THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS

© 1999 All rights reserved.

ORDER OF CONTENT

Overview of Government Auctions

State Government Auctions

State Unclaimed Property

The U.S. Government

Housing and Urban Development

Customs

Department of Defense

Postal Service

Internal Revenue Service

General Service Administration

Recap Of Government Auction Opportunities

Ten Golden Rules For Successful Auction Investing

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. 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 methods 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 that you can turn around and sell at a profit! The money to be made staggers the imagination.

Whether it's 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, farm Gov't equipment, computers, firewood, it's there for the bidding -- 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 car 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 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 provided 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 only get 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" for it that ends up with you 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 auctions 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 fine. 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!

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 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 on Saturdays at Sacramento or Los Angeles of surplus vehicles. Mailing list.

COLORADO:

First choice:

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

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

ln 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, D.C. 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

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 Gov't Auctions 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 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, N.J. 08625

(609) 530 3300

State vehicle auctions as needed. Mailing list.

NEW MEXICO: Highway & Transportation Department

P.O. Box 1149

Santa Fe, N.M. 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, N.Y. 12226

(518) 457-6335

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

NORTH CAROLINA:

State Surplus Property

P.O. Box 33900

Raleigh, N.C. 27636

(919) 733-3889

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

NORTH DAKOTA:

Surplus Property Office

P.O. Box 7293

Bismarck, N.D. 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 and 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 (717-7874083) also auctions numerous items. Mailing list available.

RHODE ISLAND:

Department of Administration Division of Purchase

1 Capitol Hill

Providence, R.I. 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, S.C. 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, S.D. 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, auctions of vehicles, office furniture and 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 of 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, W.V. 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.

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 down people to 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 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's "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 be it from drug raids or IRS seizures. The Post Office has millions of dollars in unclaimed parcels that 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.

Auctions of foreclosed properties are a regular occurrence. The properties may be houses, apartments or condominiums in various stages of attractiveness. 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

Casco Northern Bank Bldg.

First Floor

23 Main Street

Bangor, ME. 04401-6394

(207) 945-0467

Hartford Office

330 Main Street

First Floor

Hartford, CT. 06106- 1860

(203) 240-4523

Burlington Office

Room B-2B, Federal Bldg.

11 Elmwood Ave.

P.O. Box 879

Burlington, VT. 05402-0879

(802) 951-6290

Manchester Office

Norris Cotton Building

275 Chestnut Street

Manchester, NH. 03101 -2487

(603) 666-7458

Providence Office

330 John O. Pastore Fed. Bldg.

U.S. Post Office - Kennedy Plaza

Providence, R.I. 02903-1785

(401) 528-5351

REGION 2 New York

26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY.

10278-0068, (212) 264-8053

Field Offices:

Albany

Fed. Bldg.

North Pearl & Clinton Ave.

Albany, N.Y. 12207-2395

(518) 472-3567

Camden

The Parkade Building

519 Federal Street

Camden, N.J. 08103-9998

(609) 757-5081

Buffalo Leo W. O'Brien Fed. Bldg.

5th Floor, Lafayette Court

465 Main Street

Buffalo, N.Y. 14203- 1780

(716) 846-5755

Newark

60 Park Place

Military Park Bldg.

Newark, N.J. 07102-5504

(201) 877-1686

REGION 3 Philadelphia

Liberty Square Bldg., 105 S. 7th St.

Philadelphia, PA. 19016-3392

(215) 597-2560

Field Offices:

Baltimore

Third Floor, Equitable Bldg.

10 North Calvert St.

Charleston, WV. 25301-1795

(304) 347-7036

Pittsburgh

412 Old Post Office

Courthouse

7th Avenue & Grant St.

Pittsburgh, PA. 15219- 1939

(412) 644-6388

Washington, D.C.

820 First Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20002-4205

(202) 275-8185

Charleston

405 Capitol Street

Suite 708 Baltimore, MD. 21202

(410) 962-2520

Richmond

1st Floor, Federal Bldg.

400 North 8th Street

P.O. Box 10170

Richmond, VA. 23240-0170

(804) 771-2575

Wilmington

824 Market St. Suite 850

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

Beacon Ridge Tower, #300

600 Beacon Parkway West

Birmingham, AL. 35209-3144

(201) 290-7617

Columbia

Strom Thurmond Fed. Bldg.

1835-45 Assembly St.

Columbia, S.C. 29201-2480

(803) 765-5592

Greensboro

415 N. Edgeworth St.

Greensboro, N.C. 27401-2107

(919) 333-5363

Jacksonville

325 West Adams Street

Jacksonville, FL. 32202-4303

(904) 791-2626

Louisville

601 W. Broadway

P.O. Box 1044

Louisville, KY. 40201 - 1044

(502) 582-6255

Caribbean

New San Juan Office Bldg.

159 Carlos Chardon Avenue

San Juan, PR. 00918-1804

(809) 766-6121

Coral Gables

Gables 1 Tower

1320 South Dixie Highway

Coral Gables, FL. 33146

(305) 662-4500

Jackson

Dr. A.H. McCoy Fed. Bldg.

Suite 910, 100 W. Capitol

Jackson, MS. 39269-1096

(601) 965-4738

Knoxville

John J. Duncan Fed. Bldg.

710 Locust St. 3rd Floor

Knoxville, TN. 37902-2526

(615) 549-9384

Memphis

One Memphis Place

200 Jefferson Ave. #1200

Memphis, TN. 38103-2335

(901) 544-3367

Nashville

251 Cumberland Bend Dr. #200

Nashville, TN. 37228-1803

(615) 736-5213

Tampa

Timberlake Federal Bldg. Annex #700

501 E. Polk St. Tampa, Fl. 33602-3945

(813) 228-2501

Orlando

3751 Maguire Blvd. #270

Orlando, FL. 32803-3032

(407) 648-6441

REGION 5

Chicago

547 W. Jackson Blvd., 7th Floor,

Chicago, IL. 60661

(312) 353-5680

Field Offices:

Cincinnati

Federal Office Bldg. Rm 9002

550 Main Street

Cincinnati, OH. 45202-3253

(513) 684-2884

Columbus

200 North High St.

Columbus, OH. 43215-2499

(614) 469-7345

Cleveland

One Playhouse Square #420

1375 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH. 44114-1670

(216) 522-4065

Detroit

Patrick V. McNamara Fed B1

477 Michigan Avenue

Detroit, MI. 48226-2592

(313) 226-6280

Flint

605 N. Saginaw St. #200

Flint, MI. 48502-2043

(313) 766-5109

Indianapolis

151 N. Delaware St.

Indianapolis, IN. 46204-2526

(317) 226-7043

Minneapolis- St. Paul

220 Second Street South

Minneapolis, MN. 55401-2195

(612) 370-3000

Grand Rapids

2922 Fuller Avenue, NE

Grand Rapids, MI. 49505

(616) 456-213

Milwaukee

Henry S. Reuss Fed. Plaza

310 W. Wisconsin Av. #1320

Milwaukee, WI. 53203-2289

(414) 297-3214

Springfield

509 W. Capitol St. #206

Springfield, IL. 62704

(217) 492-4085

REGION 6

Fort Worth

1600 Throckmorton, P.O. Box 2905,

Ft. Worth, TX. 76113 (817) 885-5505

Field Offices:

Albuquerque

625 Truman St., NE

Albuquerque, N.M. 87110-6472

(505) 262-6472

Houston

Norfolk Tower, Suite 200

2211 Norfolk

Houston, TX. 77098-4096

(713) 653-3274

Lubbock

1205 Texas Ave.

Lubbock, TX. 79401-4093

(806) 743-7276

Oklahoma City

Murrah Federal Bldg.

200 NW 5th Street

Oklahoma City, OK. 73102-3202

(405) 231-5464

Shreveport Joe D. Waggoner Bldg.

500 Fannin St.

Shreveport, LA. 71101-3077

(318) 226-5402

Dallas 525 Griffin St. Room 860

Dallas, TX. 75202-5007

(214) 767-8359

Little Rock

Lafayette Bldg., Suite 200

523 Louisiana St.

Little Rock, AR. 72201

(501) 378-5931

New Orleans Federal Office Bldg.

Fisk Federal Bldg.

1661 Canal St. #3100

New Orleans, LA. 70112

(504) 589-7246

San Antonio

Washington Square

800 Dolorosa

San Antonio, TX. 78207

(512) 229-6758

Tulsa

Boston Place, Suite 110

1516 S. Boston St.

Tulsa, OK. 74119

(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

Room 259, Fed. Bldg.

210 Walnut St.

Des Moines, IA. 50309-2155

(515) 284-4215

St. Louis

Robert A Young Federal Building, 3rd Fl.

1222 Spruce St., St. Louis, MO. 63103-2836

(314) 539-6560

Omaha

Braiker/Brandeis Bldg.

210 South 16th St.

Omaha, NE. 68102- 1622

(402) 221-3879

REGION 8

Denver

Executive Tower Bldg., 1405 Curtis

Denver, CO. 80202 (303) 844-6518

Field Offices:

Casper

4225 Federal Off. Bldg.

100 East B. Street

P.O. Box 580

Casper, WY. 82602-1918

(307) 261-5252

Helena

Federal Office Building

301 South Park, Rm. 340

Drawer 10095

Helena, MT. 59626-0095

(406) 449-5283

Sioux Falls

300 N. Dakota Ave. Suite 116

"300 Bldg." Sioux Falls, SD 57102-4223

(Property handled by Denver office)

Fargo

Federal Building

653 2nd Avenue N.

P.O. Box 2483

Fargo, N.D. 58108-2483

(701) 239-5666

Salt Lake City

324 S. State Street

Suite 220

Salt Lake City, UT. 84111

(801) 524-5216

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

1630 Shaw Ave. #138

Fresno, CA. 93710-8193

(209) 487-5033

Las Vegas

1500 E. Tropicana #205

Las Vegas, NV. 89119-6516

(702) 388-6500

Phoenix

2 Arizona Ctr. # 1600

400 North 5th St.

P.O. Box 13468

Phoenix, AZ. 85004-2361

(602) 379-4434

Sacramento

777 12th Street #200

Sacramento, CA. 95814-1997

(916) 551-1351

Honolulu

Prince Jonah Fed. Bldg.

P.O. Box 50007

Honolulu, HI. 96850-4991

(808) 541-1343

Los Angeles

1615 West Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA. 90015

(213) 251-7136

Reno

1050 Bible Way

P.O. Box 4700

Reno, NV. 89505-4700

(702) 784-5356

San Diego

Room 5-3-S, Fed. Office. Bld.

880 Front Street

San Diego, CA. 92188-0100

(619) 557-5310

Santa Ana

Box 12850

34 Civic Center Plaza

Santa Ana, CA. 92712-2850

(714) 836-2446

Tucson

100 N. Stone Ave. #410

Tucson, AZ. 85701-1467

(602) 670-5223

REGION 10

Seattle

Arcade Plaza Bldg., 1321 Second Ave.

Seattle, WA. 98101 (206) 553-1700

Field Offices:

Anchorage

Federal Building -U.S.

Courthouse

222 West 8th Avenue #64

Anchorage, AK. 99513-7537

(907) 271 -4170

Portland

520 SW Sixth St.

Portland, OR. 97204-1596

(503) 326-2671

Boise

Federal Building -U. S.

Courthouse

550 W. Fort St.

P.O. Box 042

Boise, ID. 83724-0420

(503) 326-2671

Spokane

Farrn Credit Bank Bldg.

8th Fl. East W. 601 1 St. Av.

Spokane, WA. 99204-0317

(509) 353-2510

This concludes the Housing & Urban Development listings.

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 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

Other cities hold auctions more infrequently.

Periodically, there are portions of a contractor's inventory that remains 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

Commander

Defense Contract Admin. Serv.

Boston Region

495 Summer Street

Boston, MA. 02210-2184

Philadelphia

Defense Contr. Admin. Serv.

Philadelphia Region

2800 South 20th Street

Philadelphia, PA. 19101 -7478

Cleveland

Commander

Defense Contr. Admin. Serv.

Cleveland Region

Federal Office Building

1240 E. Ninth Street

Cleveland, OH. 44199-2036

St. Louis

New York

Commander

Defense Contract Admin Ser

New York Region

201 Varick Street

New York, N.Y. 10014-4811

Atlanta

Defense Contr. Admin. Ser.

Atlanta Region

805 Walker Street

Marietta, GA. 30060-2789

Chicago

Commander

Defense Contr. Admin. Ser.

Chicago Region

O'Hare Int'l Airport

P.O. Box 66475

Chicago, IL. 60666-0475

Dallas

Commander

Defense Contr. Admin. Serv.

St. Louis Region

1136 Washington Avenue

St. Louis, MO. 63101-1194

Commander

Defense Contr. Admin. Ser.

Dallas Region

1200 Main Street

Dallas, TX. 75202-4399

___

Los Angeles

Commander, Defense Contract Admin. Services

Los Angeles Region, 11099 South La Cienega Blvd.

Los Angeles, California 90045-6197________________

A number of items often turn up at the post office that are undeliverable and unclaimed. These goods can range from merchandise to household and leisure items to books.

The merchandise auctions are only held in 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, N.Y. 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 by cash, bank check or money order.

Alabama

U.S. Postal Service

708 E. South Blvd.

Montgomery, AL. 36119

(205) 244-7500

Arizona

U.S. Postal Service

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

4949 E. Van Buren

Phoenix, AZ. 85026

(602) 225-3367

Alaska

Postal Service Supply Off.

Vehicle Maintenance

8221 Petersburg

Anchorage, AK. 99507-3132

(907) 349-8900

Arkansas

General Mail Facil. Fleet

4700 E. McCain Blvd.

N. Little Rock, AR. 72231

(501) 945-6710

California

Fleet Maintenance Div.

1300 Evans Avenue

San Francisco, CA. 94105

(415) 550-5212

Colorado

U.S. Postal Service

915 S. Logan

Denver, CO. 80209

(303) 297-6730

Connecticut

U.S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance Service

85 Weston St.

Hartford, CT. 06101

(203) 524-6240

Delaware

U.S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance

147 Quigley Blvd.

Wilmington, DE. 19850

(302) 323-2237

Georgia

U.S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance Facil.

3900 Crown Rd.

Atlanta, GA. 30304-9721

Florida

U.S. Post Office

2800 S. Adams

Tallahassee, FL. 32301-999'

(904) 878-7268

Hawaii

U.S. Postmaster

Manager, Fleet Maintenance

89 Sand Island Rd.

Honolulu, HI. 96819

(808) 845- 1026

Illinois

Main Post Office Garage

2105 E. Cook

Springfield, IL. 62703

(217) 788-7241

Iowa

U.S. Post Office

1165 Second Avenue

Des Moines, IA. 50318-9121

(515) 283-7720

Idaho

U. S. Post Office Garage

770 S. 13th

Boise, ID. 83707

(208) 383-4225

Indiana

U.S. Post Office Garage

615 S. Capitol Avenue

Indianapolis, IN. 46225

(317) 464-6081

Kansas

U. S. Post Office Garage

424 S. Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS.

66603 (913) 295-9167

Kentucky,

U.S. Postal Service

1420 Gardiner Lane

P.O. Box 3111

Louisville, KY. 40232-9111

(502) 454-1891

Louisiana

Main Post Office Garage

Vehicle Maintenance Dept.

750 Florida Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA. 70021

(504) 381-0388

Maine

Main Post Office

171 Kennebec Street

Portland, ME. 04101

(207) 871-8467

Massachusetts

U.S. Postal Service

135 A Street

Boston, MA. 02210

(617) 654-5771

Minnesota

U.S. Postal Service

314 Eva Street

St. Paul, MN. 55107

(612) 349-3082

Maryland

U.S. Postal Service

6 Waelchi Avenue

Baltimore, MD. 21227

(301) 625-8931

Michigan

U.S. Post Office

4800 Collins Rd.

Lansing, MI. 48924

(517) 337-8736

M1sslss1ppl

U.S. Post Office

350 E. Silas Brown St.

Jackson, MS. 39301-5201

(601) 968-5784

Missouri

U.S. Postal Service

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

3535 Katherine Rd.

Quincy, IL. 62301-9998

(217) 224-4950

Montana

No auctions held. See

San Francisco and Salt

Lake City

Nebraska

U.S. Postal Service

Maintenance, 700 R St.

Lincoln, NE. 68501

(402) 473-1630

New Hampshire

U.S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

955 Goffs Falls Rd.

Manchester, N.H. 03100-7221

(603) 644-4022

New Mexico

U.S. Post Office

1135 Broadway, N.E.

Albuquerque, NM 87101

(505) 848-3887

Nevada

U.S. Post Office

2000 Vassar Street

Reno, NV. 89510-9997

(702) 788-0626 Gov't

New Jersey

Main Post Office

Vehicle Mainten. Facility

680 State Hwy. 130

Trenton, N.J. 08650

(609) 581-3089

New York

U.S. Postal Garage

201 llth avenue

New York, N.Y. 10199-9721

(212) 330-4904

North Carolina

U.S. Postal Office

310 Newborne Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27611

(919) 831 -3702

North Dakota

U.S. Post Office

220 E. Rosser Ave.

Bismarck, N.D. 58501

(701) 221-6517

Ohio

U.S. Postal Service

850 Twin River Drive

Columbus, OH. 43216

(614) 469-4255

Oregon

U.S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

918 NW Park Avenue

Portland, OR. 97208

(503) 294-2444

Oklahoma

Main Post Office

Vehicle Services

320 S.W. 5th Street

Oklahoma City, OK. 73125

(405) 278-6159

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Post Office

Garage

30th and Chestnut

Philadelphia, PA. 19104

(215) 895-9297

Rhode Island

Service

Vehicle Maintenance

Providence RI 02904

(401) 276-6800

South Carolina U.S. Postal Service

1601 Asembly St.

Columbia, SC 29201-9122

(803) 733-4692

South Dakota

U.S. Postal Service

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

500 E. Boulevard

Rapid City, SD 57701-5709

(605) 394-8648

Tennessee

U. S. Post Office Garage

707 Chestnut Street

Nashville, TN. 37229-9721

Texas

U.S. Postal Service

10410 Perrin Beitel

San Antonio, TX. 78284

(512) 657-8528

Utah

U.S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance Dept.

1760 W. 2100 S.

Salt Lake City, UT. 84199

(801) 974-2350

Vermont

U.S. Postal Service

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

1800 Page Blvd.

Springfield, MA. 01152-9721

(413) 785-6383

Virginia

U.S. Post Office Garage

1001 School Street

Richmond, VA. 23232

(804) 775-6155

Washington, D.C.

U.S. Postal Service

Fleet Operations

980 V St. NE

Washington, D C 20018-9601

(202) 832-0158

Washington (state)

U.S. Postal Service

3825 S Warren

Tacoma, WA. 98409

West Virginia

U S. Post Office

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

602 Donnelly St.

Charleston, WV. 25301-9721

(304) 357-4158

Wisconsin

U S Postal Service

Vehicle Maintenance

Madison, WI. 53703

(608) 246-1300

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:

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) 7804020

The IRS may prove to be your ally yet!

The other phone numbers of importance may belong to the Federal Supply service Bureau who can give you more information about the General Services Administration Auctions.

"The purpose of the GSA is to purchase, utilize, and transfer real property among Federal agencies, or when necessary, to SELL such property to local or private concerns." This means to us that there are bargains to be found.

What you can find at GSA Auctions:

Vehicles: About 40,000 auctioned annually.

Entertainment equipment: TV's, VCR's Stereos, Radios, etc.

Office Equipment: Computers, Copiers, Fax Machines, File Cabinets, etc.

Medical Equipment: All types.

Industrial Equipment: All types

Miscellaneous: Electrical Equipment, Electrical Components, Hardware, Pluming Equipment, Heating Equipment, Scrap metal, Scrap paper, etc.

Contact information:

The New England Region (Region 1) covers six states-- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Regional headquarters is in Boston, MA.

(617) 565-5860

The Northeast & Caribbean Region (Region 2) covers the states of New York and New Jersey, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Regional headquarters is in New York, NY.

(800) 488-SALE

The Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 3) covers six states--Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and southern New Jersey. The Regional headquarters is in Philadelphia, PA.

(215) 656-5501

The Southeast Sunbelt Region (Region 4) covers eight states-Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Regional headquarters is in Atlanta, GA.

(404) 331-5177

The Great Lakes Region (Region 5) covers six states--Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Regional headquarters is in Chicago, IL.

(312) 353-5395

The National Capital Region (NCR) covers the Washington, DC metropolitan area which includes the District of Columbia and near Maryland and Virginia. The Regional headquarters is in Washington, DC.

(202) 708-5082

The Heartland Region (Region 6) covers four states--Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. The Regional headquarters is in Kansas City, MO.

(816) 926-7203

The Greater Southwest Region (Region 7) covers five states--Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Regional headquarters is in Fort Worth, TX.

(817) 978-2871

The Rocky Mountain Region (Region 8) covers six states--Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The Regional headquarters is in Denver, CO.

1-877-387-3278

The Pacific Rim Region (Region 9) covers four states--Arizona, Nevada, California, and Hawaii, as well as Guam, the Pacific Trust Territories, American Samoa, and American installations in the Far East. The Regional headquarters is in San Francisco, CA.

(415) 522-3001

The Northwest/Arctic Region (Region 10) covers four states--Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Regional headquarters is in Auburn, WA.

(253) 931-7956.

These opportunities include:

1. If you buy correctly, you'll be able to sell easily for a profit.

-Buy right.

-Sell as a bargain.

-Make a profit.

-buy at 75% off wholesale.

2. When you have trouble reselling, you paid too much.

-Establish bid limits.

-Stick with them no matter what.

3. If you don't know what it is or don't have a buyer, don't buy it.

4. If it's big and heavy, don't sell it in another city.

-If you buy it in your hometown, sell it there.

-You could eat up all your profit in shipping.

-Even if you're tempted, don't break this rule.

5. If you don't have much to invest, concentrate on office equipment and household items.

6. Network and establish valuable auction contacts.

7. Attend your first auction to observe only.

-Bring a notebook.

-Don't bring any money.

-Observe and learn.

8. Stick to you bid limits. (Yes I said it once before.)

-Set a bid limit beforehand.

-Prevent "auction fever."

-Do your homework.

9. Always inspect before you bid.

-Check for damage flaws.

10. Be persistent and patient.

-Attend several auctions.

-Your "mother lode" will come if you keep going to all the auctions.

Good Luck!