FlipBirmingham's auction market is built around industry and estates: Jefferson County posts surplus on Public Surplus, IAA has a branch in Bessemer, and Copart operates in Hueytown, all on the west side of the metro. Local auction firms also sell vehicles, firearms and industrial equipment along with household estates.
Every link below was checked in October 2026. FlipTheBid is not affiliated with these agencies or companies. Listings change, so confirm terms on each site.
Where to buy at auction in Birmingham
Government surplus
- Public Surplus: Jefferson County Commission: Jefferson County's Public Surplus page. Listings come and go, so check back.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Birmingham branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 1600 Highway 150, Bessemer. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Birmingham (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Hueytown. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Storage unit auctions
- StorageTreasures: Birmingham storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Birmingham. Save a search to get alerts on new units.
Related: Storage unit auctions in our directory · How Storage Unit Auctions Work
Estate sales and local auction houses
- Heritage Realty & Auction: Trussville auction company selling estates, vehicles, firearms and industrial equipment.
- EstateSales.net: Birmingham estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Birmingham area, with photos, addresses and the company running each sale.
Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay
Alabama rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Alabama's state sales tax is 4%, but local taxes push combined rates higher in most cities. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Alabama Department of Revenue. Licensed retailers can generally buy inventory for resale without paying sales tax if they provide the documentation the seller requires. Government auctions may still charge tax unless you provide the paperwork they ask for.
- Vehicles: titles and taxes. Make sure you get a properly assigned title (or the documents the auction specifies). Sales tax on vehicles is collected by your county licensing official when you title and register. See ALDOR motor vehicle. Title and register through the state motor vehicle agency. Salvage-branded vehicles need extra steps before they can be driven on the road again.
- Storage auctions. Facilities must follow the state's notice and advertising rules before a lien sale, and tenants can often pay and pull a unit right up to the sale.
- Buying across state lines. The selling state's tax and pickup rules usually apply at the time of sale.
More statewide sources are on our Alabama auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
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- Pirate Ship: Free shipping-label software with discounted USPS and UPS rates. No subscription.
- uShip: Marketplace for shipping furniture, equipment and vehicles.
- Montway Auto Transport: Door-to-door car shipping quotes.
- Neighbor: Rent garages and spare space from locals, often cheaper than a storage unit. You can also list your own space.
- SpareFoot: Compare and reserve self-storage units near you.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Jefferson County sell surplus online?
- Yes. Jefferson County has a Public Surplus page, and it has also sold on GovDeals.
- Where are the salvage auctions near Birmingham?
- IAA's Birmingham branch is in Bessemer and Copart's Birmingham yard is in Hueytown.
- Are there auction companies near Birmingham?
- Yes. Heritage Realty & Auction in Trussville is one example. AuctionZip lists others.