Whats the catch in buying cars for under a 1000.00 on these goverment auctions and seized properties?

Question

there has to be a catch.. but i dont wanna spend 40.00 a week for nothing.

Answer 1

The catch is that you're getting a car worth about $1,000 or so. The government auctions (run by the GSA -- hit their website for free) are not the absurd bargains that you see advertised on late-night TV. The GSA fleet is well maintained and usually come with a full service history. The sales prices reflect that fact. If you come across a $1,000 sled, you're getting your money's worth. No more, no less.

Most seizures sell for low wholesale, reflecting the lack of a maintenance history. When they do get their hands on the occasional high-end vehicle the sales are often contracted out to the big auction houses and attract appropriate bids.

Answer 2

I know what you are talking about but I don't know if there is a catch or not . I never got one from there...there probably some weird taxes on it. If you are thinking about getting one why don't you check yahoo search or google about government auctioned cars and research that type of stuff and ask around if there is any other taxes on the cars at goverment auctions.

The reason they are so cheap is because the way they got the cars. So make sure you can check the car and get history on it.If there is damage to the car you may have to spend money to get whatever needs to be fixed corrected.

Answer 3

You really have to be an expert in the make and model you are looking at. Those cars can be damaged in a number of ways:
fire
accidents from a chase
loaded with drugs that law enforcement missed

If you buy one at auction without checking the VIN and the maintenance history [which you can not...] it is strictly caveat emptor [buyer beware]. If there is a day for inspection before the actual auction, get the VIN and check it on CarFax.

If you buy one where the drug dealer has one of his family watching, they are going to want the drugs out of the car right away and in their hands, so heads up...

:)

Good luck
Rick

Answer 4

the catch is they have high miles b/c they have been on numerous police chases, they are riddled with bullets,they have a mysterous smell of burned flesh, the have dark maroon stains in the chairs that is unexplained that won't come out, and in 5 years someone might recognize their car and try to get it back and also a lot of the cars the cops get them from seizing or whatever and they do what they want with them 9/10 make them cop cars and then they put a million miles on it and then right b/4 the engine blows up and the transmission goes out they try to make so money off something they didn't even pay for they are crooks either way you go so I would stop by subscriptions to these people and the same for the houses a lot of people get out of prison and want their house back and will do whatever it takes to get it so think about it ~~~Good Luck

Answer 5

The catch is that you get what you pay for. You have to know what you're doing and be ready to pay cash if you win. Remember, it's an auction and there are other knowledgeable people bidding against you. So, unless there are no other interested bidders, you most likely won't get a $10,000 car for $1000. But....you might get lucky.

Answer 6

Let me guess.... you're paying for a service that purports to give you list of auctions where you can supposedly buy cars and property for $1000. Well, it's a scam. Chances of you buying anything worthwhile for under $1000 is very remote.

Answer 7

They could be marked as "salvage". Cars can be from a wreck then repaired cheaply, floods, etc.

Answer 8

most have tax liens on them that you will also have to pay off.

Answer 9

you have no right to inspect, or return the merchandize