Public Surplus
Public Surplus is an online auction site where schools, cities, counties and universities sell surplus property, at publicsurplus.com. This page covers what sells there, how bidding works, and how each agency sets the buyer's premium, payment and pickup.
- Launched
- 2000
- Based in
- Utah
- Buyer's premium
- Set by each agency
- Pay within
- 5 business days
Go to Public Surplus →How buying worksFees
About Public Surplus
Public Surplus grew out of a request from a Utah school district in 1999 and went live about a year later. It is run by The Public Group LLC. More than 2,350 public agencies have used it.
Each agency lists its own items in timed online auctions and sets its own terms. Public Surplus collects payment through its processor and sends the buyer an award notice. The buyer then picks up from the agency.
What's sold on Public Surplus
How buying works at Public Surplus
- Make an accountRegister free as a buyer.
- Read the termsEach auction has its own terms with the premium, deadlines and pickup hours.
- BidBid in the timed auction. Some agencies ask a bid deposit first.
- PayPay online by card or wire after the award notice.
- CollectBring the award notice, receipt and ID to the agency and remove the item in time.
What it costs
Public Surplus charges agencies a fee that can be passed to buyers as a buyer's premium, so the rate varies by agency and is shown during bidding.
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Buyer's premium | Set per agency. Examples are 10% (an Arizona school district) and 10.5% (Kauai County) |
| Minimum premium | $1 per auction in agency terms |
| Bid deposit | Some agencies require one. It is forfeited on default |
| Card limit | $4,000 per card payment in some terms. Larger amounts go by wire |
| Sales tax | Added at the agency's local rate unless exempt |
| Storage | Rarely charged. Unclaimed items can be kept by the agency with no refund |
A worked example: a $500 item from an agency with a 10% buyer's premium costs $550 before sales tax.
Paying, pickup and storage
| When to pay | Usually within 5 business days of the award notice. |
| Payment | Card online through the processor PayMac, or wire. No cash, checks or money orders. One payment method per auction. |
| Pickup | Usually within 5 to 10 business days, by appointment and during the agency's set hours. |
| At pickup | Bring the award notice, payment receipt and photo ID. The buyer loads and hauls the item. |
| Default | Late payment or pickup can end the sale, forfeit payments and suspend the account. |
Search Public Surplus
UX Search checks Public Surplus and every other site that sells it in one search. Or search Public Surplus directly. Live listings and closed sales from Public Surplus on UX Search →
From Public Surplus
Similar auction sites
Other sites that sell the same kinds of things, A to Z.
Run auctions on Public Surplus?
Add your upcoming sales and lots to UX Search for free. Get in touch →
UX Search is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Public Surplus. Bidding, payment and delivery all happen on the house's own site under its own terms. Information checked October 22, 2026 from publicsurplus.com (auction terms page, agency FAQ) and thepublicgroup.com Public Surplus overview and Public Surplus history document (via a school board packet, 2015) and pageud.org Public Surplus information and kauai.gov surplus online auction page; fees and rules can change, so confirm them on the sale page.