End of Surplus?

[tom ponsford]

Hi All!

Joe R. wrote:

>   A couple of days ago several people were discussing their problems with
>a couple of DG Novas. I mentioned that I had just seen one in a scrap yard
>and a couple of people asked me to check on getting it for parts. I went
>back there today and the Nova was still there and it looks complete.
>HOWEVER the owner of the yard informed me that he is no longer selling ANY
>surplus to anybody for any reason. I talked to him and found out that the
>US Government is now requiring all surplus and scrap dealers to keep
>DETAILED records of EVERY piece of equipment that they sell!
>
This is not entirely correct. It only applies to surplus from U.S. 
Government
contracts, or is funded by U.S Government.

I frequently buy a lot of surplus from the University of Arizona. They 
knew of
these restrictions several months ago. However the University deems it 
only applies
 to surplus/salvage from U.S. Governent contracts, as the U of A 
recieves a majority
of its funding from the State of Arizona. a majority of it's surplus is 
sold w/o any
such restrictions.

Let me point out that the University has, for a very long time, had a 
very accurate
inventory control system. All inventory is tracked through out the 
university,
and even at the surplus sales level, there is a final "check-off" as we 
load the stuff
into our cars.

The University continue to dispose of surplus equipment from U.S. Gov. 
contracts,
 the equipment deemed to have a "nefarious" value like lets say a 
poweful laser,
are usually sold dismantled, AND with an affifdavit by the buyer that is
not to be sold/exported out of the U.S.

I also have bought items from the various military bases here in Arizona 
through
thier surplus property auctions, They too, follow the same routines as 
the U of A.

Remember, surplus and salvage dealers BUY the items from the various 
goverment/private
 businesses. These businesses have to follow the same rules as ther 
salvage agent.
They would not be selling it to him as salvage, had they felt the 
requirements
were too draconian.


> Furthermore they must ensure that NONE of it goes overseas. 
>


Not true also, there are no provisions in any Homeland Security act that 
specifically
prohibit any surplus/obsolete equipment from beind sold overseas.
There are specific prohibitions under the Dept of Commerce and now Homeland
Security  for certain classes of computer/scientific equipment sales.
They have been more detailed than previous to 9/11. But there is no 
blanket restriction.

    As you can imagine there's no way that a scrap yard owner can handle 
the massive amounts
   of paperwork that would be involved and there is absolutely no way to 
ensure that none
   of it goes

There isn't a "massive amount of papework" just a few affidavits. I 
suspect he's just too lazy to find out for himself.

> this is coming from the Department of
>Homeland Security and has something to do with 9/11. (Have you noticed that
>every new, rediculous requirement is in response to 9/11?) 
>

Yes, the Department of Homeland Security is a hotbed of officious twits, 
(going up the whole
chain of command) and have overreacted to the 9/11 events with alarming 
alacrity, but that's
what this administration does best: Scare the pant's off you, impose 
ill-concieved measures
that not only don't percieve the problem but in effect, add to it.
But they are especillay fond at taking advantage of peoples ignorance/or 
indifference.
You scrap dealers is one such person.

>This is a requirement of the US Government but the owner says that a number of
>independent companies are also giving him the same requirement. 
>

Probably not, unless they are selling high tech equipment from U.S. old 
government contracts
to be bought by overseas buyers.

>However he says that it's not worth the trouble to try and keep the
>government/non-government stuff separate, he's just going to destroy
>everything! If this is as drastic as it sounds then I think we've seen the
>end of surplus forever!
>  
>

Most likely he will be out of business soon. Hopefully replaced  by 
people who are
not scared and can most likely read.

>   Any thoughts on this?
>
>   Joe
>
>  
>
I bough several items within the last month, that were all part of 
obsolete/surplus equipment that came from
U.S. Government products. First at the U of A, and then from 
Davis-Montham Air base and from Ft Huachuca.

All U.S. surplus including military surplus...and no problems, and 
furthermore were not told of any
draconian measures or the ending of these surplus auctions.

Allthough I wouldn't doubt for a minute these types of meausures could 
be taken, and especially
from this administration. I suspect your scrap dealer really doesn't 
understand the requirements.




Cheers

Tom

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