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Public Surplus Review

Monday, February 10th

2025 Government Auction Site Reviews

Public Surplus Review 1 Star Rating

Public Surplus

1 Star Rating
  • Cost: free to use for buyers
  • Listing descriptions include shipping practices

Public Surplus is an auction site that focuses on providing an experience beyond being a mere auction site. The site appears to have been opened in 2003, and by the look of its interface, the site hasn't been updated since. The user experience on this site is completely subpar. We know government auctions interface with government sites, but we expect them to be better designed than a basic government database.

Site is out of date

If you're in search of a user-friendly government auction site with a modern design, Public Surplus might not be the best option. This website is one of the most outdated. It doesn't even fit a standard browser window. On top of that, all of the categories for the listings are written on the left side of the browser and there is no way to filter anything except by alphabetizing the listings by title or by price.

Unnecessarily complex

Additionally, they have two separate buttons for seller and buyer registration, which is unnecessarily complex for one site to have two different kinds of accounts. And, if that isn't complicated enough, they note that in order to finish registering your account, a Public Surplus account representative will be in touch with you to activate your account. Why?!

Extremely low number of listings

On top of our other concerns, the site also doesn't offer a wide variety of items for sale. There are 7+ pages of vehicles on Public Surplus with an average of 25 vehicles per page. While this can look like a lot if you're scrolling through each listing the way the site forces you to, it is a fairly low total of around 175 listings. The number of listings for technology also had around 175 listings total.

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Cluttered listing descriptions

Unfortunately, the listings themselves aren't super helpful. The descriptions are cluttered and hard to read at a glance. On the listings we checked out, the main details about the auction were available like the current price and the starting point for the bid. The description usually included whether or not shipping would be provided by the seller, which was helpful. However, we couldn't find any details about fees or taxes which might impact the final cost once the sale has gone through.

Free for buyers but not sellers

Interestingly, while Public Surplus is free to use and join for customers, for the agencies that are selling on the site, there is a cost. According to the Public Surplus FAQ, they have departed from the "one size fits all" pricing approach. Instead, pricing is now determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account various factors such as the agency's business volume, the value of listed items, and unique needs. So, they don't tell agencies how much it will cost to list on Public Surplus, but there will be a fee in most cases.

Site is "shady” according to reviewers

When we find customers on discussion boards asking questions like "Has anyone ever heard of X”, we get a little worried. And that was exactly what we found when looking for customer reviews for Public Surplus. The reviews we did find on SiteJabber were disappointing. The average score was 1.7 stars out of 5 and customers repeatedly left reviews stating that Public Surplus was the "worst” online auction site or that they had "shady” practices. On top of it all, the company has a horrible "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau, so it might be safer just to stay away.

Don't trust Public Surplus

In almost every way Public Surplus falls short of expectations and can be considered one of the worst options in our review. The site's outdated design and lack of user-friendly features make it difficult to navigate and browse listings. While they do offer a decent number of items for sale, the cluttered listing descriptions and absence of crucial details such as fees and taxes hinder the overall experience. The site's reputation is also questionable, as numerous reviewers have labeled it as one of the worst auction sites out there. Better off looking somewhere else for your next government auction.

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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