Ben Wallace
Founder of GovAuctions · writes the GovAuctions guides
I'm Ben Wallace, the solo developer who built GovAuctions. I started it after years of checking five different government auction websites every day - each with a clunky interface from 2005 - just to find a single decent deal. I was sure there had to be a better way, so I built one.
GovAuctions is a free search engine that indexes listings from every major government surplus platform - GSA Auctions, HUD HomeStore, GovDeals, Public Surplus, GovPlanet, PropertyRoom and more - across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Inventory is refreshed daily, and every lot links straight to the official source where you actually bid. I don't run the auctions, sit between you and the seller, or sell "bid packs."
Used by hundreds of thousands of buyers
GovAuctions hit the Hacker News front page in April 2026 and has since been used by resellers, small businesses, and bargain hunters across three countries to find surplus vehicles, equipment, electronics, and real estate.
The guides I publish here come from living in this data every day - watching how lots get priced, where the fees and buyer premiums hide, which platforms are worth your time, and how the removal-and-shipping logistics really work.
Guides by Ben
17 free guides to buying from government surplus auctions.
Best Government Auction Sites (2026): 30,000+ Listings Compared
We compared every major government auction site - GSA, GovDeals, Public Surplus, HUD, GovPlanet, and more - on buyer's premiums, inventory, and fees. Plus search 30,000+ live government listings from all of them in one place, free.
Updated June 2026
GovDeals Alternatives: 7 Sites Like GovDeals (2026)
If you're tired of GovDeals' 12.5% buyer's premium and 90-day probation period, here are the 7 best alternatives - including a free tool that searches them all at once.
Updated May 2026
The Complete Guide to Government Surplus Auctions (2026)
Everything you need to know about buying from government surplus auctions - how they work, where to find them, what to expect, and how to get the best deals.
Updated March 2026
GSA vs GovDeals vs Public Surplus (2026): Fees, Selection, Best for You
Side-by-side comparison of GSA Auctions, GovDeals, and Public Surplus - buyer's premiums, inventory differences, and which platform actually wins for which kind of buyer in 2026.
Updated March 2026
How to Buy a Government Surplus Vehicle (2026): Pricing, Inspection & Bidding
A practical guide to buying cars, trucks, and fleet vehicles from government surplus auctions. What to expect, how to inspect, and how to get the best deal.
Updated March 2026
10 Things to Know Before Bidding on Government Auctions (2026 Buyer's Checklist)
Essential tips for first-time government auction buyers. Avoid common mistakes, understand the rules, and set yourself up for success.
Updated March 2026
How to Flip Government Surplus for Profit (2026): A Reseller's Playbook
A practical guide to buying government surplus and reselling for profit. Categories, margins, where to sell, and how to build a sustainable side hustle.
Updated March 2026
Best Government Auction Categories for Beginners (2026): Where to Start
Not sure where to start with government surplus auctions? Here are the best categories for first-time buyers, ranked by accessibility, risk, and value.
Updated March 2026
Government Car Auctions Near Me - How to Find & Buy (2026)
Find government car auctions near you. Learn where police, federal, and local agencies sell seized and surplus vehicles - and how to get the best deal.
Updated April 2026
How to Buy a HUD Home Foreclosure in 2026: Step-by-Step Bidding Guide
Step-by-step guide to buying HUD foreclosed homes - eligibility, the 30-day owner-occupant window, the bidding process, financing, and the pitfalls that cost first-time buyers in 2026.
Updated April 2026
GSA Auctions Explained (2026): FAQ, Fees & How to Bid
Answers to the most common questions about GSA Auctions: how registration works, what fees apply, what you can buy, how pickup works, and what happens if you win.
Updated May 2026
HUD HomeStore FAQ (2026): How to Buy Foreclosed Homes from HUD
Common questions about HUD HomeStore: how the bidding process works, who can buy, what owner-occupant priority means, financing options, and as-is property risks.
Updated May 2026
GovDeals Explained (2026): FAQ, Fees, Bidding Tips
Common questions about GovDeals: registration, the buyer's premium, the new-bidder probation period, payment and pickup, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Updated May 2026
Public Surplus FAQ (2026): The Underrated Government Auction Site
Common questions about Public Surplus: how it differs from GovDeals, registration, fees, payment, pickup, and tips for finding less-competitive auctions.
Updated May 2026
GovPlanet FAQ (2026): Buying Heavy Equipment & Military Surplus
Common questions about GovPlanet: how it differs from GSA Auctions, the IronClad Assurance condition rating, fees, financing, transport, and what to inspect.
Updated May 2026
PropertyRoom FAQ (2026): Buying Police Seized & Unclaimed Property
Common questions about PropertyRoom: how police-seized auctions work, what's typically listed, fees, shipping, and tips for finding deals on jewelry and electronics.
Updated May 2026
State Government Surplus Auctions (2026): How They Work State by State
Common questions about state government surplus auctions: which states run their own platforms, what's typically sold, how the process differs from federal, and how to find them.
Updated May 2026
Get in touch
Have a suggestion, found a bug, or just want to say hi? Use the contact form - I read every message. You can also read more about how the site works and why it's free on the about page.