The city of Salisbury has found success ó and cost savings ó in auctioning its surplus vehicles on eBay.
Purchasing Manager Dewey Peck reported that the city had eBay sales of $107,114 between July 1, 2008, and May 1.
Of that money, $88,918 went to the city’s general fund, $9,541 to Salisbury-Rowan Utilities and $8,655 to Salisbury Transit.
The city sold, for example, a dozen Ford Crown Victorias used as police cars, two 1996 Ford E-Super Duty buses from the transit system and various trucks and tractors from other departments.
Peck told Salisbury City Council Tuesday that eBay sales cost the city 3.2 percent, compared to 8 to 9 percent using an auctioneer and an annual auction to dispose of surplus items.
“The use of electronic sales has increased the amount the city actually realizes by more than 25 percent,” Peck reported.