,,, I could build an empire with that surplus stuff.
You wish. Most of the stuff is just plain junk. I think that the government has a policy of once an item is declared obsolete or beyond economical repar or they just want to sell it, that it must stand out in the weather for at least 3 years bvefore it is sold.
And people who bid on it are insane! I watched people bid $175 for obsolete PDA's that were selling on ebay for $60!