Are you thinking about buying or selling at an Arizona police unclaimed items auction? This article will provide you with a firsthand look at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility where unclaimed guns are tested before they go to auction. Specifics may vary from auction to auction; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.



When the Phoenix Police Department makes an arrest, they are often met with items that have been stolen or don't belong to anyone. These items are then confiscated or seized as evidence by the police. One of the most common items they come across are weapons, specifically firearms. Many of the confiscated firearms were probably used in a crime and are still functional. They need to be tested before being sold at auction!

Once the guns have been tested for safety and functionality, they go up for sale at an Arizona police unclaimed items auction! In addition to guns, auction items can include cars, tools, electronics, jewelry, sporting, coins, commercial heavy equipment, real estate, antiques and more.

Here are some Arizona police unclaimed items auction buyer tips that will help you avoid common mistakes made by buyers:

- When the auction starts, you will hear a ringman call out a lot number and give a brief description of the item. The auctioneer will begin selling the item and will ask for you to bid. The auctioneer continues to go up in increments until the item has been sold. Once the bidding has closed, the auctioneer will say "sold" and state the winning bidder's number and the final selling price.

- You must have a bidder's card in order to buy at the auction. To obtain a bidder's card, you must put down a deposit for a bid card. This insures that you will pay for all your purchases that you bid on. Once you pay for your items or decide to leave the auction without purchasing any items, your deposit is immediately returned to you. If you do bid and win, your deposit is applied to the purchases.

- During the auction, clerks record the description of your items and your buyer number as well as the amount you paid for the item.

- Auctions are often conducted with multiple auction rings. This means that two or more auctioneers will be selling different merchandise at the same time. So if you want to buy an item in a particular area, you will need to keep an eye on that ring so you know when to bid.

- Auctions are generally cash only transactions so you will be required to pay for your purchases with cash or cash equivalent (traveler's checks, money orders, etc.) before the end of the auction. Some auctions accept Visa or MasterCard. There are no layaway options, financing or personal checks accepted.

- Auction Systems does not charge a buyer's premium. A buyer's premium is a charge that some auction houses charge to their buyers - as much as 25% above their bid price. Auction Systems feels this is an unfair practice and an unethical business practice.

- Most auctions can be a lot of fun and very entertaining - so be a part of what we affectionately call "auctiontainment".