OT: Government Planet

[unkated]

I am curious: how many of you are plugged into Government Planet?

Government Planet is an auction site that sells US Government surplus - all kinds of stuff, mostly from the military.

Currently, they have several HMMVWs available. ($7000 - $8500)

They also have a 2006 Nissan 350Z (dusty looking, unstartable) for $600. Why does my government have this in the first place?

I have seen -

• hip tool belts, in lots of six to 175
• backpacks, in lots of 12-50
• Tenting of various sizes
• Industrial sized dryers
• computers in lots of 6-12 (sans hard drive)
• Boots, unused, still in original wrapping

.

I should be glad that some fraction of the money my government spends on things gets recouped. And I know that they generally buy stuff built for rough use, so may well have life left.

I look at the listings to be amused at what is available, but I'll watch for a LAV-25 or M2....

Uncle Ted

[Legbreaker]

Same thing happens here in Australia with auction sites in most of the capital cities.
Many of the vehicles are obsolete or damaged. In the latter case they're usually picked up by people looking to strip them for parts.
Haven't seen any AFVs up for sale though, and I doubt they'll ever go through the same process.

https://www.australianfrontlinemachinery.com.au

[ChalkLine]

Aussie vehicles are usually used to within an inch of their life. For instance the Leopard 1A4s were reputedly only good for scrap (from hearsay)

[swaghauler]

You can also go straight to the US Government's General Services Administration and bid DIRECTLY on surplus from the government. This generates a lot of revenue that is used to buy newer equipment. Many farmers use the GSA to get deals on equipment like heavy construction vehicles and generators. A lot of counties in the US also partake of GSA programs for surplus equipment.

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by unkated

Currently, they have several HMMVWs available. ($7000 - $8500)

Did you see the dates on some of them? 2002 and earlier, no doubt the us army got newer ones and the thses are older models

Originally Posted by unkated

They also have a 2006 Nissan 350Z (dusty looking, unstartable) for $600. Why does my government have this in the first place?

Well you have remember this site is just not for the Federal Government, State and local government will use them to sell item as well of theses vehicles are

Abandoned
Used in crimes
Police cars
Military Staff Vehicles/Transport
Estate Sieges

It also worth mentioning that US Military buys a lot of civilian items for use items like

Office Equipment(Desk, chairs ect)
Fax Machines
Computers
Printers
Telephones
Photo Copiers
Washing Machines
Dryers
Sports Equipment
Furniture