Museum Registrar Emily Poulsen said she couldn't help but smile at the sight before her.

Freed from their six-month display at the BYU Museum of Art, the unusual array of random objects lay in a humorous heap in one of the museum's hallways.

Last year, the Jackie Chan action figure, Teletubby and life-size Yoda found new homes through eBay.

"It was odd and definitely a different experience than I'm used to," Poulsen said, referring to the selling of the non-traditional display pieces.

Among the government and private organizations using online auctions is BYU, which sells everyday and unusual items that are no longer needed to the public.

Items frequently listed for public bid online include everything from mini refrigerators and cameras to cars and pianos. However, there's always the occasional surprise, such as a flatulence machine or an Xbox.

Eric Heaps, vice president of the local online auction service Public Surplus, said the Alpine School District once sold a flattened tuba through the service. And someone paid good money for it, too.

"You never know what's going to be on there," Heaps said, laughing.

Utah County began using Public Surplus one year ago to dispose of cars, furniture and electronics from various departments. Although the listed items are used, they're not junk, said Donald Nay, associate public works director for the county.

"Anything that's showing up in our sales still has some usability left," Nay said.

Heaps said purchasing surplus items from governmental organizations and schools had many advantages for both the public and the organizations using Public Surplus. Some of the benefits include assurance of accurate information and secure sales.

Angela Ewell, in the BYU Purchasing and Travel Operations Department, said customers can also be assured they are making good purchases when they buy BYU property through online auctions because pianos, computers and vehicles undergo routine maintenance.

Another benefit identified was revenue generated from the sale of BYU property through gets returned to the school for program benefit. Utah County operates similarly, returning all profit to various departments.

"That is the biggest thing [benefit] for students," Ewell said.

The BYU Purchasing and Travel Operations Department pays Public Surplus a small commission to sell their items, as does Utah County, but additionally maintains their own Web site auction and an eBay store. Items are distributed between the three Web sites according to the appeal to potential buyers.

BYU purchasing clerk Karla Ehlers said institutional items, such as industrial fryers, snowmobiles and tractors, are usually sold through Public Surplus, while consumer and other professional devices, such as electronic equipment, are allocated to the eBay store. High-dollar items like Pianos and vehicles are sold through the BYU surplus Web site. This strategic placement helps BYU make the most profit for each item, and it's what the service is all about.

"We enjoy showing departments how much their surplus items are worth, especially when we get a lot more value then they expected," Ehlers said.

A comprehensive listing of BYU items for sale is in the works. But for now, Ehlers suggested interested people check all three sites regularly to find the best deals.

Scott Liggett, supplier relationship manager for BYU, said the online auctions are great resources for people on tight budgets, including newlyweds and students.

"You end up buying something you would not be able to afford otherwise," he said.

It's all about getting some value out of stuff that would be tossed, Liggett said.

No doubt the purchaser of the $117 life-sized Yoda from the museum agreed.

The public may view items listed for sale from governmental and private organizations by visiting www.publicsurplus.com, surplus.byu.edu or by searching for items listed by the BYU agent on www.ebay.com.

Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Mar 2008