Old Hickory:
I know you specified military auctions, but a lot of agencies have auctions. In ALL of them, it's let the buyer be ware. Many times the stuff is just shot or has sat for so long it takes a lot to get it bac up to speed.
Also, on IRS type auctions, you are only buying the owner's equity in that item. Lets say it's a Lexus worth $35,000.00. The Non taxpayer had it seized because he had enough equity in it to let the Govt get some money out of it. He may owe $15,000.00 on it. Not knowing that, you might buy the car for $28,000 thinking you got a steal. What you got was a $35,000.00 car, which after you pay the lien off cost you $38,000.00.
Also on Govt equipment, there is an old saying that "something that belongs to everyone belongs to no one". Govt Pool cars have often been run hard and put away wet. They get passed down to the rookies after they get run hard by senior agents.
I did 27 years with the Treasury Dept and work my vehicles pretty hard. I've been in pursuit of people, and have hit dips so hard I've bent wheels and broke motor mounts going through unseen dips too fast. I was a stickler about keeping my vehicles up because I was the one that was going to die if it failed. Most others were not careful. When a pool car developed a problem, it was too much trouble to get someone else to fix it or take the time to have it fixed themselves, so they would just not drive that vehicle anymore. Poor alignment and unbalanced tires plus warped braked rotors and drums were not uncommon. I could never understand this cavalier attitude, because it didn't cost anything to fix it, just someone that cared enough.
Can you get good deals on vehicles and equipment or other stuff, sometimes yes. I provided security for a jewelry sale one time in Los Angeles. The "40 thieves" attended the auction along with civilians. The 40 were jewelry dealers. They knew the value of stuff and had agreed amongst themselves which pieces they wanted before the auction. They wouldn't bid on stuff the other thieves wanted so as to not drive the prices up. Most of the stuff that went to civilians was either old fashioned cuts or not marketable, and in many cases was sold for more than it's apraised value.
You've got to know what you're looking for and what stuff should go for and not get caught up in the auction frenzie.
On th other hand, sometimes stuff is sold just to get
"something" for it.
I saw a real POS locksmith truck go for a cheap price, especially since there were thousand's of blank keys included plus two key cutting machines.
Each Governmetnal agency can give you a phone number to call to find out about their next auctions.
Don't know if that was worth your time to read it or not, It
was a little off point on your question, but I hope it helps.
Joe
