While selling merchandise through existing vendors works for some, the MSU Surplus Store is looking to expand its business and find its own selling home on the Web.
The store, located at 1344 S. Harrison Ave., currently works with eBay and other online vendors, selling specialized items such as furniture from the 1950s and '60s to buyers across the country.
Eventually, the store would like to have its own internal auction Web site, said surplus store marketing and sales coordinator Kris Jolley.
Because the store is open until 3:30 p.m., the Web site would allow people to have 24-hour access to information on the merchandise.
"Every day you come in here, there will be something different," said Jolley. "Even I get surprised at what comes in here. I think an airplane is the only thing I haven't seen come in here."
Items in the store, such as computer monitors and desk chairs, are donated from more than 300 different departments on campus.
The store takes no donations from students except during move-out week in May, when food, clothing and loft lumber are donated to charities. Student donations are not accepted during the school year because of limited space, Jolley said.
Supply chain management sophomore Shawn Shackleford pays for school by himself and says that he would shop at the MSU Surplus Store.
"It's good for students who are financially challenged," he said. "Sometimes it's more about quantity than quality."
For sales more than $100, 85 to 99 percent of the profits are returned to the individual departments, Jolley said.
Everything else is used to cover operating costs for the store. So far this month, $170,000 was returned to the departments.
The store holds public sale days on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jolley estimated that on an average sale day, about 250 to 300 people, mostly nonstudents, visit the store.
"I would think incoming students may need that stuff if it was a good deal," said first-year MSU-DCL College of Law student Kyle Butler. "If they are cheaper than the bookstores, that's a good idea."
Customers come in Monday through Friday during public viewing hours to browse the selection before the public sale begins Friday morning. Merchandise is sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
"It is fun to find that gold nugget," Jolley said.
For more information on the MSU Surplus Store, visit surplus.msu.edu.
Staff writer Meghan Gilbert contributed to this report.
