FlipColumbus is home base for Ohio's state surplus program, with inventory viewable by appointment on Surface Road, and the City of Columbus also lists surplus on GovDeals. IAA's Columbus branch is in Grove City and Copart has a yard on the south side. Central Ohio estate auction companies run sales most weeks.
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 Columbus
Government surplus
- Ohio DAS: State and Federal Surplus Services: Official state page. Ohio state surplus, including vehicles, is sold to the public through GovDeals; inventory can be viewed in Columbus by appointment.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Columbus branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 1601 Thrailkill Road, Grove City. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Columbus (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in south Columbus. 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: Columbus storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Columbus. 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
- Urban Online Auctions & Estate Sales: Columbus online auction and estate sale company.
- Columbus Ohio Auctions (Michael Hoffman): Columbus-area auction listings from Hoffman Auctions.
- EstateSales.net: Columbus estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Columbus 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.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I view Ohio state surplus in Columbus?
- Yes, by appointment at the state surplus location listed on the DAS page. Bidding is on GovDeals.
- Where is the salvage yard auction near Columbus?
- IAA's Columbus branch is in Grove City; Copart has a south Columbus yard.
- Does the City of Columbus sell surplus?
- Yes, through GovDeals.