Petal officials have taken steps to be able to auction surplus equipment online, in addition to their regular in-person auctions.
Members of the Petal Board of Aldermen recently voted to accept a Memorandum of Understanding with GovDeals, a liquidity services marketplace that allows government agencies to sell surplus and confiscated items or property on its website. City Clerk Melissa Martin said the city will continue to use Jeff Martin Auctioneers in Brooklyn, but the GovDeals online option will be there if needed.
“It’s just another avenue if we want to put it online, if we think we can get more money from it (that way),” she said. “More people would see it online, because it’s a nationwide website.
“And then if they buy it, they have to come get it – we don’t have to take it anywhere to them. But if the department head wants to send their stuff to Martin (Auctioneers), they can still send their stuff to Martin.”
Martin said to the best of her knowledge, most of the auctions will be open to the public.
“It’s not just government customers,” she said. “You can go on there and look at the deals and bid on items.”
The GovDeals website features thousands of items in over 125 categories, including hardware, election equipment, vehicles, security equipment, jewelry and vending equipment.
For more information or to view the auctions, visit www.govdeals.com.
