I am in the market for a safe... Does anyone have any opinions about this model, or have any good alternatives? I haven't had much luck finding any best-bang-for-the-buck-safes type reviews. I don't think I want to spend more than $200-$300.
I don't have any information on the SafeSentry CSW3460 but, if you don't need the safe immediately, can suggest an inexpensive alternative. The Government has at least two ways of selling its surplus personal property:
1) The Defense Reutilization & Marketing Service (https://www.drms.dla.mil/) - The DRMS mission is to "provide the DOD's best value services and deliver great performance to our customers for the reuse, transfer, donation,
sale or disposal of excess/surplus property." The DRMS used to conduct fixed price (Cash and Carry) sales but I believe all sales now are through sealed bids. DRMS has a searchable database that is updated nightly and contains over 600,000 items. There is a Defense Reutilization & Marketing Office (DRMO) at Ft. Drum, NY and they have a sales office (https://www.drms.dla.mil/drmo/drum.shtml)
2) GSA Surplus Personal Property Sales (http://www.surplussales.gsa.gov/) - GSA handles sales of Federal surplus property from other than DoD agencies. They offer live auction,
fixed price, drop-by, negotiated, sealed bid, and spot bid sales. For information about upcoming sales in New York, contact Personal Property Sales, U.S. General Services Administration, Room 20-112, Box 10 (2FBP), 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278, (212) 264-2626.
Here are a couple of examples I have found:
- Government Security Containers (Class 3 Cabinet) - I bought three 5-drawer "safes" made by the Mosler Safe Company at the (now closed) Ft. Belvoir, VA DRMO. At the time, Ft. Belvoir had fixed price sales every Tuesday morning and I bought them for $35 each. These are great for storing your records but stand about 5' high and weigh several hundred pounds so bring your truck if you find one. BTW, the Military requires all turned-in security containers to be set to a "standard combination" but make sure it is and you can open it, otherwise it will cost big bucks to get a safe company drill it open and replace the combination lock.
- 40U 19" Electronics Cabinet - I bought this rack for $45 at a GSA Warehouse fixed price sale in Springfield, VA.
As I said above, if you don't need something immediately, the Government surplus sales programs provide a good way to get used, but still very servicible equipment -- and at a very good price. Check to see if there is a sales office near you and then peruse their on-line catalogs to see if they have the things you need.