Storage Auctions
The Storage Locker => General Storage Auction Talk => Topic started by: Adam on September 02, 2013, 07:13:54 PM
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I'm sure most of you have made a contact or two in this business. Whether it be comic books or mattresses (ok probably not mattresses). But have you found it to be beneficial for you to use these contacts over time?
Here are some of my contact examples.
I once had a beat up old dryer which I priced at $50 on craigslist , guy came and picked it up the next morning and gave me his card and told me that he has an used appliance shop. Since then he has bought every one of my appliances, which were all pretty rough, and for a fair price
I have also made a contact who holds a garage sale every weekend (he does house clean outs), its in the city, and there is a lot of foot and car traffic. He does pretty well. I give him all my furniture, general household etc. And he sells the stuff pretty fast. Its a low income area and most people are on welfare, but they pay a pretty good amount for the stuff. Granted, he keeps a portion, but it saves me time and storage space.
Back on subject. Do any you have contacts that you primarily call up? What do your contacts buy? Or would you rather sell on your own and sit on the stuff for a little while longer?
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I am new but have kept a good number of the storage managers in my contact list. I keep notes on them about their likes and dislike and make sure I chat them up between auctions not just on auction day. I usually bring a favorite soft drink or a sonic drink when in the neighborhood. A lot of times they are older retirees and love a little company.
I am beginning to keep a pretty extensive list of my buyers that have certain skills. I recently met a propmaster for a TV show that shoots in Dallas and sometimes she is looking for a very specific item. I try to steer her in the right direction if I don't have it.
I also have a friend that refurbishes furniture with a nice Facebook page and she has posted some items for me. I just recently started my own Facebook page and will return the favor.
https://www.facebook.com/JMThriftboutique
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Contacts are important to maintain. I have a few. I have a guy that I can bring bedroom furniture to, he owns a mattress store and uses clean, newer furniture as displays, sells them out too. It's more of a consignment thing.. But he only charges 20%. Have another guy for vintage guitars. Another for sound equipment. The rest I take care of. I only really sell to my contacts if I have a tough time moving it though, or if I come across a room that's a major focus of one of my guys.
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I havent bought hat many lockers but I have a scrap metal guy to takes unsellable stuff from me and gives me a cut of what he gets. Helps me and him.
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I have a store so my contacts may be a little different than some others. To me my most important are the non-profits. As I go through a unit I set up bins. One for each organization I donate to. I throw very little away. My bins are sorted like this: Local School-paper, pencils, art supplies, etc.
Senior Home-books, movies, craft supplies
Animal shelter-blankets, towels, cleaning supplies
Loaves & Fishes-soap, shampoo, (mostly motel sizes) tooth brushes
Womans Shelter-nice clothes, toys
Most of this stuff I don't care to sell in my store. I call my contact and have them come and pick it up. The towels and blankets are only the ones that are stained or have holes. The animals don't really care if they are not nice. It makes me feel really good to know that someone is getting some benefit out of stuff most people buying units normally throw away.
Recycle, reuse, re-purpose.