Government liquidation…where does the idea and stock come from? Is it a legitimate website? Well having done a little digging into govliquidation.com it’s time to share what I have learned. I think I should also shed a little of my perceived background on government liquidation auction sites, so let’s step back a few years…
To go back when dropshipping and wholesale buying was a fairly new concept to us all, I believe it was the embracing of the dropshipping business model that inturn inspired the eBay home business revolution. From those first eBay stores grew an enormous opportunity …one seized upon by fast moving, forward thinking companies such as Liquidity Services.
And to answer 1 question right now…Government Liquidation IS a legit site.
Owners of the Government liquidation Website
Liquidity Services own the government liquidation website. Their aim is to provide government and surplus stock to the public and get maximum return for their assets. They do this cleverly using a multi-channel sales strategy that leverages the leading online marketplaces.
Since their foundation in 1999, Liquidity Services has established itself as the leading, global surplus goods marketplace. Here are some impressive stats:
- $2.2 Billion Gross Merchandise Volume
- 1.6 Million Unique Registered Buyers
- 12.2 Million Total Auction Participants
- 2.8 Million Completed Transactions
- 116 Countries Served by Buyer Base
- 3,800+ Government Agency Sellers
- 1.3 Million Square Feet of warehouse space in 6 facilities
So we have learned quite quickly that the owners of the website government liquidation are specialists is selling on government surplus equipment and that govliquidation.com is just one string to their bow..
How does govliquidation.com work?
At Gov Liquidation they sell in some fairly varied categories, including aircraft parts, woodwork machinery, medical equipment, food service equipment and ALL usually in multiples. Sold lots include: live horses from the cavalry, a stream train and even furniture from the Pentagon! So not your run of the mill type, but rather all types of unusual items, some of it you can’t even buy if you aim to ship it outside of the USA!
There are basically 2 types of sales events, Internet auctions, the concept of auctions at eBay I’m assuming you are familiar with, the second is a sealed bid sale, where all bids submitted in a sealed bid sale are, well … “sealed”. That way you are encouraged to only submit your best and final offer. There is a handy event calendar that you can look over to see if there are lots that you are interested in coming up.
Government liquidations stock is stored at 214 locations across America, usually close to or on US air bases. You are able to locate liquidation surplus bases in your preferred state on the govliquidation.com website. The bases list what lots are available and the current bid status.
Because of the pure nature of the lots’ available, it’s highly unlikely that govliquidation.com be visited by the regular home owner looking for a bargain to stand in the corner of the lounge, so you are best stick to eBay for those types of household items. I see the proprietors of small start-up businesses and wholesale suppliers of what can only be termed as “unusual” items would be bookmarking the website of govliquidation.com.
That being said If I had the space at home I’d certainly be bidding on the pizza oven that has caught my eye ;)
Working from home with Government Liquidation
There is an opportunity to earn affiliate commissions with govliquidation.com, affiliates earn their commissions on completed transactions that were directed to the website through your links and for each new member that you send to govliquidation.com through your banner or text link you also get $1.
Affiliates don’t have to be living in the US, however your cheques are paid in US dollars so there may be a small fee to deposit your commission cheques in a non-US bank.
Seeing that a big number of the lots are “fairly large” the sale prices are often in the $5K to $6K region but the downside is that the commission paid is only 1%, meaning for a $6000 sale referral you would only receive $60.
Make no mistake…GovLiquidation.com should NOT to be mistaken for liquidation.com.
This short Government Liquidation review ends on the note that, if you trust the lots description and are happy to bid without smelling what you are buying, or if you can market or are in the market for some ex – military service trucks or fitting out a factory or offices with surplus government equipment, govliquidation.com will be your cup of tea.
I think that there certainly are some great deals to be had at government liquidations, but it’s not for the main stream… but then maybe that works out just great for you and your niche!
~Tony
WFHW Team
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I noticed how items were handled at one of their warehouses in Columbus, Ohio. I was shocked to learn people didn’t care about the LOT ITEMS to be picked up. If they knew certain items were being sold that day they made sure it wasn’t in the shape it came in as. At one point I had to tell a buyer about his product and how it was mishandled. The supervisor came over to me and told me not to show up for work the next day….
Wow well that does seem like the sore end of the deal for sure.
Hard to believe that the folks there “made sure” the items weren’t in a fit state – but I can sure understand the odd mishandled item.
Thanks for dropping by to comment
I’m an exception to these other folks; four times now! I’ve bought two boats, one treadmill and one generator, with little issue.
The power boat was a former Coast Guard patrol boat and very well cared for prior to me, while my sailboat was a Navy recreational boat and has good sails and paint. The treadmill wasn’t perfect, but this is “used” government property -what do you want? I downloaded a user manual and fixed the small issue – all good and my wife uses it every single day. Generator- have only used that once; perfect! I like them, but know the potential issues of any purchase, right?
Yeay I’m glad to hear from you Kevin. I think that the site rocks and yep you’ve got to take off the rose glasses when buying at Gov auction with caution. I’m sure you are not the only one that had a great experience – they just need to findthemselves over here.
Anyone who risk their purchase on items from this site deserves to lose all their money. This outfit should not be able to continue–they are the worst people in the world to do business with.
The people who allow them to sell their items are idiots.
Thanks for sharing your views Harris.
I agree that buying goods from services like this is a risky practice, but people do still use them.
Are your views based on personal experience?
Marcus
WFHW
I bought a pickup truck. When I went to get it, we let it idle for about 15 minutes while we loaded some other items in the bed.
Oil started running from the main seal. I managed to get it about 2 miles off base to a mechanic’s shop and was going to have seal replaced. The shop said the seal area had been filled with a big gob of Blue gasket maker to stop the leak and the motor was shot. The gasket maker lasted until the engine heated up. I paid $400.00 to get it hauled home and it is setting where I unloaded it my pasture. If you buy from GovLiq -BEWARE– it may have a problem that has been HID and you will find it once you put a little use on the product.
Wow…that is an incredible situation Vaughn, and it further highlights the point about quality of goods.
Sorry to hear that you unfortunately learned this the hard way, and thanks for taking the time to share your experience and warn our Work From Home Watchdog visitors.
Much appreciated, and we wish you well.
Marcus
WFHW Team
“Learned the hard way” about Government Liquidation. Yea, $3000 for the truck, $200 for the mechanic, $400 for the haul bill, plus a couple of trips to Redstone Arsenal,AL. I could accept taking my chances on the buy if someone had not deliberately concealed the problem. I had even started the truck prior to bidding. I just did not let it run long enough to loosen up the gunk in the seal area.
I am glad it broke down when it did or I would have been stranded in downtown Huntsville, Alabama.
The net is there is no way to evaluate the value of what you want to buy when the seller or their sponsor practices fraud by doctoring a motor to conceal a problem. I believe the blue gunk is still in the floor board of the truck where the mechanic put the parts when he took it apart.
Anyone want a big yard ornament in green camouflage? I will not hide that it has a bad motor.
Vaughn Elliott