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Gov Planet Review

Monday, February 10th

2025 Government Auction Site Reviews

Gov Planet Review 1.5 Star Rating

Gov Planet

1.5 Star Rating
  • Cost: free to use
  • Specializes in military surplus
  • State tax applies to each order

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.

Best Government Auctions

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.

Best Government Auctions

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.

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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