FlipKnoxville sells city surplus on GovDeals, from fleet vehicles to furniture and computers, and holds periodic vehicle auctions. East Tennessee also has a strong tradition of family auction companies handling estates, farms and real estate, plus an IAA branch in town and a Copart yard south in Madisonville.
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 Knoxville
Government surplus
- City of Knoxville: city surplus: Official page. The city sells surplus property (vehicles, furniture, tools, computers) online through GovDeals.
- City of Knoxville: vehicle auctions: Fleet Services page with city vehicle auction dates and details.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Knoxville branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 4 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy., Knoxville. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Knoxville (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Madisonville, south of Knoxville. 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: Knoxville storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Knoxville. 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
- Powell Auction & Realty: Knoxville auction and realty firm handling estate settlement and personal-property and real estate auctions.
- JD's Realty & Auctions: East Tennessee auction company (Clinton/Knoxville area) handling estates and real estate.
- EstateSales.net: Knoxville estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Knoxville 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
Tennessee rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Tennessee's state sales tax is 7%, plus local tax in most areas, so combined rates are among the highest in the country. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Registered dealers can use a resale certificate with qualifying sellers. 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 collected by the county clerk when you title and register. See the TN title and registration pages. 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 Tennessee auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
Some of these are affiliate links; see our disclosure.
- 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
- Where does the City of Knoxville sell surplus?
- On GovDeals. The city's surplus page and Fleet Services vehicle auction page have details.
- Is there a salvage yard auction near Knoxville?
- IAA has a Knoxville branch on Governor John Sevier Hwy., and Copart's Knoxville yard is in Madisonville.
- Are estate auctions common in East Tennessee?
- Yes. Local firms such as Powell Auction & Realty and JD's Realty & Auctions run estate, personal-property and real estate auctions.