The space isn't owned by Walmart, they are just a tenant.  The cars are next to a line of spaces next to the Walmart gas station.  Those spots almost never get used as they are far from the store, the other retail stores in the strip, etc.  Maybe they figure people will stop and fill-up whiel they are there picking-up.  Who knows.

For the most part I stay local.  I'm down to about 4 specific auctions a month.  More auctions are going on around town but I'm either working R/L job, or they are on the other side of town and normal of poor quality.  I'm just lucky that SC has one of the lowest prices of gas.  Has shot up 38 cents in last week and half or so but still 3.58 beats out $3.90 / $4 gallon.

May have to park the Avalanche and steal my wifes car.  Only gets 3-4 miles more per gallon but that is going to add up quick here soon.

We have a new trend for our area it seems.  Don't know about other cities / locations.  People are doing I assume Facebook online yardsale of items.  Then every saturday morning everyone meets up at the Walmart parking lot.  I saw this a week or so ago and had thought it was a school type "trunk" sale.  One of the customers came in the store saturday and told me it was the online yardsale swap spot.  Anyone done this?

License check is normal unless you have purchased from them serveral times before in the past.  Some places get it when register to bid, others only if you win a unit.

As for a $50 deposit - We only have 1 location that charges that, and only if you win a unit.  Most locations in my area is on a "honor" system.  Charging it up-front to everyone that "enters the gate" could help cut down on that 100+ crowd you mentioned.  I know 6+ months back we had a thread going about charging admission to the auction.  I think one place actually did this.  I've had to pay for a "bidder card" before at other auctions (non-storage).  It helps cut down on some of the crap so to speak.

Gun shy - maybe a little but from the sounds of these two auctions - smart sense more then gun shy.  Not sure of your setup for selling items.  Depending on your time / method I've learned can determine how you "value" items.  Let's assume instead of the 50% split, I keep 100% of the profit.  I would of looked at the first unit as the following:

Rods w/ no reels - $0 to $20 -- depends on condition, brand, etc. of course.
Golf bag - $25 - $50
Golf clubs - ?
3 TV's - scrap (get more TVs for free then know what to do with them.  1 will sell every 2-3 months)
Lazy boy chair - $75 - $100
Love seat - $50 - $75
Chest/Bench - would need picture but will say $50

So for me - no, at $450 there is very little profit margin unless get lucky with the boxes, rods, or golf clubs.

Prices have fallen some since this time last year.  Even with the tax season price inflation it's not as bad as it was last year in my area.  Some units are priced fair with a good ROI potential.  Other units are so high it's not funny.  If you are bidding you are not gun shy.  It's people that don't even bid that are shy.  You are just being smart in what you are wanting to buy.

I bought a large pack of mixed batteries from a tool place in columbia, sc.  I use it to check some of the watches that I think will sell.  If I put a battery in then the price is $10 or more.  If however I don't want to fool with it, is a cheapo, etc. I just put them in a box for $1 each.

Never thought of selling a box of them.  You doing it as scrap or parts on ebay?

I live out in the woods off the major roads so no sales for me.  I'm toying with the idea of doing one at my mothers house as it is just off a main highway.  Even then I think it's not in a "prime" location.  Most people hit the city and subdivisions as you can get 4-5 sales in the same area.  With the talk of $5 gas this summer it may slow down the yardsale people...maybe.

My sister-in-laws house is in a good location.  However, you have to buy a city permit.  By the time I do that and move everything to her house I can just go hit the flea or my buddies store.

All of the regulars have the car canopy poles and tarps setup out there.  Of course they have the same spot every weekend and can have the semi-perm setup.

Myself - I have 2 of the cheap canopies that I use.  The market is covered.  However, the parking spot isn't.  I also pull my table back so that I can put in other tables and use up every sq foot that I can.  So I setup the canopy if have one spot, or both if two.  I keep bungies and strap everything down.

I also have learned to keep some of the cheap painter plastic covering you can get at walmart for $1.57.  Had a pop-up shower one day while at the flea.  I stood on the table and put the plastic up from the lip of the roof to my trailer.  Kept everything dry and simple to take down.  Always have some clamps, straps, and plastic handy IMO.

I'm looking at getting an enclosed trailer next weekend.  So will be looking at some other setups for the flea and buddies store when use the trailer.  Maybe just a tarp and two poles.  So put poles out, hook tarp to the trailer and poles, turn on the fan.