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Monday, February 10th
If your main focus is on government and military surplus auctions, Gov Planet is a platform that caters to your needs. This site offers heavy equipment such as military vehicles, field gear, and even electronics. However, if you're in search of great deals on jewelry or home amenities, Gov Planet might not meet your expectations in terms of selection.
Free to access
One notable advantage of Gov Planet is that you can freely browse through all the items available on the site without any commitment. There are no subscription fees or pay-for-access plans required. On top of the free access, Gov Planet also offers a variety of ways to buy. You can choose from an auction format or a "make offer” format, if you don't want to wait for the auction to complete. This offers customers more flexibility and more hope to get an item right away.
Too few listings to be competitive
One huge drawback to Gov Planet is the limited selection. Not only are there fewer categories here than on other sites, but the total number of listings in each category is also quite low. For example, there were only 41 different items available in the furniture category at the time of this review, and the highest number of items was in the "refrigerated trailers” category with only 603 total listings. This is much lower than rival free-to-browse government auction sites.
Great filter system
Surprisingly, the shopping experience on Gov Planet is incredibly user-friendly with its search functionality. Whether you have a specific item in mind or prefer browsing through categories, the platform caters to your needs. With convenient filters available on each page, such as type, buying format, location, price, and more depending on the item you're seeking, you can easily narrow down your search and find exactly what you're looking for.
Info at a glance
Gov Planet provides the added benefit of displaying the number of items available in each shopping category, resulting in a quick overview of the inventory. Additionally, you have the option to view items that were sold in past auctions, giving you insights into the availability of a particular type of equipment. A quick glance will provide you with essential information such as the item's location, number of bids, minimum bid increment, and the auction's ending date.
Slightly confusing listing details
One thing that Gov Planet does well is its details. On top of the normal payment information, each listing will have important information like state-required taxes that could affect the final purchase price. For example, an item that we checked out was being sold in Pennsylvania and had an additional 15% added to the cost of the state sales tax. There weren't any mentions of the buyers' premiums we saw at other sites, which made it unclear if Gov Planet doesn't charge the 12.5% premium or if it just isn't transparent that they charge that to you later.
Buyer has all the responsibility
Additionally, you should pay close attention to the inspection report, which is located in a separate tab. Gov Planet emphasizes that it is your responsibility as the buyer to review the entire inspection report before evaluating an item. This ensures that you are aware of any potential defects or issues. Failing to thoroughly review the report could result in discovering problems with the purchased equipment after the fact, with no recourse available.
"F” ratings across the board
Despite Gov Planet's interesting focus on military surplus, we strongly advise against using this service. The reason is clear: Gov Planet itself has received an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, the parent company of Gov Planet, Iron Planet, has received the same "F" rating from the BBB. The company has complaints on multiple third-party review platforms with an overall star average of 1.2 out of 5 stars. This is one of the lowest ratings we've seen in a long time, so we can't recommend you spend your money on an auction at this site.
Check out other places first
Considering the limited selection offered and the poor reputation of its parent company, Gov Planet is a risky choice for government auctions. With "F” ratings on both the parent company and subsidiary company, we can't recommend using this option. Unless you only want to look at military items, there isn't a great reason to use Gov Planet. We urge you to explore alternative platforms that provide a more reliable and satisfying experience.
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