What's up for grabs at Saturday's government warehouse sale
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is giving the public a rare chance to buy government surplus items and forfeited goods in a warehouse sale on Saturday.
These kinds of goods used to be sold at live silent auctions until bidding on the website was launched in 2008.
"All of these assets have a finite useful life and when they reach that for [the government], a lot of them still have value," said Nicholas Trudel, director general of PSPC's specialized services sector.
Shoppers will get a chance to walk into a warehouse and buy things such as a used Jet Ski or seized jewelry without bidding or waiting for shipping.
"Given our volume, given how the business has evolved and given our intent to improve and be efficient, we though we'd give this a try," he said.
He said the vehicles end up being resold because it's cheaper to buy them, sometimes modify them and flip them than to rent them.
He singled out former museum display pieces as some of the most interesting pieces they have, though he's partial to some of the camping and outdoor gear.
PSPC doesn't have an "everything-must-go" mentality, however.
"It's not a garage sale, it's not a blowout where we're trying to get rid of stuff, the goal is not to dispose willy-nilly without regard for price, our intent is to get market value … If it doesn't sell here they'll be listed online."
The sale is from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 3020 Hawthorne Rd., near Russell Road, in unit 500-E.