Surplus Exchange

Part junk shop, part office equipment museum, full-​time place where old desks, chairs, computers and filing cabinets go to die. Appropriately located in the true East Bottoms of KCMO, you don’t get to this destination by accident. You’re coming here with a purpose. I came looking for a new office desk, and while there are probably hundreds, didn’t find what I was looking for, but certainly can’t say you’d experience the same. I’m pretty sure I saw the same desk I sat behind for several years in the early 1980s at a south JoCo corporation.
A friendly young German Shepherd greets you at the door in case you’re thinking of lifting something. I wasn’t.
I walked through, didn’t see much of anything I’d want in my house but for a lot of businesses I’d think this might be a gold mine. If you’re looking for some office equipment and an interesting «experience,» suggest you visit.
Just don’t expect anything really fancy here, but if you’re running a business on a real budget and don’t have big design needs I’d think this place would be a gold mine.

If you want to shop/​buy, the entrance is on the East side of the building. If you are directionaly challenged, that’s the side closest to downtown KCMO. To drop off items to recycle, go to the KCK side of the building.
I love that there is an organization that devotes its energy to recycling electronics and office furniture. They will take your electronics, and you can also shop around for computers and office furniture. Need a large filing cabinet? This is your place. If you are REALLY good at messing around with computers, this is the place to get a cheap one, or get some parts to do whatever with… art? When I need a new desk chair, I will probably be headed back down there. The employees were engaging and helpful. Just another reason to take an adventure in the West Bottoms.

I learned about this place from the electronics recycling event in Overland Park. I was delighted to learn they actually work on computers as well as take them in for recycling.
Within a week of buying a new computer at Best Buy… along with the purchase of an anti-​virus program, my computer was acting very weird and doing crazy things. A trip back to Best Buy was so aggravating because they wanted $ 200.00 to take a look at it. Really? I just bought it and now it’s $ 200.00 to check it out? No way! So, I took a chance on having Surplus Exhange repair it. $ 45.00 and the computer runs better than it ever did! David in the tech shop really knows his stuff! He also showed me some things I did not know how to do on the computer.
They sell computers and all sorts of office equipment. It’s a hugh warehouse but not a fancy retail perfectly decorated eye-​appealing strip mall type mega store. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The prices are great. It’s the bargain hunter’s paradise. You will pay less so expect less when it comes to the fancy location and showroom type atmosphere.
Getting there is an adventure! It is located down by the Wheeler airport but across the river on the south side. My friend had a GPS and it did nothing but get us lost. I called and the woman on the phone was very helpful and talked to us until we arrived at their door.
To check out everything I would need to spend several hours. I went there for the purpose of having my computer repaired. If I have electronics for recycling I will take them to Surplus Exchange or to the recycling event in Overland Park… either way it’s a great business to have in the Kansas City area.