North Carolina State Surplus sells surplus supplies, materials, and equipment owned by state agencies and universities. Items range from everyday office furniture to vehicles and specialized equipment. Sales are made through both retail stores and online auctions, with all proceeds returned to the state budget. 

By providing a clear disposition audit trail and ensuring maximum value for surplus property, the program plays a critical role in supporting the state’s financial health. In addition, federal surplus property is distributed to nonprofits, schools, and public agencies, creating a broader community impact. 

The Challenge

Managing such a diverse and high-volume operation came with unique challenges: 

• Streamlining the intake, management, and sale of surplus assets. 
• Handling dozens of multi-item transactions daily without errors or delays. 
• Ensuring fairness and order during peak demand periods, such as store openings. 
• Maximizing the return of funds to the state while also meeting compliance requirements. 

Traditional manual processes could not keep pace with the complexity and volume of activity. The North Carolina Surplus team needed a system that could simplify operations, create transparency, and improve both staff and customer experiences. 

The Solution 

North Carolina Surplus turned to Recoup, adopting Recoup Ops, Bid, and Point of Sale to transform their surplus property program. 

• Recoup Ops streamlined inventory management, making intake and redistribution more efficient. 
• Recoup Bid enabled transparent, user-friendly online auctions for vehicles and other high-value items. 
• Recoup Point of Sale simplified in-store transactions, helping staff handle ~50 daily transactions seamlessly. 

The system also supported innovative customer-first practices, like the morning “lottery” entry process, which eliminated crowding and chaos during store openings. 

The Results 

• $35,000 average daily sales in May, with Recoup processing ~50 transactions per day. 
• $20+ million returned annually to the state’s general fund — supporting essential services and infrastructure. 
• A smoother and more transparent customer experience, both in-store and online. 
• Staff efficiency dramatically improved, turning a complex operation into a well-orchestrated, high-volume program.