Always on the search for inexpensive style, an Apartment Therapy reader tipped us off to a great resource for some interesting finds. The University of California at Davis sells equipment and supplies that are no longer needed--and you can browse their inventory online!
The inventory at The Bargain Barn changes constantly, but when we browsed their offerings today we found this amazing vintage steelcase desk for just $10 as well as a lime green vertical file for $15! It looks like they're in great condition (clearly some cleaning up to do, but overall pretty solid) and are a steal for the price! You can find electronics, drafting tables, card catalogs, desks--and all are pretty cheap. If you have an eye for bargain hunting, this is a great resource.
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If you use this site, just make sure to filter by 'Public Sale'. That precious desk is only available to departments at the school.
Otherwise, I hope we have something like this on the East Coast. My next place is going to be kind of industrial looking with some feminine touches and I could really use a flat file!
Another source, is the California State Surplus program, that luckly for your norther californians is moving from Santa Ana, to Sacramento next month. http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/ofa/SurplusProperty/FEDrelocation.pdf
Trust me - don't ever purchase a metal desk like the one in the first picture. My father bought two at a sale like this, and years later when he needed to get rid of them, he had to call a scrap metal place to come and haul them away. They're indestructible, but weigh a million pounds so no one ever wants to move them.
This is worth a look for ANY university. I know ASU does it since my family's business has bought several desks & file cabinets. I looked up U of M, and they have one too! Now I just have to find a Thursday off to go...
Many universities auction stuff like this off -- Texas does, and I suspect most other schools (certainly state schools) would too.
Miss Upsetter is correct! I know MIT has a program here - the last time I was in the warehouse it was full of beautiful card catalogs, desks, oak chairs, and so many other beautiful pieces!
hah, I thought about asking my husband's adviser about the sweet steelcase desk in the hall... I think I just might now! lol
Indiana University Bloomington has a dedicated store for surplus items. Smaller schools tend to hold auctions. I just can't let my husband go to them, or he comes back with armloads of outdated computer equipment.
I would have loved to score a card catalogue! The university surplus auctions/stores I've been to have been a great source of filing cabinets, which, for some reason, I love.
So how would you go about discovering if local universities do this?
I'm a scientist and I am surrounded by these all day. I can't imagine anybody wants to actually buy them!
My alma mater, the University of Maryland - College Park, has a similar program called Terrapin Trader.
My dad used to have a desk like that and I wish I could have it, but I know they are super heavy and it woul be impossible to move.
They aren't THAT heavy. We scored a free(!) steelcase just like that and my wife and I carried it up to our second floor apartment by ourselves. Granted, we were sore for the next couple days, but it was worth it!