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Property Room Review

Monday, February 10th

2025 Government Auction Site Reviews

Property Room Review 3 Star Rating

Property Room

3 Star Rating
  • Cost: free to browse and join
  • Auction-style and buy now
  • Auctions as low as $1
  • Returns available
  • "A+” rating from the BBB

Property Room calls itself the "leading” police auction website for over two decades. However, this platform doesn't have the same amount of items for sale compared with some of the top performers in this review, including others that specifically offer police auctions. On the other hand, Property Room has over 2.2 million registered bidders and an ever-changing selection of items, including the potential addition of firearms. The site is also completely free to use and browse, so you don't have to worry about paying for a membership.

Most auctions start low

With most auctions starting at just $1 and featuring no reserve prices, participants are guaranteed an enjoyable experience. Law enforcement agencies utilize Property Room to auction off seized, found, and unclaimed personal property, clearing out their own property rooms and sending the items to the platform for nationwide bidding.

You can buy right away

The shopping options at Property Room include the traditional online auction format as well as a "buy now” feature for many listings. So, if you're looking for something you need in a rush or you don't want to get in a bidding war with other customers, you can select the filter for "buy now” and only see listings that allow you to purchase the item right away. This feature makes the site more accessible to casual shoppers as well as die-hard auction fans.

Amount of listings isn't competitive

While some of the listings on Property Room are really exciting, they don't have a lot of them. For example, in the cars, trucks, and vans section, there were only 33 total listings. In electronics, which is also usually a heavy-hitter, there were only 383 total listings. While these are constantly changing and you might see more or less depending on when you visit the site, compared to other auction sites at the time of this review, Property Room just didn't stack up with its total listings.

Best Government Auctions

Options for returns

While they don't list the exact parameters for returns, Property Room does offer returns. For customers who wish to initiate a return, they have 10 business days to contact customer support. However, the terms and conditions on the site say that determining refunds or returns will be case-by-case.

Clear item descriptions

One thing we like about browsing the Property Room is their item descriptions. Using clear headings to separate out the different topics in the descriptions, Property Room makes it very easy for customers to understand the key ideas and important factors in their product descriptions. For example, on one item we checked out, there were headers for shipping information and warranty information that were very clearly marked. And, the listing also showed the condition of the items and the required bid increment. However, the listing did now show any information about taxes or fees that were present on other auction sites, so it's unclear if those fees are waived here or if they just aren't overtly listed.

Customers are concerned about fees

An "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau also helps Property Room to stand out. But when you check out user reviews, it doesn't stack up as well as some other options in our evaluation. With just over 25 total reviews, the business only has an average rating of 1.5 stars out of 5. Customers complain about shipping not being reliable as well as there being hidden fees after winning your bid. This knocks down the company's reputation a decent amount in our opinion; however, it is important to note that this is a small number of reviews, and may not reflect the experience of most users or customers of Property Room.

Not the best, but not the worst

Overall, Property Room isn't deeply impressive, but neither is it the worst option out there. It has fewer listings than we'd like, but the items are interesting and the prices for bids start low enough to make the site worth browsing. Additionally, you can buy right away if you want to, which opens the site up to more casual shoppers. However, if you're looking for the most transparent site in terms of fees and taxes or a site with a great customer reputation, you might want to pass on this one.

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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