Salt Lake Community College offers a surplus store that many students are unaware of.
Surplus is when college property such as furniture, appliances, electronics, and vehicles are resold to the public in order to maintain a value that the college, state, and federal policies require.
Loren Safford, the surplus supervisor at SLCC, states that it is Utah State Law for the items to be held fifteen calendar days before they are available to be purchased by the public.
You never know what you will find in a surplus store, which is part of the fun. Whether you like DIY projects or need to furnish your apartment, everything is affordable. Sometimes, it’s even cheaper than thrifting, and the items are usually in good condition.
Electronics are one of the many items that are usually a good deal, since old lab computers and laptops are usually re-sold in surplus.
If you are a student who needs a new computer for school, it may be worth your while to check out the warehouse and see what is available. Safford states that SLCC students receive a 20% discount on all computers and laptops, and faculty receives a 10% discount.
“We have two men at the warehouse who work diligently to wipe the hard drives clean from the computers so they are to be used by students,” Safford says.
If you are unable to see the products in the warehouse, SLCC Surplus offers an online auction that is open to the public. You can bid on many different items and then pick it up from the warehouse. Some items that are listed currently include 3D printers, ice machines and drafting tables.
If you can’t find something at SLCC, the University of Utah has its own surplus property to sell.
University Surplus & Salvage operates a three-story building that is filled with all types of items such as couches, dining tables, bed frames and more. The warehouse is always receiving new product, so it is best to check often if you are looking for a particular item.
The U. offers their items first to government officials and public education institutions, then to the public.
“Buying and reselling surplus is important because we ensure to properly handle the items and recycle what we can’t sell. If something is still sellable, we try our best to resell it,” says Mike Gordon, the manager of Retails and Sales at University Surplus & Salvage.
Whether you buy surplus items from SLCC or the U., you can guarantee the items will be well taken care of and you will receive a fair price.
For more information on SLCC Surplus Services, call 801-957-2203.
