Nov 14, 2005 5:08 pm US/Mountain
Government Web Sites Offer Great Bargains
by Ericka Lewis
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Ronnie Suiter is the proud new owner of a 1993 Ford Ranger he bought for $1800.
He didn't gamble on buying one from a dealership, instead he turned to the government to find a good deal.
"The state of Tennessee owned the vehicle. It was used in the cemetery," Suiter said.
Suiter is among a growing number of people going to online auction sites that sell property from government agencies.
Many items can be found on these government sites, including, bicycles, jewelry, cars and even houses are up for bid.
Some government agencies, like police departments, confiscate assets from criminals and some of the property never gets claimed.
Suiter said he liked the deals so much that he bought a second truck online for $2600, when the bluebook value was $7000.
"You have the opportunity of knowing that every 3000 to 6000 miles, the vehicle has been maintained by a professional mechanical staff," Suiter said.
Suiter bought his trucks at govdeals.com. There are also items like a Sony video camera that sold for $44.
On bidforassets.com, a diamond tennis bracelet appraised at $6000, sold for $800.
On propertyroom.com, a new designer Coach handbag sold for $115.
Fort Collins police said they used to auction off items themselves, but now rely on propertyroom.com to sell their unclaimed property.
propertyroom.com has partnerships with 10 law enforcement agencies in Colorado.
"I believe our revenue has increased 35 to 40 percent," said Annie Merrill, of the Fort Collins police department.
She said the revenue has increased because the site reaches more people and propertyroom.com will clean items and do minor repairs before putting them up for auction.
When using the Web sites, consumers are being asked to read the shipping terms closely.
Some sites don't ship items and others include the shipping cost as part of the minimum bid.
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