Introduction
When people mention “A & W Surplus” (often written A&W Surplus or A & W Surplus & Salvage), they are typically referring to a U.S.-based surplus/auction business that offers a wide variety of overstock, liquidation, and returned items — ranging from electronics, appliances, tools, home‑goods and general merchandise — often at heavily discounted prices. While the name resembles older “army surplus” or “military‑surplus” stores, A & W Surplus is primarily a liquidation/close-out retailer rather than a traditional surplus store tied to the military or government.
Understanding what A & W Surplus does — and the controversies surrounding it — requires setting it in the broader context of surplus and liquidation retail, seeing how the company positions itself, and recognizing how customer experiences vary widely. Below, I unpack who they are, what you can expect, how they operate, and what to be cautious about.
What is a “Surplus Store” — and Where Does A & W Fit In?
The Surplus Store Concept
Historically, “surplus stores” referred to retail establishments that sold goods left over from the military, government, or industrial procurement — items no longer needed due to decommissioning, overproduction, or changes in technology.^ After major conflicts like the World Wars, vast amounts of gear — uniforms, camping supplies, equipment, even vehicles — became available for civilian purchase. This created a robust surplus-store culture: people shopped for sturdy gear, camping supplies, workwear or discounted heavy‑duty goods.
Over time, though, actual surplus stock diminished. As the supply of genuine decommissioned military/government items dried up, many surplus‑type stores began shifting to selling overstocked commercial goods, closeouts, or imported “military‑style” replicas to stay in business.
Where A & W Surplus Stands
The entity known as A & W Surplus — headquartered in Fresno, California (with an address at 3330 N Duke Ave, Fresno, CA 93727) — operates not as a traditional military‑surplus store but rather as a liquidation & auction house: they sell a wide variety of merchandise including electronics, appliances, tools, furniture, clothing, and general merchandise.
Their model aligns more with what one might call a “closeout / salvage / overstock auction house” than a “military surplus store.” They acquire excess, returned, shelf‑pull, or liquidated items — often from retailers, manufacturers, or government/municipal surplus — and auction them to consumers, typically disclaiming “AS IS / WHERE IS” sales.
This nuance is key: though their name evokes “surplus,” the goods sold are rarely vintage military gear; rather, they reflect a modern liquidation business that deals in a broad spectrum of general‑market items.
How A & W Surplus Operates: Auctions, Inventory & Buying Process
Auction‑Based Model
A & W Surplus runs a live‑webcast auction system: each week they offer lots that may include electronics, appliances, furniture, tools, clothing, and “miscellaneous” items. The auctions are open to the public; buyers bid on lots, and if they win, they must pick up their items (often by appointment).
For local pickup, A & W requires buyers to schedule appointments — for example on certain days (Thursday and Friday in many cases), and there are strict policies about who can pick up: the person’s name must match the invoice exactly, or the order may be canceled.
Their website also often clarifies that all items are sold “AS IS / WHERE IS” — meaning no warranties, no returns, and the buyer assumes responsibility for inspecting the item before bidding or purchase.
Inventory Diversity — From Electronics to Furniture to Appliances
Unlike traditional surplus stores that focused heavily on military gear, A & W’s inventory is eclectic and wide-ranging:
- Electronics (TVs, home entertainment, audio/video equipment)
- Household appliances — refrigerators, kitchen appliances, furniture, and other home‑related items.
- Tools, toolboxes, miscellaneous hardware or DIY‑type items.
- Clothing, general merchandise and “misc” — sometimes including items listed as “for parts” or possibly broken/damaged/refurbished stock.
This makes the store somewhat appealing to bargain‑hunters, people seeking discontinued or hard‑to-find items, budget shoppers looking for deals on home appliances or electronics, or even DIYers needing parts or materials.
Reputation, Complaints, and What Buyers Say
Mixed Reviews and Frequent Complaints
A & W Surplus has a distinctly mixed reputation. On the one hand, some customers praise the store for low prices and the variety of items. For instance, some recent reviewers describe it as offering “plenty of value” and a “great variety.”
On the other hand, there are many complaints — often serious — about misleading listings, poor quality, damaged goods, and what buyers feel amounts to dishonest practices. One user described buying “new in box” items that turned out to be broken, missing parts, or “fake from online,” while another mentioned “expired and broken goods.”
Common issues raised in complaints include:
- Items described as “new” but arriving damaged, incomplete, or nonfunctional.
- High shipping charges or “buyers premium” plus taxes — meaning savings may not always be as great as they seem.
- Strict “AS IS / no returns” policy — meaning that once you buy, you’re stuck, even if the item is broken or not as advertised.
- Some buyers have alleged their accounts were canceled after complaints, or that their items shipped were worse than what pictures suggested.
Also, the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). While BBB maintains a profile and lists complaints against them, the “not accredited” status means they haven’t passed BBB’s standards for marketplace trust.
Why This Mixed Reputation? — Auctions, Risk & “Buyer Beware” Culture
The root of many issues lies in the auction‑based business model and the “salvage/liquidation” nature of the inventory. Because many items are returns, shelf‑pulls, used, or liquidated stock, their condition can vary wildly. As A & W repeatedly states on its site — descriptions and pictures are only a guide; it is the buyer’s responsibility to preview items before bidding or purchase.
If buyers skip the preview or rely on photos only, they risk getting items that are incomplete, damaged, or otherwise not what they expected. Given that some lots are “for parts” or already marked “as is,” the chance of disappointment is real. That helps explain why some customers saw “great deals,” while others felt misled.
It’s also worth noting that the decline of traditional surplus stores (military surplus) is a broader trend. As genuine government or military surplus dried up, many stores — even outside A & W — shifted to similar liquidation or overstock‑sale models to survive.
For Potential Buyers: What to Know Before You Bid
If you consider shopping or bidding with A & W Surplus, here are some guiding principles to help you navigate the risks and rewards:
- Always preview items in person if possible. Since sales are “AS IS,” what you see (or what’s pictured) may not reflect what you get. When buying expensive or complicated items (electronics, appliances), treat it as a “what you see is what you get” scenario.
- Be realistic about condition. Some lots are labeled “for parts,” “salvage,” or “open-box” — these often mean missing parts, prior damage, or unknown functionality.
- Factor in total cost (shipping + buyer’s premium + tax). Even if the bid seems cheap, after additional fees the “deal” might not be as good.
- Don’t expect warranties or returns. Once you pick up or receive an item, you commonly waive any right to demand a refund or replacement.
- Read all auction rules carefully. The company emphasizes that buyers must agree to their terms before bidding; failing to do so can result in canceled orders or forfeited purchases.
In short: treat purchases as high-risk — and high-reward — salvage hunting. It can produce bargains, yes — but only with caution, patience, and careful scrutiny.
Why A & W Surplus (and Stores Like It) Exist — And What That Says About Retail & Surplus Culture
The story of A & W Surplus reflects larger dynamics in the retail and surplus/overstock world. As traditional surplus stores (especially those selling genuine military/government surplus) have declined — due to diminishing surplus stock and changing logistics — many businesses have converted to liquidation, salvage, and close-out models.
This shift is not simply about supply and demand. It’s also about changing consumer behavior:
- People looking for bargains on appliances, electronics, and furniture — either for their homes or as DIY/refurbish projects.
- Resellers or small businesses seeking discounted surplus stock to flip or repurpose.
- Buyers drawn to “treasure hunt”/bargain-hunting culture — where discovering a heavily discounted, still-usable item becomes a game.
In that sense, stores like A & W occupy an intersection between discount retail, clearance/close-out, and surplus‑store heritage. They rely on buyers willing to accept risk for the chance of savings.
Yet this model also reveals some challenges: quality inconsistency, potential distrust from customers, and the ongoing tension between “salvage value” and “junk.” As more customers post negative experiences — describing broken goods, misleading listings, or poor customer service — the reputational sustainability of such auction-based surplus houses becomes uncertain.
Some analyses of surplus stores’ evolution note that once‑common surplus shops — which might have sold military gear, camping equipment, heavy-duty tools, or utilitarian clothing — are rarer today. Instead, the market is saturated with liquidation‑style stores, resale shops, and discount outlets that rarely carry authentic surplus.
In that environment, A & W Surplus’s business model — liquidation + auction + “as‑is” disclaimers — is practical. But it also embodies many of the pitfalls associated with modern surplus retail.
Conclusion: A & W Surplus — Potential Value, but Buyer Beware
“A & W Surplus” is a modern incarnation of the surplus/clearance retail idea: an auction‑based liquidation house offering a broad menu of electronics, appliances, tools, furniture, and general merchandise, often at prices below conventional retail. For bargain‑hunters, thrifty shoppers, or resale‑minded buyers, this can look attractive: somewhere between treasure hunting and bargain shopping.
But the devil’s in the details. Because A & W operates under a strict “as is / no returns / buyer‑responsible” model, the risk is substantial. Numerous customer complaints — about misleading descriptions, broken or incomplete items, excessive shipping or fees, and poor customer service — suggest that savings come with uncertainties and caveats.
If you choose to engage with A & W Surplus (or similar liquidation/auction surplus houses), it’s wise to approach with caution: carefully preview items, fully understand their bidding rules, and go in with realistic expectations. For some, the gamble pays off. For others, disappointment awaits.
In short: A & W Surplus reflects the broader transformation of surplus retail in the 21st century — a business built on liquidation, chance, and value — but also one that demands vigilant consumers.
