Everything must go at the government surplus auction in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Keep your ears open and get your checkbooks ready.

For Memorial Day weekend, the Florida auction network held a government surplus auction that was open to the public.

When municipalities have equipment and vehicles that have served their purpose and are no longer in need there are a few ways they get rid of them.

Auctioning them off is one of those examples.

On Saturday morning, dozens of people gathered in the Florida Auction Network lot in Springfield to see what they could get their hands on.

“We had some really good deals. Y’all missed out on some bargains. Hopefully, Sheriff Ford does not decide to come after me for selling his campers today,” Florida Auction Network LLC Owner and Auctioneer Jon Sewell said.

A majority of the vehicles and equipment came from the City of Panama City Police Department and Public Works, Panama City Beach Police Department, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

Such items included Crown Victoria’s, Harley Davidson motorcycles, some work trucks, and much more.

“We had an assortment of tools. We had an assortment of attachments, had a really good auction and for a holiday weekend we had a decent turnout at a good time,” Sewell said.

Sewell said many of the people who come to his auction are repeat buyers.

For other folks, this was their first time getting the full auction experience.

“It’s pretty fun. It’s really exciting to see him and do all that jazz and see how much money you actually save. On buying the equipment and the cars and stuff like that. I think it’s a really good opportunity for people to come and make investments and turn around and make a little extra cash. So they should definitely come to check it out,” attendee Katie Hobbs said.

Hobbs said if she had a little extra money to spend she would buy the 5th wheel and an ATV.

Out of the 149 items that were up for auction, 102 were sold.

“It’s a wonderful thing. 100% of the money goes right back to provide more and better services for our citizens,” Sewell said.

Sewell said he could not have asked for a better auction for the Memorial Day weekend.

“God blessed us with fantastic weather. I know it’s Memorial Day weekend we have a lot to be thankful for living here in a military community. Our freedom was definitely not free, but we had a very good turnout today. Everybody was positive. Everybody left here with a good deal. Nobody overpaid today,” Sewell said.

The next auction will be taking place on Saturday, June 15th.

To learn more about the Florida Auction Network, click here .

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