Sometimes "Too Good to Be True" is Wrong ! It can be GREAT and TRUE !

Hello from San Diego,
Like so many people who've lived on the edge of Bankruptcy at some time in their lives or maybe even gone over the edge (as I eventually did), I've purchased the Real Estate Investment programs, as well as other T.V. Infomercial come-ons that seemed so wonderful. Finally, I would be able to pay my bills, take vacations, and maybe have a fancy car, or even a boat!
No Way. They either required way more time and energy on my part than I had available while getting started, because of my need to work 40 hrs. a week to stay ontop of my obligations, or were examples of being untruthful because of their claims of excellent monetary returns for very little time expended in generating it.
With the limited time required for me to attend an auction, I became enchanted by the thought of possibly getting some terrific deals by just going to one. Wanting to find auctions close to me, when I lived in Salina, Kansas, I first looked in the Newspaper, but only found "Estate" type auctions that usually don't offer the quality and newer items that I knew I'd want, as I had attended a few of them years earlier when looking for a good used shovel and ladder. Being a little discouraged, I went to the internet and did a search for Kansas auctions. The results included Government Auctions. Hmmm, that looks interesting, I thought. The incredible lists of various New or Near-New cars, electronics, furniture, boats, etc. really grabbed my attention as it made me imagine that now I could afford a bed, wide-screen t.v., and maybe even a small pickup that I had wanted for some time. Also, I might see other things that were great buys that I could then sell for a sizable profit, either locally or maybe on ebay.
A Government Auction was coming up in about 10 days, in Topeka, so I drove the 110 miles to check it out. To say the least, I was thrilled with the selection. Though a bed like I wanted was not available, a 52" Big Screen T.V. was (for $195). Also, I ended up very thankful that I brought my girlfriend along, because she could drive my car home, while I drove a Ford Ranger Pickup back. It was 2 yrs. old, had a little over 13,000 miles and cost (are you sitting down), $835. After buying some rope and a small tarp at Wal-Mart, I covered then tied-down my new t.v. in the bed of my pickup, along with a beautiful 24"x 30" Giclee' (painting) done by San Francisco Artist (H. Leung) that I purchased for $77.50. I later sold it on eBay for $650, as that was my intention when I got it.
Needless to say, I was "hooked". By simply attending a Government Auction every six weeks or so, I have been able to purchase a wide variety of items that I have then sold through local newspaper ads and occasionally on eBay for anywhere from twice to five times what I paid for them, depending on the item, of course. I have not purchased "Foreclosed" property......Yet, but will not hesitate to go to the website to checkout what's available when I'm ready. I have moved a couple of times since that first Kansas auction. While living in South Lake Tahoe, I went to them in Carson City, Nevada, Reno and one in Sacramento, and for 2 1/2 yrs before moving here in February this year, I lived in Sedona, Arizona, and attended them in Flagstaff, Phoenix and even drove to Tucson for one. I have never left a single auction without taking something home that I was able to either use or sell for a nice profit. The key is to have an idea of what I'm interested in before I go, research what a good deal, dollar-wise would be (including checking to see what like items are selling for on the internet), then set my upper limit and stick to it.
This is NOT a sit-in-my-livingroom, and let the money-filled envelopes stuff my mailbox option. What it is, is a Fun hobby that can end up making you some spending money, OR, as with me, and more frequent visits to Government Auctions (now about once every 2-3 wks.), I have gone to a part-time schedule as a Trolley Tour Conductor, in beautiful San Diego, and am taking more frequent weekend trips as well as a two full weeks last year to Provence, France, with my best friend...the girlfriend was no longer in the picture. She would have loved it.
As long as I have my health, I intend to continue this wonderful avocation, and no longer worry about living on the "edge" of bankruptcy.
Hopefully, this helps, if you are wondering if Government Auctions are "Too Good to Be True". They are just "Good AND True", in that they offer you an incredible variety of choices of items to buy at terrific prices. How you choose to benefit from your great buys is wholly up to you.
Have Fun..........Like I Do!

www.auctions-gov.org