Shh... It's a Secret
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The Michigan State University Surplus Store would like to tell you all about University Surplus Stores throughout the country and the great things they have to offer. Learn about the types of items that are sold, why they get sold, how they are sold and where to buy them. You'll even get tips on how to negotiate lower prices from the people who price and sell the stuff! What Exactly is a University Surplus Store?
University Surplus Stores are responsible for the disposition of university owned property. That's a fancy way of saying they have big garages sales that can sell anything and everything imaginable.How big? Michigan State University for example, sits on 5200 acres, with an additional 15,000 acres spread across the state of Michigan. It has over 45,000 students, 10,000 faculty, academic and support staff. It has its own power plant, police force and hotel. There are academic facilities, labs, residence halls, kitchens, farms, athletic stadiums, museums and libraries. It is basically a small city. Everything used throughout these areas is disposed of through the MSU Surplus Store. Over 2,000 items are sold per week for annual sales of about $2 million.
What's this "Secret" business all about?
Most University Surplus Stores do little to no advertising. They generally have abnormal business hours. Their warehouses are often tucked away in remote corners of campuses. Inventory is always changing, so first time customers may not see anything they like and leave, not knowing that different inventory will be for sale the next day. They are an afterthought for many institutions.There are small pockets of customers for each University Surplus Store that knows they exist. They know all about the bargains waiting for them as they line up half an hour before store opening to get first crack the day's new treasures.
If you take away just one thing
For many people it is all about saving money, but it's so much more important than that. You can reuse almost anything and it is an essential component to creating a sustainable world. It keeps items out of the landfill, preserves energy, reduces the strain on non-renewable resources and reduces pollution. For those of you who are creative enough it can even generate income.
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Links to University Surplus Store news stories.
Find a University Surplus Store near you.
Great Stuff on ProStores from the MSU Surplus Store.
NEW: 10inch 0H9361 DMS 59Pin Male to Dual DVI Cable Female All items are offered for sale on a "AS-IS" basis with no warranty or guarantee. All sales are final, and there are no returns.
Price: $9.99 (as of 11/09/2009)
Product URL: http://www.msusurplusstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=1376
10/100 Network PC Card with integrated connector Xircom New, sealed in box. 802.3 10 Mbps Ethernet 802.3U 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Compatible with Windows 95 and newer. Shipping: Shipping information will be provided at checkout. Local Pickup is available for no extra charge, please refer to our eBay Local Pick up Instructions. All items are offered for sale on a "AS-IS" basis with no warranty or guarantee. All sales are final, and there are no returns.
Price: $3.99 (as of 11/09/2009)
Product URL: http://www.msusurplusstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=110
Product Details Product: 1950s Michigan State College Collectors Creamer/Pitcher Description: Used Michigan State College collectors creamer/pitcher. Logo is only on one side of the item, and the handel also has a green stripe that runs the length of it. Item stands at 4 1/4 inches at its highest point and approximately 2 1/2 inches wide. Manufactured by Shenango China New Castle, PA. Based on markings on the creamer we estimate that the items were manufactured during the early 1950s. We believe these items were once used in the MSU Union cafeteria. Condition: USED but in good cosmetic condition. Items may have scratches, scuffs, nicks, dings, or chips. Logos are in great shape and still very visible. See inset photo for details on the logo.
Price: $25.00 (as of 11/09/2009)
Product URL: http://www.msusurplusstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=2494
Product Details Title: Altec Lansing Loud speakers Description: Altec Lansing music/ instrument loud speaker. Equipped with 1 ER-12s speaker and 1 Mantaray horn. Condition: USED in good cosmetic condition. Some minor scratches to the speaker case. All horns and cones are "like new". Units are sold "as is" and untested.
Price: $125.00 (as of 11/09/2009)
Product URL: http://www.msusurplusstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=2453
USED: Avocent DS1800. This unit powers on but we do not have the proper equipment to test it. This is for the unit only we do not have any cables to go with it. This unit is sold as UNTESTED. The DS1800 KVM over IP switch is an 8-port system that provides digital remote access and control of multi-platform and multi-location servers – all from one monitor screen. Local Pickup is available for no extra charge, please refer to our Local Pick up Instructions. We are unable to ship items internationally. All items are offered for sale on a "AS-IS" basis with no warranty or guarantee. All sales are final, and there are no returns.
Price: $75.00 (as of 11/09/2009)
Product URL: http://www.msusurplusstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=1425
Michigan State University Surplus Store on eBay.
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Check out the latest blog postings to find out what's happening with the MSU Surplus Store. View Twitter updates, watch video, find links to important sites, see what's for sale and view construction progress of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Facility.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHow to get a better deal at the MSU Surplus Store
Have you ever had a garage sale? If you have, someone has inevitably approached you with an offer of $.25 for an item marked at $.50. If you are like me, you politely turn away, roll your eyes, turn back and say "sure." The MSU Surplus Store doesn't quite work that way. We have a fiduciary responsibility to students of MSU and the State of Michigan to attain maximum value for their financial investment into the items we sell. This doesn't mean we can't discount prices, or offer incentives to purchase an item. There are a variety of factors that go into our pricing, and after a time of not selling most prices can be adjusted. Here are 9 tips on how to make a deal at the MSU Surplus Store:1. Never ask for more than half off.
2. Give it a week. Items are almost never discounted on the first day.
3. Come prepared. Offer to take large items with you. We would rather not move and store large sold items.
4. Wait until the end of the day to ask for a deal.
5. Buy things in bulk. In most cases, there is a 20% discount if you buy 5 or more like items.
6. Don't disparage the item. Asking the sales person for a deal because the item is "junk" is not effective.
7. Be sincere. Don't exaggerate details about how long an item has been for sale, or claim you are the only person in the world who would ever buy it.
8. Know what the item is worth. We look up values for a lot of our items through a variety of resources. Since we do not test most items, in many cases our prices are comparably lower. Sometimes the asking price is already a great deal.
9. Watch for upcoming events. Large event sales, like bike sales, mean we need to move inventory fast in order to make room.
Reader Feedback
Ruth wrote
Awesome!! Can I post on the USPA list serve?
Posted March 04, 2009
Links to University Surplus Store web sites.
- Lion Surplus
- Penn State University
- SWAP (Surplus With A Purpose)
- University of Wisconsin
- Surplus Property
- Arizona State University
- University Surplus
- University of Iowa
- ISU Surplus
- Iowa State University
- Surplus Property
- Colorado State University
- Surplus Property
- Oregon State University
- Surplus Property Sales
- Stanford University
- Moving & Surplus
- University of Washington
- Property Disposition
- University of Michigan
- Surplus Property
- University of Missouri
- Public Surplus Store
- University of Connecticut
- Surplus and Material Services
- Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
- Surplus Equipment Department
- University of Cincinnati
- Warehousing and Surplus Disposal
- Purdue University
- Surplus Property
- University of Pittsburgh
- Surplus Warehouse
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Surplus Property Office
- University of Arizona
- Surplus Depot
- University of Wyoming
- University Surplus and Salvage
- University of Utah
- Central Surplus Program
- Princeton University
- Excess Property
- Syracuse University
- BYU Surplus
- Brigham Young University
- Surplus Stores
- Washington State University
- Gonzaga University Surplus
- Gonzaga University
- IU Surplus Stores
- Indiana University
- Administrative Services Surplus Store
- Lansing Community College
- Surplus Sales
- Central Michigan University
- NCSU Surplus Property
- North Carolina State university
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