Start a Business Selling Government Surplus
Did you ever wonder what happens to all that government equipment that is purchased each year by federal, state, and local governments? They don't just throw it away! By law, all unused and out-dated equipment must be sold back to the public at a public auction! That's right. Everything is available to you and I the American taxpayer. There are primarily two ways that the government does this: on- site auctions or online auctions.
At an on-site auction, the government agency disposing of the property must usually post a public notice about the auction such as the location, date, time, and items to be auctioned off. There is usually an inspection period, especially if there are high-priced items that are to be auctioned off. Bidding is usually open to anyone, but you generally must pre-register on-site at the auction to bid. On site auctions may include items like used vehicles, boats, aircraft, computer equipment and military surplus. Some of the items are new, most are used, and a small percentage of it is junk.
Online Auctions are available to anyone with an internet connection and can be found on various website. The federal government typically uses the GSA auction site at gsa.gov/auctions. The military uses govliquidation.com. State and local governments may have their own websites. You may need to call your local government agency to find out how they handle surplus property.
The fun part is actually bidding and winning items. You can easily purchase things at 80%-90% off of retail! I personally purchased a color laser printer at 10% of it's value! Granted, I needed to drive 3 hours to pick it up and I needed to clean it once I got it home, but it works flawlessly.
The business part of the equation is in purchasing large lots of equipment. I personally buy and sell large quantities of computer and office equipment. You can purchase computer and monitors by the skid load! I resell to friends and neighbors who get a good deal as well. I can sell them equipment 50% off of retail and still double my money! The local government auctions usually have the best deals as there are typically fewer bidders competing against you. I purchased $12,000 worth of computer equipment for $65! I also picked up a conference table and beautiful retro conference chairs!
Remember though, to bid with your head and not above it. Research carefully what you are interested in and what it would bring in resale. Set a firm price in your mind and don't go over that price. Don't ever get caught up in the heat of the moment when the bidding starts going crazy! Take a step back and re-evaluate before you pay more for something than you wanted to.
Dean Novosat regularly attends local government auctions and participates online.
Much of what he wins, he resells. He has several informative websites including http://www.buy-sell-gov-surplus.com and http://www.government-deals.com.
 Google News Updated : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:50:53 GMT Gay Marriage Is Ruled Legal in Connecticut - New York Times
New York Times - In Hartford, Crystal Pretzman of Willimantic, Conn., celebrated the State Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Video: Connecticut Court Allows Gay Marriage Marriage ruling not the end of debate in Conn. Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:13:08 GMT Nobel Peace Prize winner wants jobs for the young - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP HELSINKI, Finland: Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari said Saturday that finding jobs for more than 1 billion young people in the Middle East and Asia will be a major challenge to peacebuilding in the next decade. Video: Ex-Finland President Wins Nobel Peace Prize Nobel Finn Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:12:07 GMT World is united to tackle financial crisis, IMF says - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - By Rex Nutting WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Financial policymakers from 180 nations around the world are united in their resolve to tackle the financial crisis, Youssef Boutros-Ghali, head of the International Monetary Fund's policy committee, ... G7 nations face going cap in hand to China Finance officials comments at IMF meetings Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:23:46 GMT US space tourist set for blast-off - Reuters
Reuters - By Maria Golovnina BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - US video game magnate Richard Garriott will blast off into space aboard a Russian spaceship on Sunday watched by his father, a NASA astronaut who went into space at the height of the Cold War. US space tourist set for launch Russian space chief reassures US partners Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:10:50 GMT YouTube to play full TV episodes with ads - Afterdawn.com
Afterdawn.com - Google has announced that it will begin offering full-length TV episodes through its YouTube platform beginning this week, thanks to a content deal with CBS. YouTube to Offer TV Shows With Ads Strewn Through YouTube beams up Star Trek for long-form video, prominent new ads Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:13:12 GMT Got $700 Billion? Sweat the Details - New York Times
New York Times - The bailout plan gives Henry M. Paulson Jr., the Treasury secretary, three broad choices in buying assets. By ALAN S. BLINDER THE House of Representatives was against the bailout bill before it was for it. US firms up plan to buy into banks to stem crisis Paulson Indicates Need to Purchase Bank Equity `Soon as We Can' Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:39:07 GMT GOP Officials Hope for Stability From McCain - New York Times
New York Times - By ADAM NAGOURNEY and ELISABETH BUMILLER Republican leaders across the country said Saturday that they were worried that Senator John McCain was heading for defeat unless he brought stability to his presidential candidacy and settled on a clear message ... Antiwar Protestor Disrupts McCain Iowa Rally Obama needs 75 percent turnout in Philadelphia, says Rendell Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:23:47 GMT Get Paid for Surveys |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Q: When it comes to succeeding in business, which do... Read More A business owner is thoroughly responsible for their own financial... Read More Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Welcome to the e-class on Creativity & Entrepreneurship:... Read More So many people work their whole life to make money,... Read More All franchised companies must have Territory Limitations to maintain the... Read More Whether you are just starting your business or focusing on... Read More There are certain traits and skills that many successful online... Read More Romans had a phrase for this- First among Equals.Online marketing... Read More So you want to start a business. You have an... Read More Did you ever wonder what happens to all that government... Read More Many franchise companies fail to send the proper message to... Read More Not everyone is cut out to run a business. Not... Read More The first step in deciding whether to start a business... Read More Every evening as the sun sets beyond the mangroves that... Read More In the early days of my first consulting business, I... Read More If you've ever received a service today and paid for... Read More In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by... Read More The latest series in "The Apprentice" features 2 distinct group... Read More Entrepreneurs know their business. They know their product, their service.... Read More Q: I am interested in starting my own business. I... Read More Jim and Sally run a successful auto business, which they... Read More Isn't it funny how people think that being self-employed is... Read More As one of the most successful direct sales entrepreneurs in... Read More Starting and running your own business can be exciting and... Read More Buying into a franchise is a great way to be... Read More
Adsense
websites
Achievements Outweigh Education and Experience
How Much Risk is Necessary to Grow Your Business?
The Secrets to Becoming a Successful Creative Entrepreneur: JJK Secrets #19-21
Chairman Greenspan and the FED, learn more you will be glad you did
Territory Limitations Policies for Franchised Companies
How To Get More Clients and Customers; Dont Sell Be of Service
Traits and Skills of Successful Internet Entrepreneurs
Bring That Difference To Your Business!
Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Before They Even Start
Start a Business Selling Government Surplus
Message to Prospective Franchisees for Franchisors
Is Running a Business for You?
16 Vital Traits Shared by All Successful Entrepreneurs
10 Tips for Would-be Entrepreneurs
The Business and Life You Want to Build
The Magic of Float
Learn how to Compress Time
Street Smarts Vs Book Smarts, What Does It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs: Benefits vs. Features-Know the Difference!
Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship Story; Over Regulation in Franchising Part I
Self-Esteem and the Entrepreneur
Taking Charge and Getting Results: The Choice is Yours
Reducing the Stress of Being an Entrepreneur
Before Getting A Franchise
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Lessons Learned from Successful Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are a special breed of high achievers. They create... Read More
The Lonely Hat: A Marketing Parable
Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and... Read More
Entrepreneurial Hate, its out there
Today, I got an email from a lady who hates... Read More
Profile of Women Leaders
Leadership is based on two words, "pressure and support"and that... Read More
Learn how to Compress Time
In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by... Read More
What is Entrepreneurship?
In discussing entrepreneurship and writing articles on the subject, I... Read More
Six Steps to Guarantee Your Business Success
Many of us slave away for years for one uninspiring... Read More
A Dorm Room With A View
As a senior in high school, he paid cash for... Read More
Adding a Service After You Buy a Business
When you buy a business, you should have a plan.... Read More
Why Every Student Should Start a Business
With the economic downturn, students in all the major business... Read More
Corporate Espionage in Franchising
Franchising Trade Journals do not do well, because today with... Read More
Business Is No Guarantee of Riches
Q: I'm thinking about starting a business since that seems... Read More
Be Where the Pucks Going To Be
The "Great One" said it bestHockey legend Wayne Gretzky, when... Read More
Raising Capital for Your Business ? How Long Does it Take?
Most companies vastly underestimate the time commitment necessary to successfully... Read More
Message to Prospective Franchisees for Franchisors
Many franchise companies fail to send the proper message to... Read More
Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Profitability
1) Go back to basics. Take a couple of steps... Read More
The Risks of Entrepreneurship
The "spark" for many entrepreneurs is seeing an opportunity that... Read More
Will Your Business Survive Without You?
I had a health scare in December.As it turns out,... Read More
Defining a R&D Framework for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Information Product Generation
IntroductionKnowledge is the key resource that forms the institutional basis... Read More
5 Habits Of Successful Entrepreneurs
Habits get a bum rap. When you think about your... Read More
Prescription for the Future and Technological Revolutions
The world sure has changed in the last two-decades hasn't... Read More
Something From Nothing, With Something To Share
Betrayal, it can hit you like a load of bricks... Read More
The Ideal Length of Your Business Plan
How long should a business plan be? A business plan... Read More
The 7 Traits of an Exceptional & Successful Entrepreneur
How often have you either referred to or considered the... Read More
The Desire For Money, Do You Have Business Sense?
For those of us who grew up with parents who... Read More
Entrepreneur |