U.S. Government Auction Sales: THE MONEY MAKER OF THE 90'S

An Insider's Handbook

OVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS

Most people are completely unaware of the bargains that can be found in the most unlikely of places: the government! We're used to reading about the Pentagon paying $59.00 for a wrench, about the national debt rising higher and higher, so it's excusable to not think of government and "sales" in the same sentence.
Yet nearly every level of government from city and town on up through county, state and federal, has possession of excess property that must be disposed of. If this can be accomplished and money raised at the same time, why not? We want government to be fiscally responsible, right?
The most common method of parting with this overage of property is through auction sales. These affairs offer a unique opportunity to the right person-- purchases at bargain basement prices which you can turn around and sell at a profit! The money to be made staggers the imagination.
From property seized by police officers or customs officials to repossessions by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are thousands of items of all types available at rock-bottom prices. Whether you're merely buying for yourself or seeing this as a line of business that could make you a substantial profit, the key is to identify and locate these auctions.
You name it! Houses, cars, jewelry, yachts, government farm equipment, computers, firewood-- it's there for the biddingþ and the buying! And, eventually-- the selling for profit!
You don't need much experience for this. You are familiar with what many of these items cost today on the open market. If you buy it far enough below market value, you can still sell the property yourself at a discount and make a handsome profit. If you yourself have always wanted to own a luxury yacht, here's your chance. You'll never find your dream purchase at a lower price. You could even start a second-hand store or set up shop at a flea market or swap shop to peddle your merchandise after you've acquired it. Many of these places are havens for shoppers. You've simply gone them one better by obtaining the good(s) at an even lower price than they'll pay-- and they'll be pleased with their "bargain". The purpose of our booklet is to point you in the right direction to find out about the various auctions that are held by virtually all branches of government. The listings in this book are as up to date as possible. Contacting these places listed should give you the information you need to begin your auction attendance. There are open-bidding auctions, where you shout out the dollar value you're willing to pay following a minimum bid requirement called by the auctioneer. There are also sealed-bid auctions where you submit the price you're willing to pay. You get only one shot at that type of bidding.
Be careful with the open bid auctions. You can become so focused on a particular piece of property that you end up in a "bidding war" that ends up with your paying more than you should and cutting well into your eventual profit. Be disciplined! Set a dollar limit ahead of time so that you can let certain items go if the bidding goes too high. This is a business now, so common money sense is important. You must now think in terms of expenses vs. revenue. If you have a certain hobby or interest, property in this area may be your natural market. If you specialize, it can help you concentrate on only those items in the large auction areas where there are hundreds of people bidding for thousands of goods. Your focus will be in your area and you'll soon be an expert on costs, prices and resale's of this commodity.
Auctions can be hyped up-- to the point of temptation to overbid. Don't do it! Remember your goal, your budget and your knowledge of what things cost and you'll do very well. Through the contacts listed in this booklet, you will find yourself on a regular mailing list of government auctions. Often, with the notice, you'll receive a catalogue of the items to be sold and approximately what time they'll be auctioned. This will allow you to budget your time wisely at these affairs and not get lost in the shuffle.
Good luck!

STATE GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS

These are the state contacts and a brief description of auctions held at this level of government.
ALABAMA: Alabama Surplus Property

        P.O. Box 210487
        Montgomery, AL 36121
        (205) 277-5866

Alabama auctions offer a variety of goods usually three times a year. Items: office equipment, cars, farm machinery, trucks, boats, tractors and more. There is a mailing list you can be placed on.

ALASKA:      Surplus Property Management Office
        2400 Viking Drive
        Anchorage, AK 99501
        (907) 279-0596

It's best to call the Juneau office (907) 465-2172 to be placed on their mailing list. There are weekly auctions of smaller items like furniture and office equipment and spring and fall auctions for larger items like cars.
ARIZONA: Office of Surplus Property

        1537 W. Jackson Street
        Phoenix, AZ 85007
        (602) 542-5701

Auctions held four times per year. Items: computers, cars, furniture and thousands of other pieces. Mailing list is available.

ARKANSAS: State Marketing & Redistribution Office

        6620 Young Rd.
        Little Rock, AR 72209
        (501) 565-8645

Mailing list available. Both regular and sealed bid auctions are held. Weekly events.
CALIFORNIA: Office of Fleet Administration

        1416 10th Street
        Sacramento, CA 95814
        (916) 657-2318

Open bid auctions once a month of surplus vehicles on Saturdays at Sacramento or Los Angeles. Mailing list.

COLORADO: Department of Correctional Industries

        State Surplus Agency
        4200 Garfield Street
        Denver, CO 80216
        (303) 321-2200

Several auctions per year. Mailing list is available. Non-profit organizations have first choice.

CONNECTICUT: 60 State St. Rear

        Wethersfield, CT 06109
        (203) 566-7018 (or 7190)

Eight to ten auctions per year. Vehicles usually auctioned on the second Saturday of the month. Registration fee.

DELAWARE: Division of Purchasing Surplus Property

        P.O. Box 299
        Delaware City, DE 19706
        (302) 834-4550

In May and September, there are public auctions of vehicles, office furniture and other surplus property. Mailing list is available.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Department of Public Works

          5001 Shepard Parkway
          Washington, DC 20032
          (202) 404-1068

Vehicle auctions held the first and third Tuesday of the month. No mailing list. Registration fee.

FLORIDA        Department of Management Services
          813A Lake Bradford Road
          Tallahassee, FL 32304
          (904) 488-5272

This address is a "retail" store with items available for sale. Motor Vehicle Bureau (904) 488-5178 holds vehicle auctions once a month at various locations throughout the state.

GEORGIA:      Department of Administrative Services
          Purchasing Division, Surplus Property
          1050 Murphy Avenue, S.W.
          Atlanta, GA 30310
          (404) 756-4800

Several auctions per year, held on the third Wednesday of the month chosen. Mailing list. Items: vehicles, shop equipment, typewriters, computers, copiers and more.

HAWAII No state surplus auctions.

IDAHO        Division of Purchasing
          (208) 327-7465

Idaho's state agencies hold their own auctions. You must contact the specific state agency directly. Auctions advertised in newspaper.

ILLINOIS:        Central Management Services
          Division of Property Control
          3550 Great Northern Ave.
          Springfield, IL 62707
          (217) 793-1813

Auctions held at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield two or three times per year on Saturdays. Mailing list available for $20/year. Items: desks, chairs, calculators, cameras, refrigerators and more. INDIANA: State Surplus Property Section

        229 W. New York Street
        Indianapolis, IN 46202
        (317) 232-0134

Auctions held as needed each year. No mailing list, but contact this office in May for a schedule.

IOWA:      Department of Natural Resources
        Wallace State Office Bldg.
        Des Moines, IA 50319
        (515) 281-5121

Auction is second Saturday of May for items such as boats, fishing rods, tackle boxes and hunting equipment. The Vehicle Dispatchers Garage holds vehicle auctions three to four times per year. Call (515) 281-5121.

KANSAS:      State Surplus Property
        P.O. Box 19226
        Topeka, KS 66619-0226
        (913) 296-2334

Many items left over for sale following offering to state agencies. Contact office for information on events. KENTUCKY: Office of Surplus Property

        514 Barrett Avenue
        Frankfurt, KY 40601
        (502) 564-4836

Saturday auctions every two to three months as needed. Items: vehicles, desks, chairs, couches, beds, lawnmowers, etc. Mailing list is available. LOUISIANA: Division of Administration

        Louisiana Property Assistance Agency
        P.O. Box 94095
        Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095
        (504) 342-6849

Auctions held on the second Saturday of each month at 1502 N. 17th St. Items: medical and office equipment, boats, bicycles, televisions, vehicles and more.

MAINE:      Office of Surplus Property
        Station 95
        Augusta, ME 04333
        (207) 289-5750

Public auctions five to six times per year. Primarily vehicles. No mailing list.
MARYLAND: Department for Surplus Property

        P.O. Box 122
        8037 Brock Bridge Rd.
        Jesup, MD 20794

No public auctions. Address above is a "retail" store for surplus property. MASSACHUSETTS: State Purchasing Agency

        Department of Procurement & General Services
        Surplus Property
        One Ashburton Place
        Boston, MA 02108
        (617) 727-7500

Public auctions six times per year, usually on Saturdays. Vehicles primarily. No mailing list.
MICHIGAN: Department of Management & Budget

        State Surplus Property
        P.O. Box 30026
        Lansing, MI 48913
        (517) 335-8444

Mailing list. Several auctions per year. Items: office furniture, household goods, machinery, livestock, vehicles and more. MINNESOTA: Surplus Operations Office

        5420 Highway 8
        New Brighton, MN 55112
        (612) 639-4022

About 15 auctions per year held around the state. Items include vehicles, boats and snowmobiles along with jewelry, furniture, computers, stereos and more. Mailing list.
MISSISSIPPI: Bureau of Surplus Property

        P.O. Box 5778
        Jackson, MS 39288
        (601) 939-2050

Two to three auctions per year of machinery and vehicles. Mailing list. MISSOURI: Surplus Property Office

        Materials Management Section
        P.O. Drawer 1310
        Jefferson City, MO 65102
        (314) 751-3415

Regular auctions held throughout the year. Items: clothing, office equipment and vehicles. Mailing list.
MONTANA: Property and Supply Bureau

        930 Lyndale Avenue
        Helena, MT 59620
        (406) 444-4514

One auction a year for vehicles. Mailing list. Other property auctioned the second Friday of each month.
NEBRASKA: Office of Administrative Services

        Material Division, Surplus Property
        P.O. Box 94901
        Lincoln, NE 68509
        (402) 479-4890

Auctions held three to four times per year. Items: office furniture, computers, couches and more. Separate vehicle auctions held. Mailing list.
NEVADA: State Purchasing Division

        Kinkead Bldg. 400 Capitol Complex
        Carson City, NV 89710
        (702) 687-4070

Second Saturday in August at 2250 Barnett Way, Reno, Nevada, 89512. Separate sealed bid auction mailing list is available, too. You must bid at least once over two to three auctions or you'll be dropped from the list.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:     Office of Surplus Property
          78 Regional Drive  Building 3
          Concord, NH 03301
          (603) 271-2126

Two auctions per year of vehicles and other property. Mailing list.

NEW JERSEY:      Purchase and Property Distribution Center
          CN-234
          Trenton, NJ 08625
          (609) 530-3300

State vehicle auctions as needed. Mailing list.

NEW MEXICO:      Highway & Transportation Department
          P.O. Box 1149
          Santa Fe, NM 87504

Last Saturday in September. Vehicles and office equipment. Mailing list.

NEW YORK      Office of General Service
          Bureau of Surplus Property
          Bldg. #18, Harriman State Office Bldg. Campus
          Albany, NY 12226
          (518) 457-6335

Frequent auctions around the state. Sold by category. Mailing list.

NORTH CAROLINA:     State Surplus Property
           P.O. Box 33900
           Raleigh, NC 27636
           (919) 733-3889

Sealed bid auctions. Mailing list. Warehouse available to inspect items.

NORTH DAKOTA:      Surplus Property Office
          P.O. Box 7293
          Bismarck, ND 58507
          (701) 224-2273

Annual auction each September. Items: vehicles, office furniture and equipment. Auction is advertised two days in advance.

OHIO:        State and Federal Surplus Property
          4200 Surface Road
          Columbus, OH 43228
          (614) 466-5052

Public auctions and sealed bid sales several times per year. Mailing list. Items: vehicles, office machines, furniture and more.

OKLAHOMA:      Central Purchasing Department
          Central Services, B-4, State Capitol
          Oklahoma City, OK 73105
          (405) 521-3046

Several auctions throughout the year. $10 gets you on a mailing list.

OREGON:      Department of General Services
          Surplus Property
          1655 Salem Industrial Dr., N.E. Salem, OR 97310
          (503) 378-4714

Public auctions held every Friday of items such as vehicles, desks, computers, snow plows, horse trailers and more.

PENNSYLVANIA:      General Services Department
          Bureau of Vehicle Management
          2221 Forster Street
          Harrisburg, PA 17105
          (717) 783-3132

Vehicle auctions at least ten times per year. Mailing list. Bureau of Supplies (717-787-4083) also auctions numerous items. Mailing list available.

RHODE ISLAND:      Department of Administration
          Division of Purchase
          1 Capitol Hill
          Providence, RI 02908

Rare public auctions, advertised in local papers. Sealed bids to a list of buyers of vehicles and office equipment. Call to see if you can get on the list.

SOUTH CAROLINA:     Surplus Property Office
          Division of General Services
           1441 Boston Avenue
           West Columbia, SC 29170
           (803) 822-5490

Warehouse is at above address. Auctions held periodically. No mailing list. Public Transportation Office (803-737-1488) keeps a mailing list for its vehicle auctions held every five to six weeks.

SOUTH DAKOTA:      Bureau of Administration
          State Property Management
          701 East Sioux Avenue
          Pierre, SD 57501
          (605) 773-4935

Two auctions per year, spring and fall. Vehicles. Mailing list.

TENNESSEE:      Department of General Services Property Utilization
          6500 Centennial Blvd.
          Nashville, TN 37243
          (615) 741-1711

Periodic auctions of vehicles and assorted machinery. Mailing list.

TEXAS:        State Purchasing & General Services Commission
          P.O. Box 13047    Capitol Station
          Austin, TX 78711
          (512) 463-3445

Every two months, auction of vehicles, office furniture, machines and highway equipment is held. Mailing list.

UTAH:        State Surplus Office
          522 South 700 West
          Salt Lake City, UT 84104
          (801) 533-5885

Auctions of vehicles, office furniture and heavy equipment are held four or five times per year. Mailing list.

VERMONT:      Central Surplus Property Agency
          RD #2 Box 520
          Montpelier, VT 05602
          (802) 828-3394

Warehouse at Central Garage on Barre Montpelier Street. Items: office furniture and machines. Public auctions for vehicles in May and September. Mailing list.

VIRGINIA:      State Surplus Property
          P.O. Box 1199
          Richmond, VA 23231
          (804) 786-3876

Regular auctions for all types of items including office equipment, computers, tractors, bulldozers and more. Mailing list. Cars auctioned twice a year.

WASHINGTON:      Office of Commodity Redistribution
          2805 C. St. SW  Bldg. 5, Door 49
          Auburn, WA 98001
          (206) 931-3931

Central warehouse open noon to 2:30 PM on Fridays. Cash only.

WEST VIRGINIA:     State Agency Surplus Property
          2700 Charles Avenue
          Dunbar, WV 25064
          (304) 766-2626

Auctions every month. Items: chairs, desks, telephones, computers and more. Mailing list.

WISCONSIN:      Department of Transportation
          P.O. Box 7396
          Madison, WI 53707
          (608) 266-3965

Warehouse at Hill Farm Bldg., 4802 Sheboygan Avenue. Department of Administration (608-266-8024) holds public auctions every month for vehicles. Mailing list.

WYOMING:      State Motor Pool
          723 West 19th St.
          Cheyenne, WY 82002
          (307) 777-7247

Periodic vehicle auctions. Mailing list.

STATE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

There are billions of dollars in this country in unclaimed money sitting in state property offices money from uncashed stock dividends, forgotten bank accounts, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, safe deposit boxes and similar uncollected items.
People move, die, lose track of various accounts; it all adds up to huge dollars. After a stipulated period of time that this money goes unclaimed, the state is notified and then tries to track down the rightful owners of the money.
How does this affect you? Obviously, if you think you may be the beneficiary of some of that unclaimed money, you can contact your state's department of revenue to find out more. The other possibility is the opportunity to help track down the missing individuals. State resources being slim these days, you may be able to earn a finder's fee by locating the person.
Finder's fees can range fairly high depending on the amount you make someone aware that they're entitled to receive. Some states have formal rules on the fee you could be paid. There is a concern on the states' part about overcharging the beneficiary, so keep the fees reasonable. It is a way to earn some money through your ability to track people down and tell them about their unclaimed cash. Contact your state's department of revenue for a lead on this information and about any fee restriction or regulation that may exist.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

The federal government is a regular discount house of values -- if you know where to look. From real estate to cameras to animals to books to vehicles, there are "Blue Light" specials everywhere on Capitol Hill.
There's a catch, of course. The government doesn't advertise their sales. The listings that follow, however, are your contact points for information. This will help you identify and make your purchases. This is an ongoing enterprise. Government tentacles reach everywhere and there is a constant flow of materials coming in from many sources, from drug raids to IRS seizures. The Post Office has millions of dollars in unclaimed parcels which are sold. Repossessed homes as a result of government foreclosures can bring you the bargain house of your lifetime.
Here are the listings, beginning with the Housing and Urban Development Department.

HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Auctions of foreclosed properties are a regular occurrence. The properties may be houses, apartments or condominiums in various states of repair. They may need fixing up-- in some cases, considerable work-- but you can find that out and decide what the value is to you. The HUD Home Line is 1-800-767-4483.
The offices:
REGION 1: Boston

Room 375
Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Federal Building 10 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02222
(617) 565-5234

Field Offices:

Bangor Office            Burlington Office
Casco Northern Bank Bldg.      Room B-2B, Federal Bldg.
First Floor            11 Elmwood Ave.
23 Main Street           P.O. Box 879
Bangor, ME 04401-6394        Burlington, VT 05402-0879
(207) 945-0467           (802) 951-6290

Hartford Office          Manchester Office
330 Main Street          Norris Cotton Building
First Floor            275 Chestnut Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1860       Manchester, NH 03101-2487
(203) 240-4523           (603) 666-7458

Providence Office
330 John O. Pastore Fed. Bldg.
U.S. Post Office - Kennedy Plaza
Providence, RI 02903-1785
(401) 528-5351

REGION 2: New York

26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY
10278-0068
(212) 264-8053

Field Offices:

Albany Office          Buffalo Office
Fed. Bldg.            Leo W. O'Brien Fed. Bldg.
North Pearl & Clinton Ave.      5th Floor, Lafayette Court 
Albany, NY 12207-2395        465 Main Street
(518) 472-3567          Buffalo, NY 14203-1780
              (716) 846-5755

Camden Office          Newark Office
The Parkade Building        60 Park Place
519 Federal Street          Military Park Bldg.
Camden, NJ 08103-9998        Newark, NJ 07102-5504
(609) 757-5081           (201) 877-1686

REGION 3: Philadelphia

Liberty Square Bldg.
105 S. 7th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19016-3392
(215) 597-2560

Field Offices:

Charleston Office          Baltimore Office
Third Floor, Equitable Bldg.      405 Capitol Street
10 North Calvert St.        Suite 708 
Charleston, WV 25301-1795      Baltimore, MD 21202
(304) 347-7036          (410) 962-2520 

Pittsburgh Office          Richmond Office
412 Old Post Office        1st Floor, Federal Bldg.
Courthouse          400 North 8th Street
7th Avenue & Grant St.        P.O. Box 10170
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1939      Richmond, VA 23240-0170
(412) 644-6388           (804) 771-2575

Washington, DC Office        Wilmington Office
820 First Street, NE        824 Market St. 
Washington, DC 20002-4205      Suite 850
(202) 275-8185          Wilmington, DE 19801-3016
              (302) 573-6300

REGION 4: Atlanta

Richard B. Russell Federal Bldg.,
75 Spring St.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 331-4739
Field Offices:

Birmingham Office        Caribbean Office
Beacon Ridge Tower, #300       New San Juan Office Bldg.
600 Beacon Parkway West        159 Carlos Chardon Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209-3144      San Juan, PR 00918-1804
(201) 290-7617           (809) 766-6121

Columbia Office          Coral Gables Office
Strom Thurmond Fed. Bldg.      Gables 1 Tower
1835-45 Assembly St.        1320 South Dixie Highway
Columbia, SC 29201-2480      Coral Gables, FL 33146
(803) 765-5592           (305) 662-4500

Greensboro Office          Jackson Office
415 N. Edgeworth St.        Dr. A.H. McCoy Fed. Bldg.
Greensboro, NC 27401-2107      100 W. Capitol, Suite 910 
(919) 333-5363          Jackson, MS 39269-1096
              (601) 965-4738

Jacksonville Office        Knoxville Office
325 West Adams Street        John J. Duncan Fed. Bldg.
Jacksonville, FL 32202-4303      710 Locust St. , 3rd Floor
(904) 791-2626          Knoxville, TN 37902-2526
              (615) 549-9384

Louisville Office          Memphis Office
601 W. Broadway          One Memphis Place
P.O. Box 1044            200 Jefferson Ave. , #1200
Louisville, KY 40201-1044      Memphis, TN 38103-2335
(502) 582-6255          (901) 544-3367
              
Nashville Office          Orlando Office
251 Cumberland Bend Dr.      3751 Maguire Blvd. 
#200            #270
Nashville, TN 37228-1803      Orlando, FL 32803-3032
(615) 736-5213           (407) 648-6441

Tampa Office
Timberlake Federal Bldg. Annex #700
501 E. Polk St.
Tampa, FL 33602-3945
(813) 228-2501

REGION 5: Chicago

547 W. Jackson Blvd.
7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 353-5680

Field Offices:

Cincinnati Office          Cleveland Office
Federal Office Bldg. Rm 9002      One Playhouse Square #420
550 Main Street          1375 Euclid Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45202-3253      Cleveland, OH 44114-1670
(513) 684-2884           (216) 522-4065

Columbus Office          Detroit Office
200 North High St.        Patrick V. McNamara Fed Bl
Columbus, OH 43215-2499       477 Michigan Avenue
(614) 469-7345           Detroit, MI 48226-2592
              (313) 226-6280

Flint Office          Grand Rapids Office
605 N. Saginaw St.        2922 Fuller Avenue, NE
#200             Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Flint, MI 48502-2043        (616) 456-2137

(313) 766-5109

Indianapolis Office        Milwaukee Office
151 N. Delaware St.        Henry S. Reuss Fed. Plaza
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2526      310 W. Wisconsin Av. , #1320
(317) 226-7043          Milwaukee, WI 53203-2289
              (414) 297-3214
              
Minneapolis-St.Paul Office      Springfield Office
220 Second Street South          509 W. Capitol St. , #206
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2195      Springfield, IL 62704
(612) 370-3000          (217) 492-4085

REGION 6: Fort Worth

1600 Throckmorton
P.O. Box 2905,
Ft. Worth, TX 76113
(817) 885-5505

Field Offices:

Albuquerque Office        Dallas Office
625 Truman St., NE        525 Griffin St. , Room 860
Albuquerque, NM 87110-6472      Dallas, TX 75202-5007
(505) 262-6472          (214) 767-8359
              
Houston Office          Little Rock Office
Norfolk Tower,           Lafayette Bldg
Suite 200             Suite 200
2211 Norfolk          523 Louisiana St.
Houston, TX 77098-4096        Little Rock, AR 72201
(713) 653-3274           (501) 378-5931

Lubbock Office          New Orleans Office Bldg.
1205 Texas Ave.          Fisk Federal Bldg.
Lubbock, TX 79401-4093      1661 Canal St. #3100
(806) 743-7276          New Orleans, LA 70112
              (504) 589-7246

Oklahoma City Office        San Antonio Office
Murrah Federal Bldg.        Washington Square
200 NW 5th Street        800 Dolorosa
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-3202      San Antonio, TX 78207
(405) 231-5464           (512) 229-6758

Shreveport Office          Tulsa Office
Joe D. Waggoner Bldg.        Boston Place Suite 110
500 Fannin St.           1516 S. Boston St.
Shreveport, LA 71101-3077      Tulsa, OK 74119
(318) 226-5402           (918) 581-7451

REGION 7: Kansas City

Gateway Tower II, Rm. 200
400 State Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101-2406
(913) 236-2162

Field Offices:

Des Moines Office        Omaha Office
Room 259, Fed. Bldg.        Braiker/Brandeis Bldg.
210 Walnut St.           210 South 16th St.
Des Moines, IA 50309-2155      Omaha, NE 68102-1622
(515) 284-4215           (402) 221-3879

St. Louis Office
Robert A Young Federal Building, 3rd Fl. 1222 Spruce St.
St. Louis, MO 63103-2836
(314) 539-6560

REGION 8: Denver

Executive Tower Bldg.
1405 Curtis
Denver, CO. 80202
(303) 844-6518

Field Offices:

Casper Office          Fargo Office
4225 Federal Off. Bldg.         Federal Building
100 East B. Street          653 2nd Avenue N.
P.O. Box 580          P.O. Box 2483
Casper, WY 82602-1918        Fargo, N.D 58108-2483
(307) 261-5252           (701) 239-5666

Helena Office          Salt Lake City Office
Federal Office Building          324 S. State Street
301 South Park, Rm. 340        Suite 220
Drawer 10095          Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Helena, MT 59626-0095        (801) 524-5216

(406) 449-5283

Sioux Falls Office
300 N. Dakota Ave. Suite 116
"300 Bldg." Sioux Falls, SD 57102-4223 (Property handled by Denver office)

REGION 9: San Francisco

Phillip Burton Federal Bldg. and
U.S. Courthouse
450 Golden Gate
P.O. Box 36003
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 556-5900

Field Offices:

Fresno Office          Honolulu Office
1630 Shaw Ave.          Prince Jonah Fed. Bldg.
#138            P.O. Box 50007
Fresno, CA 93710-8193        Honolulu, HI 96850-4991
(209) 487-5033           (808) 541-1343

Las Vegas Office           Los Angeles Office
1500 E. Tropicana, #205        1615 West Olympic Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119-6516      Los Angeles, CA 90015
(702) 388-6500          (213) 251-7136

Phoenix Office        Reno Office
2 Arizona Ctr., #1600      1050 Bible Way
400 North 5th St.        P.O. Box 4700
P.O. Box 13468        Reno, NV 89505-4700
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2361      (702) 784-5356

(602) 379-4434

Sacramento Office        San Diego Office
777 12th Street        Room 5-3-S, Fed. Off. Bld.
#200          880 Front Street
Sacramento, CA. 95814-1997    San Diego, CA. 92188-0100
(916) 551-1351         (619) 557-5310

Santa Ana Office        Tucson Office
Box 12850          100 N. Stone Ave. 
34 Civic Center Plaza      #410
Santa Ana, CA 92712-2850    Tucson, AZ 85701-1467
(714) 836-2446        (602) 670-5223

REGION 10: Seattle

Arcade Plaza Bldg.
1321 Second Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1700

Field Offices:

Anchorage Office        Boise Office
Federal Building         Federal Building 
U.S. Courthouse        U.S. Courthouse

222 West 8th Avenue, #64 550 W. Fort St. Anchorage, AK 99513-7537 P.O. Box 042

(907) 271-4170        Boise, ID 83724-0420
            (503) 326-2671
        
Portland Office        Spokane Office
520 SW Sixth St.        Farm Credit Bank Bldg., 8th Floor
Portland, OR 97204-1596     East W. 601 1st Ave.
(503) 326-2671        Spokane, WA 99204-0317
            (509) 353-2510

CUSTOMS

The U.S. Customs offices seize millions in merchandise each year. E.G.& G. Dynatrend is under contract to auction forfeited and confiscated merchandise. Their address is: 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 705, Arlington, VA 22201. Their phone numbers are (703) 351-7880 and (703) 351-7887. The U.S. Customs Public Auction Line is specifically the 703-351-7887 number. You can be placed on a mailing list for either $25 for regional information or $50 for national news. There are five different areas covered.
There are auctions held every nine weeks in the following cities: _ Los Angeles, California
_ Nogales, Texas
_ Miami, Florida
_ Edinburgh, Texas
_ Houston, Texas
_ Chula Vista, California
_ Jersey City, New Jersey
_ El Paso, Texas

Other cities hold auctions more infrequently.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Periodically, there are portions of a contractor's inventory that remain following completion of a job. The government paid for it, so they own it. They consider it surplus and it's sold by a Defense branch -- the Department of Defense Logistics Agency. You can write to these addresses for more information about these sales:

Boston          New York
Commander        Commander
Defense Contract Admin. Serv.    Defense Contract Admin Serv.
Boston Region          New York Region
495 Summer Street      201 Varick Street
Boston, MA 02210-2184      New York, NY 10014-4811

Philadelphia        Atlanta
Defense Contract Admin. Serv.    Defense Contract. Admin. Serv.
Philadelphia Region      Atlanta Region
2800 South 20th Street      805 Walker Street

Philadelphia, PA 19101-7478 Marietta, GA 30060-2789

Cleveland          Chicago
Commander        Commander
Defense Contract Admin. Serv.    Defense Contract Admin. Serv.
Cleveland Region        Chicago Region
Federal Office Building        O'Hare Int'l Airport
1240 E. Ninth Street      P.O. Box 66475

Cleveland, OH 44199-2036 Chicago, IL 60666-0475

St. Louis          Dallas
Commander        Commander
Defense Contract. Admin. Serv.    Defense Contract. Admin. Serv.
St. Louis Region        Dallas Region
1136 Washington Avenue      1200 Main Street

St. Louis, MO 63101-1194 Dallas, TX 75202-4399 Los Angeles
Commander
Defense Contract Admin. Services
Los Angeles Region
11099 South La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045-6197

POSTAL SERVICE

A number of items often turn up at the post office which are undeliverable and unclaimed. This merchandise can range from household and leisure items to books.
The merchandise auctions are held in only 5 cities, the largest in New York and San Francisco. If you live close to one of these auction areas listed, by all means go and check it out. Otherwise, it may not be worth a lengthy trip.

Atlanta:      U.S. Postal Service, Undeliverable Mails Branch
        Dead Parcels Branch
        730 Great SW   Parkway 
        Atlanta, GA 30336
        (404) 344-1625

New York:      U.S. Postal Service 
        380 West 33rd Street,
        New York, NY 10199
        (212) 330-3800

Philadelphia:      U.S. Postal Service
        2970 Market Street,
        Room 531-A
        Philadelphia, PA 19104-9886
        (215) 895-5140

San Francisco:     U.S. Postal Service
        390 Main Street
        San Francisco, CA 94105-9502
        (415) 543-1826 

St. Paul:      U.S. Postal Service
        443 Fillmore Street,
        St. Paul, MN 55107
        (612) 293-3082

Postal vehicles are also sold by the Post Office. They must be purchased with cash, bank check or money order.

Alabama Alaska

U.S. Postal Service      Postal Service Supply Off.
708 E. South Blvd.      Vehicle Maintenance
Montgomery, AL 36119      8221 Petersburg
(205) 244-7500         Anchorage, AK 99507-3132
            (907) 349-8900

Arizona          Arkansas

U.S. Postal Service      General Mail Facil. Fleet
Vehicle Maintenance Facility    4700 E. McCain Blvd.
4949 E. Van Buren      N. Little Rock, AR 72231
Phoenix, AZ 85026      (501) 945-6710

(602) 225-3367

California Colorado

Fleet Maintenance Div.      U.S. Postal Service
1300 Evans Avenue      915 S. Logan
San Francisco, CA 94105       Denver, CO 80209
(415) 550-5212         (303) 297-6730

Connecticut        Delaware

U.S. Post Office        U.S. Post Office
Vehicle Maintenance Service    Vehicle Maintenance
85 Weston St.         147 Quigley Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06101      Wilmington, DE 19850
(203) 524-6240         (302) 323-2237

Florida          Georgia

U.S. Post Office        U.S. Post Office
2800 S. Adams          Vehicle Maintenance Facil.
Tallahassee, FL 32301-9998    3900 Crown Rd.
(904) 878-7268         Atlanta, GA 30304-9721

Hawaii          Idaho

U.S. Postmaster        U.S. Post Office Garage
Manager, Fleet Maintenance    770 S. 13th
89 Sand Island Rd.      Boise, ID 83707
Honolulu, HI 96819      (208) 383-4225

(808) 845-1026

Illinois Indiana

Main Post Office Garage      U.S. Post Office Garage
2105 E. Cook        615 S. Capitol Avenue
Springfield, IL 62703      Indianapolis, IN 46225
(217) 788-7241         (317) 464-6081

Iowa           Kansas

U.S. Post Office        U.S. Post Office Garage
1165 Second Avenue      424 S. Kansas Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50318-9121    Topeka, KS 66603
(515) 283-7720         (913) 295-9167

Kentucky          Louisiana

U.S. Postal Service      Main Post Office Garage
1420 Gardiner Lane      Vehicle Maintenance Dept.
P.O. Box 3111          750 Florida Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40232-9111    Baton Rouge, LA 70021
(502) 454-1891         (504) 381-0388

Maine          Maryland

Main Post Office        U.S. Postal Service
171 Kennebec Street      6 Waelchi Avenue
Portland, ME 04101      Baltimore, MD 21227
(207) 871-8467         (301) 625-8931

Massachusetts Michigan

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Post Office
135 A Street        4800 Collins Rd.
Boston, MA 02210      Lansing, MI 48924
(617) 654-5771         (517) 337-8736

Minnesota        Mississippi

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Post Office
314 Eva Street         350 E. Silas Brown St.
St. Paul, MN 55107      Jackson, MS 39301-5201
(612) 349-3082         (601) 968-5784

Missouri          Montana

U.S. Postal Service      No auctions held. See
Vehicle Maintenance Facility    San Francisco and Salt
3535 Katherine Rd.      Lake City.

Quincy, IL 62301-9998
(217) 224-4950

Nebraska Nevada

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Post Office
Maintenance, 700 R St.      2000 Vassar Street
Lincoln, NE 68501      Reno, NV 89510-9997
(402) 473-1630         (702) 788-0626 Gov't 

New Hampshire        New Jersey

U.S. Post Office        Main Post Office
Vehicle Maintenance Facility    Vehicle Mainten. Facility
955 Goffs Falls Rd.      680 State Hwy. 130
Manchester, NH 03100-7221    Trenton, NJ 08650
(603) 644-4022         (609) 581-3089

New Mexico        New York

U.S. Post Office        U.S. Postal Garage
1135 Broadway, N.E.      201 11th Avenue
Albuquerque, NM 87101      New York, NY 10199-9721
(505) 848-3887         (212) 330-4904

North Carolina         North Dakota

U.S. Postal Office        U.S. Post Office
310 Newborne Avenue      220 E. Rosser Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27611      Bismarck, ND 58501
(919) 831-3702         (701) 221-6517

Ohio           Oklahoma

U.S. Postal Service      Main Post Office
850 Twin River Drive      Vehicle Services
Columbus, OH 43216      320 S.W. 5th Street
(614) 469-4255         Oklahoma City, OK 73125
            (405) 278-6159

Oregon          Pennsylvania

U.S. Post Office        Philadelphia Post Office
Vehicle Maintenance Facility    Garage
918 NW Park Avenue      30th and Chestnut
Portland, OR 97208      Philadelphia, PA 19104
(503) 294-2444         (215) 895-9297

Rhode Island        South Carolina U.S. Postal Service

Service          U.S. Post Office
Vehicle Maintenance      1601 Asembly St.    
Providence RI 02904      Columbia, SC 29201-9122
(401) 276-6800        (803) 733-4692

South Dakota        Tennessee

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Post Office Garage
Vehicle Maintenance Facility    707 Chestnut Street
500 E. Boulevard        Nashville, TN 37229-9721

Rapid City, SD 57701-5709
(605) 394-8648

Texas Utah

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Post Office
10410 Perrin Beitel      Vehicle Maintenance Dept.
San Antonio, TX 78284      1760 W. 2100 S.
(512) 657-8528                 Salt Lake City, UT 84199
            (801) 974-2350

Vermont          Virginia

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Post Office Garage
Vehicle Maintenance Facility    1001 School Street
1800 Page Blvd.        Richmond, VA 23232

Springfield, MA 01152-9721 (804) 775-6155 (413) 785-6383

Washington, D.C. Washington (state)

U.S. Postal Service      U.S. Postal Service
Fleet Operations        3825 S. Warren
980 V. St. NE          Tacoma, WA 98409

Washington, DC 20018-9601
(202) 832-0158

West Virginia Wisconsin

U.S. Post Office U.S Postal Service Vehicle Maintenance Facility Vehicle Maintenance 602 Donnelly St. Madison, WI 53703 Charleston, WV 25301-9721 (608) 246-1300 (304) 357-4158

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

Naturally, the Internal Revenue Service has been known to seize a few items themselves. They generally auction these goods off to raise money for back taxes and penalties owed by the person whose property has been confiscated. You can get on their mailing list by calling their HOT LINE:
(800) 829-1040

Other hot-line numbers:
_ San Francisco (415) 556-5021
_ Seattle (206) 553-0703
_ Los Angeles (213) 894-5777
_ Sacramento (916) 978-5520
_ New York City (718) 780-4020

The IRS may prove to be your ally yet!

OTHER INFORMATION

The other phone numbers of importance may belong to the Federal Supply Service Bureau which can give you more information about General Services Administration Auctions. Those listings: National Capitol Region
National Surplus & Sales Center
Federal Service Supply Bureau
6808 Loisdale Rd.
Springfield, VA 22150
Hot-line: (703) 557-7796

Region One Region Two

Federal Service Supply Bureau Federal Service Supply Bureau

10 Causeway St. 4#2FBP-1     26 Federal Plaza #2FBB-2
Boston, MA 02222      New York, NY 10278
Hotline: (617) 565-7326        Hotline: (800) 488-SALE

Region Three Region Four

Federal Service Supply Bureau Federal Service Supply Bureau Personal Property Sales Section General Services Admin.

841 Chestnut St. #540      404 West Beach St. #4FBB Philadelphia, PA 19107
          Atlanta, GA 30365
(215) 597-7253         (404) 331-5177

Region Five Region Six

General Services Admin. Excess Property Sales Federal Service Supply Bureau GSA Federal Supply Bureau Sales Service, Mail Staff 34-5 #6FP-P

230 S. Dearborn St.      440 College Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604        Overland Park, KS 66211
(312) 353-0246         (913) 236-2500

Region Seven Region Eight

General Services Admin.       General Services Admin.
819 Taylor Street        Federal Service Supply Bureau
Fort Worth, TX 76102      Building 41
(817) 334-2352         Denver Federal Center
            Denver, CO 80226
            (303) 236-7705

Region Nine Region Ten

525 Market St. 29th Floor General Services Admin.

San Francisco, CA 94105       Excess Personal Property
(415) 774-5240         400 15th Street SW
            Auburn, WA 98001
            (206) 931-7763

RESOLUTION TRUST CORPORATION

In the 1980s, there were a vast number of savings & loans failures and the U.S. Government contracted with the Resolution Trust Corporation to dispose of personal property and assets accumulated during the last few years.
There is a wide inventory that is constantly changing. The key contacts: The Affordable Housing Disposition Program 1-800-624-HOME
Resolution Trust Corporation
National Assets Specific Inquiry Program: (800) 431-0600

Regional Assets Sales Hotline
(800) 348-1484

For real estate: (800) 782-3006.

SUMMARY: You're In Business Now!

This is a wide assortment of contact listings for you to begin your new career in the buying and selling business. People are going to buy goods from you or from someone else. Why not take advantage of the outstanding savings you can accumulate by having the government locate your acquisitions for you?
You always thought the government only took taxes from you. Here's a chance to get some back! Of course, it will probably increase your taxes as your income goes up, but that's a good problem to have, right?

Good Luck!

Web Source Copyright 1996, 1997 Paul Galloway, All Rights Reserved.