10:16 AM CST on Monday, February 9, 2004

It seems everyone is bidding online and finding great deals.

And now the government is getting into the act, putting all kinds of items up for bid. Jewelry, cars, homes: they're all on the auction block, and just a click away, at the 'government e-goods' up for grabs!

"I've bought about 200 items, maybe more. This is one of my better deals. It's a Longines men's watch, 14 karat gold.”

Also Online www.firstgov.gov www.stealitback.com government-auctions-guide.com www.government-auctions.com www.auctionspass.com www.bid4assets.com

Karen Lenahan paid just $60, but not on eBay. Like more and more savvy shoppers, Karen is checking out government e-auctions, where police departments, cities and towns, even federal agencies, put items up for bid!

Casey Coleman is with first-gov.gov, the government's central auction site. It features goods from the IRS, Department of Defense, U.S. Marshal Service and other agencies.

What's up for grabs? Just about everything!

"Personal property, real estate, used automobiles, boats or recreational vehicles, time shares,” Coleman says.

There are dozens of other e-auction sites that offer government goods.

Tom Lane runs StealItBack.com, an e-auction site that sells confiscated or unclaimed items from police departments across the country.

"This 1906 doll, I paid $10 for her and she's worth about $1300. This is my Nieman-Marcus jacket. It's $279, still with the price tag attached. I paid $40,” Lenahan says.

She's also nabbed rings, watches, camcorders and cameras.

Lenahan may not realize it, but all her shopping is actually patriotic, according to Casey Coleman.

"Auctions are a good deal for the taxpayer, because not only does it raise money that can be used in place of tax dollars, but also takes those items off our rolls so we no longer have to pay for the upkeep and maintenance on them."

That may be, but for Karen, it's all about the bargain!

"I love it. Nobody can deny a good deal and it's a steal at times."

The property bureau runs an e-auction site called www.stealitback.com. The site auctions items from police and sheriff departments in 23 states across the country. People can bid on everything from bicycles to diamond rings to power tools.

Lane says government e-auctions are taking off. He says it's a win-win situation, raising money for cash-strapped municipalities while giving consumers great bargains

Although there are no overall numbers as to how much money is made annually through government e-auctions, the general services administration says more and more agencies are using web auctions, and that trend that is expected to continue.

Web story produced by Jay Ditzer.