Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!mcdphx!citek.UUCP!hbg6
From: hbg6@citek.UUCP (John Schuch)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Buying electronics at auctions
Message-ID: <12539@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com>
Date: 26 Feb 90 16:37:14 GMT
References: <608@stdc01.UUCP>
Sender: listen@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com
Reply-To: hbg6@citek.UUCP (John Schuch)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Motorola Microcomputer Division, Tempe, Az.
Lines: 53

In article <608@stdc01.UUCP> John Hawkins@stdc01.UUCP (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

I'll post this since it seems to be of general interest. I bought the CD
players, as well as amps, tuners, and casette decks at a 'defective
returns' auction for a major (grossly overpriced) department store. I
guess their margin is so high, when a customer return a unit, the
warehouse stores them and periodicaly sells them off rather than sending
them to the manufacturer (in Japan). Most of the defects in nearly
new equipment are fairly easy to repair. If you have the idea this
is penny ante bargains, think again. I paid a little over $2000 for the
lot. I eventually sold it a piece at a time for about $2800 as well
as kept some of the 'choice' pieces for my self. The REAL deals are
at industrial salvage/scrap auctions.

Here in Phoenix, we have a fairly large assortment of high tech
manufacturers most of whom hold auctions. At these auctions, your
likely to find a wild assortment of goodies. For example, at a recent
Motorola auction you could have bought 200 pounds of misc electronic
components, or 46 mops and pails, a dead fork lift, one of 25 
oscilloscopes, 185 pounds of one inch chrome nuts, etc., etc..
The good stuff is usually at the end of the sale. They arange it
that way so just maybe you'll buy that lot of 500 dirty ashtrays
while your waiting for them to get to the 4 year old Tek scope.
If your patient, good deals can be had at these sales.
RECENT ACQUISITIONS: HP 9 track tape unit in roll around rack, $30.
5 DecWriter printers, $20. 4 UDS 1200 modems, $35. Brand new in the
box 19 inch B&W monitor, $5. 1972 Cadillac CoupDeVille, $400 ( my
wife is STILL pissed about that one :-) )
Just be forewarned, your up against the pro's here. There are plenty
of guys who make their living buying this stuff. After a while you'll
know them. The desk and file cabinet guys, the scrap metal guys, the
test equipment guys, etc. These people usually know exactly what a
lot is worth and have PLENTY of cash to spend. That brings up another
point; take cash. I've never seen an auctioneer accept plastic and
ones who accept checks are VERY rare. Also expect to pay a cash deposit
for a bidders number. At sales around here that can range from $20
to $300. Don't worry, if you don't buy anything, you get all of your
money back. It's sort of like having to flash your cash before the
boys will let you in the poker game. Your deposit shows you actually
have the ability to buy something before they go through the paper
work. Also, if you win the bid, YOU OWN IT!. You may not change your
mind. ( another reason they have the deposit ). After ten years of
aution going, I can tell you there's only one rule:
Decide what a lot's worth TO YOU and NEVER bid higher than that
amount. Not even one dollar. I've learned that the very hard way,
by wasting a few hundred dollars.

I could go on about estate sales, abondoned storage, DEA, state surplus,
etc.  If interested, let me know.

John