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Topics - stanleywhatnots

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The Treasure Chest / Film Production Unit
« on: August 19, 2011, 01:24:55 PM »
As I was looking at the legal notices yesterday, I saw that one of the owners of a unit going up for auction is a film production company.  I Googled them (naturally) and found that they are very small (hence not paying on their storage), but I am intrigued by what may be in there... I am having visions of all kinds of A/V equipment dancing in my head.  I'm assuming it will be too rich for my blood, but one can always dream. 

I'm not even sure I'll be going to that one (couple weeks out), but if I do, I'll report back.

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General Storage Auction Talk / A Noobie's Selling Conundrum
« on: August 09, 2011, 07:37:37 PM »
So, I have been going through my home as if it were a storage locker and selling various things through various channels in order to get a bankroll to go out and get that first locker.  But it has led to a question for you experts...

I have 7 collectible items (wargames of various titles) that I want to sell.  On eBay, they could go for between $650-$750 for the lot.  I found a game store that sells out-of-print games, and he sells these titles from $50 to $350 for each of  my titles (two of them at the $350 each price).  This store also buys games, so I contacted him, and he offered me $400 for all seven.

My question is, what would you do?  Do you go for the sure $400?  Do you put them on eBay with a reserve, but they might not sell?  Do you try craigslist first?  

Say you found these in a unit... what do you do to unload them?  All advice is appreciated.

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New to Storage Auctions? / My First Auctions
« on: July 28, 2011, 10:25:34 AM »
Wasn’t sure where to put this, it fit here, Auction Stories, or the Lookey loo thread.  Anyway, move it if it seems better elsewhere…

I went to my first four auctions yesterday.  The first one easily had 90 people with about 10 bidders.  That isn’t counting the dozen or so children and infants.  The next three were in a circuit and were less crowded (about 40 people), but my guess is that most lookey loos went to an auction that had 20 units up.  The first auction, though crowded, was a pleasant experience as the auctioneer was friendly and allowed people to really look at a unit.  The last three (all done by the same guy, who I found out later is a regular in southern California) were not as fun.  He would not let your feet stop moving as you walked by a unit.  One guy (a regular) got down on his hands and knees to look under something and got barked at; because he was a regular, he barked right back.  More than once I heard people sharing information as to what they saw in a unit and complaining that they had no idea what they were bidding on.

My favorite unit of the day was a packed unit (10x15) that looked like a lot of junk in the front, but was clearly most of a household.  Bidding started at $100, then $125, then $150… then a regular just yelled out $1000 and it sold for that.  Other regulars were saying it would have gone for more if he hadn’t jumped in.  He scared away the competition and avoided the nickel and diming the noobies were doing.  Overall, prices were all over the map.  A couple units went for fairly cheap for good stuff to outrageous for what looked like junk.

I didn’t bid on anything, but in describing the experience to my wife, I have piqued her interest to the point she wants to go out with me next time I go (probably in a month or so). 

All in all, it was good experience, and I now have a better sense of what I would need to bid to get certain lockers.  I also spent the day as a sponge listening to the regulars talk about the business.  There was a reporter at one facility who was just talking to a regular.  I sat back and just absorbed everything he had to say while she asked the questions for me!  It was perfect.

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New to Storage Auctions? / Shipping supplies
« on: July 19, 2011, 02:14:23 PM »
It seems to me that Amazon's 3.99 for shipping books covers the media mail rate for most books, but the shipping supplies are just not going to be covered in that amount.  The USPS rate plus a decent box to ship a large hardcover book (think a Tom Clancy novel) plus the packing material (unless you use old newspapers) is going to run $1-2 more than the $3.99 you are allotted.

Does anyone know of a good source for shipping supplies to keep those costs under control?

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New to Storage Auctions? / Compliance with the law in California
« on: July 14, 2011, 06:12:46 PM »
For those in California...

Is this business a "secondhand dealer" business as described in CA Business & Professions Code Section 21626? (see http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=68514516431+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve)

I sure hope not as the requirements of this article would totally dissuade me from starting in on this.

I told you all I research things thoroughly before I get involved...  :P

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West / Legally Required Auction Notices in Sacramento area
« on: July 12, 2011, 10:28:08 AM »
California Business & Professions Code Section 21707 requires that, prior to a lien sale, the storage facility must publish notice of the sale in "a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the sale is to be held."

I have looked into this, and the Sacramento Bee (online) does not have these notices, nor have I seen any in the last month (never looked at it before that) in the Penny Saver.  I have not looked in a physical copy of the SacBee, is it possible that they print something in the paper but not put the info online?

I guess my question is, am I missing where the Sacramento area auctions are being advertised?

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Welcome to the Online Storage Auctions Forum / Hello from California
« on: July 11, 2011, 06:20:50 PM »
I live near Sacramento, and I am hoping to buy my first locker within a year.  I am the type of person who likes to know what he is getting into and does thorough research first.  Hence, I have been lurking here for a couple months.  I wanted to say hi now before the new seasons of the storage shows start on TV so I don't get lumped in with all the other noobies those will generate.   ;)

My slow and steady pace is reflected in my "business plan."  I intend to do this only part-time (hobby) for spending money; I have a job I love with no intentions of quitting.  I am hoping to attend my first auctions in a couple weeks... just as a lookey loo for now.

Just wanted to introduce myself before I start asking all you experts for more information.  Thanks for this great community!

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