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Topics - mhuynh9

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31
Craigslist / Where do you meet?
« on: September 17, 2013, 03:34:04 PM »
I just read a post by Alias that said they met people in malls or police stations.  I understand safety concerns and usually have them meet at my storage with a friend or my wife. 

Anyone ever had problems with creeps or anything like that?

32
Stories about Storage Auctions / Screwed by bad advertisement and myself
« on: September 13, 2013, 03:09:48 PM »
I went to an auction where the advertised that there was a 2007 Jeep Cherokee in a locker.  We got there and the auctioneer and the storage district manager both said it was a 2007 Jeep. 

It looked nice and they even let people walk into the unit but I got there late just as the bidding was starting.  My friend told me what they said on the phone about the 2007 Jeep.  Anyway I won the locker at $1950 which was a gamble I was willing to take on a 2007.  It turns out it was a 2001.  Big difference!!!! 

I am in the process of talking to the storage district manager about making things right.  I know it is buy AS IS and I am to blame for not doing my due diligence and it was a rookie mistake.  Still I feel that the storage place acted in bad faith as well. 

I do not believe they did it on purpose but they had the VIN and the owner of the unit told them it was a 2007.  They researched the title by calling Missouri which is where the car was registered.  I knew I could get a bonded title in Texas so I was not concerned about that. 

The problem was that I was able to find out it was a 2001 in less than ten minutes after I got the VIN by running a simple web search through one of the many services available online.

Anyway I will keep you guys posted on what is happening.  Worse case scenario this is a very expensive lesson.

FYI it has 186K miles and the engine sounds like crap. :(

33
Stores / Antique Malls
« on: September 11, 2013, 08:55:54 AM »
There are a couple of antique malls near where I live that charge $75-$150 a month plus a 10% commission on items sold.

Was curious if anyone has tried this, you would have to have a pretty good inventory to keep up the cost.  The good thing is you don't have to be there and you get paid twice a month.

34
General Storage Auction Talk / Partners
« on: September 09, 2013, 04:50:54 PM »
When I first started buying lockers I started on my own.  I felt that I missed on a couple of opportunities and got a partner.  We split everything but unfortunately it has soured at least for me.  My partner is a good guy but we don't see things the same.

He always wants to throw things away and is looking for the home run.  He wants to buy bigger units and just looks for the big items.  We have barely turned a profit with a ton of work.  The only reason we turned a profit was me selling on Craigslist.  He has sold a couple of items to people he knows but not enough to keep the operation going.  We now have a 10x25 locker full of stuff.  We are still in the profit but he has no plans to sell anything except for vague notions of "lets get into a flea market or have another garage sale."  Both good ideas but there is no execution.  I really cannot do to many flea markets because I have young kids and our weekends are booked sports and other activities.  Anyway I have told him we are done but I will still help sell what we have and of course split everything.

It was a good learning experience and thanks to this forum and other resources I feel like I can do it on my own in my own time.  My strategy has always been smaller cheaper units with a small profit so I can learn the ropes.  Keep expenses low and no huge lockers.  Anyway I am happier and we have been able to keep our friendship.

Just curious have others have dealt with partnerships or going it alone.

35
Reality Shows about Storage Auctions / Realistic "Reality Shows"
« on: September 05, 2013, 06:56:03 AM »
We have complained rightfully so about how inaccurate and bad some of these shows are but do you think there are some realistic aspects of Storage Auctions in Storage Wars. 

It seems like there is always at least one good realistic auction on each episode.  This weeks Storage Wars Texas,  the locker with all the restaurant booths seemed realistic.

It was to big a bulky for most people but with the right connections and work that locker was worth $150(I think) for a buyer.  The value was within eyesight.

Some of Barry's bust should also serve as a reminder of what can go wrong in the business.

36
Craigslist / If you woke up broke
« on: September 02, 2013, 06:56:45 PM »
I was reading a blog recommended on this forum call Recraigslist

http://recraigslist.com/2013/07/how-to-start-from-zero/

He posed a question and then went on to explain how he would do it
The question was what if tomorrow you woke up broke, how would you start over.
So here is the scenario

You are completely broke and in a new city.  No friends or family but you do have a car and a smart phone.
This is on the craigslist forum for two reasons
1. This month's contest :)
2. I would start by checking the free stuff on Clist.

I would love to hear your strategies and stories.

37
Craigslist / Garage sale closeouts
« on: September 01, 2013, 04:55:18 PM »
I have been checking out Clist this weekend there were some "to hot come make me an offer for everything"
Has anyone had any luck with those?

I am going to one in a bit.

38
Online Storage Auctions / Forklift and solar panels
« on: August 29, 2013, 08:34:43 AM »
This locker is out of both my price and work range but I really think you can make some money on it.

Hopefully someone on the forums can pick it up it is in the Dallas area.

39
Welcome to the Online Storage Auctions Forum / Another newbie
« on: August 29, 2013, 08:24:38 AM »
My name is Minh and I have just started buying lockers at storage auctions.  I made a good score on my very first unit for $170 with a nice Ninja commercial carpet a couple of Peavey speakers.  There were also a lot of nice little household items I was able to unload.  Like winning in Vegas for the first time, I was hooked.

Since then I have concentrated on small inexpensive units.  It has gone well but I have missed some good opportunities like a locker full of scaffolding and another contractor unit because I was either short on cash or just a little scared to move everything. 

I now have a friend as a partner but I will have to rethink that as well after a disastrous online auction.  He is a stand up guy and works hard but we have to find a way to minimize mistakes.  I too have made my share but they have been because I have bought trashy units for little money not overpaid for good units. 

It is still fun and I have met some great people.  Glad I have this forum to ask questions and troll.

40
What's it Worth?? / USPS Priority Boxes
« on: August 29, 2013, 08:03:11 AM »
We bought a locker recently that had hundreds of flat USPS Priority boxes of different sizes.  They have come in handy for various reason but was wondering if there is any resale value considering you can get them for free for USPS.  BTW I really appreciate this community I was up late trolling some older post last night and it was great reading.

41
What's it Worth?? / Bell South Stock Certificates
« on: August 28, 2013, 06:58:40 AM »
My partner and I found 98 shares of Bell South Certificates dated 1984.  Does anyone know the worth of them and even if we can trade it in since it is under someone else name?  Thanks

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