I’m an old-fashioned guy. When I hear about getting hit a lot, my first reaction is to duck.
But I know a good thing when I see it. The website of the State Surplus Property Agency, which debuted an online bidding system last October, got nearly 9.5 million hits in the last fiscal year. That’s an increase of about 4.3 million hits over last year’s total, including a significant spike in October.
Especially in these tight budget times, we’re delighted to be able to make property deemed surplus by various state agencies available to more consumers via the web. The online bidding system has helped us do that, as well as increase the accuracy of bids and ensure that qualified buyers are prepared to complete their transaction and claim their goods.
Not all surplus items are sold through online bidding, but our electronic visitors can check out bargains on a wide range of goods available at our retail sales outlets and public auctions whenever they want – instead of having to physically go to a location during normal business hours.
Revenue generated from all surplus property sales is returned to individual state programs, agencies or the General Fund. The State Surplus Property Agency reports sales of about $20 million annually.