When government agencies need to get rid of stuff, they put it up for auction.

(Were not kidding.

it’s possible for you to buy an ambulance or a massive ruby, all from GovDeals.)

A woman looks excited looking at her phone.

Photo courtesy of GovDeals

What Is GovDeals?

Think ofGovDealslike eBay but for governments.

Probably not as good as youd like.

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It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.

But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?

All of the money generated by the sale is returned to the agency.

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Did you know?

The user with the highest bid when the auction ends gets the item if the reserve has been met.

Youll need tocreate an accountto get started.

You almost always need to pick up the item in person.

Rarely, an agency will ship you the item for a fee.

you’ve got the option to search for items by location or product bang out.

Each listing contains information about the item, including payment and pickup instructions.

Read over these details carefully.

Once you start, its hard to stop.

Wait, theyre really selling that?

Here are 15 things we found on GovDeals.

Trust us, theres plenty more to go around.

you could browse more instruments and musical equipmenthere.

14k Gold Ring $100

Fine jewelry is a popular category on GovDeals especially gold jewelry.

This14k gold ringis a size 6, and would be perfect as a wedding ring.

Theres more where that came from.

To see all the jewelry deals,click here.

Two Samsung Tablets $25

TwoSamsung tabletsof unknown condition with no warranties or guarantees?

If you dont mind taking a shot in the dark, you’re able to try your luck.

Maybe one of them even works!

Assuming theydowork, this is a crazy bargain.

Similar refurbished Samsung tablets are fetching anywhere from $70 to $150 each on eBay and Amazon.

Though, were not quite sure whats appealing about thisrusty corn sicklewith a cracked wooden handle.

Still, its over 170 years old, so thats cool.

It comes from a collection of items being unlisted from the Dey Mansion Washingtons Headquarters Museum.

Thecollectiblescategory on GovDeals will raise more questions than it answers.

Why is a city selling a megalodon shark tooth?

How did 300 comic books end up in a police evidence room?

Why is a school district in Ohio selling an antique kitchen mixer from 1936?

Hundreds of Math Books $343

Plan on starting your own school?

Thats the only reason we can imagine buyingthree pallets of math booksmeasuring three to five feet tall each.

Most of the books are new, according to the post.

They were discontinued due to a curriculum change.

The grade level of the math books isnt listed, so its hard to know what youre getting.

Theres a lot more than books under theeducationalheading.

You could take home an animatron, microscope, furniture, a smartboard and calculators.

Theres also abookcategory with textbooks, manuals and old library books.

Despite being an antique vehicle at 45 years old, this truck starts, runs and is driveable.

We dont know how much mileage it has, but the ladder and pump still work so theres that.

300 Wood Pallets $110

Lumber isnt cheap these days, so this lot of300 wood palletsis a steal.

Theyre in fair condition, so plan your projects accordingly.

Aside from cheap pallets, it’s possible for you to findlumberand otherbuilding materials.

It spent its first four years as a patrol cruiser and the last four years as a staff vehicle.

Air conditionings, power locks and doors and a built-in CD player?

Whats not to love.

you might also click through hundreds ofcarson GovDeals.

Six Office Chairs $14

Its crazy that thesesix office chairsare less than $15.

Then again, the exact working condition of these chairs is unknown.

Furnitureabounds on GovDeals and there are some good deals to be had.

Upright Fitness Bike $16

Ready to start training for the Tour de France?

But at $16 bucks for thisupright bike, you could finally start thathome gymyouve been dreaming about.

It functions well and the seat is included.

it’s possible for you to find lots ofexercise equipmenton this site, from treadmills to weight racks.

Eight Cafeteria Tables $365

Need some extra seating at your next event?

Snow Bunny Framed Art $1

In the market for somecheap decor?

Just look at thissnow bunny painting.

It could make a unique edition to a den or rustic cabin.

It sold for just $1.22 after taxes and fees.

The wooden frame alone is probably worth at least $30.

Thefine artsection of GovDeals never fails to disappoint.

Laguna Pacifica Pottery Wheel $600

New pottery wheels can fetch upwards of $1,200 or more.

Which makes thispottery wheelfrom Portland Community College a solid deal.

Its in good condition, and a two-piece splash pan and foot pedal are included.

Thearts and craftssection isnt all pottery wheels and kilns.

Its also stickers, bowling pins, baskets and framed art.

Water Tower, 120 Feet Tall $1

Ever wonder what happens to old water towers?

Apparently, they end up on GovDeals!

The price might increase and there could be a reserve by the time the auction closes.

Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.

She focuses on retirement, investing and taxes.

When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?

Probably not as good as youd like.

It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.

But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?