.
What
Forms of Payments are Acceptable?
Cash, Cashier's Check
and Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card or American Express are accepted at most
sale locations. Personal or business checks, certified checks, bank letters or
letters of credit are not accepted. Bank wire may be used for final payment.
Wires may take up to 24 hours to process. Please check the Terms of Sale on
individual sales flyers for the specific instructions regarding payment for
that particular auction.
When is Payment
due?
Typically purchases of
$5,000 or less are required to be paid in full on day of sale. For purchases
over $5,000, a deposit of $5,000 is due on sale day and payment in full is due
by a specific day given by each auction. Since cashiers cannot make change for
more than 10 percent of a cashier's check, it is recommended that you bring
several cashier's checks in small denominations. Refer to the Terms of Sale
for specific deposit and payment terms.
When will I be able
to pickup my merchandise?
The terms of sale
provide removal dates and guidelines for both export only and domestic goods.
Failure to comply may result in cancellation of sale, repossession of
merchandise and forfeiture of all monies paid. Export only merchandise may
only be removed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bonded carrier.
Contact your local CBP office for information and assistance.
When is IRS/ATF/Secret
Service property released?
IRS property will be
released to successful bidders after review of records to make sure they are
not the violator or associated with the violator. Buyers of IRS-CI property
need to be aware that IRS has up to 72 business hours to approve buyers.
However, final payment must still be made by the date indicated in the Terms
of Sale. Please call the local EG&G sales office to find out if IRS has
approved you as the high bidder and released your lot(s) for pick-up.
Successful bidders of ATF and/or SS property will be notified at time of
payment.
Will I receive a
clear title?
Once payment is made in
full, you will receive a certificate to obtain title (8f-97) for a vehicle,
boat, or aircraft, whichever the case may be. All liens, back taxes or other
encumbrances will be paid by the Government, unless otherwise stated.
What does EXPORT
ONLY mean?
The designation of
EXPORT ONLY indicates that the specified merchandise cannot be registered,
used, or sold again in the U.S. as a result of it infringing upon some federal
regulation (ex. quotas, trademarks or safety regulations). Anyone who
purchases EXPORT ONLY property must remove it from the U.S. within a specified
period of time.
How do I submit a
Written Bid?
Written bids may be
submitted in person or by registered mail. Every bid submitted will need its
own cashier's check made payable to U.S. CBP/EG&G Technical Services for the
bid amount. Indicate the lot number or description of the item on the outside
of the sealed envelope. The auctioneer will start the bidding with written
bids. Bids must be received no later than 12:00 noon one day prior to the sale
date, unless otherwise stated in the terms of sale. Unsuccessful bids will be
returned within five (5) business days from date of sale by certified mail.
For Ft. Lauderdale auctions, please include 6% sales tax in your written bids.
For El Paso, TX auctions, please include 8.25% sales tax to your written bids.
How do I know this
is a reputable auction?
All advertisements for
the Treasury auctions will display the Department of the Treasury seal or that
of the representative agency.
If I am a
Government employee may I participate?
Employees of the
Department of Treasury, Department of Homeland Security and all affiliated
agencies as well as members of their immediate family are prohibited from
bidding on any merchandise. If you work for another Government agency, check
your local agency's policies.
Some of the more common auction items include:
used autos • marine vehicles • jet skis • aircrafts • homes • real estate • commercial property • farm equipment • industrial • business • electronics • computers • antiques • art • coins • stamps • appliances • guns • travel • collectibles • clothing • crafts • boats • bikes • motorcycles • mobile homes • jewelry • toys • cars • trucks • mopeds • bicycles • cameras • televisions • clocks • furniture • unclaimed property • abandoned property • personal property • office furniture • condominiums • town homes • commercial property • vacant land • single family homes • machinery • tools • hardware • building supplies
and much, much more...
We cover auctions in all States!
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Learn more about Police and Government Auctions.
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The BBB works to facilitate communication between the company and the consumer, to help both sides come to a satisfactory resolution to the complaint. In many cases, dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, may be available to help resolve the dispute.