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Gov Deals Review

Monday, February 10th

2025 Government Auction Site Reviews

Gov Deals Review 2.5 Star Rating

Gov Deals

2.5 Star Rating
  • Cost: free to browse and join
  • 12.5% buyer's premium
  • Many different types of products
  • Authentic government auctions from agencies nationwide
  • "A+” rating with the BBB

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.

Best Government Auctions

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.

Where Can You Find the Best Government Auctions?

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.

The Best Government Auction Sites Compare Government Auction Sites Compare Government Auction Site Reviews What are the best Government Auction Sites Best Government Auction Site Reviews

Government Auction Site FAQ

That depends! Sometimes items come when an office closes or gets downsized. Other auctions feature seized or abandoned property. And, some merchandise is simply surplus: more was bought than what was needed in the end, so the agency tries to recoup some of the taxpayers' money by auctioning off the extra items.
More accurately, is there anything you can't buy? While vehicles and furniture tend to be the most commonly-found products listed in government auctions, you might spot anything from a topaz ring to a military tank!
Yes. That's the point of buying items through an auction, after all. But, like any other kind of option, it's up to you to do the research first. Otherwise, you might wind up with a not-so-good deal if you fail to read the fine print on the item's condition or actual value.
Sometimes. Many sites will allow you to browse for free, but to place a bid you'll need to become a paying subscriber to the service. But, there are a few sites that let you browse and bid at no cost; they usually make their money through buyer fees once the auction has been completed.
Definitely not! Government auctions now are almost exclusively online.
Read the details on each auction before entering a bid. Smaller items might be available for shipping, and even bigger ones like cars and boats may be delivered for a (sizeable) fee. On the other hand, you may have to pick up your auction wins - so keep an eye on the location of anything you're bidding on.
That's one of the most common complaints you'll find with some government auctions. Again, read the fine print to determine if there's been an inspection of your item, and/or if the auction site warranties the condition of the item (especially if you take delivery and it doesn't match what was stated in the inspection).
Most government auction services have been around for many years, just taking what used to happen at the courthouse and city hall over to the internet for convenience. However, there are some sites that offer little more than cheap jewelry and a handful of government auctions on the site. Check the reputation of a service before creating an account or entering your payment information!
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

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:

  • Price. One of the most important factors for many people is the price. Some online auction sites require you to pay a membership fee in order to even shop there. Keep that in mind as you browse the different options and decide what services are worth paying for or if you can get a better service for free.
  • Number of listings. Some auction sites offer more items than others. While the nature of auctions means that the number of listings will change almost daily, you want to make sure you're shopping at a place with a wide variety to help you have a higher chance of getting what you need.
  • Types of items. Not all auction sites focus on the same merchandise. Some in this review focus on real estate, some focus on military vehicles, while others offer a unique collection of luxury items. Keep in mind what types of merchandise you're looking to buy at your next auction and let that guide where you shop.
  • Customer satisfaction. With auction sites there can already be some worry about getting scammed. We totally understand. That's why checking out customer feedback for different sites can be a big help in deciding where you want to spend your money. Auction lovers just like you are out there, and they're rating companies so you can know who to trust and who to stay away from.

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!

Compare Government Auction Sites

Select any 2 Government Auction Sites to compare them head to head

best-government-auctions
  • Police Auctions
  • All Surplus
  • Government Auction
  • US Auction Online
  • Property Room
  • Gov Deals
  • Gov Planet
  • GSA Auctions
  • Public Surplus
  • Government Auctions
Police Auctions vs All Surplus Police Auctions vs Government Auction Police Auctions vs US Auction Online Police Auctions vs Property Room Police Auctions vs Gov Deals Police Auctions vs Gov Planet Police Auctions vs GSA Auctions Police Auctions vs Public Surplus Police Auctions vs Government Auctions All Surplus vs Government Auction All Surplus vs US Auction Online All Surplus vs Property Room All Surplus vs Gov Deals All Surplus vs Gov Planet All Surplus vs GSA Auctions All Surplus vs Public Surplus All Surplus vs Government Auctions Government Auction vs US Auction Online Government Auction vs Property Room Government Auction vs Gov Deals Government Auction vs Gov Planet Government Auction vs GSA Auctions Government Auction vs Public Surplus Government Auction vs Government Auctions US Auction Online vs Property Room US Auction Online vs Gov Deals US Auction Online vs Gov Planet US Auction Online vs GSA Auctions US Auction Online vs Public Surplus US Auction Online vs Government Auctions Property Room vs Gov Deals Property Room vs Gov Planet Property Room vs GSA Auctions Property Room vs Public Surplus Property Room vs Government Auctions Gov Deals vs Gov Planet Gov Deals vs GSA Auctions Gov Deals vs Public Surplus Gov Deals vs Government Auctions Gov Planet vs GSA Auctions Gov Planet vs Public Surplus Gov Planet vs Government Auctions GSA Auctions vs Public Surplus GSA Auctions vs Government Auctions Public Surplus vs Government Auctions
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