Welcome. Below are answers to common questions
about buying at an online auction. If you have any other
questions, feel free to email us at service@cwsmarketing.com.
1. Find an Item
1. Available Lots
2. Search
2. Sign Up
1. Register to Bid
3. Sign In
1. Log in
2. Forgot Password
4. How Bidding Works
1. Placing a bid
2. Auto Bid
3. Being outbid
4. Winning an auction
5. Auction Features
1. Auction Watch
2. Your Account
3. Auto Extension
4. Updating Your Account
6. Physical Inspections
7. Tems & Conditions
- Find an Item
- What do I need to do to register for the auction?
- Do I have to pay any money at the auction?
- How do I know that these are legitimate auctions?
- What is sold?
- How items are sold?
- Where are auctions held in my area?
- Does the government provide financing?
- Are there any back taxes or liens against the property?
- Can I get a good deal at these
auctions?
- How can I find out what an item is worth?
- Is there a minimum bid?
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- Can I inspect the property?
- Can I bid on the Internet?
- If I am not the winning bidder, what happens to my deposit check?
Real Estate
Personal Property
Can anyone attend the auction?
Yes! The auctions are free and open to the public.
What do I need to do to register for the auction?
Auction registration occurs at the auction location. Please bring your driver's license or other photo ID to the registration tables. Real estate sales require proof of cashier's check deposit during registration. The deposit check will only be collected from the successful bidder.
Do I have to pay any money at the auction?
If you are the successful bidder on a property, you may be required to make a deposit immediately. Real Estate purchases require the high bidder to deliver 10% of the purchase price less the initial money deposit, whichever is greater. Please read the Terms of Sale specific to the sale you are interested. This is a cash sale and is not contingent on the buyer's ability to obtain financing.
How do I know that these are legitimate auctions?
The Departments of the Treasury and Homeland Security (DHS) have designated
URS (formerly known as EG&G Technical Services) as the prime contractor responsible for the sale of seized, abandoned, and forfeited property. Properties auctioned by USTD & DHS are criminal seizures and forfeited merchandise the U.S. government has authorized URS to sell on their behalf.
CWS Marketing Group has been a teaming partner with
URS (formerly known as EG&G Technical Services) since 1990 providing marketing and sales for the program.
What is sold?
U.S. Department of Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security sell seized/forfeited property throughout the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. A wide variety of items are sold including cars, boats, airplanes, real estate, carpets, electronics, industrial goods, jewelry, computer equipment, wearing apparel, and household goods. Items may be new or used and are sold in lots ranging from single items to wholesale quantities. Real estate is also sold, including single-family residences, warehouses, retail buildings, and operating businesses, such as apartment buildings, gas stations, wine stores, and golf courses.
How items are sold?
Over 100 public auctions are held at the times and locations listed below:
- Approximately every nine weeks in Edison, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California for personal property (General Order Merchandise).
- Over 100 times annually for real estate throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
- At other times and locations as merchandise becomes available.
Real estate is normally sold on-site at the property location; however, selected
real estate may be sold online.
Written bids are accepted at all personal property and real estate auctions.
Where are auctions held in my area?
You may browse the auction calendar for current auction locations.
Does the government provide financing?
The Departments of the Treasury and Homeland Security (DHS) auctions are
cash sales. Buyers are responsible for obtaining
their own financing. The government does not provide
financing in the purchase of its properties. It is
recommended that buyers investigate available financing
prior to the auction.
Are there any back taxes or liens against the property?
Once payment is made in full, you will
receive a clear title for a vehicle, boat, aircraft
or real property, whichever the case may be for a
Department of the Treasury and Homeland Security (DHS) sale. All liens, back taxes or
other encumbrances will be paid by the government,
unless otherwise stated. Private sellers who offer
real estate on our site, please contact the seller
directly for information regarding title.
Can I get a good deal at these auctions?
These auctions can produce some pretty
decent bargains. A near mint condition 1999 Mercedes-Benz
CLK 430 coupe sold for $37,000--pretty close to the
wholesale price. Other great deals included a computer
system for $100, a huge lot of assorted clothes for
$3,400, handmade Persian carpets for hundreds of
dollars, approximately 800 kilos of dried lemon peel
for just $300, mahogany lumber 2,000 board feet $4,000
and 30,000 watches for $30,000 ($1.00 each).
How can I find out what an item is worth?
Various sources and public records
are available to research real estate or an item's
worth. You may check with local retailers and newspaper
classified ads for personal property values. Car
history reports can be ordered with a vehicle VIN
number. County public records are available to research
real estate. If you would like guidance on how to
perform Buyer's due diligence a real estate professional
can help.
Is there a minimum bid?
Minimum bids are not announced at any
of our auctions. The seller will always have the
right to accept or reject the high bid.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Cashier's Check and Visa or MasterCard
are accepted at most Department of Homeland Security personal property sales. Cashier's or certified checks are the only form of payment accepted at Department of Treasury real estate sales. Please
check the Terms of Sale regarding payment for that
particular auction. CWS online auctions accept payment
according to the Seller's preferred payment method.
Please check the individual online listing for payment
terms.
Can I inspect the property?
Open House/Preview dates are available to inspect the property and ask questions prior to the auction date. Property may not be available for inspection on the day of the sale.
Can I bid on the Internet?
The majority of Department of Treasury and Homeland Security auctions require you to be in attendance to bid. Certain properties may be offered in either an online auction or with simulcast bidding. To find out in advance which properties are being sold on the Internet, please sign-up for free email notications.
If I am not the winning bidder, what happens to my deposit check?
Unsuccessful bidder's deposit checks will be returned within 5 business days. You should check with your bank on their procedures for re-depositing checks. In most cases, they either "void" the cashier's check or stamp it with "not used for the intended purpose" and will re-deposit the money into your account.
Why is property seized?
These are criminal seizures due to smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, credit card fraud, food stamp fraud, mail fraud or other illegal activities.
What fees are associated with settlement other than my winning bid amount?
Closing costs, including transfer taxes, documentary stamps, recording fees, and escrow fees, will be paid by the buyer and seller in accordance with the customs of the county in which the property is located, unless stated otherwise in the individual terms and conditions of sale. Closing is usually required within 30 days of the sale or sooner.
Can I bring a home inspector to the open house?
Bidders may have home inspectors examine the property during regularly scheduled open houses, at their own expense.
How do I qualify for broker participation?
The Department of Treasury offers broker
participation on select, high end properties. In
order to qualify for a commission, if offered for
that particular sale, a broker must be licensed in
the state in which the property is located, preregister
and attend the sale with his/her client.
If broker participation is not offered
with a particular property, then broker commission
arrangements are between the buyer and their broker.
Why is property forfeited?
General Order (GO) merchandise is imported goods held by U.S. Customs & Border Protection pending submission of entry documentation and payments of duties and taxes. If not received, merchandise may be sold at auction or retained by the government for official use.
What is "export only"?
The term "export only" refers to merchandise that cannot be registered, used, resold, or entered into the commerce of the United States or its territories as a result of it infringing upon some federal regulation (ex. quotas, trademarks or safety regulations). Anyone who purchases "export only" property must remove it from the U.S. within a specified period of time. Here are further instructions about "export only".
Do you collect sales tax for vehicle sales?
NO, you pay sales tax when you register
the car.
Will URS ship the item to me?
URS will not ship any items. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to remove the merchandise purchased by the removal date. All costs and liabilities associated with the removal are the responsibility of the buyer.
How long do I have to pick up the property or arrange for shipping once the sale is final?
Merchandise must be paid in full before removal. URS will provide buyer invoices and release documents to you upon receipt of final payment. You must have the release document with you for pickup. Please contact the storage location vendor for pickup arrangements. If you elect to have a trucking company remove the merchandise, please ensure the trucking company has the release document with them. Continued storage after the removal dates is solely between the buyer and the storage vendor.
