Thursday, December 2, 2010

Living Happily on a Shoestring: The Best Kept Secret of DC Bargain Shopping!

by Christine Wilkinson

My printer died yesterday, and I'm already utterly lost without it (can't print my Harris Teeter shopping list, nor my coupons!). When I mentioned that we needed a new printer to my husband, who is an education technology consultant, he casually suggested I try shopping at www.rasmus.com.

When he explained what it was, I felt slightly betrayed that he hadn't shared this amazing find with me sooner. Let me explain the site. Rasmus Auctioneers is an online auction site for businesses of all kinds, from restaurants to gyms to upscale furniture stores, which have folded and need to liquidate their assets (quickly and cheaply, I must add). Most are local, and if your bid "wins" the item, you must pick it up yourself.

This more thorough description is from the company’s website:

“Rasmus is one of a handful of liquidators who has combined the benefits of traditional liquidation techniques with the power of the internet to create a liquidation model which is fast, affordable, flexible, efficient and astoundingly effective. R.L. Rasmus Auctioneers, Inc. is one of the top internet-only auction sites in terms of traffic, registered bidders, e-newsletter subscriptions, hits, visitors, sales per year and items sold.

Unlike eBay or CraigsList, which sell a single item to a single buyer, rasmus.com is an event based liquidation site. Each event has a location, scheduled preview, closing and removal. Each event sells many assets to many buyers.”

Here’s how it works. Go to the company’s website. I did this morning and here are just a few of the auctions presented:

Since I am looking for a new printer, I immediately went to:

DynaCorp - PC's Laptops Projectors Monitors Cameras AV IT Switchgear Auction Virginia; 4301 Henninger Court, Chantilly, VA 20151. In addition to printers I found a ton of desk and laptop computers for truly rock-bottom prices.

First, you have to register. Then click on the auction that interests you. (Remember, unlike Craigslist, they're selling multiple items, sometimes hundreds), then on the icon that says “Watch”. Once there, you can look at subcategories. I chose “color printers” and found seven amazing products.

Want an idea of other companies currently auctioning their goods? Read on....

A. Urgent Short Notice! Pizza Restaurant Equipment Liquidation Washington DC Auction; 1438 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007. Online now! Internet Only Bidding starts closing at 11:07 AM Monday December 6th.

Began: Monday, November 29, 2010 at 1:56 PM EST, ends: Monday, December 06, 2010 at 11:07 AM EST

A DC pizza restaurant is changing concept and will liquidate quality pizza equip at internet only auction. Include Bakers Pride GS-802 Deck oven, refrigeration, pizza display, dessert display, cappuccino machine, Online Now! M665

B. New Catering Cafe Sterling Va.Sterling, VA 22165 Online now! Internet Only Bidding starts closing at 11:07AM December 6th.

Began: Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 4:52 PM EST, ends: Monday, December 06, 2010 at 4:00 PM EST.

Newly opened cafe catering business has closed due to health and will make a complete liquidation of like new equipment by internet auction. Online Now! M648

C. DynaCorp - PC's Laptops Projectors Monitors Cameras AV IT Switchgear Auction Virginia, 4301 Henninger Court, Chantilly, VA Online now! Internet Only Bidding Starts Closing Tuesday December 7th at 11:07 AM.

Began: Friday, November 26, 2010 at 8:48 AM EST, ends: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 at 11:07 AM EST.

DynaCorp, a VA area technology sales and leasing company is liquidating its excess projectors, PC's, office and business equipment!

D. Designer Home Furnishings Showroom Auction Virginia, Northern, VA. Internet Only Bidding starts closing at 11:07 AM Wednesday December 15th.

Began: Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 8:27 AM EST, ends: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 11:07 AM EST.

An area design firm is changing its business model to custom orders only and will make a complete liquidation of its high end designer home furnishings showroom. Items post for internet only bidding this week.

I highly recommended checking this site out. If you're a bargain shopper, it's akin to hitting the mother-load. It is truly so much fun.

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