Several programs exist to buy and sell furniture and other large items within and outside of the University including the Medical Center Surplus Property Program, the Corporate Purchasing Surplus Property Program, and Currents Classifieds.
Despite its name, the Medical Center Surplus Property Program services all branches of the University. Originally, it was only for the Medical Center but has grown in its 15 years of existence. Today, most of its business occurs on the River Campus. All items are donated by different areas of the University and are available for purchase. Items include desks, chairs, beds, sofas, sleep chairs, exercise equipment, hospital beds, and filing cabinets. Pickup of donated items is free. The items are then sold at a low cost determined by buyer and seller, and are available either for pickup by the buyer or $40 delivery. Students, staff, faculty, and even those outside of the University such as non-profits and neighborhood associations can purchase items through this program. Contact Les Pfluke or the Customer Service Center to arrange a purchase or donation.
The Corporate Purchasing Program is designed to recirculate items within the University before sale to the public. The goal of the program is to reuse items and avoid purchasing new equipment when possible. This program has been in existence for 29 years. First items are listed through departments via the Request to List Equipment Form. For 14 days, the item is available for internal transfer among University departments only. After that, the item is available for sale outside the University or to University employees. The full list of available items is found here. Departments can also submit a Wish List – Items Wanted request in order to hopefully obtain that item sooner.
Currents is the faculty and staff newspaper covering news and newsmakers from all over the University. Back in 2000, Currents had a large classified section, which eventually needed more space and moved online. Unfortunately due to this shift it largely disappeared. The revamped version restarted in 2008 by Michael Osadciw, Lori Packer, Jen Roach and Mike Jones of University Communications, who saw the need for a Craigslist-like program for the University. The new Currents Classifieds aims to connect sales of personal property such as baby clothes and household furniture between University personnel. The system is completely online, and employees arrange meeting and sale amongst themselves, and it is a safer alternative to actual Craigs List. The listing of items can be found here.
So remember to shop around the University before making that big couch purchase or selling your old one. You never know what you are going to find.
Written by Alanna Scheinerman ’13
