Sort of wish we had a site like this in GA.  That way I could save my gas money for some of these trash units.  That unit looks to be so/so.  At $1,500 it would sell in my area looking like that or maybe cheaper.  Some of the other units that had 2 days still on them were more reasonable in price.

Actually, correction - we are training a facility in Hiram, Georgia next week. From there it will start to snowball as it always does.

The managers at the facilities *should* be very helpful and informative. It may be an aspect of their business that they do not enjoy, but it is their job.

Most of the managers I have met (and I work with hundreds) are very friendly - they should be to you as well.

@ineedaauction: Georgia. Not going to let the cat out of the bag for our entire attack plan unit it is in full swing, but there may be a few people planted in the Atlanta area to start driving auctions to our service, by the end of the year.

Interesting idea, and seems to be kicking off.  The more competition, the more choices there is for everyone.  I'ts another option, which is good.  Any word on Georgia yet?

@ChefJ - good points indeed. I know that our selling prices are typically higher than a live auction, but if you want apply the math and logic to that statement, we're simply driving more people to the auctions which creates more competition and of course bumps prices up. From what I'm told, the high-end units that sell in the 3-5K range are about the same as live auctions, but the difference really lies in the smaller units that would typically go for $50 at a live auction (with 20 people present) - with us they may hover around $200-$300.

But the one thing I've found is, it is very hard to lay down a table of averages. Every sale is different. I've seen some people get GREAT deals.

Also think about - as we grow, we'll have more and more auctions listed which will open the door for better deals as well from the larger menu.

As far as the cash-only sale - most of them still only accept cash. Once the auction closes, the buyer has to show up to the facility location within 24 hours with cash. Some do accept credit card by phone, some credit card in person only, but most still prefer cash.

I'm interested in how inflated the prices will get once the viewing base gets out of hand.  Good for you bad for the buyer.  I own a restaurant and understand that business is business, but this kind of business may kill off the industry once people begin paying retail for every unit.  I am interested to see what the future holds.
I also like cash only auctions,  keeps many of the undesireables from bidding to the extreme as they can't use the credit card that they will eventually default on to purchase the locker.
Sometimes I'm just bitter.

@rulesforrebels - In the beginning, I heard a lot of negativity from the "live auction regulars" as we call them. A bunch of "it'll never work - I have to see it in person." But it's working and working really well. Just as bwd111 said above, his best (read: most profitable) finds have come from us and he's been doing this for almost 10 years. Even he was a big skeptic in the beginning. He'll tell you, among many others, that being there in person isn't as necessary as you're eluding to.

Also note - our software is in constant development. We're working on a feature now that will provide much more detail in regards to the unit's contents.

But I'm glad that it sounds as though you have a pretty open mind about it. For you, my biggest pitch is the fact that you can follow your live auction schedule around all day long, day after day, and may come home empty-handed. Lots of efficiency potentially lost. With our service, you have upwards of 7 days to study the contents, bid on only things you are interested in, then make that drive to simply pay and vacate the unit.

Funny you mention the fact that the industry will never be the same since the advent of the TV shows. We actually started this business before the shows came out (almost a year before). The shows certainly have helped us, but we had our biggest client locked in before the shows even started.

I'm not that familiar with your company but think the online auctions are a unique and kinda cool idea. That said personally though attending auctions can be a pain in the butt I kind of enjoy the whole process of making my auctino schedule for the day going to the auctions, being able to physically see the unit and every nook and cranny not just what someone took a picture of.

I don't ever think this business will be back to what it was but eventually I think this whole fad surrrounding the storage auction thing is going to die off and this is comming from someoen who has ebooks, sells lists, etc.

I'm all about the whole work smarter not harder but the actual process of buying the units has to be an in person detailed decision if you want to consistantly buy quality units and get them at a good price.

In my mind if someone can't take the time to attend an auction which in a  is a lot easier and more fun than the process of selling stuff I highly doubt they are going to be at the flea markets on the weekends at 6am or running all over town to consignment shops, dropping off craigslist sales or whatever else.

It is a cool concept and pretty much every type of sale venture and purchase is available on the internet so I suppose there will always be a market for it.

I''ll have to check out your website, I suppose I should have done that before commenting on something I know nothing about really but it is very interesting and I'll check it out. Curious to see if I may change my mind and decide to take a shot at online atuff if pics are good it seems like you can get a good idea of the unit and its contents.

@drbecker - Washington: right now the closest thing we have going on in your general region is Vancouver. Washington (Seattle namely) is coming, but actual times are yet to be determined. It depends if the people making the decisions above me plan to hire someone in EVERY major city in the US. i have been told what the primary cities are, but I've also heard the plan to put a few sales reps in every city in the US with a population of a million or more (then work their way down to outlying regions).

Lots going on, lots to do yet.

jrossjr79: Texas in general is a big push for us right now, mostly because of the demand and the huge physical size of the territory.

We actually just secured a new self storage business that has 6 locations in Texas - Austin, Allen, Forney, Grand Prairie, Murphy and Terrell (we will announce who the self storage company is on Facebook once the ink dries).

We don't have reps placed in Texas yet, but that is in the process. From what I'm told, the plan is to get sales personnel out in the field targeting Dallas, Houston and San Antonio in an attempt to get a triangle-effect of coverage going.