Tuesday Nov 04, 2008
You are Here: FAQ
You are Here: FAQ
What are my advantages in buying a pre-owned GSA Fleet
vehicle?
GSA Fleet offers you cars, trucks and other vehicles with low mileage and
only one previous owner. These vehicles have been well maintained. Our vehicles
are carefully detailed before sale
and come loaded with most options consumers typically prefer. Additionally,
with no buyer's fees, pre-owned vehicles from GSA usually sell for substantially
less than from other sources.
How do I register for an auction?
You must register at the sponsoring auction facility on the day of inspection
or auction to obtain a bidder's number.
Who is eligible to purchase a GSA Fleet vehicle?
Any member of the public who is a licensed driver and at least 18 years of age is eligible to bid at our auctions. GSA employees and members of their immediate households, and auction contractors, subcontractors, and members of their immediate households are prohibited from buying, directly or indirectly, at a GSA Fleet sale. Employees of other government agencies may purchase government property, unless prohibited by their agency regulations.
How much does a GSA Fleet Vehicle Auction cost to
attend?
Nothing. Registration to participate in any of our Vehicle Auctions is free.
Am I able to purchase a vehicle for someone else?
Yes. To purchase a vehicle on behalf of other parties, you must furnish their
Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number. The attending bidder
must furnish a letter granting power of attorney to purchase Federal Surplus
Property on behalf of the individual or company you are representing.
Can I test drive a vehicle before bidding?
During inspection you can start a vehicle to check the performance of its
engine, air conditioning, heater, and other accessories. However, the vehicle
must stay parked and cannot be driven.
Does the Government warranty its vehicles?
GSA Fleet offers to the original purchaser that the property listed in the
invitation will conform to its description. However, where applicable,
manufacturer's warranties are transferable. Purchasers should contact
their vehicle's manufacturer to determine whether its warranty remains
in force. We cannot attest to the condition of vehicles we sell for other
Federal agencies, however known deficiencies will be listed.
How does GSA Fleet determine who is awarded the vehicle?
Each vehicle will be sold to the highest responsive bidder. GSA Fleet reserves
the right to reject any or all bids including bids under which a bidder
would take unfair advantage of the Government or other bidders.
How many vehicles does GSA Fleet sell, and when?
GSA Fleet will sell approximately 35,000 vehicles this coming year. Most vehicles
will be available between April–September, when a majority of our leases
expire, but we conduct sales throughout the entire year.
Can I refuse a vehicle after my bid was accepted?
No, Successful bidders are contractually bound to pay for and remove their
vehicles from the auction facility within the time period specified. Failure
to pay for, or take possession of the vehicle within these time frames
may subject the buyer to additional fees/penalties as identified in the
SF 114C, or any other special terms and conditions of sale.
Are there any hidden charges?
Your accepted bid price represents your total payment, except in those states
that require applicable taxes to be paid at the time of sale. There are no
added buyer’s fees.
How can I pay for my vehicle?
Accepted forms of payment may include cash, credit card, cashier's check, credit union cashier's check, traveler's check, postal or commercial money order, and properly endorsed Federal, State, or local government checks. Personal or company checks may be accepted if accompanied by a bank guarantee; however, check with the auction before the sale to make sure they will accept it. Checks must be made payable to the auction facility. MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover credit cards will be accepted, subject to verification and approval by the issuing bank. It is recommended that you contact your credit card provider in advance of the sale to pre-authorize what might otherwise be an abnormally large purchase. As a security feature of many credit cards unusually large purchases, while legitimate and within available credit, may be declined to prevent fraud. A pre-authorizing phone call to your credit card provider may prevent any delays in the processing of your payment.
How do I register my vehicle?
A Government Certificate to Obtain Title (Standard Form 97) and a Purchaser's
Receipt will be issued for each motor vehicle sold. SF-97 is evidence of titleability
only and should be used by the purchaser to obtain a proper motor vehicle
registration for his or her state.
Why does GSA Fleet sell its vehicles?
GSA Fleet maintains most of its vehicles through leasing arrangements. At
the conclusion of its lease (typically 3–5 years), GSA Fleet will sell
a vehicle in order to finance its automotive fleet purchases.
Does GSA Fleet sell seized vehicles?
No. Seized vehicles are sold by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Department
of the Treasury. See http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals
or http://www.treas.gov/auctions/customs for more information.
Where can I purchase military vehicles?
Information on surplus military vehicles can be obtained from the Defense
Reutilization and Marketing Service at http://www.drms.dla.mil.
Where can I purchase U.S. Postal Service vehicles?
Information on surplus U.S. Postal Service vehicles can be obtained from the
U.S. Postal Service at http://www.usps.com/surplusvehicles.
Do you charge for access to your information or to register for your e-mail notifications?
Access to our website is absolutely free of charge, as is the registration for e-mail notifications of upcoming auctions. We understand that visitors have reached our site by having paid a membership or access fee of some sort to a third party. GSA Fleet has no affiliation, partnership or relationship whatsoever with any websites that offer "special access" to government vehicles or that charge any amount for access to our website. Any concerns that you have regarding any such fees need to be directed to the company that provided you with the link. If you feel as though you have been "ripped off", we recommend getting in touch with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov. Another option is to contact the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.com. Both of these sites have a section wherein you may file a complaint.
