When searching for the right prop at the right price, you
might consider the random pickings left over from a military surplus. Sold
through auctions, the U.S. Department of Defense can provide cheap and unusual
goods that can serve as props, picture cars or set furnishings.
In the past you’d have to travel to a military base for an
on-site auction, but now you can shop the DOD’s complete inventory of leftovers
through Government Liquidation’s Web site. Not limited to government uniforms or
vehicles, the site has much in the way of medical, office, electrical and
industrial supplies. The eclectic assortment may include such things as barges,
industrial equipment and even cavalry horses.
Government Liquidations has contracted with the government to
provide online auctions similar to eBay but without the time limit. That is, an
auction with recent activity will keep going until all bids cease for 15 minutes
after the close time.
With all bids starting at $50, this site can offer huge
discounts on items with much higher acquisition prices (e.g. Military trucks in
Hawaii were sold for the minimum
$50 bid). But keep in mind that the added buyer’s premium, sales tax and pickup
costs will figure into the final expense.
