sealed bid auction

I am reviewing a sealed bid surplus school auction. Listed below are the 10 most numerous items:
1. 237 computers
2. 92 monitors
3. 55 projectors
4. 47 printers,scannerrs
5. 37 tv's
6. 35 dvd/vcr
7. 22 cellphones
8. 17 portable radios
9. 11 digital cameras
10 8 notebooks/laptops

Some of the miscellaneous items in very small #s are copiers, camcorders, shredders, managers cpus, a number of different type switches and couple of routers and several one of a kinds.

I don't know that any are in working order but it would stand to reason that many are in working condition or could be put in working condition. I was salivating at the number of computers but I assume that a lot of these would be sold on ebay and what could not would be scrapped and I have no idea about the value scrap or otherwise of projectors, copiers and some of the other items. I think most of the items have serial #s so a fair amount of research could be done as to original value and maybe even resale value.

I would really like some imput from some of those who have participated in these type auctions as to how they approach and attempt to place a value for bid purposes. For example on the computers do you assume that a certain % of them will be good and can be resold on ebay or do you just try to purchase at a value that you know you can make money at assuming all are broken down. Do you look for someone else to lay off the items that you do not want like maybe the projectors. Really just curious as to the methodology that you use to come up with a value.

This was just lot 1. There are other lots that I have not reviewed.

I hate sealed bid auctions. It always seems like you end up paying more than if it were a live auction.

im doing one this weekend. hate them! you can never pay low.

for the seller that is. Higher bid prices and no need to pay an auctioneer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kris Kringle

Seems to me if you paid to much in a Sealed Bid Auction you the one that was the high bidder Example they selling a Widget I bid $20 on it you come along and bid $100 You won Sorry you over bid For something that was worth only $30.

Besides with sealed Bids there is no Auction Fever Only what you want to pay.

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It's not that I paid too much. I'll never bid more than I think I can and still make a profit. It's just that the profit is much less than I would like it to be.

No experience with these auctions but I wonder whether a large ewaste recycler will be bidding or whether someone just sees the ad and think that there is a pot of gold. Also wondering whether to assume a certain % will be working, for example computers and therefore worth maybe the 2 to 5 dollar range you know you could be safe at. It doesn't cost anything to bid unless you win and obviously you could submit a bid that is low enough that you can't get hurt.

I might have a way of finding out the winning bid but after the fact but that would be instructive just knowing that. The other possibility might be purchasing from whoever has the winning bid. Then you could just concentrate on the items you are most interested in.

Appreciate the replies and would like to hear from others that have had failure or success at these type auctions. To my knowlege there is not an auctioneer. All items are listed with identification #'s etc. so I think it is fairly straight forward deal. If you win you pay your money and take your chances.

There are fee's associated with surplus auctions conducted on line...most time the buyer ends up paying the fees one way or the other. Be sure to read the fine print so you know your final price that may involve sales tax in addition to those fees.