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Monday, February 10th
Gov Deals is another company in our review owned by Liquidity Services Inc., and it functions as an intermediary platform - facilitating the buying and selling of surplus assets between the public and government agencies. This comprehensive service covers a wide spectrum of assets, as evident from a single visit to the site. The inventory spans everything from Agricultural Equipment and Commodities to Woodworking Equipment, encompassing a vast array of items.
Free to browse auctions
One notable advantage of Gov Deals is its open access policy. Like a few options mentioned in our review, Gov Deals allows you to freely browse all the items on their site without any cost. This means you'll have no trouble finding a diverse range of products and can easily search for what you need. Fortunately, users are not required to create an account to access detailed information about any merchandise. In fact, contact details of each seller, questions from other interested parties, and additional relevant information are readily available to aid in decision-making prior to placing a bid.
Not as many listings as other sites
When utilizing Gov Deals, certain categories of merchandise will be more abundant than others. However, overall, there are fewer items at Gov Deals than other open-access websites in our review. For example, the highest number of items was 1,777 listings for furniture which is lower than most competitors. Automobiles only had 496 items at the time of this evaluation, which is much lower than most rival auction sites as well.
Searching here is a hassle
When it comes to the Gov Deals website, one aspect that falls disappointingly short is its search filters. In fact, the search filters on this platform are almost non-existent. Unlike other online auction services that provide robust filtering options to help users narrow down their search and find specific items, Gov Deals fails to deliver in this regard. The absence of comprehensive search filters makes it frustratingly difficult for users to efficiently navigate through the vast inventory of government-recovered items. Whether you're looking for a particular category, region, price range, or any other specific criteria, the limited search filters offered by Gov Deals make the process unnecessarily cumbersome and time-consuming.
Full transparency in listings
Reading the details provided for each item becomes crucial, as they contain important information about buyers' premiums, taxes, and shipping/delivery/pick-up requirements. For example, on one listing we checked out, the listing information let buyers know about a 12.5% buyer's premium, the required bid increments, and what fees might be incurred when paying via PayPal vs. wire transfer. Additionally, the item needed to be moved by the buyer. With items like pianos or large furniture, this could incur additional costs for shipping and transportation, so it's helpful to know what the seller's policies are for those items in particular. The only downside to these listing descriptions is they appear to be random. Some sellers provide more information than others and the formatting can change drastically from listing to listing.
High score with the BBB...
Regarding reputation, it is ideal to select a government auction platform with a strong track record. How does Gov Deals fare in this aspect? The service still maintains an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, the parent company, Liquidity Services LLC, has an "A+” rating from the BBB - and it's great to see both the parent company and subsidiary have high ratings.
...but not customers
Unfortunately, with respect to customer reviews, the ratings aren't so good. Across several review sites which only had around 50 total reviews, the Gov Deals only received a 2-star average out of 5. Customers complained about dealing with the Gov Deals customer service team, and one noted that their account was locked for no reason and they couldn't get in. With no positive reviews to balance out these comments, it makes us less confident about the service Gov Delas provides.
Just doesn't stack up against competition
While Gov Deals stands out as a straightforward platform with minimal distractions, offering primarily government-related merchandise and free access to all users, it's hard to get overly excited due to the very poor customer reviews for this service. Since it has fewer listings and no filters to help you browse, Gov Deals isn't as good as other free-access auction sites.
Government auctions provide a unique opportunity for individuals to acquire a wide range of items at affordable prices. Whether you're looking for vehicles, real estate, electronics, or even jewelry, government auctions offer a treasure trove of options.
The appeal of these auctions lies in the potential for finding high-quality items at significantly reduced prices. With the convenience of online platforms, participating in government auctions has never been easier. From the comfort of your own home, you can browse through a vast selection of items and place bids with just a few clicks.
Government auctions occur when federal, state, or local government agencies need to sell surplus items, seized property, or assets obtained through various means. These auctions can feature a diverse array of goods, including cars, trucks, boats, furniture, electronics, jewelry, and even real estate. The items up for auction are often in good condition and can be acquired at prices well below their market value. Government auctions are especially attractive to bargain hunters, collectors, and entrepreneurs looking for investment opportunities.
One of the advantages of government auctions is the transparency and legitimacy they offer. Since these auctions are conducted by government agencies, you can have confidence in the authenticity and legal status of the items being sold. Additionally, government auctions follow strict guidelines and procedures, ensuring a fair and regulated environment for both buyers and sellers. This level of oversight provides peace of mind and minimizes the risks associated with purchasing items from unknown or unreliable sources.
Online platforms have revolutionized the way government auctions are conducted. With a few simple clicks, you can access comprehensive catalogs of available items, view detailed descriptions, and browse accompanying photographs. This digital convenience allows you to participate in auctions from anywhere, at any time, expanding your access to a wider range of auctions and items. Furthermore, online auctions typically provide robust bidding systems and notifications to keep you informed about the progress of your bids and competing offers.
Overall, government auctions present a unique opportunity to find valuable items at affordable prices. The convenience of online platforms, coupled with the transparency and regulated nature of these auctions, makes them an appealing option for savvy shoppers and investors. Whether you're looking for personal items or seeking business opportunities, exploring government auctions can be a rewarding experience that opens the door to exciting deals and unexpected treasures.
When checking out government auctions online, it may be hard to decide where to trust and find the best deals. If you're not sure where to start bidding, we've put together this list of criteria to help you find the government auction for your needs:
To simplify the process of finding the best government auction for you, Top Consumer Reviews has checked out and evaluated the best options online today. Hopefully, this helps you enjoy browsing the vast array of items and get some dream deals on your next government auction bid!
Select any 2 Government Auction Sites to compare them head to head