How to Buy from Government Liquidation

[Triumph]

Guys - Need Advice

I am looking for a M101A3 & noticed several on Government Liquidation.

Please let me know about pitfalls and risks of buying from Government Liquidation.

Will I need to visit the Fort Motor-pool physically to inspect the trailer?

Any other advice?

Thanks,

 

[midcounty]

With out inspection it is a crap shoot. On a trailer it may not be a big deal. I have bought with out previewing before, but just expect the worst and bid accordingly. I got a M101 with out a preview and luckily got a good trailer. The only downfall that I couldn't see in the pictures were the bows being rotten. But got the trailer for a 150 dollar bid, so I was satisfied.

 

[swbradley1]

If you use the search feature on this website you will find numerous threads outlining the trials and tribulations of buying from GL.

I have purchased 6 trailers and 2 trucks and never inspected any of them even though 7 of the items were 13 miles from my house. I don't bid more than I can afford to lose if I'm burned.

sw

 

[KsM715]

Search "government liquidation customer service" youll find out its a gamble. sometimes you win sometimes you lose. (and Im not talking about bidding)

 

[rikinwyoming]

alot of good deals it seems,,, but I agree it is a crapshoot,,, as swbradley1 stated "I don't bid more than I can afford to lose if I'm burned." I think that would sum it up in my eyes!

 

[storeman]

If the fort is a reasonable distance, preview the items they have up for auction. Take your own pictures while there, so if anything comes up missing while you wait for your first EUC to clear, you have some leverage with the yard manager to make it right.

 

[Grega]

Main concern would be rust toward the front because when sitting with the jack down thats where water accumulates. I just got back with 5 m101s from fort Riley. 4 A1s and 1 A2. The A1s were in better shape because they have been refurbished with new tires, fiberglass racks and bows, which you could not see in the pics because of the tarps were on. The a2 still had wooden racks and bows but still not bad shape. The main drawback with some A1s some have split rims. One of mine didnt hav em. Also the A2s are nice with the surge brakes but for my use, not worth the extra money I paid for it.

 

[Flyingvan911]

A mine field has fewer pitfalls than buying from GL.

 

[Milbikes]

I recently made my first GL purchase, an M101A2 trailer. I bid based on pictures and brief description only.

As a 'newbie', I had a few questions soon after winning. I emailed GL, and received replies within a day or two. When I submitted my EUC form via email, it "Came back" because of one error on my part. That was easy enough to fix and re-email.

When I received my "Paid in full" email, I called the number for the facility where the trailer was to arrange pickup...but got another base (Wrong number posted). I called GL and got a live person, who was very helpful, and they gave me a correct number to call. By this time it was 'after hours' but I called anyway and left a message. Fifteen minutes later I got a call back! The woman was very helpful, and scheduled my pickup time. She also gave me a good phone contact number at the location of the trailer. I arrived at the National Guard base, and the guys I dealt with there were very nice to work with. All in all, I would say that it was easy enough to do.

I looked over other trailers there, and some were much nicer than mine, and some were really rough. I would say that previewing before bidding would be a big plus for you, but for what these trailers go for, you can't get hurt too badly.

Others may have different stories to share. I have found that being polite and not acting like "I know it all" has helped me in dealings with forms, hoops to jump through etc, such as when I was buying Class III toys, going to DMV, etc.

 

[Milbikes]

Here are a couple of pictures of my win. I spent an hour on it the other day, converted the bulbs to 12V, put in a couple of missing bolts, tightened others. Tows really nice. There are stickers on it that say it was shipped from Kuwait. It is virtually rust free, other than some spots where the paint was chipped and got surface rust. The underneath looks better than the top side.

 

[mlwats1@hotmail.com]

buying from GL is like wearing snow shoes in a mine field your going to step on a few before your done dealing with them.

 

[hdexpert]

Also, keep in mind they charge you 25% of the total auction price if you decide to back out after you win an auction. Ask me how I know..... If you don't pay it they suspend your GL account till you do.

 

[Milbikes]

I think my GL experience is one of the few times I bid on an item without actually physically inspecting the item. The few times I have done this at auctions where I got there to late to preview the stuff turned out to be bad deals. (Ebay not included...that is a whole 'nother crapshoot) If you bid low and win it, you can't really get hurt too bad. Anything that you will be spending good money on....you better see it in person first, and take pictures of it.

 

[asgtoolman]

Milbikes' experience was identical to my purchase at Eastover SC; Purchased first week of November, one glitch that was my fault on paperwork, very helpful GL rep to correct it, and picked up last Tuesday without any problems.
But I also would not spend more than I could afford to loose without preview!

QUOTE=Milbikes;744461]I recently made my first GL purchase, an M101A2 trailer. I bid based on pictures and brief description only.

As a 'newbie', I had a few questions soon after winning. I emailed GL, and received replies within a day or two. When I submitted my EUC form via email, it "Came back" because of one error on my part. That was easy enough to fix and re-email.

When I received my "Paid in full" email, I called the number for the facility where the trailer was to arrange pickup...but got another base (Wrong number posted). I called GL and got a live person, who was very helpful, and they gave me a correct number to call. By this time it was 'after hours' but I called anyway and left a message. Fifteen minutes later I got a call back! The woman was very helpful, and scheduled my pickup time. She also gave me a good phone contact number at the location of the trailer. I arrived at the National Guard base, and the guys I dealt with there were very nice to work with. All in all, I would say that it was easy enough to do.

I looked over other trailers there, and some were much nicer than mine, and some were really rough. I would say that previewing before bidding would be a big plus for you, but for what these trailers go for, you can't get hurt too badly.

Others may have different stories to share. I have found that being polite and not acting like "I know it all" has helped me in dealings with forms, hoops to jump through etc, such as when I was buying Class III toys, going to DMV, etc.[/QUOTE]

 

[oddshot]

I bought my M105 Trailer through GL just a month ago ... I couldn't be more happy with the whole process AND the trailer.

The only glitch was the amount of time it took to get an End User Certificate ... that took 2 months ... but they told me up front that it was gonna take that long so I got no beef.

I bought the trailer based on the experience of a couple of friends who have bought M1008 Chevy CUCV 4x4's. BOTH of them reported easy transactions and surprisingly good vehicles ... well worth the time and money.

Location doesn't seem to make a difference ... I'm in Georgia, one of by buds is in No. Dak, the other is in Pennsy.

Now that I got through it ... I'd do it again.

I find myself looking over the ads for a Deuce and a Half.

Something tells me I'll have an easier time with GL then I will with my WIFE!!!

oddshot

 

[ichudov]

I bid on 95% of stuff without previewing and I bid low. I was rarely disappointed. But by its nature, it is a crapshoot. Bidding low ensures that all surprises are good surprises.

i

 

[strelnik]

Here are a couple of pictures of my win. I spent an hour on it the other day, converted the bulbs to 12V, put in a couple of missing bolts, tightened others. Tows really nice. There are stickers on it that say it was shipped from Kuwait. It is virtually rust free, other than some spots where the paint was chipped and got surface rust. The underneath looks better than the top side.

I purposely did not bid on a trailer because I wanted to find out from you guys about the End Use Certificate. What is it and why is it needed?
It's confusing to me: It is supposed to apply to a sale, but yet it can take 60 days. But you only get 10 days for pick up, and you can't do one in advance, this sounds like a Catch 22.

I have bought things at GL and come out well in 6 tries. I over bid on one shipment, then I found a set of Snap-On impact wrenches in the bottom of a box! Maybe someone dumped them, just to get rid of them, out of laziness. Anyway, they made up the difference, covered the costs and I basically got the other stuiff I wanted for free.

But that was luick. On the others, I have broken even.

I still need to know about this EUC because I need a 105A2 trailer.
Well, I want one, anyway, lol.

 

[Warthog]

The EUC is required by the Federal Government, not GL.

It is a background check to see if you are an upstanding US citizen

1. You bid on an item that requires an EUC and win
2. GL takes your money the next day
3. You submit the EUC paperwork to GL
4. They may or may not require changes.
5. They send the paperwork to the Government
6. You wait until the paperwork works it way thru the system (10-180 days if ever)
7. When you receive notice that the EUC is approved you have 10 days to remove the item

 

[strelnik]

The EUC is required by the Federal Government, not GL.

It is a background check to see if you are an upstanding US citizen

1. You bid on an item that requires an EUC and win
2. GL takes your money the next day
3. You submit the EUC paperwork to GL
4. They may or may not require changes.
5. They send the paperwork to the Government
6. You wait until the paperwork works it way thru the system (10-180 days if ever)
7. When you receive notice that the EUC is approved you have 10 days to remove the item

OK,
Can I submit an EUC just for general purposes, then keep it on file? Or do they think I'll rob a bank in the meantime?

 

[Warthog]

OK,
Can I submit an EUC just for general purposes, then keep it on file? Or do they think I'll rob a bank in the meantime?

No... each time you bid on an EUC item you have to submit a new EUC. And you can't submit one in advance, only after you win something.