Where GovAuctions gets its listings

state and local government surplus · Tiered buyer's premium 7.5–12.5% (median ~10%)

GovDeals is the largest marketplace for state and local government surplus in the U.S. - owned by Liquidity Services (NASDAQ: LQDT). Sellers include cities, counties, school districts, transit agencies, and statewide departments. The platform charges a tiered buyer's premium that scales with bid size, and a 30+ day probation for first-time buyers caps purchases at $1,000.

state and local government surplus · Buyer's premium 0–10%, set per seller (median ~7%)

Public Surplus serves smaller cities, counties, school districts, and volunteer fire departments. Inventory overlaps with GovDeals on roughly 5–15% of items but Public Surplus often runs lower buyer's premiums - some sellers absorb the premium entirely. The interface is more basic; search is less polished than GovDeals.

federal government surplus · No buyer's premium

GSA Auctions (gsaauctions.gov) is the official U.S. General Services Administration platform for federal government surplus. Inventory comes from federal agencies disposing of vehicles, electronics, real property, and seized assets. GSA does not charge a buyer's premium - you pay your winning bid plus any state taxes.

federal FHA-foreclosed homes · No buyer's premium

HUD HomeStore is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's marketplace for FHA-insured foreclosed homes, sold as-is with an owner-occupant priority window before investors can bid.

military and federal-disposition surplus · Tiered buyer's premium ~10%

GovPlanet, operated by Ritchie Bros / IronPlanet, sells military and federal-agency surplus - Humvees, MRAPs, generators, aircraft parts, body armor, and rolling stock from DLA Disposition Services and the armed services. Lots are inspected and rated, and the catalog overlaps heavily with what used to sell through GovLiquidation. Buyer's premium runs around 10% and pickup is at consignor locations.

small-town municipal surplus · No buyer's premium (paid by seller)

Municibid focuses on small-town and rural municipal sellers - borough councils, township public works, volunteer fire companies, and small school districts that don't have the volume to justify a GovDeals contract. Inventory skews toward fire and public-works equipment (used fire trucks, brush trucks, backhoes, plow trucks) and confiscated/decommissioned police gear. Sellers pay a listing fee and the buyer pays no premium.

police-seized and unclaimed property · Buyer's premium 16.5%

PropertyRoom is the dominant online auction outlet for US law enforcement surplus - seized, forfeited, and unclaimed property from police departments, sheriff's offices, and state agencies. The catalog runs heavy on jewelry, electronics, bikes, firearms, and the occasional seized vehicle. Most items ship from regional warehouses; vehicles require pickup at the seizing agency. Buyer's premium is high (~16.5%) but the inventory is distinctive.

Michigan state government surplus · No buyer's premium

MiBid is the State of Michigan's DTMB surplus auction platform - decommissioned state vehicles, equipment, and office property sold directly by the state.

Illinois state government surplus · No buyer's premium

iBid is the State of Illinois Central Management Services surplus auction site - state vehicles, equipment, electronics, and office property sold directly by the state.