Advice for a looky-lou needing furniture?

I admit it... I am one of those newbies who got interested because of the TV shows and have really enjoyed all the war stories everyone shares here on the boards! Hubby and I are looking for a few pieces of furniture and storage auctions seem like one of the places we might find what we want at a reasonable price. Several of the local facilities will list some of the contents of the units in their ads - so there's a heads up if there's furniture or large appliances - and of course there are always "misc. boxes"! 

I don't mind putting in sweat equity cleaning the unit to get a deal, but we're not really interested in doing this as a business. Two consignment shops in our area that specialize in furniture and home decor, and lots do womens/kids clothing - so I am thinking that if there were any decent items that fit those categories, we could consign them to offset our cost.

Is there a good way to "network" and approach other bidders who might want to resell the other types of items? Or if we don't win a unit but might be interested in just one or two pieces, is there an etiquette in approaching the winner to ask if they are planning to sell it?




 

Hey, welcome to the forums! I would just recommend if you see some furniture you would like in unit and someone else wins the unit to approach them at the auction. Most people would be willing to sell stuff(especially bigger stuff) cheaper right at the auction to avoid having to move and store it themselves!

The simplest solution is usually the best.
If you saw a locker with furn you liked, but you didn't win it, just approach the new owner right after the sale of that locker (maybe while walking to the next lkr) and ask if he would be interested in selling you the furn you want. Reactions will vary from "I never sell right away until I look at something" to "NO!"

I personally like it when that happens because I don't like to deal in big stuff. I either sell it on the spot or rent the locker for move-in special if available.

Be sure you offer a fair price. I bought a lkr with two brand new tires on wheels showing. They had the white tags right on the tread, etc. They sold new at the store for $150 plus (each). A guy offered me $10 each. His wife even said "Don't insult him!"  I told her it wasn't insulting to me (but it certainly said something about how smart he was considering I had just paid $750 for the lkr). I later sold each tire for $95.

buying, selling and trading is common. just tell the buyer that you are interested and
ask how much they will take for something. I know I usually have a ballpark price set in my head before I start bidding. you probably want get a firm price till after closer inspection. but you will get a cheaper price if I don't have to move it.

I think most people who win a unit would be delighted to sell some stuff immediately. If you buy the furniture immediately following the auction it saves them the time of finding a buyer and they don't even  have to move the stuff.

Offer somewhat fair prices though. Just b/c you know the guy got the unit for $300 doesn't mean he'll take $50 for a nice couch when he could take it home and sell it on CL for $300 and recoup the entire cost of the unit depending upon what the piece is.

You may find some deals better than CL since your saving the person at the auction the trouble of moving, listing and selling the time but realize how many units you may have to go watch before finding a piece of furniture you like.

Lots of furniture in units is cheap ikea type stuff or old and junky. If there's nice stuff who's to say it goes with the design of your home or you even like it.

If your not really picky about design though and just want a couch for a rec room in the basemet or something like that I think it could work out well though.