How much of a discount at public auctions?

As wasteful as govt is, they usually do a fine job of using computers, electronics, and machinery as much as possible. I went to several public auctions from 2003 to 2005 for the heck of it, and there was rarely ever anything worthwhile. The only guys that really bought anything were some businessmen who would buy palletts of old computers by the truckload for cheap, and then have them broken down, salvaged for good parts, and the rest being recycled for the gold and precious metals inside.

Auctions are an awesome way to create rivalry and drive up prices way past the true worth of the product being sold! The risks of what you are buying are usually quite high, so you have to be able to afford to lose your money!

The city car auctions was where you could find some good deals on ex-cop cars, and most auctions featured a few nicer cars to draw in the crowds who would then hopefully bid on the worse-off cars in the rest of the lot.

You have to do a TON of research before going to any public auction to see what you can actually afford to bid in order to break even or even make a profit.