Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => General Storage Auction Talk => Topic started by: jethro on December 19, 2014, 08:33:31 PM

Title: Pods Horror Story
Post by: jethro on December 19, 2014, 08:33:31 PM
I won an auction this week and when I was on my third and last load I get this lady from the office steps out and says Im sorry to tell you but that pod was not for sale and was sold in error. We need you to return all the items and get a check in the mail plus $100 for your trouble. This was a 20' pod and it was to the roof full! I had 24 hours of processing that stuff and I told them to come bring a pod and pick the stuff up yourself. They didn't want to do that so here I sit with the biggest pile of household items waiting for someone that wont come to pick them up. I guess I will be keeping this stuff after all.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: auctionguy on December 19, 2014, 09:21:07 PM
I won an auction this week and when I was on my third and last load I get this lady from the office steps out and says Im sorry to tell you but that pod was not for sale and was sold in error. We need you to return all the items and get a check in the mail plus $100 for your trouble. This was a 20' pod and it was to the roof full! I had 24 hours of processing that stuff and I told them to come bring a pod and pick the stuff up yourself. They didn't want to do that so here I sit with the biggest pile of household items waiting for someone that wont come to pick them up. I guess I will be keeping this stuff after all.

Once you pay the unit is yours.  They cannot demand it back, even if its sold in error.  Its their error, not yours.

This has happened to me a couple of times.  Luckily the best time was when I went over board on a room with a safe.  I took it back to the shop had a locksmith open it .. and of course empty ... got a call from the facility that they sold the wrong room and asked if I would be interested in selling the room back.  Asked for double, brought back the busted open safe and walked away happy.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: bakerben on December 20, 2014, 12:11:16 AM
$100 doesnt cut it. $1000 in cash and they can come get the stuff. otherwise they're looking at a $10k lawsuit. The stuff is yours.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: dbr831 on December 20, 2014, 10:46:27 AM
I agree that $100 is definitely not enough and the facility should be bending over backwards to get the stuff picked up. They made a mistake and are facing a huge lawsuit so it is in their best interests to make it right. You should absolutely not have to do any more work and should be generously compensated for the work you already did. Plus I would imagine you paid them in cash at the time of the says so why should you have to wait for a check to be mailed? Crazy!
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: alloro on December 20, 2014, 01:33:20 PM
Sorry to disagree with everyone, but if the unit was sold in error then the items have to go back. All the tenant has to do is file a stolen property police report and the whole transaction becomes a criminal case of selling and receiving stolen property. I agree the fault lies with the facility and they are the ones that should handle the return of the items and also compensate jethro FAIRLY for his expenses and labor.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: Travis on December 20, 2014, 02:39:38 PM
Some states have clauses in their lien laws which make the buyer exempt from any criminal / civil issues that may arise from the purchase of a storage unit.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: bakerben on December 20, 2014, 03:57:50 PM
my reply is always "sorry, the contents have been sold".
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: alloro on December 20, 2014, 04:34:18 PM
Some states have clauses in their lien laws which make the buyer exempt from any criminal / civil issues that may arise from the purchase of a storage unit.

That covers the buyer if items such as guns, drugs, etc. are found in a unit. It will not cover a buyer who has been informed there was an error and yet willfully kept those items after being informed of the error. I would also suggest that if the tenant or facility does not attempt to make arrangements within 30 days, then the buyer might be entitled to keep everything. Kind of like those lost and found laws.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: jethro on December 20, 2014, 06:46:19 PM
Looks like in a load of ship then. I had gone thru 3/4 of the locker with processing and was either sold or absorbed with all my other stuff. As for returning this stuff, I don't have the money it will take to fix it. I did leave the last 1/4 of the locker but it was a mess. Maybe being disabled shouldn't be an excuse for refusing to return the items at my expenses because cost for help again is more than $300 Plus a truck $75 not $100. They have not retuned my calls. I will keep and sell these " Stolen Goods" because they are at fault and told me way too late about this.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: alloro on December 20, 2014, 08:58:45 PM
I don't have the money it will take to fix it.

You are not the one that needs to fix it, the facility is.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: Travis on December 21, 2014, 12:19:03 AM
Looks like in a load of ship then.

No you're not. You have a receipt. It's your merchandise now and the burden of retribution lies upon the storage facility. What state are you in, I'll see if there is an exemption for buyers?
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: jethro on December 21, 2014, 07:10:58 AM
im in Florida
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: Travis on December 21, 2014, 11:26:39 AM
im in Florida

Section 83.806 Enforcement of lien.

(7) A purchaser in good faith of the personal property sold to satisfy a lien provided for in s. 83.805 takes the property free of any claims, except those interests provided for in s. 83.808, despite noncompliance by the owner with the requirements of this section.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: alloro on December 22, 2014, 09:30:24 PM
(7) A purchaser in good faith of the personal property sold to satisfy a lien

In this case there was no lien to satisfy since the tenant was not in default.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: Travis on December 23, 2014, 12:42:29 AM
In this case there was no lien to satisfy since the tenant was not in default.

A lien goes into effect the moment property is stored at a self-storage facility, regardless of whether a tenant is in default. A lien sale was advertised, took place and he purchased the property in good faith. He is protected under this clause. This is now a civil matter between the storage facility and the tenant.
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: rulesforrebels on December 23, 2014, 11:55:50 AM
Wird situation to be in. I would rake them over the coals for money. If it were my unit I would prefer to have my stuff to even having a payday from the facility so would greatly appreciate it if someone woudl give my stuff back to me or at least sentimantal and non value stuff. That said if I was in your shoes I'd be pissed for wasting time and effort. $100 doesn't cover your time let alone gas and other expenses.

I've only been to a handful of pods auctions. I like that lots of stuff is for auction at the same place, hwoever I always felt like they were disorganized and a mess as a company and how htey run their auctions. My last pods auction was during the storage wars hype and I saw a unit with 4used mattresses in it for for like $1900 if I remember correctly. The veterns in the group of 200 were all scratching our heads. Only thing we could figure is people really do believe the shows were real and that even a crap unit had a mattress stuffed with cash or something
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: theoddfind on December 24, 2014, 12:10:35 PM
just happened to another buyer i know at an auction we were at the other month. Facility sold a unit on the wrong date and told buyer next day he had to give it back his answer was no way not my problem took the stuff now the starage facility is being sued by the owner of the unit.  :57:
Title: Re: Pods Horror Story
Post by: Travis on December 24, 2014, 09:22:52 PM
just happened to another buyer i know at an auction we were at the other month. Facility sold a unit on the wrong date and told buyer next day he had to give it back his answer was no way not my problem took the stuff now the starage facility is being sued by the owner of the unit.  :57:

These kind of mistakes happen every day, most go unnoticed. Property sold on the wrong day, facility addresses not included in legal notices, tenant's names not listed, the list goes on and on.