Policies & Procedures

MSU Surplus Store Policies & Procedures

This page constitutes a summary of policies and procedures referred to throughout this web site.

General Terms and Conditions of Sale
Terms and Conditions of Sale
Hours of Correspondence
Shipping
Local Pickup
Loading Assistance
Online Payments Accepted
Auction Sale Procedures and Policies
Vehicle Sale Procedures and Policies

Michigan State University Manual of Business Procedures

Section 222 - MSU Surplus Store
Section 224 - Inventory

Terms and Conditions of Sales:

All items are offered for sale on an “as-is” basis with no warranty or guarantee. Where applicable, due diligence is used to ensure accurate descriptions. Surplus Store staff is available to answer questions with regards to condition and/or contents.

 

Hours of Correspondence:

Customer service via e-mail is available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday. Sales completed and/or questions received after normal business hours are processed no later than the following business day. Submit all questions and correspondence via e-mail to: surpluss@msu.edu

Shipping:

Buyer is responsible for paying all related shipping and handling charges unless otherwise noted in the item description. Shipping costs for online purchases are determined at checkout by zip code, and by shipping method chosen. A nominal handling charge may be included to cover the cost of packaging materials. If the buyer provides a PO Box, items are mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. Special shipping arrangements such as companies not listed, local pickup and freight services may be available upon request.

MSU Surplus Store ( www.msusurplusstore.com) ships to U.S. addresses only.

Freight shipping on larger/heavier items, palletizing, crating, shrink wrapping and banding services are available for a nominal fee. NOTE: the buyer is responsible for the arrangement and payment of all related shipping and handling charges unless otherwise noted in the item description. Contact us for a quote or with questions on freight shipping.

Local Pickup and Payment:

Local pickup is available. Customers will be able to select pickup in store during checkout. Pickup times are 8:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8:00 am to 5:45 pm on Wednesday.


Customers should confirm the size and weight of the items they are picking up to ensure that they have the correct transportation to move the item(s) that they are purchasing.

MSU Surplus Store employees will not arrange, move or remove anything from customers vehicle.

Customers should remain in their vehicle while the loading occurs.

MSU Surplus Store is not able to provide tools for customer use.

Curbside Pickup Instructions:

  1. When your order is ready for pickup, please arrive at the north side of the building in front of the overhead door labeled "Merchandise Pickup."
  2. Please have your vehicle ready for your merchandise before you arrive.
  3. Please call (517) 884-0605 and provide your name and description of items. We will bring your order out to your vehicle.

Loading Assistance:

Loading merchandise for customers is a courtesy. Surplus Store will not be responsible for damage occurring to vehicles while moving or loading.

Due to liability, personal injury, and property damage the Surplus Store staff is unable to provide the following services for customers:

  • Move or rearrange existing items in customers' vehicles.
  • Remove seats from vehicles.
  • Attempt to put items in vehicles that clearly will not fit.
  • Tie down items to trailers, vehicle roofs, or trunks.

Surplus Store staff may not accept gratuities.

Online Payments Accepted:

State of Michigan 6% sales tax is added to the total (including shipping and handling) to all items shipped to Michigan addresses unless a valid tax-exempt certificate is provided at the time of sale. Other sales tax may be applied where required by state in the ship to address.

Site

Acceptable Forms of Payment

msusurplusstore.com

Visa, Master-card, American Express, and Discover. Cashier’s check is required for purchases exceeding $5,000 and all vehicle purchases.

eBay

Visa, Master-card, American Express, Discover and PayPal.

Amazon

Visa, Master-card, American Express, and Discover.

Merchandise Availability/Refund Policy:

All public sales, unless otherwise stated, are on an “as is”, “where is” basis. There are no exchanges or refunds and no guarantees regarding the condition of the merchandise. Please see General Terms and Conditions for more information.

Pickup of Purchase:

Local pickup is available. Customers will be able to select pickup in store during checkout. Pickup times are 8:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8:00 am to 5:45 pm on Wednesday. 

All merchandise that is sold and paid for in full must be removed within five business days unless special arrangements are made with a representative of the Surplus Store. Merchandise not removed by the end of the 5th business day is subject to resale.

Holding Items:

General merchandise will not be reserved or held for individuals, including University personnel who are purchasing for personal use.

Suspect Purchases:

Surplus Store staff is authorized to require identification before selling merchandise to any customer.

Customer Conduct:

Surplus Store personnel are authorized to contact the MSU Police Department (MSU Police) in the event that a customer has exhibited behavior that is threatening or aggressive to other customers or representatives of the MSU Surplus Store.

Hazardous Materials:

Any equipment or property that is received or picked up by Surplus Store that is deemed hazardous, injurious or harmful to Surplus Store staff, university employees or the general public will not be released for sale. Any equipment falling into this category will be either dismantled or destroyed by the Surplus Store or an appropriate university department or agency.

Donations:

It is in violation of university policy for University Owned Items to be donated outside the university without determination of zero value by a designated Surplus Store staff member. Exceptions to this policy will be considered when the academic benefit to the University outweighs the cash value (e.g. research partnerships).

No-Value Items:

The decision to offer free items will be made by a designated Surplus Store staff member. Disposing or removing any items from roll-off containers, including construction debris and/or scrap metal, is prohibited, MSU Police Ordinances #16.01 and #26.01.

Auction Procedure and Policies:

Auctions Posting:

All auction items will be posted online at www.msusurplusstore.com. Auction posting will include an item description, minimum bid amount, and deadline for submitting bids.

Auction Period:

The auction period for an item is a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 20 business days.

Auction Submission:

Bids may be submitted online through the item description page on www.msusurplusstore.com. Online bids are timestamped at the time of submission.

Item Information:

A disclaimer of warranty is provided in the General Terms and Conditions. For purposes of sale, items are being sold by Michigan State University, and originating department ownership of items will not be revealed. The number of bids and the value of bids submitted are unknown until auction period ends.

Winning Bidder Notification:

Winning bidder will be notified by email. A minimum of two attempts will be made to contact the high bidder. The high bid will be forfeited under the following circumstances: a) there is no response within 5 business days; b) the high bidder does not pay for their bid within 5 business days (unless special arrangements have been made with a designated Surplus Store staff member); or c) the high bidder revokes their bid. If the high bid has been forfeited for any of the above reasons, the next highest bidder will be contacted and the high bidder relinquishes their right to bid on other items for a period of 6 months.

Auction Cancellation:

Any item may be removed from the auction process if it is determined to be in the best interest of MSU. Listings subject to additions, deletions, and/or errors at the discretion of the MSU Surplus Store.

Additional Auction Sale Terms and Conditions to be used in conjunction with the General Terms and Conditions

Equipment Safety:

It is the Buyer's/User's responsibility to provide proper safety devices and equipment to safeguard persons from harm resulting from any particular use, operation, or set-up; and to adequately safe-guard the equipment to conform to all Federal, State, and local government safety standards.

Title and Risk of Loss:

Title to items sold shall pass from Seller to Buyer upon a) Buyer taking possession of said items, and b) upon acceptance of payment by Seller on the payment schedule indicated under Payment Terms. Buyer shall, at their own expense, remove the equipment from Seller's premises. Buyer is responsible for all costs of handling, preparation and shipping of said equipment.

Removal of Equipment and Time of Performance:

It is the sole responsibility of the Buyer to promptly and properly remove the material awarded and sold to them from the location where it is presently housed. All equipment is to be removed on a timely basis and/or as stated in the bid listing and/or as previously agreed upon with designated MSU Surplus Store staff.

Equipment held beyond the allotted time will be handled at the discretion of MSU Surplus Store.

If Buyer requires assistance with packaging equipment for shipping purposes, additional fees will apply to cover the costs of Seller preparing the equipment for shipment. Seller in no way assumes any liability for damage to equipment incurred while stored on Seller premises, during Seller packaging, or in the shipping process. Buyer must pay all handling and preparation fees prior to release of equipment to shipper.

Indemnity:

Buyer/User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller from any and all claims or liabilities caused by or arising from the equipment as sold and/or quoted. All equipment quoted is subject to prior sale. It is the purchaser's responsibility to verify specifications. Buyer further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Seller, Seller’s agents, and their employees, agents and representatives from all claims, losses, liabilities and expenses including, but not limited to, all attorney fees arising out of bodily injury, death or damage to property occurring in connection with any act or omission (negligent or otherwise) of Buyer, their agents, employees, representatives, or subcontractors. Buyer agrees to sign the MSU Surplus Complete Release, Waiver and Indemnity Agreement form.

Assumption of Risk:

Buyer shall specifically and distinctly assume all risk of damage to or destruction of property or bodily injury, sickness, or disease (including death resulting at any time there from) of use or employed on or in connection with the removal of said items from Seller facilities; resulting from any action, omission, or operation under this Sales Agreement. The Buyer will also assume risk of damage to or destruction of property or bodily injury, sickness, or disease (including death resulting at any time there from) of persons, wherever located, resulting from any action, omission, or operation under this Sales Agreement.

Buyer Damage to MSU Property:

Without regard to any other section of the Agreement, Buyer shall be responsible for the costs to return to as was condition from any damage caused to the building, grounds, or other equipment and furnishings caused in whole or part by Buyer’s employees, agents and representatives while performing activities arising under this Sales Agreement. Buyer shall immediately report in writing the occurrence of any damage to the MSU Surplus Representative responsible for the sale of said items.

Release of Liability:

Buyer agrees to sign the MSU Surplus Complete Release of Liability form prior to the onset of removal of the equipment from Seller facilities if applicable.

Campus Security and Entry to Non-Public Locations in Facilities (applies when removing equipment from Seller Premises):

All Buyer agents, employees and representatives are to be accompanied by an authorized MSU escort whenever the removal of equipment requires entry to a non-public area of an MSU facility. Buyer agrees that it will not assign any employee to perform work in MSU facilities without first making inquiry of each employee as to their criminal record. No employee with a criminal record will be assigned to perform work in an MSU facility. For purposes of this section, criminal record shall not include a) any arrest or detention not resulting in criminal conviction, b) a conviction for minor traffic violations, affray or disturbance of the peace, or c) any misdemeanor conviction more than five years after the conviction or the employee’s release from detention, whichever is later, unless the employee has been convicted of any other offense within five years of the date of inquiry.

Insurances (applies when removing equipment from Seller Premises) :

Buyer agrees to maintain comprehensive general liability insurance, including contractual liability, with limits not less than $1 million per occurrence; automobile liability for owned, non-owned and hired vehicles with a combined single limit not less than $5 million per occurrence; Employers Liability and Workers’ Compensation to statutory limits as required by the State of Michigan. Buyer agrees to have the Board of Trustees of MSU added as additional insured's with respect to general liability and provide MSU with 30 days prior written notice of any material changes in the above insurance. Buyer shall provide Michigan State University with a certificate of the above insurance coverages and amounts upon execution of this Sales Agreement. All insurance policies will be issued by companies authorized to do business in the State of Michigan.

Subcontractors:

Seller reserves the right to reject any subcontractor. The Buyer will be fully responsible for acts and omissions of all subcontractors, and other persons performing any part of the work for the Buyer.

Vehicle Sale Procedure and Policies:

Overview

  • Buyers will participate in a proxy-based auction (very similar to eBay's system) for the right to purchase the vehicle over three-business days.
  • Vehicles are available for inspection at the MSU Surplus Store once the auction for the vehicle has started but not for test drives.
  • Customer will need to contact the MSU Surplus Store at 517-884-0605 to obtain access to vehicle for viewing.
  • Vehicle test drives are only available to the auction’s high bidder after auction has ended.
  • Vehicle test drives will follow a specific route on the MSU campus with MSU Surplus Store staff following in a separate vehicle.
  • Vehicle test drives must be scheduled in advance with the MSU Surplus Store staff.
  • Vehicle inspections and test drives are offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • The highest bidder has two business days to perform any inspections or test drive the vehicle and then provide payment.
  • If a buyer declines to purchase the vehicle the next highest bidder is given the same opportunity to evaluate and purchase the vehicle at their high bid amount.
  • Vehicles must be paid for by Certified Check made payable to “Michigan State University” or “MSU”. Cash or credit card payment will not be accepted.

Vehicle Posting & Pricing

All vehicles will be posted at msusurplusstore.com for auction for a period of three business days. Postings will include a description, a minimum bid amount and a deadline for submitting bids. Starting bid amount is based on NADA trade-in and loan values and/or past sold vehicle history.

Vehicle Auctions

Buyers will participate in a proxy-based auction for the right to purchase the vehicle offered over a three-business day period. At the conclusion of the auction the highest bidder has two business days to confirm their intention to purchase the vehicle, perform any inspections or test drives and then provide payment for the vehicle. In the event a buyer declines to purchase the vehicle the next highest bidder is given the same opportunity to evaluate and purchase the vehicle at their high bid amount.

Vehicle Inspections

Vehicles are available for inspection at the MSU Surplus Store once the auction for the vehicle has started. Customers interested in viewing and/or starting a vehicle should call the MSU Surplus Store (517-884-0605) to obtain access to the vehicle. Customer will need to provide a valid driver license to inspect the vehicle. Vehicles vehicle inspections are offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Vehicle Test Drives

Vehicle test drives are only available to the winning bidder after the auction has ended. Vehicles may be test driven Monday through Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and must be scheduled in advance with the MSU Surplus Store. Test drives are limited to 15 minutes and a specific route; a representative from the Surplus Store will follow in a separate vehicle. A valid Michigan driver's license must be presented.

Some vehicles may be deemed unsafe for test drive as determined by a designated Surplus Store staff member and will not be available for test drives. Mechanic inspections must occur at the MSU Surplus Store facility.

Vehicle Condition

A disclaimer of warranty is provided in the General Terms and Conditions. For purposes of sale, vehicles are being sold by Michigan State University and originating department ownership will not be revealed.

Vehicle Payment

Vehicles must be paid for by Certified Check made payable to “Michigan State University” or “MSU”. Cash or credit card payment will not be accepted. Sales of vehicles will not be conducted inside of the MSU Surplus Store rather documents will be completed and signed outside at the MSU Surplus Store.

All fees, taxes or other applicable charges are to be paid by the buyer and are made at the Michigan Secretary of State Office. Price does not include any taxes which may now or hereafter be applicable to, measured by, imposed upon, or with respect to transaction, property, its sale its value, its use or any service performed in connection therewith. Buyer agrees to pay such taxes.

Vehicle Holds

If a vehicle does not sell through the auction process the vehicle is then offered for purchase at the minimum bid price. Vehicles are available on a first come first serve basis. Vehicles may be placed on hold for one business day. Only one vehicle per customer may be placed on hold. Vehicles may be placed on hold at 8:00 a.m. EST the day after the auction for the vehicle ends if there are no bids received during the auction. If bids are received through auction, but the bidder(s) decline to purchase the vehicle the vehicle is then posted for sale at the minimum bid price the following Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. after the bidder(s) have declined (may be more than one week after auction ends).

The MSU Surplus Store reserves the right to re-auction a vehicle if it is in the best interest of Michigan State University.

Bidder Declines to Purchase

Bidders who declines to purchase a vehicle at their bid amount are not prevented from participating in any following MSU Surplus Store auctions but are exempt from being able to place the vehicle on hold for the minim bid price of the auction they participated in. If a vehicle is auctioned again for a new minimum bid price, bidders who placed bids on a previous auction may participate in new auction or place hold if the vehicle does not still through the next auction.

Additional Vehicle Sale Terms and Conditions

Additional Vehicle Sale Terms and Conditions to be used in conjunction with the General Terms and Conditions:

Any vehicle may be removed from the sale process if it is determined to be in the best interest of MSU.

All vehicles must be removed from MSU property within two business days of sale completion. Failure to re-move the vehicle will result in daily storage charges. All storage charges must be paid in full prior to removal of sold vehicle.

At the time of completion of the Vehicle Sale, Buyer will be provided with the Buyer's Guide document for the specific vehicle, a generic copy of this form is available in PDF version at the following link: Buyer's Guide.

Under no circumstances does the MSU Surplus Store warrant sale vehicles. Buyer is responsible for all costs of all repairs and maintenance the vehicle requires. MSU Surplus Store assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements made about the vehicle.

By virtue of payment, Buyer acknowledges that they have been provided the opportunity, prior to completion of the Vehicle Sale, to have a pre-purchase inspection of the vehicle by a mechanic of Buyer’s choice on the MSU property where the vehicle is housed.

Buyer acknowledges that prior to completion of the Vehicle Sale and following completion and signature of the Vehicle Test Drive Agreement, Buyer has the option to test drive the vehicle. Buyer may only test drive the vehicle if Buyer is able to provide proof of a valid State of Michigan driver’s license.

The MSU Surplus Stores reserves the right to change or modify these terms and conditions without limitation, notice, or liability.

Vehicle Test Drives Details

  • Customers need to call ahead to schedule a time to conduct a test drive after they have been declared the winning bidder.
  • Customers need to provide a valid driver’s licenses and read and sign Surplus Store’s Vehicle Test Drive Agreement.
  • A Surplus Store staff member will follow behind the customer in a separate vehicle.
  • The test drive route will stay on campus and follow a prescribed route (see below).

Test Drive Route

MSU Surplus Store Test Drive Map

Test Drive Directions

  • Head East onto Green Way towards Farm Lane
  • Turn right at the first street Farm Lane heading south
  • Turn right onto Forest Road
  • Continue on Forest Road that becomes Collins Road
  • Take Collins Road until the road ends into East Jolly Road
  • Take a left East onto East Jolly Road
  • Take East Jolly Road east 1.9 miles to Hagadorn Road
  • Turn left onto north bound Hagadorn Road
  • Continue till you reach Mt. Hope Road and turn left heading west
  • Turn right onto north bound Farm Lane
  • Take a left back onto Green Way to the west
  • The MSU Surplus Store entrance drive will be immediately on your left