Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => General Storage Auction Talk => Topic started by: rockin the retro on February 13, 2012, 08:03:38 AM

Title: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: rockin the retro on February 13, 2012, 08:03:38 AM
We have one serious whale (we'll call him EF) and folks just generally groan when he shows up.  Everybody knows if he wants it, he gets it.  But I have never seen him 'overbid' on a unit.  A few folks truly dislike him, but I've found him to be quite pleasant.  When Don got that nice unit a couple weeks ago EF wasn't there.  He showed up the next day and was talking with Don about it.  He said "you know you wouldn't have won it if I was there."  Don chuckled and said "Yeah.....I would have.  I just would have paid more!"   ;)

When I bid on a unit and it is apparent I'm not going to win it, I'm always ecstatic when I hear the 'yeah' from the back of the crowd, as I know who it is and what it represents.  I told Don one day that I love it when EF goes on a buying spree.  I know that he'll fill his sails and be done, leaving relatively smooth sailing for the remainder of the month~

I also know that there are a number of folks (newbies and looky-loos and one smelly, icky regular :-\) that I hate to see win units, unless of course it's an obvious bust then I'm thrilled!  Nothing will stop 'em more than losing their collective butts a time or two!

I've got certain folks who I am friends with and we have an unspoken (and often spoken for emphasis) rule that when one of us really wants a unit the other will only go so far.  It's worked quite well and I'm always happy when they land a unit.  A young lady actually beat out EF on an antique unit.  He got his bid in just as the auctioneer said sold.   I walked up behind him and said 'You're slipping old man!'  He chuckled and said he didn't know who had the bid.  I told him who won it and that she loves to restore antiques.  He said 'well then that's good'. 

About a month ago a gal (who has been driving me nuts) bought a unit (that was nothing but trash) and literally shouted "oh honey.....we got our first one!!"  Many regulars stated (loudly, but under their breath) 'yeah and you paid way too much for it'.   Last week they were out buying up units.  Come to find out she told my friend that they still haven't cleaned out the first locker they bought?!?!  WTF

Anywho~we're going out to a couple unadvertised auctions today.  Hoping to land a unit or two and if not us~I hope it's one of my buddies or EF.  Because if the sneaky mousy girl is there and lands another unit........I might just lose my 'nice' title and pop off at her!   >:(
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 13, 2012, 09:33:17 AM
Only a clueless noobie.  Got on to my husband talking out of school about a unit and what was inside. We were not bidding, He said we were not bidding on it I said but our friend was.

We have an EF also. Only ours likes to dump units on noobies. He tried with us he was lucky a noobie jumped in.  And he keeps to himself, have never spoke to him (his choice). The more he sees us the better it is getting. Did see him get beat up (bidding) at an auction, it was sad.

He is also the one saying did you see the safe / gun/ starts trouble only when there is a lot of noobies.  :D

The mousy people are only around for one or two auctions. But there is always a new one in their place.  :o

Keep your cool Rockin don't want to see a post of the cops coming and arresting an auction buyer.

Oh wait might deter noobies. Go for it !!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 13, 2012, 10:06:59 AM
I am not fond of one or more regulars who tend to buy "all" the lockers...spread the joy guys !

This happens less over time as some of the lkrs they get don't pay out well.

I also don't care for newbies who buy 5 out of the 10 or so at any given auction, but for them it's an even quicker death. One guy did that a couple of months ago and  no one has seen him since.

Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: alloro on February 13, 2012, 10:14:33 AM
I also don't care for newbies who buy 5 out of the 10 or so at any given auction, but for them it's an even quicker death. One guy did that a couple of months ago and  no one has seen him since.

Maybe he's still selling off all the stuff he bought!
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MatchesMalone on February 13, 2012, 10:31:59 AM
Maybe he's still selling off all the stuff he bought!

Most likely, he's NOT selling the stuff he bought, cause he didn't have a sales strategy prior to purchasing his units.

Just sayin'.   ;)
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 13, 2012, 12:45:00 PM
Most likely, he's NOT selling the stuff he bought, cause he didn't have a sales strategy prior to purchasing his units.

Just sayin'.   ;)

Or he needed to furnish his house.
We see those too.  ::)
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: craiglstauction on February 13, 2012, 12:49:34 PM
For the most part I don't care who wins the unit unless I'm really interested in it.  Then I hope I win it or one of my buddies so that I can at least take a look.  We have a few EFs in our mix.  One is a church but they have cut his purse some I think.  The other two are auction house guys.

We have a couple of what I'll call new regulars that have been tossing money around like mad.  Really wondering if they are making any money or not.  This is the guy that ran up to the auction on a Saturday in his PJs and flip flops.  He does yard sales and sells at the flea.  He may be doing ok but they sure do waste money.  I've bid him up a few times just to help him spend money.  They normally go after the same lockers I generally like.  So if they go for one I'm only semi-interested in I'll run him up a few bids if no one else is bidding.  They like to gamble -- he was one of the bidders Thursday going for the "empty box" unit that sold for $1375.  He stayed in till $1300 or so.

Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 13, 2012, 02:12:17 PM
One of the regular buyers who likes to "buy them all" made a mistake recently.

He and his wife paid $3850 for a 10 x 30 that was pretty full but hard to really see anything.

Word has come down from people in whom he confided that he thought he would lose about $2,000 on it.

Oh well...take the fall and learn a lesson...and don't be so greedy.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: alloro on February 13, 2012, 03:47:37 PM
and don't be so greedy.

IMO, paying $3850 for a unit where it's pretty full but hard to see anything, has more to do with stupidity and less to do with greed.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 13, 2012, 05:17:23 PM
IMO, paying $3850 for a unit where it's pretty full but hard to see anything, has more to do with stupidity and less to do with greed.

That's right, but the fact they want to "buy them all" has to do with greed.

Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 13, 2012, 08:12:20 PM
That's right, but the fact they want to "buy them all" has to do with greed.



I haven't seen them around after buying them all.  ;D.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: Cobia on February 14, 2012, 07:30:55 AM
One of the regular buyers who likes to "buy them all" made a mistake recently.

He and his wife paid $3850 for a 10 x 30 that was pretty full but hard to really see anything.

Word has come down from people in whom he confided that he thought he would lose about $2,000 on it.

Oh well...take the fall and learn a lesson...and don't be so greedy.


Personally, I am going to be just as "greedy" as I can handle the quanity of units and buy at a price to turn a profit. I am always looking to expand this business and make more money! Auctions are a competition and a gamble. Generally when we lose a unit we wanted we console ourselves by saying the other guy "overpaid" or "got run up" when in a lot cases we would have paid just $10-$50 less then the winning bid.  Sometimes we make real smart or lucky buys, sometimes we roll the dice and hit craps. I don't like the idea of accusing someone of being "greedy' for trying to make money in this business by going big. There are two regulars in my area who work together and they are the only two who have seemed to survive the droves of newbies since the TV shows and they are now really starting to buy up the better units. Funny thing is a couple of months ago they accused ME of being greedy because I get the best units of the day (3 in all). These guys are constant buyers, buying every week, and lately they have been pulling the better units. So whose "greedy" now? No, I don't accuse them of being greedy, I just know if I want a certain type of unit I have to step on thier toes and bid against them. It's competition, and knowing how to run your business, simple as that.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 14, 2012, 07:54:50 AM
Personally, I am going to be just as "greedy" as I can handle the quanity of units and buy at a price to turn a profit.

 It's competition, and knowing how to run your business, simple as that.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree I guess. Among the regulars I run with we have an agreement to "share" the wealth and not buy every locker we like and can afford. There are always more lockers around the corner and we often say to each other "do you want this one?" knowing if person "A" needs one right now we can live without it.

On the other hand, the couple I am talking about want no part of that cooperation and subsequently they get run up by any number of people; they don't help us and we don't help them.

As far as knowing how to "run your business, simple as that" goes, there are different ways to "run your business" and they can all be profitable. Apple maintains their price points as an example (doesn't cut prices like others do) and they seem to be doing all right.

I have friends who "turn and burn" and I have friends who are willing to hold out for more .... both are successful. There is always more than one way to be successful (IMO).

Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: Roger Mack on February 14, 2012, 04:51:40 PM
Not to step on anyones toes but several of you have publicly admitted to "Bid Rigging" and "Collusion"
which is a Felony.

I would advise you not to post anymore about " agreements" that you have....and edit what you have already posted
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 14, 2012, 06:12:29 PM
Not to step on anyones toes but several of you have publicly admitted to "Bid Rigging" and "Collusion"
which is a Felony.

I would advise you not to post anymore about " agreements" that you have....and edit what you have already posted

                 Where is "Bid Rigging" at ? 

If you can live without a unit and someone you know wants it you just don't bid. They are still bidding against anyone else who wants it.

Running someone up on a locker is a gamble, you could win it.

Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 14, 2012, 06:29:18 PM
Not to step on anyones toes but several of you have publicly admitted to "Bid Rigging" and "Collusion"
which is a Felony.

I would advise you not to post anymore about " agreements" that you have....and edit what you have already posted

If you are talking about me (for one) I have consulted with my attorney and he indicates I have nothing to worry about when I ask one of my friends "Do you want this one? If so, I won't bid". He doesn't consider that bid rigging or collusion.

No, I won't get a new lawyer.

As to your advice that those of us who have committed this crime should edit what we have already posted, I for one will ignore that too.  ;D
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: rockin the retro on February 14, 2012, 06:48:37 PM
If you are talking about me (for one) I have consulted with my attorney and he indicates I have nothing to worry about when I ask one of my friends "Do you want this one? If so, I won't bid". He doesn't consider that bid rigging or collusion.

No, I won't get a new lawyer.

As to your advice that those of us who have committed this crime should edit what we have already posted, I for one will ignore that too.  ;D


Whew....and I was just getting ready to edit~ ;D
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 14, 2012, 07:07:21 PM
If you are talking about me (for one) I have consulted with my attorney and he indicates I have nothing to worry about when I ask one of my friends "Do you want this one? If so, I won't bid". He doesn't consider that bid rigging or collusion.


Classic  ;D
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: alloro on February 15, 2012, 01:49:17 AM
Where is "Bid Rigging" at ?

I believe he is referring to this:
Among the regulars I run with we have an agreement to "share" the wealth and not buy every locker we like and can afford.

By having or making any agreements that effect the final price is collusion and bid rigging just as he said. It is also a felony crime.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 15, 2012, 06:13:21 AM
Among the regulars I run with we have an agreement to "share" the wealth and not buy every locker we like and can afford.

If you want to take that literally.

By having or making any agreements that effect the final price is collusion and bid rigging just as he said. It is also a felony crime.


We have 4 regulars that like the kind of lockers we like. Person A IMO pays to much for lockers, So when we see him bidding we usually don't bid. If he wants it he is going to buy it. If we do bid against him we stop when it is over what we want to pay for it.

Person B and C don't like furniture but like stuff. If we see them bidding once again we bid to where we are comfortable or not. After auction is over we will either buy what they don't want or help them clean out for what they don't want for free.

Person A and B can buy every locker they see, so if they decide not to buy one is that bid rigging?  I don't think so.  We have passed on lockers because of the labor / time / and location is to much.

We attended an auction when we first started. 6 people showed up. 3 regulars. One of the regulars told us that they did not bid because we were there. they showed up to keep the bidding real. We bid on every unit. Only got one. And of course the only other person bidding said I let you have that one, which he did because he stopped bidding his pockets a lot deeper than ours. We paid a fair price for it. and the other 4 people could have bid on it.  "share" the wealth.  He also paid a fair price for the other 3 units he bought.

In this business everyone looking for something different, what they can sell (us falapartical board furniture) Which B and C throw in the trash or burn, we sell. We sell everything so we don't share  ;) So we decide to let them win a locker and buy after, (like we have that kind of control) but really why bid against them when the competition is so hard against the newbies.  Whether we bid on a locker or not there is always someone there bidding a way so the only effect of "sharing the wealth " is you are not bidding, does not "effect the final price " hence no collusion.

If only 2 people show up to an auction  ::) and they talk and decide to only bid up to $10 on units, the facility "has the right to refuse any and all bids" in most PN.  that would be collusion.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: Cobia on February 15, 2012, 07:12:00 AM
Well, we'll have to agree to disagree I guess. Among the regulars I run with we have an agreement to "share" the wealth and not buy every locker we like and can afford. There are always more lockers around the corner and we often say to each other "do you want this one?" knowing if person "A" needs one right now we can live without it.

On the other hand, the couple I am talking about want no part of that cooperation and subsequently they get run up by any number of people; they don't help us and we don't help them.

As far as knowing how to "run your business, simple as that" goes, there are different ways to "run your business" and they can all be profitable. Apple maintains their price points as an example (doesn't cut prices like others do) and they seem to be doing all right.

I have friends who "turn and burn" and I have friends who are willing to hold out for more .... both are successful. There is always more than one way to be successful (IMO).



I don't disagree about having "professional courtesy" between regulars so the group doesn't run each other up, but in my area the dynamics of the auction scene are to complicated to "share the wealth" at every auction. I have certainly made business relationships were I don't run up some bidders and they have returned the favor and thier are a couple of old regulars that have been doing this forever and have no other source of income and they are really hurting right now so I never bid on units they are interested in. With that being said, we have far to few auctions per month, to many regulars, at least 15-25 that pop in and out depending on the auction, and all the newbies thrown in for everyone to get all the units they need for the month. Add to it that there is real competition between a handful of the regulars about 5-7 that purposely try to run each other up. So sometimes I'm the nice guy and don't go after units and the favor is returned, and sometimes there is a unit I really want and I don't care if everyone else has gotten thier quota for the day I'm gonna get it and if I if I already bought a unit or two that day so what! Like I said, with all the competition and the one-hit wonder newbies still winning between 50-75% of the units per auction there is just not eneough units to go around, and like someone else mentioned there is certainly no time to run around with all the regulars deciding who is going to get which unit that day, and not to mention the implied colusion.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: craiglstauction on February 15, 2012, 07:19:41 AM
Not to step on anyones toes but several of you have publicly admitted to "Bid Rigging" and "Collusion"
which is a Felony.

I would advise you not to post anymore about " agreements" that you have....and edit what you have already posted

I went ahead and answered my own question about the "law" as you are claiming.  What you are referring to is the Sherman Act of 1890.  http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/guidelines/211578.htm

Bid rigging in this law is in regard to pocurement and how most gov/public entites get goods and services.  Not 5 buddies in a crowd of 50 not bidding each other up.  Now, if the crowd was only those 5 people and they said you have this locker for $10 then that could be considered collusion.  That is also why the facility reserves the right to reject any/all bids.

The closest case I found to bid rigging/collusion was in CA in 2011 about an auctioneer and 7 investors that rigged auctions.

Now if you want to get very technical what myself, movieman, and I'm sure others that don't run each other up are doing could be considered unethical, but not illegal.  There are too many sellers and too many buyers.

Heck - you could say there was "collusion" even on the TV shows.  A few of the buyers would "back-off" a locker if Brandi or say Berry wanted it.  Hester excluded of course.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 15, 2012, 07:53:36 AM
I believe he is referring to this:
By having or making any agreements that effect the final price is collusion and bid rigging just as he said. It is also a felony crime.

Ok, you got me!  Do you want to put the handcuffs on in back or front of my body ?  That felony conviction sure won't look good on my record....oh wait, I have to get in line with bankers who made home loans with zero down to unemployed immigrants...like the ones who lived next door to me; were evicted; moved back in and squatted for 6 months before the home was sold at...AN AUCTION!
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: rockin the retro on February 15, 2012, 08:20:11 AM
Wow!  I was just wondering if you hated it when the sneaky mousy girl landed a unit or when EF scored 3.......
Collusion, bid rigging, felonies?
Dang~I opened a big ol' can o' worms~

 8)
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 15, 2012, 08:54:14 AM

Dang~I opened a big ol' can o' worms~

 8)

For those falling on the side of felonies being committed (collusion, bid rigging) it reminds me of the facility manager who came by a lkr I had just purchased at an auction.  He started sputtering uncontrolably when he saw three propane tanks in the lkr.

He was incensed that the former owner had stored these illegal and dangerous items in HIS locker!  Call out the bomb squad !

Folks, it happens "felonies" and other "bending" of the rules.  Frankly, this fuss about bid rigging and collusion is rubbish (IMO). 

'nuff said' as far as I am concerned.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: craiglstauction on February 15, 2012, 09:16:19 AM
LOL Rockin - it wasn't you.  It's the "your breaking the law" post that started it.  If you take the law very litteral then every auction I have been to at least 80% of the people are breaking the law.  Friends / groups will be in collusion so as not to bid each other up.  The regular that got some inside info from the girl at the front desk is now in collusion with her as he has info no one else has.  Two people going off to the side and whispering about what all they saw are now in collusion.

Like I said - even on the TV shows you could see it when you get very literal.  The Sherman Act was written in 1890.  Way before the first storage auction.

This whole thing is like speeding.  Is it illegal - yep.  Are you going to jail over it -- doubtfull, unless your 30 MPH over or such.  Does 70% of all drivers do it - yep.

I'm searching the web looking for case studies now.  Wish I still had access to the old law / court cases from when took healthcare law.  So far I've found a Aug 2011 case in california against a auctioneer and 7 real estate investors.  Read about two stamp dealers from like 10 years ago in NY but not found the case or links yet.

I still don't care too much who wins a locker.  I will keep trying to win a locker and not spend a fortune to do it.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: money4nothing on February 15, 2012, 12:31:25 PM
Wow!  I was just wondering if you hated it when the sneaky mousy girl landed a unit or when EF scored 3.......

 ;D
 Don't really care who wins but I will support you on the sneaky mousy girl and dislike it if she wins.  ;)

My husband does not like it when our EF wins he is just an a$$. I missed an all most fight with him being an A$$ the other day.  was sitting in the truck it was cold.  ::)
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: Cheesehead on February 15, 2012, 01:06:09 PM
Around here, it seems the regulars have a number in mind, and don't go over that.  I haven't seen a lot of "bid 'em up" bravado or buying a unit just to make a point.  I'm a "smalls" guy - and I usually have a conversation with myself on whether to bid or not!  (Do I need medication for that!?)  :o   If I like a unit I bid, but I am also smart enough to see if one of the store owners/regulars likes a unit too, then I just stay out of the way and let them make a living.....
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: craiglstauction on February 15, 2012, 01:36:49 PM
If you do this part time and like a unit - don't just stop (less hit your max) on a unit just due to a store/fulltimer is bidding.  They will see, bid, and purchase more units then you will every week.

I've gone up against newbies, full time stores, and mostly old regulars that like small units like I do.  If I like a unit I don't stop until I reach my max most times.  A few times I'll lay off if have won a unit or two and know the old timers have not.  Only few times I've not really bid on a unit is when it's one of my buddies.  We are all in "collusion" and don't normally bid each other up.  Though we have actually done just that a few times before.
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: dcurt on February 18, 2012, 11:10:00 PM
im confused...People go to auctions for different reasons, for resale, for personal gain, to fill their home. Bottom line is, the smartest,dumbest or the one with the most cash wins right?
Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: MovieMan on February 18, 2012, 11:33:20 PM
im confused...People go to auctions for different reasons, for resale, for personal gain, to fill their home. Bottom line is, the smartest,dumbest or the one with the most cash wins right?

All of the above, plus if you do this for 6 months or more and buy 10 or more units during that time you may have new thoughts about it.

Title: Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
Post by: monkeybusiness on February 18, 2012, 11:36:19 PM
 Come on everybody.We are a community.I think its awesome that we have a place to talk about our frustrations,
triumphs,observations and just talk.

 We talk uncensored because we are a community.Sometimes too candid but i always know it stays here.

  Thats why I have a confession I am not going to declare the 64 cents that I recieved on the Ebay settlement on my taxes.

   Got to go I think the feds are knocking on my door now.