Frequently Asked Questions

For inventorial items (generally $5,000+), submit an Equipment Inventory Modification Request (EIMR) via ServiceNow:

• Choose “Transfer”
• Choose “Surplus Sales”
• Add pickup/drop-off notes in the description

For non-inventorial items, contact us at surplus.sales@dls.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-2732 for assistance. All disposal is subject to Surplus Sales review and discretion.

Yes. Schedule a time using our calendar.

• Most drop-offs are free of labor charges
• Pickups or deliveries may incur charges based on staff time, item size, or location

As part of a pilot program, Surplus Sales staff can visit departments to review items in person, document condition, and prepare higher-quality listings to help maximize returns to your department and the campus.

Departments must provide:

1. A valid CCOA (Common Chart of Accounts) Purchasing String
2. A financial contact (business officer or fund manager)

 This info can be emailed to surplus.sales@dls.ucsb.edu.

Yes, during public hours or through auction listings on PublicSurplus.com. Payment methods vary based on sale format.

Yes. All public sales include 7.75% sales tax unless exempt.

No. All sales are final.

No. We do not hold items.

Public buyers must pick up items. Campus deliveries may be arranged on a recharge basis.

Conditions range from like new to for-parts-only. Each item should be inspected prior to purchase. All items are sold as-is.

When browsing PublicSurplus.com, look for listings posted by “UC Santa Barbara.” You can confirm this in the following ways:

• Organization Name: All UCSB listings will clearly show “UC Santa Barbara” as the seller at the top of the listing page.
• Organization Code: UCSB’s official Public Surplus code is 19640. You can view all UCSB auctions at:
  www.publicsurplus.com/sms/ucsb,ca/list/current?orgid=19640
• Location & Contact Info: Our listings typically reference Santa Barbara, CA and include contact details for UCSB Surplus Sales. If a listing references another UC campus or city, it is not affiliated with UCSB.

Some UCSB Surplus Sales listings use the Dutch Auction format, where multiple identical items are listed in one auction, allowing buyers to purchase more than one item at a time.

 Important: The Public Surplus Buyers App does not support Dutch Auctions.

To successfully view and bid in a Dutch Auction:

• Use a web browser (not the app) to open the auction listing
• Select your desired quantity through the browser interface
• For assistance, use the Public Surplus Chat feature to contact their Buyer Support Team

Yes. Visit: www.dls.ucsb.edu/surplus-sales/inventory
Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @UCSBSales for featured items.

Yes. Submit a request.

While we try to notify requesters if items arrive, we cannot guarantee notification or availability.

Departments can register to view new inventory before public release.

Registered users will be contacted for internal access windows.

Yes. Surplus Sales shares sale proceeds based on the Surplus Sales Handling Fee schedule. The more an item sells for, the greater the percentage your department retains.

A CCOA is your department’s Common Chart of Accounts string, required to process internal purchases or transfers.

Events like the FM Yard Moving Sale x Surplus Sales feature large volumes of items, themed sales, and extended hours. They may include internal reallocations, public previews, and final clearance deals. All details are announced in advance on our website and social media.

No. UCSB Surplus Sales only manages University-owned equipment and is not able to accept public donations.

Yes. All standard UCSB Parking Regulations apply when visiting Lot #37.