Latest news with #GregBerry
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
"eBay for government" helps agencies and schools auction off property, Municibid founder says
A little slice of land in Ambridge Borough could be yours at a steep discount, and all the proceeds will benefit the local community. "We're like an eBay for government," said Greg Berry, CEO and founder of online government auction site Municibid. Berry says his company helps local governments auction off anything, from parcels of land and old desks to school buses and riding mowers. So far, about 7,000 local governments and schools use the online site to sell unneeded items to the public. The latest listing in Ambridge consists of a nearly 4,000-square-foot parcel of land along Glenwood Drive. Twenty-two bids have already been placed at just over $5,000. "A lot of times, smaller towns, and larger ones, have excess land or land that they've come into own in some form, and they don't have a need for it and they're looking to sell it," said Berry. He said maybe in this case, a neighbor wants to expand or a new park could pop up in the space. Berry says governments sell just about everything on his site. "While it's typically vehicles and heavy equipment and tools and land and things that you might expect the government to have and no longer need, it could be anything, such as sailboats and airplanes and jewelry and electric guitars," Berry said. Municibid allows consumers to sort and shop by state, borough or category. And when a winner scores a deal, here's how the costs break down. "When the auction closes and there's a winning bidder, the winning bidder pays us 9% of the winning bid amount, and then they pay 100% of the bid amount to the selling agency," Berry said. Gone are the days of going to the town hall to fill out a sealed bid. Berry told KDKA he used to work as a borough councilor and found that process far from transparent. "No one knew what the governments were selling, and if they did, the process was super inconvenient and intimidating and just wasn't very easy," said Berry. Besides the Ambridge property, KDKA found a lot of items up for grabs in the Pittsburgh area, including an ATV in Mt. Lebanon, a 2020 Ford Explorer in Castle Shannon, a Ford Crown Victoria police car in New Castle, and golf carts in Greensburg. Berry told KDKA some parents snag their teenagers' first car on the site, or business owners land some needed equipment at a fraction of the price.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Old pumper fire truck on auction block
BESSEMER, Pa. (WKBN) – Bessemer is selling an old fire truck, one that carries plenty of history since 1981. It's a Chevrolet 1-ton mini pumper fire truck with a Pierce Bed. There are more specifics for the gearheads, but one thing really stands out. 'The mileage is pretty low for a 1981. I think there's 10,000 miles on it, which doesn't paint the whole picture, but it's pretty low miles for that old of a vehicle,' said Greg Berry, founder of Municibid, the agency handling the auction for the mini pumper. Municibid gives exposure for auctions like this and it costs the borough nothing. The buyer pays a 9% premium to the website after winning. The truck was made for the North Canton Fire Department. It also served with Mahoning Township, before becoming Rescue 404 for Bessemer in 2022. 'Motor vehicle accidents, rescue, stuff like that as well as cross truck so it can be pumped and driven at the same time,' said Bessemer Assistant Fire Chief Griffin Holtom. The truck has served during many emergencies and was out on the night of the East Palestine train derailment. The truck comes with red lights — it runs and is driveable. 'I'm kind of sorry to see it go because there's a special place in my heart for Chevy square bodies, and especially '81. It's got the 454 in it so it's got a special place in my heart,' Holtom said. The Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department has outgrown the vehicle. It could become a parade vehicle, or be desired for someone in an industrial environment. That's up to the buyer. The auction ends at 6 p.m. Tuesday. 'I love to see the final action in the final minutes when the heat is on,' Berry said. 'I've been kind of checking it two, three times a day to if there is any interest in it, if there isn't, and where it will be going in the future,' Holtom said. The truck has one key for the door and one for the ignition. The bid is over $9,000 already. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
