Old computers and other pieces of equipment eventually get replaced by most every college.
So where does the old technology end up? At Salt Lake Community College, the Surplus Department accepts surplus college property and resells it to the public. Surplus offers a variety of chairs, tables, desks and more to decorate and design rooms for students, business owners and the general public.
SLCC student Graeme Colby, who has been working at the surplus distribution center for over two weeks, describes the common reason for people to come: prices.
Surplus shoppers will find value at every turn: every mouse in the bin is a dollar. An older, but good quality, camera will cost about $30. A microwave that could easily cost $60 to $70 is listed for only $35.
Colby also says anyone who purchases a computer through SLCC Surplus will receive a free keyboard and mouse of their choice, and monitors also come with any required cables.
In addition to recovering costs with surplus sales, the department will also store equipment for later use. If a new part of a building needs to be furnished, the center can just distribute it back out to the campus that needs it.
Lost and found items are held for 90 days; after that it becomes SLCC’s property to donate, sell or dispose of as it sees fit.
Surplus can get anywhere from upwards of 40 to 70 computers to pick up and hold. Bigger items like couches, car jacks, exercise equipment and computers are put into auction.
They will only sell those items as a set mostly for business owners. Colby says that most of the people coming in are from the public and not students.
“This guy just came in, he was starting a cabinet company and wanted to make a break room,” Colby says.
SLCC stores the items at its central receiving warehouse at 2675 South 900 West in Salt Lake City. Sales occur weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the Surplus Department for more information.
