FAQs

1.  How often do you have the public bid sale?  We have the sale four times a year.  They tend to be on Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday of the first week of March, June, September, and December, but all dates are subject to change.   The governemnt sale is usally during the two weeks prior to each public sale and will last a minimum of ten days. The Home Page of this website also has the dates of the next sale.

2. Why do you have no sale days?  There is a lot to do to prepare for each government and bid sale.  We need these uninterrupted days to help us prepare for each sale.

3.  Why do you have a government sale first? Since all of our inventory is from Utah State Unversity departments, we are required to offer all items to government agencies first.  After the government sale is over we are allowed to sale an remaining items to the public.

4.  What happens to bid items that do not sell?      Bid items that do not sell during the bid sale are offered as a "cash and carry" item in between the sale for the minimum bid. If they still do not sale we will usually mark it down and send it through the next bid sale. We do not barter or negotiate during the current sale because if the price is lowered everyone should have a chance at the lower price.

5. What happens to "cash and carry" items that don't sell?  Cash and carry items that have been through a bid sale remain in the store for people to buy during our regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

6.  Can I reserve an item before the bid sale?  As far as the "cash and carry" items go, we work on a first come first serve basis, so make sure to get here early for the best selection.  Anyone can place a bid for any bid item at any time during the sale. We do not accept bids prior to the bid sale, because we will set and reset the prices on a bid item right before the sale and we want to be fair to everyone.  We will look through the bids at the end and determine the winner.

7.  What happens to my deposit if I don't win the bid?    We return bid deposit checks via the U.S. Mail within a couple of weeks of the bid opening.  We never cash your deposit check unless you are the high bidder on an item but elect not to take it for some reason.  Cash deposits must be picked up at the sale location.

8.  Can I bring the item back if I decide I don't want it or it does not meet my expectations?    We do not refund  items purchased.  Keep in mind that you are buying a used item without warranty.  We try to do our best to present the items as they are, but there is a certain amount of risk involved.  We urge you to inspect the item closely and be prepared to make needed repairs if it be the case. 

9.  Can I get on a bidder list?  How do I find out about the next bid sale?   We do not keep a bidder list other than for local government units.  The cost of sending out a bid notice listing all the items for sale is somewhat prohibitive.  We do, however, send a notice in the campus mail and advertise in the local papers prior and during each public sale. 

10.  What if I need a particular item, can you get it for me?    We have no control over what items come in for sale.  It is up to the individual departments to send their items in for surplus.  We do not generally know ahead of time what is going to be for sale.

Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to surplus@usu.edu
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Created on 01 September 1999 by B.Bartholomew
Revised on 01 August 2005 by J. Stockdale