If you’re thinking about buying or selling a car, pickup truck, boat, recreational vehicle, motorcycle or just a trailer, consider Fort Stewart’s privately owned vehicle resale lot, or as it’s more commonly known, the “lemon lot.”

According to Bryan Benninghoff, auto craft facility manager for Stewart’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate, the POV resale lot allows active-duty or retired soldiers, family members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors to buy or sell a vehicle without the hassle of storeroom negotiations.

“Not that long ago, it was suggested that we close the lot,” Benninghoff said. “It was too popular though. (Soldiers, retirees, family members, DOD civilians and contractors) wouldn’t let us do away with it. I mean, we get calls all the time from soldiers and civilians asking, ‘What ya got on the lemon lot lately?’

“Some cars — and especially motorcycles — are gone in two or three days (from when they’re put on the lot). Boats and RVs sometimes stay there a while, though.”

Benninghoff said the lot recently was moved from its location near the Fort Stewart Fire Department and Winn Army Community Hospital where a new child-development center is being built. The lot’s new location is near Frank Cochran Drive and McFarland Avenue. It’s more visible now, he said, which helps buyers and sellers.

Benninghoff said anyone can look at the vehicles on the POV resale lot, but to leave one for show and sale, interested parties must come by the Libby Auto Craft Center, building 1503, at 929 W. 6th St. Sellers should bring a military or DOD identification card, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

A registration form is completed with one copy staying with his office and another visibly posted on the vehicle. The registration is good for 30 days, and then it must be renewed. The fee for registering and leaving a vehicle on the lot is $5 for motorcycles, $10 for cars and pickups and $15 for boats and RVs.

Benninghoff admitted there was some concern in the past that people were simply using the lot as an inexpensive place to store recreational vehicles too large for their driveway.

“There’s a lot more involvement now with (Directorate of Emergency Services), who regularly check the lot to ensure all vehicles have the registration form and it’s current,” Benninghoff explained. “We don’t always get told when a vehicle is sold. We ask them to let us know, but they don’t always do that. We’re trying to do better with controlling the lot now that we have a new clerk hired to update our files — to keep up with what’s there, what needs to be re-stamped and what’s delinquent.”

Benninghoff said he also is looking into new ways to help sellers advertise what’s on the lot, to include providing a link about it through FMWR’s website, www.stewartmwr.com.