Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!mailrus!cornell!uw-beaver!uw-entropy!dataio!pilchuck!ssc!markz
From: markz@ssc.UUCP (Mark Zenier)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Buying electronics at auctions
Message-ID: <508@ssc.UUCP>
Date: 24 Feb 90 19:41:08 GMT
References: <608@stdc01.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Organization: SSC, Inc., Seattle, WA
Lines: 22

In article <608@stdc01.UUCP>, John Hawkins@stdc01.UUCP (John Hawkins) writes:
> I noticed someone mentioned buying  "a dozen" CD players at auction and
> fixing them up... All of which got me to wondering... Where do such auctions
> occur? 

Most commercial auctions are well advertised in the classified section of
the newspaper.  They want a lot of people to come.

> I've heard the fed's have an auction/surplus facility somewhere around
> DC but I've also heard they peddle a lot of junk in huge lots which must be
> bought sight unseen. Sounded like no bargain to me.

See "The Next Whole Earth Catalog" for a two page section on the sources
of government surplus.  

For the DOD, you fill out a questionaire with what geographic areas and 
categories you are interested in, and the computer in Battle Creek sends 
you every catalog that matches.  Ask for too much, and you wouldn't believe 
how full your mailbox can get.  You can inspect the goods, but they are kept 
on some really out of the way military installations.

markz@ssc.uucp