May 31, 2003
Psst! Hey Bud, Wanna Buy a Beech King Air 200?
I have no idea if this was in The Oregonian today or will be tomorrow, since I didn't get the chance to actually see the print edition today, but here's a look at another example of Oregon trendsetting:
Since 1998, Oregon has used eBay to auction off all kinds of things ? from cars confiscated from drug dealers to surplus office equipment.
The auctions -- which grossed $7.3 million in sales in 2002 -- are considered such a success that the federal government and the city of Lynchburg, Va., have enlisted Oregon's help in selling off marketable stuff.
...
Oregon was the first state to sell goods on eBay, an Internet auction site with over 60 million viewers. Gross sales for the state office that runs the auctions -- Oregon Surplus Property -- went up by 250 percent the first year, and Oregon became a model for other states.
Yes, I know they call it Oregon Surplus Property, but their website refers to it at the State Property Program of the Department of Administrative Services.
In addition to this article's rundown of available surplus material ("Swiss army knives, nail filers and tweezers," "bicycles, computers, office chairs, skateboards, chain saws, water skis, horse saddles, long underwear and belt buckles," "Cameros, motor homes and BMW motorcycles"), the State Property Program website currently lists as it's featured sales a Carl's Jr. and an IHOP (both in Medford), and, of course, a Beech King Air 200.