SWAP trims down for its big move

A crash diet aimed at shedding tons of excess weight at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will result in some happy bargain hunters.

For the next six weeks, the SWAP (Surplus With A Purpose) shop at 2102 Wright St. in Madison will be slashing prices on surplus property in preparation for its move to Verona in early October.

"To make the move more economical, we need to liquidate much of our inventory," says Tim Sell, business manager at SWAP. "We’re offering the public some terrific deals in order to move tons of merchandise over the next few weeks."

For example, this week’s public sale will offer 20 percent off of most merchandise, 10 percent off computers and related items and a special section of unmarked items where any reasonable offers will be accepted.

The operation offers for sale a wide and ever-changing variety of surplus items from dorm refrigerators to computers, from office furniture to laboratory glassware.

SWAP, which is the UW–Madison surplus operation serving the university and state government, is open for public sales every Friday and the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beginning in September, SWAP will expand its Friday hours, staying open until 6 p.m.

Discounts will deepen each week through August and September, and details on each week’s sales and much of SWAP’s inventory can be found on its Web site.

Plans call for SWAP to open in early October at its new headquarters at 1061 Thousand Oaks Trail in Verona. The new building is located in the Verona Technology Park near Highways M and PB.

The facility will combine expanded storage facilities with SWAP and UW–Madison’s Material Distribution Services.