Government Auction News provides you with a comprehensive, up-to-date list of all the key auctions taking place throughout the UK. Every month you will quickly be able to identify where the bargains are to be found by region, by type of auction and in order of date. More than this, Government Auction News will advise you on what to buy; what to pay for goods; how to maximise value; how to avoid mistakes; where the real bargains are to be found; bidding tips; and much, much more besides.
Many of our regular readers view auction-going as a hobby. When they buy it is because the see something they need (such as a brand-new fridge freezer for £50) or something they want (a Porsche 911 in excellent condition for £6,000). But a growing number are using the information we provide to go into business. Their motivation is to make money and even if they started with only a few pounds, thanks to Government Auction News, vast profit opportunities have opened out to them. In this website we have tried to explain in as much detail as possible what Government Auction News is about. However, the best way for you to decide whether Government Auction News is for you is to see for yourself. Therefore we would be delighted to send you a risk-free trial issue with no obligation on your part.
Government Auction News covers over 1,200 of UK auctions each month. Whether you are interested in antiques or property, wine or cars, jewellery or bicycles… Government Auction News will steer you to the best bargains. Our coverage is national and all regions are included, from Land’s End to John O’Groats as well as Northern Ireland and Eire. The key auction categories are detailed below.
BANKRUPTCY AND LIQUIDATION
Every year literally thousands of limited companies go out of business. In every case a liquidator or official receiver is appointed to dispose of the companies assets. The first thing these people wish to do is to ensure that there is enough money in the bank to pay their fees. To do this they sell off the most marketable of the company’s assets as quickly as possible. The best way to do this? By auction – to raise money as quickly as possible but with little attention to the real value of the goods being sold. The result? Liquidator sales are some of the best places to pick up a bargain. And no publication covers these more thoroughly than Government Auction News.
ON-SITE LIQUIDATION SALES
Liquidation auctions on behalf of large organisations such as BCCI, Polly Peck and Maxwell, whose total stock and assets are too vast to be relocated. They take place at the trading sites of the company itself and thus occur at a different venue every time. You have to have your ear to the ground and be prepared to move fast to take advantage of one-off scoop purchases.
PRIVATE TREATY
Details from agents acting on behalf of companies in receivership who are seeking the bulk sale of their assets on a behind-the-scenes basis, even sale of the company itself.
HM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE
Sales of seized and impounded articles from the effects of drug traffickers and racketeers, to a lost-and-found dinghy.
POLICE
Sales of confiscated and stolen/recovered/unclaimed personal possessions looking for a new home. Buy from the police cheaper than you could from the criminals! Bicycles, household items, jewellery, business equipment and, of course, a great many car radios and mobile phones.
PLANT AND MACHINERY
Those bankruptcy agents and auctioneers who deal solely in printing or farm equipment, computers, the catering trade or just in vehicles.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
Sales of lost and unclaimed property: umbrellas by the thousand, handbags, briefcases, overcoats, filofaxes, books, etc from companies such as British Airways and London Underground.
GOVERNMENT SURPLUS
Over-stocked stationery, ex MoD and council vehicles, redundant hardware and schools equipment, nationalised utility service machinery, gas masks, etc. – usually sold by tender only.
ANTIQUE, FURNITURE, JEWELLERY AND COLLECTIBLES SALES
Details of all the more interesting antique, furniture, jewellery and collectible sales with an emphasis on the bottom to mid range of the market.
BICYCLES AND RELATED ITEMS
An increasing number of specialist bicycles sales, especially by the police, make it important to give this catagory added coverage.
CARS AND MISCELLANEOUS VEHICLES
Both ex-government and official receiver sales and all specialist car auctions are covered.
COMPUTERS
Where to pick up everything from a laptop to a mainframe computer, often fully covered by guarantees.
GENERAL SALES
With particular reference to “no-reserve” auctions. Such sales include a vast array of goods, from washing machines to carpets, and from non-perishable food to books.
PROPERTY
Government bodies, local authorities, receivers, executors, banks and building societies who have made repossessions, and many others besides, now sell property at auction. Prices start from literally £3,950.
PRODUCE AND LIVESTOCK
From bedding plants to bulls, and from sweet corn to steak … we tell you where you can pick up all manner of things at knockdown prices.Find out now if Government Auction News is for you… without obligation.
WELCOME TO THE INTRIGUING, ENTERTAINING, MONEY-SAVING AND PROFITABLE WORLD OF AUCTIONS
A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
For some it is the triumph of picking up a bargain. For others it is “purely business” – the opportunity for gain. While there are those who simply go for the fun of it – just to watch the spectacle.
Whatever their reason for attending, auction-goers all know precisely what to expect: massive, sometimes almost unbelievable savings.
Of course, I am not talking about the fancy auctions held by Sotheby’s, Christie’s and the like. While there are bargains to be had at such venues, the really low prices are to be found elsewhere, in rundown salerooms in small market towns; on site at Ministry of Defence air bases; outside in muddy goods yards; and in the deserted offices of bankrupt companies. It is here, at the poorly-advertised sales, that auction-goers find the biggest savings.
Why?
Because it is in such unlikely locations as these that the auction-goers’ holy grail is to be discovered:’no-reserve’ sale prices. A ‘no-reserve’ sale price is an item which must be sold for whatever is bid – literally, what anyone is prepared to pay on the day. These auctions are used by all sorts of official departments and agencies, organisations, and individuals throughout the country to dispose of goods in a hurry and they occur on a frequent basis. Yet to find out where they are held, when they take place, and what is being sold can be an incredibly time consuming and expensive process. Furthermore, if you don’t know exactly where to look, who to ask, and what to ask – then you could miss the richest pickings, and a potential goldmine could elude you.
This is where Government Auction News comes in.
First and foremost, Government Auction News provides you with a comprehensive, up-to-date list of all the key auctions taking place throughout the UK. Every month you will quickly be able to identify where the bargains are to be found by region, by type of auction and in order of date. More than this, Government Auction News will advise you on what to buy; what to pay for goods; how to maximise value; how to avoid mistakes; where the real bargains are to be found; bidding tips; and much, much more besides.
Many of our regular readers view auction-going as a hobby. When they buy it is because the see something they need (such as a brand-new fridge freezer for £50) or something they want (a Porsche 911 in excellent condition for £6,000). But a growing number are using the information we provide to go into business. Their motivation is to make money and even if they started with only a few pounds, thanks to Government Auction News, vast profit opportunities have opened out to them. In this website we have tried to explain in as much detail as possible what Government Auction News is about. However, the best way for you to decide whether Government Auction News is for you is to see for yourself. Therefore we would be delighted to send you a risk-free trial issue with no obligation on your part. Please note, that at the same time you may also claim your prize in our £10,000 give-away (again for free).
Consider, too, the benefits of our new subscriber offer which includes up to a £20 saving on your first year’s subscription and five free reports worth £24.75. I don’t believe you’ll find a more intriguing, entertaining, money-saving or profitable pastime than auction-going. I do hope you will give me an opportunity to prove it by accepting our free trial offer.
EVERY ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT AUCTION NEWS PACKS A REAL PUNCH
“The most comprehensive source of auction information in the UK”
- Where to find the best auctions
- Details of “private” little-known auctions
- Where to buy
- Selling for profit
- News
- Advice, tricks of the trade, tips, inside information and more…
THIS IS WHAT A TYPICAL ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT AUCTION NEWS CONTAINS:
EDITOR’S NOTES
Whether your interest in auctions stems from a desire to save money, make money, or because you are a collector, you’ll find our editorial equally fascinating. Our editor Stuart Maclaren offers invaluable advice, information, tips, comment and predictions relating to the auction sector. Stuart is a highly successful dealer in his own right and has been our editor for the last two years.
AUCTION-GOERS’ NEWS
Summary of news stories. This will include everything from details of new sales to market trends, and from special opportunities to pick up a bargain to the latest information about Ministry of Defence auctions.
FEATURE ARTICLES
Every issue of Government Auction News carries one or more feature articles on a topic of interest. Subjects regularly covered include: bidding techniques; avoiding tax on your profits; the A to Z of buying property without capital; hidden treasures at agricultural auctions; making money from old newspapers and magazines; becoming an auctioneer; how to recognise valuable photographs; the new auction channel; the renovation and repair of antiques; and making the VAT rules work to your advantage.
AUCTION REPORTS
Our own correspondents and readers contribute to this popular column, covering everything from the big, highly publicised sales (such as the James Bond sale or the Titanic Memorabilia auction) as well as small, regional sales. Gives you first class information about prices achieved (useful for identifying auction houses to buy and sell at), types of items sold, attendance levels and so forth.
LETTERS AND QUERIES
Our panel of experts is happy to answer your queries and to provide information and advice on any subject related to buying and selling at auction. This is a free service to all subscribers.
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH COMPETITION
Every month we give away up to £100 worth of prizes to readers who have entered our competition for the very best auction-bought bargains. To enter, all you need to do is provide us with information of what you purchased, where and when, together with the cost and if relevant the amount of money you’ve saved – or profit you’ve made.
THE PROFIT PROPHET
Every issue of Government Auction News examines one or more specific opportunities for gain. In the past we have looked at everything from antique sewing machines to picture frames, from small items of silverware to auto jumble, and from writing instruments to watches. In particular, we concentrate on helping you identify specific items to look out for and the sort of prices you should expect to pay. Often we suggest items that can be picked up for a few pounds now but which we believe will be worth much, much more in the future. Where relevant we include details of specialist auctions, specialist traders, useful reading, and collectors’ clubs. The Profit Prophet will have you looking at a wide range of items (old computers, office furniture, lighting, glassware, model aeroplanes, old tennis racquets and sporting equipment, etc) with renewed interest. In the auction game, knowledge is power and this column gives you the knowledge.
THE INTERNET REPORT
With the advent of online auctions Government Auction News has recently introduced a monthly Internet report. In addition to providing you with all you need to know to buy and sell on the web, we include details of other websites where particular bargains are to be found. Please note that as a new subscriber to Government Auction News you will receive a free report on trading on the Internet. You will also have FREE access to our database of internet auction sites to be found in the Subscriber Only section of this site. We would also point out that the UK government is now using the Internet as one of the ways in which they dispose of unwanted items.
THE BUSINESS COLUMN
This column is written especially for those interested in making money from auctions. It will help you to identify the best way to sell things which you have bought, will point you in the direction of profit opportunities, and will help you maximise the return on your investment. No matter how little money you have to start with (it may only be a few pounds) there are massive opportunities for gain. To earn a lucrative income as an auction dealer all you need is Government Auction News and, in particular, to read our Business Column.
FOR SALE BY AUCTION
Our comprehensive national auction listings. A large part of Government Auction News is devoted to providing you with a comprehensive listing of UK auctions. We believe that no other magazine or newspaper provides the same high quality information in such an easy-to-read format. There is no better way to locate auctions of interest – both in your own geographic area and in other parts of the country. Each entry not only covers the auctioneers’ particulars (name, address, telephone number, fax, etc.) but also full details of the sales they run, together with a summary of items to be sold; viewing times; and buyer/seller’s premium (where relevant). Naturally we also tell you if a catalogue is available in advance.
NOTICEBOARD
As its name suggests, snippets of information of use to you in your buying and selling as well as an opportunity for readers to contact and trade with each other.
Property Auctions – The UK’s Best Auction Secret.
Typically the prices you pay at auction will be anything up to 40% less than you would pay for the same property purchased via an estate agent. You need to be well-prepared. For instance, you must have sorted out your finance and survey in advance. In addition to giving you details of the best property auctions held each month in the UK we also provide you with detailed advice on buying property by this method. Whether you are looking for a new home or thinking of becoming a property dealer or landlord, no publication will assist you as much as Government Auction News.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: WHY PRICES ARE SO LOW
The primary object of an auction is to make a quick sale.
The vendors don’t want to wait weeks, months or possibly even years to dispose of their goods. Nor do they want to waste time while “tyre kickers” decide whether they are genuinely interested or not. So before anything is put into auction you can be certain that the person selling it is willing to take a lower price for it than they know it might otherwise fetch.
There are, however, other reasons why auction prices are lower. Auctions are frequented almost entirely by dealers and are used as a clearing house by all sorts of individuals, businesses and organisations, for unwanted goods. This may be because the vendors want the money quickly or it may be because they want to get rid of whatever it is they are selling so that they don’t have to worry about it any more. In the case of government bodies what they are selling may be too old for their use (though perfectly good), surplus to requirements, or in some other way redundant. Indeed, government bodies are extremely wasteful and therefore inclined to dispose of things for even less than anyone else.
As already explained, prices can be further deflated where a “no-reserve” sale basis is established. This means that the auctioneer has been instructed to sell at any price. If very few people turn up at the auction (one reason why better bargains are to be had during the winter when the weather is bad, or during the summer when people are on holiday) then the no-reserve sale prices may be ridiculously cheap.
Note that because prices are low the amount of money made by the auctioneers is far from substantial. This means that they don’t have a lot of money to spend on advertising. For instance, a typical country auction might take £10,000. The auctioneer will make between £1,000 and £1,500 by way of commission. Hardly a fortune when you consider the effort and expenses involved in selling 200 or 300 lots. Furthermore, since auctions are traditionally the preserve of tradespeople and dealers, the emphasis has always been on attracting the “professionals” who will buy several lots, rather than people just looking for the odd one-off bargains. It is for this reason that you need Government Auction News to guide you to the really good auctions.
Recent auction results from over the UK:
Acoustic guitar £9
Golf clubs, six irons, two woods as new £10
Half-size pool table and cues £8
Breadmaker £18
Goodmans car radio cassette £5
Gent’s silver Raleigh mountain cycle £55
Gent’s yellow Ammaco mountain cycle £26
Lady’s Chrome mountain cycle £18
Gent’s green/orange Muddy Fox mountain cycle £38
Gent’s black racing cycle £8
Burgundy folding cycle £12
Gent’s red Raleigh mountain cycle £44
Gent’s blue Raleigh mountain cycle £3
Gent’s blue folding cycle £4
Lady’s Black Centurion cycle £32
Gent’s grey/blue mountain cycle £80
Purple Epic cycle £24
Pushchair and folding cot £32
Drum-kit stands in carry case £22
Alko petrol chainsaw £38
Zanussi Freezer £22
Shoprider Electric wheelchair £110
Three bottles of red wine plus one each of Champagne, brandy and Cava £16
Ferguson VCR £8
Pair of Harman Spirit Absolute II hi-fi speakers £60
Klenmore Microwave £10
Hewlett Packard Office ink jet printer £18
Compaq 171FS colour computer monitor £10
Technics stereo system inc. CD player £90
Bag of 12 new “Red Baron” children’s fur collar fleece type coats £26
Six new Star Trek model kits in a carton £22
12 new “Junior Scrabble” games in a carton £32
18 assorted educational CD Roms £24
36 new Premier short-sleeve shirts £26
18 new Elimor shirts £48
New Heatrae Sadia Supreme wall-mounted water heater £22
19 new “The Old Course at St. Andrews” golf shirts £90
Four new boxed Macromedia Dreamweaver software sets £170
New Dormer lightweight bed throw £12
24 pairs of new Speedo swimming trunks £34
19 new ladies’ JRB golfing trousers £60
26 telescopic umbrellas £34
Pair new leather Vendramini Daytona motorcycle boots £34
6 new “Secret Messages” Barbie Doll toys £26
Amstrad digital satellite receiver £42
Sega Dreamcast games console and accessories £55
Fischer video recorder £6
A Skil circular saw in fitted case £22
12 new Raleigh cycle helmets in a carton £30
Amstrad FX6000AT fax/answerphone £60
Sony Trinitron television £14
New Frank Thomas motorcycle jacket £32
New leather Frank Thomas two piece motorcycle suit £48
Leica C2 Zoom camera and case £50
New Nokia All In One, One 2 One mobile phone £30
New Sony Ericsson pay-as-you-go Orange JustTalk mobile phone £28
Repossessed modern terrace house in M’boro £5,750
Large 1-bed flat in Devon £26,000
P-reg VW Golf Mk 3 £1450
1999 Renault Mégane 1.4RT £2250
S-reg VW Sharan 1.9TDi £3900
K-reg Nissan Primera £190
1987 Mercedes 16-seater coach £150
BMW F650 motorcycle £1100
1997 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 £950
1993 Ford Mondeo 1.8GLX £375
Pair of fencing épées for £14
Mixed boxes from £3 to £30
Large Barbola mirror £36
Four pairs of new boots, boxed £10
Four boxed dolls £8
Raleigh mountain bike £9
Tray with ten boxes of E. P. cutlery £20
Double glass door Italian-style display unit £34
Mahogany plant pedestal £30
Exercise rowing machine £11
Exercise bike with readout £30
Three-drawer teak chest £9
SAVING MONEY OR STARTING A BUSINESS?
GOVERNMENT AUCTION NEWS OFFERS OPPORTUNITY UPON OPPORTUNITY
Pleasure or Profit?
Is there something you would really like to spend money on, but feel you can’t really afford? Perhaps you want to renovate or redecorate your home? Add a conservatory, central heating, or a new bathroom? Possibly you’d like the latest flat screen television, new electrical goods or a sauna? Would you enjoy a new luxury car, a second runabout for your spouse, or maybe even a caravan? What else do you hanker after? Jewellery? Antiques? Computers? The fact is that virtually anything you are likely to want is sold regularly through auctions. And, because the vendors are keen for a quick sale, often there won’t be a reserve price (below which the item must not be sold). The result? If you know where to find the auctions, and you have the time to attend, you can expect to pick up the most incredible bargains. That’s why we sell Government Auction News primarily to people wanting to improve their standard of living. They have the time and inclination to chase a bargain and enjoy the whole process of attending auctions.
But a large and growing proportion of our readership are people who purchase with a view to profit.
Government Auction News nowadays is read by both full and part-time dealers. No other publication provides the same detailed information on how to buy at auction and sell on at a profit. More than this, we will also show you how to buy from other sources (such as wholesalers and importers) and to sell at auction at a very substantial margin. With Government Auction News you will know where the auctions are, what you should buy from them, what you should avoid, what you should pay, how to sell on, and how to charge. You will also pick up invaluable tips on everything from reducing your tax liability on profits through to arranging transport and shipping. Buying at auction isn’t one of those “get rich quick” schemes promoted by somewhat shady characters. Instead, it is a proven way to earn a second income – even a very high income by acting on information which would otherwise be hard to come by.
How to Buy Cars at Auction Without Risk for Below-Trade Prices
In a typical year Government Auction News covers between 3,500 and 4,000 different auctions that either specialise in selling cars or include one or more cars in their sales on a regular basis. Car auctions is where the trade go to buy. The cars on auction tend to be either repossessions by finance companies, disposals by liquidators and receivers, or ex-government vehicles of one sort or another. In the latter category come cars seized by the Inland Revenue, HM Customs and police. Interestingly, just because a car comes up for sale at auction does not mean there is anything wrong with it. Indeed, many of the cars come with full service history and there is always time for both a test drive and to have them inspected by a qualified motor mechanic, the AA or other appropriate body. Next time you are looking for a new car why pay the dealer price, the list price, or even the trade price? Instead, pay well below trade and buy at an auction identified by your copy of Government Auction News.
Looking for a Computer? Get Five for the Price of One!
Go into any major computer superstore and price up a powerful PC with modem, CD-RW drive, printer and basic software. To get something powerful enough to run the latest Internet software, games, and business/word processing packages is unlikely to cost you less than about £600. Now attend any one of the computer auctions (or auctions selling computers) listed in Government Auction News. What can you expect to pay for the same sort of kit? Around one fifth of the retail price. For this you may be purchasing new, nearly new or reconditioned equipment but what does it matter? The point is you can buy five computers this way for the price of one of the other.
Property Auctions! The UK’s Best Auction Secret
We have already explained the sort of bargains you can expect to pick up at a property auction. Typically the prices you pay at auction will be anything up to 40% less than you would pay for the same property purchased via an estate agent. In order to benefit from this massive saving (on a typical home that might be worth anything up to £40,000 cash!) you need to be well prepared. For instance, you must have sorted out your finance and survey in advance. In addition to giving you details of all the best property auctions held each month throughout the UK (many of which are not advertised), we also provide you with detailed advice on buying property by this method. Whether you are looking for a new home or thinking of becoming a property dealer or landlord, no publication will assist you as much as Government Auction News.
Monthly Feature on Internet Auctions
Believe it or not we have found no less than 160 new auction sites on the World Wide Web. Indeed, Internet auctions are one of the fastest growing areas within the auction sector and so therefore we have now launched a new column dealing with this exciting new sales method. Not only will we guide you to the better auction sites but will also explain in detail how to buy and sell by this method.
As a paid subscriber you are entitled to FREE ACCESS to our web site, which contains:
- Largest online searchable database of ‘traditional’ auctions available in the UK. Locate the sales of greatest interest to you by location in UK and type of auction. Includes auctioneer’s particulars, full details of sale, viewing details, catalogue details, buyer’s premium and so forth.
- Searchable database of articles. Interested in a particular subject? Our searchable database of back issues provides you with information at the click of a mouse.
- Largest online database of internet auction sites. We review over 80 online auction sites and provide invaluable advice on buying and selling over the web.
- Subscriber Noticeboard. make contact with other auction enthusiasts. Buy and sell. Deals. Tips. Advice. Comment. Reviews.
- Auction reports. A searchable database of sale reports which we are adding to all the time. If you’ve been to a recent sale send us a report and we’ll send you some cash!
- Online ‘Ask the Experts’. Email our panel of experts with your queries. Free service to subscribers.
Government Auction News is sold as a traditional, hard copy newsletter BUT increasingly we are becoming more and more web-based. At present we view our site as being an added bonus – something we do free for our paid subscribers.