There’s something uniquely energizing about stepping into one of our customers’ worlds —not just seeing how they use our software, but how they bring it to life every day. That’s exactly what Charles (our Director of R&D and Operations) and I experienced during our recent visit to the North Carolina Surplus Property warehouse and storefront.

North Carolina Surplus has been a valued customer since 2019, using Recoup Ops, Bid, and Point of Sale to support their operations. With a dedicated team which includes seven Recoup system administrators, this group runs an incredibly efficient and customer-friendly surplus program.

Due to a small timezone mix-up on my end, we confidently arrived at 8:28, proud to be just early enough to not be late… only to realize we were a full hour ahead of schedule. While I initially felt pretty sheepish about the rookie mistake, it turned out to be a lucky twist of fate. Our early arrival gave us the rare opportunity to witness something most visitors never see: the store’s morning opening process.

What I assumed might be a simple unlocking of doors turned out to be a well-orchestrated routine designed by the staff to manage the daily rush of eager customers. Watching it unfold was both impressive and enlightening—an unexpected bonus that gave us a deeper appreciation for the thoughtful systems this team has in place to keep everything running smoothly from the moment the day begins.

The Storefront Ritual: Order in the Rush

The “store opening at 9” sounded official—and it is! But not in the way I imagined. It turns out, the popularity of the surplus store prompted the team to create an inventive and fair system to manage the morning rush. Regulars used to arrive as early as 7 a.m. just to get first dibs on the day’s goods. Now, customers must arrive between 8:45 and 8:55 and stand on one of the names of the towns and cities within NC marked outside the entrance. At exactly 8:55, a staff member draws location names at random to assign the order of entry, allowing customers in one at a time, spaced by 10-second intervals.

No chaos. No crowding. No running. Just a calm, gamified process that keeps everything organized—thanks to the creative thinking of the NC Surplus team.

What’s Inside: Hidden Gems and Organized Treasure

The warehouse is packed with everything from office furniture—desks, chairs, filing cabinets—to electronics like monitors. Then there’s the infamous “TSA” section: a fascinating collection of items “voluntarily surrendered” or lost during travel. One loyal customer comes in daily to buy up every pocketknife he can find. His personal best? Spending $400 in a single day!

Further back lies the federal surplus section. These items aren’t available to the general public but are reserved for “donees”—eligible organizations like nonprofits, public agencies, and educational institutions that are registered to receive federal surplus property. (To become a donee, organizations must meet specific eligibility requirements and go through an application process, reach out to your local Federal Surplus to learn more!)

And then, of course, there are the vehicles. These higher-value items are auctioned off to the public via Recoup Bid, available to anyone willing to throw their hat into the bidding ring.

A High-Volume Operation Fueled by Dedication

On an average day, the NC Surplus store handles around 50 transactions—each potentially involving multiple items—through their Recoup Point of Sale system. In May, daily sales averaged about $35,000. That kind of volume isn’t just impressive; it’s a testament to the hard work and seamless coordination of the staff, powered by smart tools and systems.

More than $20 million is returned to the state each year through their surplus operations—a result of dedication, strategy, and efficient execution.
In North Carolina, proceeds from the sale of surplus property are returned to the state’s general fund, supporting essential public services and infrastructure projects. This reinvestment ensures that the value recovered from surplus items benefits the broader community by contributing to the state’s financial health.

A Well-Oiled Machine

Watching this team in action, it was clear: North Carolina Surplus is more than a customer. They are a partner, a model, and a powerhouse in the surplus space. Their use of Recoup is more than just transactional— it helps them manage inventory, streamline operations, and serve both public and private buyers.

Thank you again to Gwen, Lisa, Pam, Charles, Matt, Rachel, Sarah, and Kandy for opening your doors and letting us see the magic firsthand. It was an honor to witness your operation in full swing—and we’re proud that Recoup plays a part in your continued success.

Stay tuned for more customer stories like this one. Until then, if you ever find yourself near a surplus warehouse, look closely. Behind those rows of office chairs and filing cabinets, there’s a whole world of strategy, service, and success in motion.