University of Pittsburgh Surplus Property

I have been using Pitt Surplus for - it's gotta be 20 years? (Go ahead make me feel old.) From filing cabinets, shelving, unique storage needs, and equipment, to office chairs, and a like new couch --it's the best kept secret ever -- and the folks are so professional, they could give lessons to certain academic departments. (It takes more than a degree to work productively as a team and interface with the public. These folks understand the assignment.)
Oct 5th, 2022

there's very few reviews of this place so i thought i'd write up the process here: the parking lot is tiny and the spaces are extremely narrow. you check in with a guard (the guard was chill). you then have to wait for someone from the department to come down in an elevator to escort you to the space. they ask what you're looking for but once you're on the floor you can just browse around. it really is mostly just office furniture. lots of lamps, desks, chairs. not so much electronics or random knick knacks. last i was there i did see a handful of projectors and some old bulky flat panel tvs. so it's limited in scope but still fun to wander around. you'd have no idea how large it is from outside until you get on the floor. the workers were chill, seem like they'd help you load stuff if needed. when you leave you go back down the elevator and sign out with the guard. so it's not a place to just pop in and browse around. it'll take a minute.
Feb 9th, 2024

Aug 3rd, 2022

Apr 28th, 2018

I had always heard of people in my department saying that they would "check surplus" before purchasing things like office furniture elsewhere. I finally understand how and why when I took a field trip to surplus myself. Essentially, it's a warehouse of furniture, electronics, cars, antiques, and other random things like faux plants that are no longer in use by the university. Once removed from university grounds, they are taken to this warehouse in Point Breeze and sold for cheap or auctioned off to the general public or university personnel.When I went there, there were several types of chairs including theatre chairs, tables, and more. I recently bought a 19" Dell monitor for $25.00. I was told to just bring the monitor back if I had any issues and they'd just replace. The monitor works perfectly. Office chairs ranged from about $20-60. Larger items like old university cars are auctioned off.It's a really cool place and you'd be really surprised by what you find especially the price! Once I move into my new apartment, I plan to go back to surplus to see what I can find. Because why break the bank with all new furnishings?!?!
Nov 12th, 2018