FlipAustin is home to the Texas State Surplus Store, where the public can walk in and buy state agency surplus, and the Texas Facilities Commission also runs online auctions for TxDOT vehicles and equipment. Central Texas has two IAA branches and a Copart yard, and the fast-growing metro produces lots of moving and estate sales.
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 Austin
Government surplus
- Texas Facilities Commission: State Surplus Store: Retail surplus store in Austin open to the public, plus online auctions on Public Surplus and GovDeals for vehicles, TxDOT equipment and items outside Austin.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Austin branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 2191 Highway 21 West, Dale. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- IAA Austin North branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 23010 Firefly Rd, Florence. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Austin (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in the Austin area. 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: Austin storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Austin. 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
- EstateSales.net: Austin estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Austin 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
Texas rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. The state sales tax rate is 6.25%, and local taxes can add up to 2% more. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Texas Department of Revenue. Permit holders can give qualifying sellers a Texas resale certificate (Form 01-339). 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). Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax, generally paid when you title the vehicle at your county tax assessor-collector's office. 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 Texas 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
- Can I shop the Texas State Surplus Store in person?
- Yes. The Texas Facilities Commission runs a retail surplus store in Austin that is open to the public. Check the TFC site for hours.
- Where are TxDOT vehicles sold?
- Through Texas Facilities Commission online auctions on Public Surplus and GovDeals.
- Is there a salvage yard auction near Austin?
- IAA has branches in Dale and Florence, and Copart has an Austin-area yard.