The Canadian government's surplus auction site carries items ranging from a mass spectrometer to a police car, all available for sale because the government seized them or they aren't needed anymore.

Furniture – Desks, chairs, cabinets and office supplies Real Estate – Surplus federal buildings, land and residential properties Bidders can browse items by category, location or auction status.

In the world of secondhand stuff, government surplus is still the gold standard. It's also at the heart of a thriving resale business that stretches around the world.

In the market for a slightly used RCMP vehicle? Or maybe your needs run more to something in the order of a 2,300 kilogram-capacity forklift? On the other hand, perhaps an opal ring or a designer bag ...