FlipCuyahoga County still runs public auctions of surplus county equipment, with inspection days before each sale and payment by certified funds, which keeps competition lower than pure online auctions. Northeast Ohio also has an IAA branch in Lorain, a Copart yard east of the city and a busy estate-sale scene.
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 Cleveland
Government surplus
- Cuyahoga County: disposal of surplus county property: Official page for the county's public auctions of surplus equipment, with payment terms, inspection days and how to subscribe for notices.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Cleveland branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 7437 Deer Trail Ln., Lorain. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Cleveland East (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in east of Cleveland. 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: Cleveland storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Cleveland. 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
- NEO Estate Sales & Online Auctions: Northeast Ohio estate sale and online auction company (Chardon).
- EstateSales.net: Cleveland estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Cleveland 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
Ohio rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Ohio's state sales tax is 5.75%, plus county taxes. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Ohio Department of Revenue. With a vendor's license, you can give qualifying sellers an exemption certificate for items bought for resale. 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 generally paid when you title the vehicle at a county clerk of courts title office; registration is through the BMV. 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 Ohio auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
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- 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 Cuyahoga County hold surplus auctions?
- Yes. The Department of Purchasing holds public auctions of surplus county equipment. Payment is by cashier's check, certified check or money order.
- Can I inspect county surplus before bidding?
- The county encourages bidders to attend the public inspection day held before each auction.
- Where are salvage auctions near Cleveland?
- IAA's Cleveland branch is in Lorain, and Copart has a Cleveland East yard.