Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on May 31, 2012, 07:04:28 PM

Title: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on May 31, 2012, 07:04:28 PM
June is here...and a good thing too. May seemed to be a little slow in several parts of the country. Maybe June will pick up a bit.

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 01, 2012, 09:27:41 AM
Going to two auctions today...one a piece by piece and the other a place that only has two facilities with only one facility having a sale today.

The single auction is often sparsely attended so some hope there; also two major auctioneers are having out of town sales at the same hour, so that helps.

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 01, 2012, 08:02:03 PM
The auction I went to today only had 10 bidders (5 of us were regulars) and 10 lockers. Unfortunately (except for 3 weeks ago) when that happens it almost invariably means the lockers will be garbage.

They were. The first 4 went for $5 each mostly (maybe a $10 thrown in). One gal got 3 or 4, a newbie got 4...the most expensive one was one HE bought and it was a 10 x 15 that went for $40 ! (what does that tell you ?)

Oh well, there's always another auction down the line.

(the piece by piece auction I went to was also a bust...didn't bid on a thing.)  ???
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: bulldogmom on June 04, 2012, 05:22:11 PM
Went to an auction on Saturday - 8 units up for bid, two were nice and I bid on them but they went to one of our "biggies" who is also a SCUBA diver friend of hubby's and he paid a little more than I thought he should (of course, a few of those bids were mine!). One had a nice assortment of decent quality items, one of which was a case that the men were convinced was a gun case....I thought it was an electric guitar case. Turned out to be a guitar case...an empty one. He said he will triple his money but I think he is talkin' out his rear.

Today was the U-Haul caravan - one place had 4 units, all trash. The second had two units - one looked like someone had moved their whole garage in - including two motors and 3 car doors! It went for $950.

Tormorrow there is a piece-by- piece but since our oldest daughter is in town from Kansas to watch her sister graduate from high school, I think I will pass on everything until next week.

Oh, almost forgot....crowds were small, 10-20 people and the prices were decent!

Happy huntin' everyone!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 05, 2012, 10:06:38 AM
(the piece by piece auction I went to was also a bust...didn't bid on a thing.)  ???

And alab is laughing............somewhere..... :P

Sorry to hear the lockers were junky - seems to be the trend lately - my last five facilities have been, how you say, "less than spectacular."

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 05, 2012, 10:24:51 AM
And alab is laughing............somewhere..... :P



Maybe, but he wasn't laughing when he left the forum abruptly a couple of weeks ago...even an online community can exert "peer pressure" and (IMO) he wasn't getting much support.

My guess is he's still getting a HUGE number of $5 lockers to fill that big truck...those big trucks come in handy running to the dump too !


Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 05, 2012, 11:08:02 AM
The junk lockers can sometimes yeild good profit margin if you are willing to do the work. I think to many people want the one big item and don't want to work for the higher % of profit. A 1.00 locker that looks like crap can yeild a higher % of profit then a 3000.00 locker.

My last two lockers were 1.00 clean outs.

The first one I made 80.00 bucks before leaving the auction by selling some of the items to other auction goes. By the time all the items were sold out of that 1.00 locker I had turned 150.00 dollars and had 6 new cans of spray paint.1500% profit for 1/2 hrs work.

The second one had a bit more but still paid the 1.00 for. The old dresser that nobody wanted was packed with DVD's. and the metal head board went to scrap. By the time I was done with it all it was another 120.00 dollars, and some firewood (see old dresser).

2700% profit for some work is not bad.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 05, 2012, 11:25:22 AM
While I do buy a bunch of junk/trash units and I agree with you jc14bar it's not always the case.  If I've already purchased a unit at a location, I'll buy all the under $10 junk units I can get.  If the place is on my way home from work I'll buy a junk unit.  However, if like most of the places they are not on my way home and I've not bought a unit already there I many times will pass on the units.  If there is something I want for myself sure.  If not - it's not worth the time, effort, and gas money to clean out a $1 unit for $40.  Cost me $20 per trailer load to haul trash.

First auction of the month is Friday for me.  Going to miss one location and the first of the U-haul locations due to a meeting.  Hope to get to the U-haul downtown.  They have had some decent units for a change.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 05, 2012, 11:36:17 AM
Dont get me wrong, junk is junk is junk. I am just surprised how fast people shy away from a little work. The 1st locker i listed above had a bike rack for a car, an easel, a 5 foot wrecking bar, pick axe, and a 3 ft crow bar in sight. But the trash pushed people away. I got lucky at the bottom of the trash pile was a roll of garbage bags. Thank you for giving me the means to take your trash out.

Its just my .02

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 05, 2012, 01:14:09 PM
The junk lockers can sometimes yeild good profit margin if you are willing to do the work. I think to many people want the one big item and don't want to work for the higher % of profit. A 1.00 locker that looks like crap can yeild a higher % of profit then a 3000.00 locker.


Yes, a bigger rate of return percentage is possible with a cheap locker. Here's another way to look at the comparison for expenditure vs. return.

(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/return.jpg)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 05, 2012, 01:22:17 PM
So there is lies teh eternal question.

Do you take a higher locker with a lower % of profit and more cash? (higer risk more reward)

or

Do you take a lower locker with a Higer % of profit, but les cash? (lower risk lower reward).

I think a nice mix of both is nice. But anything under double your money is just not worth the risk.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 05, 2012, 01:37:30 PM
So there is lies teh eternal question.

Do you take a higher locker with a lower % of profit and more cash? (higer risk more reward)

or

Do you take a lower locker with a Higer % of profit, but les cash? (lower risk lower reward).



And of course we don't know the answer UNTIL we have sold the goods we have bought.

I have bought expensive lockers and (1) made good money (2) broken even (3) lost money.  I think that covers every possibility.

Luck certainly plays a part in our business and we have both GOOD and BAD from time to time. Making "good" judgements about the possibilites is a big part (IMO) of the profitabilty. The newbies lack of experience here is what makes them stop coming back if they over-invest and get a bad locker.

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 05, 2012, 01:43:39 PM
OH I agree,

I am a re-born newbie. I did this for years in my 20's then got a job and had a family. now that the kids are older and I am more secure I can get back into the game. Some of the regulars look at me like I am some show following newbie, but I hold my secret closer.

Now if I could just get the wife to relax on the inventory in the garage I would be great.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cobia on June 06, 2012, 07:55:43 AM
Yes, a bigger rate of return percentage is possible with a cheap locker. Here's another way to look at the comparison for expenditure vs. return.

(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/return.jpg)

Thats a great little spread sheet comparing rate of return with nominal return (actual cash back). One caveat, other expenses are missing from that spreadsheet that could hugely affect rates of return and total profit. The first expense that comes to mind is fuel. That little junk unit with 900% return would turn into a loss if you included say $25 fuel costs, where as the expensive unit with only 100% return could assume the fuel costs with little change to overall rate of return and profit. Cheap units can be profitable but as an auction buyer you will probably want to buy multiple cheap units per auction day to spread the additional associated costs across all the units. Taking into consideration fuel only, as long as you can load everything while you are there then there is no additional cost in fuel to clean-out those cheapy "garbage" units.

Movieman, I know you know this, just wanted to point it out for the other players in the game.  ;)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 06, 2012, 09:40:46 AM


Movieman, I know you know this, just wanted to point it out for the other players in the game.  ;)

Yes, gas is always an issue, especially if one has gone out of town any distance. I seldom do that anymore. Still waiting for the final crowd and newbie decline.

I DO buy small cheap units sometimes IF I have bought a big unit at the same location. You're already there and if you see some sellable items in a small unit (or even a junk unit) you're not impacting yourself negatively too much. The only problem with small (and especially JUNK) units in my area is that even they are going for $25 to $75. One gal who used to buy all the $5 and $1 units now spends up to $50 on them!  She has even gone up to $300 on semi-good looking 10 x 10s, but they typically are still going for around $500 in my area (witness the fact I recently spent $825 and $1900 for the last two lockers I got).
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: fredgsanford on June 06, 2012, 10:53:24 AM
my 2 cents

return in investment  is kind of overrated in this business on a per locker basis. It doesnt tell the whole story by a long shot.

using moviemans last example the 1900 locker with the 3800 return

it nowhere accounts time into the equation

if that locker took a week or less to flip its a killer deal
if it took 2-3 weeks to flip it was a good deal
if it took the better part of 6 weeks to deal with all of a sudden its not looking all that wonderfull anymore

and the return on investment stays the same

ive bought several cheap crappy looking lockers for $5-50  and have both scored and lost, for the past year ive tried to stay away from them. I have other things i can be doing and dont want to get locked into  dealing with something marginal at best and losing the time i could have otherwise spent doing something more productive.

that being said the crap lockers are a great way to get started and not a horrible deal for a part timer if they have the time to spare
 
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 06, 2012, 10:54:53 AM
If small and junk units begin to get up in price I bow out quick. I won't pay more than 10 bucks on a unit that is small or junk. and sometimes that is to much. Unit prices have been on the decline where I am from so I don't have a problem picking up two or three small or junk units.

Gas is always a unknown. I always think of gas as something I am buying anyway. Weather I drive my truck to the storage lockers or to work I am driving. (yes i have a real job) I don't travel more then 20 miles from my home base anyway.

I think my orignal premis on this post was if one is willing to do the work, cheap and "junk" units can be profitable.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: fredgsanford on June 06, 2012, 10:56:37 AM
oh and at the auctions i went to last week crowds dies down a bit and there were only 3 real pricey rooms out of about 30 i looked at
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 09, 2012, 10:25:04 PM
Well, the string of facilities with "low quality" lockers continued in my area today.  The good news is the crowd was down,only about 8 bidders, but the units were not good.  Mostly garbage bags, broken furniture, and empty boxes.  (Hey, at least they weren't staged!!   ::))  Six lockers up for bid, with prices ranging from $5 -$275 - with one locker not getting a bid.  Most expensive unit had a nice desk, several bins, a couple old tools, and three worn mattresses - and the winning bidder has an auction house, so they were happy to get it. 

Bad thing is the low quality has also spilled over to my local garage sales.  Went picking after the auction, and stuff was either junk, or anything good was priced at ABOVE retail.  No joke, I went to about 10-12 places and people were really in love with their stuff.  For instance, found a really nice coffee table-size Beatles Anthology book - priced at $60 on the dust cover and priced at $75 by the seller!!  And it was beat up a little!  I offered her $10 and she laughed - said if was a collector's item that was selling for over $100 on eBay.......last time I checked we weren't on eBay, we were in your driveway........and so it went......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Beatles-Anthology-Book-/320916863868?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item4ab822bb7c
($100.....$30......hey, she was close!!)   :P

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 10, 2012, 09:01:02 AM


http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Beatles-Anthology-Book-/320916863868?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item4ab822bb7c
($100.....$30......hey, she was close!!)   :P



I recently sold two different Beatles books at the flea market....$10 each. On the other hand, I sold an X-Men and a Batman "Cave" book for $15 each.

As to the comment "It sells for $100 on eBay" I think there is some value in saying that. Yes, we're in the driveway or at the flea market, but saying that ....or more commonly..."It sells for $100 at the store" seems legit to me (if true). They then make the comment that "but we're at the flea market".... this after I have offered it to them at $10 !

What I don't get is this. I offer some item at say $4 (maybe a smaller size tool like a new Crescent brand wrench). They balk or say something like "That's more than I want to pay."  When I ask them "How much is it in the store?" They often respond, "I have no idea" or "I don't know."  I find THAT hard to believe. Even the dumbest customer has SOME idea of what something costs at retail.  Now if they just really can't afford that $4, then OK, but keep walking around until you can find some dumb seller who WILL sell you a $10 new tool for $1.00.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 10, 2012, 09:34:53 AM
Well finally made an auction.  U-haul had 1 at the first facility and 12 at the downtown which I made.  Crowd of about 20 people, most regulars, or some of the 6mo regulars.  Had one old lady and her husband who were proudly claiming they watched the shows and came out.  First unit was one of the two nice units of the day and went for $300+.  Got to the 3rd unit and everyone is walking away.  The whale put in a $5 bid as he buys all of the non-selling units for $5 from the facility.  Said out loud if anyone puts a bid in they can have it.  The new people bid $10 and I'm like - you dummy.  I do have to give them credit.  They were out that night and saturday morning cleaning the unit out.  I bid on a packed 5 x 10 filled with totes/boxes to the roof.  I lost as my max was 250 and it went for 350.  Did snag 2 units they were selling together for $100 which surprised me.  Was mostly furniture which I stay away from but some boxes, big air cleaning holmes unit, and other stuff.  Even splitting the money with my friend at the thrift store I'm already only $30 in the red with a number of smalls, electronics, and few larger items still at his store.  So I'll make some money from this test run.

The majority of our auctions this month is this week.  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday are all auction days.  Downside is the unit count even in the paper is low.  The 7 facility auction thursday only has 4 locations and I suspect 2 of them will pay up.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: rockin the retro on June 10, 2012, 09:43:23 AM
OK~a few minutes of 'down' time.

The past couple weeks have been chaotic, as we've been attending every auction available and headed 200 miles north to help my mother-in-law move down here (24' truck filled to the brim....unloading in 105 degrees was a b****).

Don landed one unit on the 29th of May (I know....should be in #5, but I don't feel like bouncing all over).  10X10 full.  Items seen side by side fridge, large glass & metal display shelves, gardening wagon, about 35 tubs. He thought he had it at $120, but one of our buddies decided to go for it too.  Landed it at $200.  Tubs were mostly crafting and Christmas, but we found some nice western items (NFR buckles, belts and boots).  Should be a double + locker.  

Last week was Cubesmart.  Minimal crowd to start.  First locker opened and there was a cheap dining table, dart board, misc crap.  Then they announced that two lockers for the price of one.  opened the next door and there was a full-size mattress set, wrought iron headboard and black floral couch.
I ended up with both lockers for $65.  Will probably make 3 X and clean out was a breeze.  Only 'hidden' treasure was a pair of Ocelot motocross boots.

Since then we've been trying to organize, fix and sell.  Times are kinda tough here as we've been running a steady 100 + degrees.  Craigslist has been ok and I don't have any 'good' ebay items nor do I have the time (right now) to list what I do have.

I'm gonna try to post a random ramblings thread later today to sum up a bunch of what I've been experiencing here in Southern AZ......some great....some sad.....

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cobia on June 12, 2012, 08:04:35 AM
No auctions here until the last week of June, so went to an auction the other day in a city 40 miles away. Good news: crowds down, everybody in groups so actual bidders were 1/3 of the attendees, about 20 in attendance but only 7 bidders/groups. Prices somewhat reasonable except for a couple of $10-$25 junk units that drew $100 bids. Most expensive unit was $300. Since I was out of town, I didn't recognize anybody, but only a couple of the bidders appeared and acted like true greenhorns/newbies. Everybody else seemed to know what they were doing. Didn't win anything, all the units were to small or poor quality to justify making another trip to clean them out.

I ended up with the reminents of an estate for free! Some furniture and a couple of boxes of kitchen goods, (pots, pans, glass, etc.) So I gotta make a profit on that lot!

Went to an auction house and picked up a couple of pieces of furniture to re-sell, the good news is I sold more furniture that night at auction then I bought so that turned out good.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 12, 2012, 08:23:35 PM
Hitting an auction this weekend at a facility where two tenants have now been listed FOUR TIMES in the classifieds as having their lockers auctioned off.  Wow, that's a lot of last-minute scrambling. 

You'd think they'd get sick of the horse-hockey and either move out or default - and not have to fight with the facility constantly.  Hello..... ??? ???....it's a pretty good sign you can't afford the locker if you name keeps showing up in the Legal Notices.......
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 12, 2012, 08:28:54 PM
...it's a pretty good sign you can't afford the locker if you name keeps showing up in the Legal Notices.......

AND....it's a very good sign for buyers that after that lock has been cut 4 times that the frm owner had lots of opportunities to take out the GOOD stuff.

I followed one of these guys through 3 cycles. The first time it came up the mgr told me (because we are on good terms) that it had multiple Snap-On toolboxes in it. He paid up once, twice....third time it came up for auction.

Pop the door...nothing but the usual crapola !

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 12, 2012, 08:59:06 PM
AND....it's a very good sign for buyers that after that lock has been cut 4 times that the frm owner had lots of opportunities to take out the GOOD stuff.

I followed one of these guys through 3 cycles. The first time it came up the mgr told me (because we are on good terms) that it had multiple Snap-On toolboxes in it. He paid up once, twice....third time it came up for auction.

Pop the door...nothing but the usual crapola !

It will be interesting to run that test this weekend - either her locker won't be up for auction and I'll be Oh-for-four (in baseball terms - the "collar" >:()- or I will be looking for multiple cut locks and seeing what treasures lie behind the golden door......
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: rockin the retro on June 12, 2012, 09:13:34 PM
Hit the most popular auctioneers caravan (day one) today.  Crowds were HUGE, but amazingly prices stayed relatively low.

Not much to comment on.  Don bid on 6 different lockers.  Me~only one that had my interest.  Went to $525~it went for $625.

I'll be heading out for day two while Don takes a lesser known one tomorrow.  I'm hoping the divide and conquer works again~

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 12, 2012, 09:24:15 PM
Good luck!! :D :D
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: rockin the retro on June 12, 2012, 09:44:27 PM
Hey Cheesehead~ran like heck from a locker today as the door opened and there was a Packers Favre jersey staring me in the eye~

We Vikes fans want nothin' to do with that~ ;D
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 12, 2012, 10:30:30 PM
Hey Cheesehead~ran like heck from a locker today as the door opened and there was a Packers Favre jersey staring me in the eye~

We Vikes fans want nothin' to do with that~ ;D

WHAT!!!??  Brett was one of the BEST quarterbacks in Vikings history!! ::)  (Right behind Brad Johnson, Sean Salibury, Steve Dils, and Gary Cuozzo!!)  Besides, in WI that jersey would have sold for...oh...a buck-and-a-half.  

Who's jersey were you expecting?  Fran Tarkenton?   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 13, 2012, 11:39:17 AM
I missed monday's auctions due to work.  Came in super early to get off early to make yesterday auctions.  Two facilities - crowd at first was around 20 people so a dozen bidders.  Price for first locker was high IMO but the others moderate.  Second facility had larger crowd but about the same number of bidders.  Prices were low to moderate.  Good day overall.

Not sure if it was stress, bad mood, or what but I had to play the ahole at the first location.  First unit was inside at back of hall so no light.  One of the new people I've seen around from out of town was 2nd or so in line.  He just sits at the door.  The local whale was behind him looking at him to move.  I caught his eye and he just shakes his head.  I get up to the door and Mr. Out-of-towner says "shine your light in there for me".  I'm like seriously - you are half blocking the door and you want me to show you what is inside.  Well I turn the light on, sweep it in a circular motion, and walk away.  Hope he got his look in the 15 seconds.  Guess the guy got the message as he walked out after that.  So local whale and I got back in line for a real look.

I did get a small unit for $40 at the second facility.  Had a old dell laptop, comforter, serta ortho baby matress, and a sleigh style head/footboard bed. 
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 14, 2012, 06:40:09 PM
Today found us at 4 of the 7 facilities on this caravan.  The other 3 locations were all paid up.  Only 8 units total all day.  Crowd was down from last month but still pretty big for the area.  Still a number of out-of-town people.  Units were decent with ok prices.

I should of jumped on a computer / boxes / totes unit but got worried when 5 of the totes were all pirated movies.  The equipment was designed to burn multiple copies of DVD/CDs at once.  Unit sold for $300.  I was interested in the computers to scrap as they looked old but worried about all the pirated crap.  Guy said laptops were in the totes.  If so he just found a sleeper unit IMO.

Most expensive unit was $1040 - inside unit with some NICE furniture taken care of.  Guy that purchased it was same one that paid $400 for one unit and $625 for another furniture unit.  Was new to me but he dropped some cash today.  Lucky for him the whale wasn't around.

I did get my first "rejected" bid.  Think the auctioneer was pissed at me I didn't bid up a unit at the previous location.  Quick story:  Second location had two units.  Door opened and I see a king size matress and furniture so I didn't even look in the unit.  Sat back talking.  Auctioneer ask for bids and no one answers.  I just say $10 to open it up for him.  One of the other regulars jumps in at $20.  I was like dang - I better look at this.  Is mostly furniture and my trailer is full w/ trash for the dump so I just shake my head at $30.  So he wins at $20.  Guy sold a table to my buddy who was trying to get my attention to bid higher (he had walked away) for $40.  A newbie offered $20 for the matress (wth - can't normally give those away).  So guy made $40 before even cleaning unit out.

Get to last facility of the day.  First unit is a 5x10 with a white sofa torn and no cushions at the door and 2 tall boxes with water stains / paper showing.  He ask for $150 and no one is talking.  So I just say $10 again to get him started or figure a cheap unit.  He is like "I'll not sell it for $10".  I'm like OK.  So he ask for $50 and still no takers.  Takes him starting to close the door for a newbie to yell out $50 and it finally got to $80 by one of the newer couple of ladies that have bought a bunch of trash units.  I just had to laugh - would of made my day if no one would of bid on it.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 14, 2012, 06:59:43 PM


I should of jumped on a computer / boxes / totes unit but got worried when 5 of the totes were all pirated movies.  The equipment was designed to burn multiple copies of DVD/CDs at once.  Unit sold for $300.  I was interested in the computers to scrap as they looked old but worried about all the pirated crap.  Guy said laptops were in the totes.  If so he just found a sleeper unit IMO.

And how did you know the 5 totes were pirated movies BEFORE the bidding began?

Was it because of equipment with 5 DVD burners stacked one on the other or something like that?

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Alias300 on June 15, 2012, 09:43:39 AM
The auction scene around here is dead.
Out of 7 facilities, after pay offs, there was 4 units this week.
One auctioneer said he was having trouble cause so many facilities have a ton of empty units they are either giving people more time, doing payment plans or settling for less.

Guess its time to do some leg work and check out other facilities. I've just been lazy and following the same auctioneers rather than finding my own.....
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 15, 2012, 02:27:06 PM
The totes/bins or maybe they were racks were near the door and clear.  You could read the titles printed on the cases, etc.  One of the towers was just a burning station.  Had 8 DVD burners in the case.  Boxes to the left of the door had "13,834 CDs" and "11,239 CDs" etc written on the top of them.  Could shine the light down into the box and see they did contain CDs or DVDs.  There was no question at all that the disk were pirated copies.  Is what scared me away.  I've just learned to trust my first reaction even if I re-guess myself later.  The one time I didn't I wasted some major money.

3 facility silent auction in the morning and our other 3 facility auction monday.  Then things dry up for the month mostly.  So going to hit some yard sales then the auction with my daughter.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: TN_Hunter on June 16, 2012, 06:46:30 PM
Finally ventured out the last couple of days and attended one auction yesterday and one today. 

Yesterdays had 6 units (1 was a managers special).   Small crowd of approx 10, no regulars just newbies.  All the units were pure trash and were bid up for way more than they should have.  The pricess were ranging around $40 - $240.

Todays had 4 units and a crowd of about 15.  Just one regular and the rest newbies.  Three of the units were pure trash and 1 was just trash.  Again the prices were far higher than they should have been.  The just trashy unit went for $250.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 17, 2012, 06:54:10 PM
Another day saturday - another caravan.  Spent the morning doing yard sales and then hit the 3 facility caravan at 10.  Silent auction so not "as much" fun but can get cheap units.  Crowd was down from the past.  Was about 20 bidders, many new faces which is normal for a saturday.  However, all of the units went to regulars in the end.

I ended up with 2 units out of the 11 myself.  First unit was a small 5x5 with a computer video card showing and boxes.  I could see 2 open packs of baseball cards showing in one box.  Saw a motherboard in another box.  I know computers so put in a 103 bid and won.  Second unit I won was a 10x15 with a nice nightstand showing, cool looking entertainment center, 6 totes, what looked like a high end car part, a lawnmower, some style rack, and a few boxes.  Not a packed unit but I could see $100 easy, another $50-$200 depending on totes, stuff working, etc.  Only bid $177 and was a little surprised I won the unit.

So in the last 8 days I've purchased 4 units with another 3 facility caravan Monday.  After that I'm pretty much done for the rest of the month so will work on selling the stuff.  Also have a dump run in my future...oh the joys of storage auctions ;)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 18, 2012, 01:00:16 PM
Went to an auction this weekend - it's one of only three facilities in my area (that I know of) that actually cut the locks in front of you (and don't go in beforehand).  The guy cutting locks usually has a wide array of bolt cutters - you know, baby, mama, daddy, and BIG UNCLE.  Well, we get to a unit and the guy almost pops a blood vessel trying to cut the lock - even using the industrial strength cutter.  In fact, two buyers (young bucks) each grab a handle and go to cranking......and end up making a dent in the bolt cutter blades!!  :o  Now that's one tough lock.

Before these two fainted dead away, the manager hopped in his golf cart and came back with a giant grinder.  It took him a while, but eventually the lock got cut.   And to top things off, after all that the unit didn't have much in it.   ??? ???

I have posted a photo of the lock so you can see what I am talking about. 
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 18, 2012, 08:34:28 PM
Well I'm done for the month.  Today saw my daughter and I at the 3 facility location that she did well at last month.  This month we had 6 "automotive" units and as expected the crowd was much larger.  They were some nice units but I stayed away from them since don't have a clue about engines, transmissions, and stuff.  My daughter got a so/so unit for $25.  I got the last unit at the facility for $170.  I'm pretty sure I overpaid for the unit.  Wanted to make sure the one other bidder didn't get it.  Daughter ended up with her 3rd unit purchase at the last location for $35.  She should do well on this one.  Twin set of 12" speakers in a box, nice Eureka vac that works and a number of smalls.

This is the most units I've purchased in one month.  So I will be selling for the next few weeks instead of doing auctions / yard sales.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 18, 2012, 09:22:06 PM
I am laughing that you are done for the month. I have yet to get started. I am going to the "pods" auction this week and then next week is the caravan.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Alias300 on June 20, 2012, 12:12:13 AM
This month we had 6 "automotive" units and as expected the crowd was much larger.  They were some nice units but I stayed away from them since don't have a clue about engines, transmissions, and stuff. 

We had two month before last. Same facility so assume same owner.  Everyone stayed away.
I even work in the automotive industry. Billion contacts and I won't touch that stuff if I can't inspect it.
Most tends to be good for nothing more than scrap.

One unit had an engine still in crate. Short block. Figure even for stock, standard car it's a minimum of $500 new.  Ran into winner a few weeks ago at an estate sale and he said it was an awesome unit money wise but total pain in the ass.  Said it seemed like everything in locker weighed 1000lbs. lol
75% went to scrap.  Nothing was quality.  No one wants the block. It's for some odd ball car.
If it hadn't been for the brade new catalytic converters he found in it it would have been a $200-$300 locker.

The second locker he got too and it was sort of a winner. After sales, minus expenses  it was about a $200 loser but it just happened to have the exact struts for his truck. So he got struts for $200. 
and was very happy when he found a mini fridge, plugged in, full of beer.  :)

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 20, 2012, 11:46:04 AM
Lol Alias - here that stuff was hot stuff.  All of the units went for $500+ - two for over a grand.  Only 1 of the auto units went to a regular, and it didn't have many "parts" as much as tools, computers, etc.

I know one of the bidders knew the guy that had owned the units.  I just saw them as "scrap" and "vastly heavy" units.  So I didn't even really look at them very hard.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: jc14bar on June 22, 2012, 10:23:10 AM
First auction of the month for me yesterday.
Manager opens the first locker and then says "this guy is in jail" 5x10 packed full no way to see the bottom back so I'm thinking it may be a treasure trove. When I take a look ther is a nice iMac sitting right in plain view. Auction starts and before I can get my hand up they are over 1000. I'm like wtf. Goes for 1550.

2nd locker has a Bose surround sound box again right in front. I peek in that side handle and it's in there. Other stuff in the locker too. I'm in. I'm top bid at 275 and the guy running the auction slows down. He then points at another guy and says "did you see the Bose in there?". The bidding takes off again and finishes at 950. Wtf just sell the damn thing.

Prices up up up all day
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cheesehead on June 23, 2012, 08:54:25 PM
6-23-12:  Made it to an auction today - 13 lockers and  10 bidders.  Unfortunately, following the recent trends around here, both prices and quality were low.... :P    I bid on a few, but the ones I liked went for more than my limit.  Didn't see any sense in getting a $50 unit, then busting your can to make $55.

Price range $5 - $275 - funny part was only one locker had a washer, and only one locker had a matttress - the rest were a range of furniture, boxes, garbage bags, etc.  I have posted a few images to show the range.

This was a $16.00 locker - an odd bid, but it went up $1 at a time from $10
(http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w482/Cheesehead99/Storage%20Auction%20Photos/62312-16.jpg)

This one was $140.00 - the seats are from a minivan, and the Gamecube was toast and golf clubs were rusty.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w482/Cheesehead99/Storage%20Auction%20Photos/62312-140.jpg?t=1340502436

Complete wrapped bedroom set - including the shelves for the headboard and bedding - $145
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w482/Cheesehead99/Storage%20Auction%20Photos/62312-145.jpg

Winning bid was $245 - shelves, old TV and microwave, and hammer-drill in metal case (front left)
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w482/Cheesehead99/Storage%20Auction%20Photos/62312-245.jpg

Highest locker of the day - $275 - kids unit with pitchback net, Jr. golf clubs, bikes, and pedal cars (rough shape)
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w482/Cheesehead99/Storage%20Auction%20Photos/62312-275.jpg
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cobia on June 24, 2012, 11:10:09 AM
I think I would have won Door #1 for $16, Door #2 for $140 & Door #3 for $145.  ;D

The way its been around here for a long while now Door #1 would have gone for $50-$75, Door $2 would have gone for $175-$225, & Door number #3 would have gone for $250-$300 easy. Door #4 would have gone for about the same price, and Door #5? I wouldn't be surprised if it went for $500-$700 (everybody thinks there a professional picker now so the crowd would have gone ape sh$t over the peddle cars!)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Alias300 on June 24, 2012, 12:08:58 PM
I would have gone for $16 unit. Probably gone to $25.  I can gamble with those easy ones.
Would have bid on GameCube unit too but cautiously. Maybe $125. 
And the $245 unit I can see the price. Just cause I totally need that chair!  ;D

The pedal car one here would have gone way higher, too.  $275 is still a risk to high for me.

......
I stumbled upon an auction yesterday while estate sale-ing.  30 people, 11 lockers.  It was cash only and I only had about $400 left on me.   Luckily the did upstairs first with the small closet size lockers.  6 of them. Four packed with garbage bags and liquor boxes. Couldn't see a single item. Passed. Went for $60-$80.
Other two were decent but prices jumped over $200 in seconds.
Last five were 10x10 and larger.  I just left.  Figured if these people were bidding upwards of $100 for a closet of unseen items in garbage bags, no way my $400 was going to score a large locker...

 :-\






Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 24, 2012, 03:26:30 PM
I saw $100 easy in the $275 unit.  Doubt I'd of gone that high myself.  On the auction you stumbled on Alias - trash bags and boxes are a niche here.  A unit packed front to back and to very top hit for over $300 a U-haul this month.  I love those type of units but for 1/2 that much money.  So I could see me bidding the $60 - $80 for those units as described.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Alias300 on June 24, 2012, 08:07:57 PM
Ill throw in but that little, totally unseen.... I don't know.   I'll gamble $25, maybe $40 if it looks packed well.

But you sell clothes.   I don't.
Hell, I have enough trouble keeping my own clothes washed and sorted and folded.   ::)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Millertime on June 24, 2012, 11:50:18 PM
Greetings to everyone, haven't had much time to chime in lately as the regular job and life in general have been very busy lately. Went to 2 auctions in the last 10 days and am glad to report small crowds and reasonable bidding. First had 6 units and 10 bidders in my hometown, I got a 60% full 5x10 for $55.00 that turned out good; and the second had 16 units and 30 bidders, I got a 60% full 10x10 for $275.00 that is looking very good having sold one big item already. As always, enjoy reading everyones posts and be carefull in the heat. We cleaned out the 10x10 in mid 90's with high humidity. Good luck out there!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: rockin the retro on June 27, 2012, 06:46:37 PM
OK~updates for the past two weeks~
A couple weeks ago Don landed a locker for $30.  Quite astonishing as he joined me at the 'popular' auction.  Had a womens mtn bike, some shelves (fallaparticle board), totes, bags (garbage variety) and it had been turned.  We found one jewelry box that contained.....wait for it.....quite a few mercury dimes.  Sold those for $25.  Bike for $45 and a header (brand new in box) for a 02-03 Chevy Cavalier for $50.....too funny as Don swore it would never sell~:)  Still have a bit of inventory, so that was a nice unit.

Last week no auctions and no swapmeeting as temps are well over 100 degrees (and that is by 10am).  Luckily craigslist has been good to me!

This week......Don and I again divided and again....he conquered.....I wasted gas~
He landed another $30 locker, which will barely break even, but then later landed one for $100 that I just sold the AC unit ($90) and has a ton of toys, a few collectibles, some really cool vintage tools and other oddities.  My rough calculations has the unit netting about $300 and I ALWAYS figure low so.....fingers crossed.  Oh and there was a ps2 in this unit.  Since we have numerous games/controllers and the like (from various other units) the girls are playing that on occasion.....I told them they have until the end of July then it's up for sale and they're stuck with their ps3 again...... ;)

Don's going to PS tomorrow then we get ready for July which brings our Phoenix auctioneers down (every two months) so that means numerous hours spent melting in 105 degrees with humidity and daily thunderstorms.....yippeeeeee (no really.....I love a good storm!).

Hope all is going well for YOU~
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 27, 2012, 06:56:07 PM
Missed 3 of 5 auctions today as I was out of town on other business.

First one I got to had about 30 or so people with about 6 or so regular bidders. Good crowd, mediocre lockers (except for one) and decent prices for what they were. One was a 10 x 20 PACKED top to bottom, left to right and we assume all the way back. I would have liked it for $400 or so as it was a total mystery. It went for $1,050 to a couple who have been buying a few lately.

Next auction had 4 lkrs. Nothing special for me. Crowd and prices OK. One was a 10 x 30 (we were all waiting for) but turned out to be hundreds and hundreds of dining room chairs from a restaurant. Couldn't see much else but you could see floor to ceiling chairs front to back. It went for $1,250...NOT TO ME !  At the last 10 x 6 there I just left without waiting to see what it went for.

Good news though was that both that route and another (same auction outfit...different auctioneers) were sporting decent size crowds. Several regulars speculating that we might be coming to the end of the tv influence.

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: the teacher on June 27, 2012, 10:20:28 PM
Did one of the Public Storage runs yesterday.  40-50 people......and outrageous pricing!  I can't believe how fast these guys are running up a total piece of crap unit to $500 and above! 

Worst one I saw for the day.....10X20 with an old single shot break open .410 shotgun showing.  Lot's of cloth (not microfiber, more like floral pattern) furniture, broken stuff, etc.  Maybe a good $400 unit if a guy wanted to gamble......sold for $2300! 

Anyway, while some of you guys are whining about the 100 degree heat, here's a picture that kind of sums up our summer so far!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Alias300 on June 27, 2012, 11:07:56 PM
Did PS just suddenly decide to auction at every facility this week or what?
All over town. Morn is all down west valley hwy.
Problem is I've seen it posted everywhere so I'm sure turn out is gonna be high.  Specially in that area.

Ive decided not to set alarm.  If I wake in time, great.  If not, guess I needed sleep more.   ;D
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: PureVendue on June 29, 2012, 12:30:35 PM
Went to 2 auctions this past week. One had 9 units and 10-15 bidders there. Nice crowd and majority were regulars. Was able to get 2 units, almost a 3rd. The one I missed out on had some electronics/appliances boxes and the 2 in the front had their item inside the box. Also some ok furniture inside it. It was a 5x10. Went for $190. I was out at $175.

The first unit I won was an inside unit packed full with just furniture. It was a 5x10 also. Some of the furniture was bigger and I figured people wouldn't want to deal with carrying it outside to load. I got it for $40. Have already sold a bedroom set for $165 and have about another $200 in furniture pieces remaining.

The very next unit I was able to win also. It was an outside 5x10 3/4 full with a bunch of furniture, a few boxes and some appliances showing. Bidding started at 10 and went back and forth between 2 guys to $50 then I jumped it to $75 and the bidding ended there. At a yardsale this past weekend we were able to sell smaller stuff from that unit for $20 and also sold chairs from inside for $70. So, less than a week after and both units are beyond breaking even with a bunch of stuff still to sell.

The other auction I went to only had 2 units and about 10 bidders. Both units were decent and I liked them but we didnt have much space available after winning 2 units earlier in the week. Both went in the 200-300 range and each person should make a profit. Overall the scene is settling down here and that is good for everyone.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: MovieMan on June 29, 2012, 02:16:24 PM
Was going to an auction today and looking forward to it as I have done well at that location.

Yep...CANCELLED !   Bummer, but there are always more upcoming.

Meanwhile, I hit up a Salvation army  as-is auction and got a whole shelf of electronics for $5 and after getting out
the half-dozen items I wanted gave the rest to another guy so I didn't have to do the work. (shelf is 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep and stacked 3 feet high).

Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: craiglstauction on June 30, 2012, 06:46:20 PM
Sounds like a great week for all to end June with.  I myself skipped the auctions friday as I had already purchased 2 units in 10 days and daughter had gotten 2.  So we were on inventory overload and low funds.

Wish we had an auction like MovieMan - electronics can sometimes be very easy and cheap to fix.
Very nice buy PureVendue - that would never go here.  Too many guys love furniture and have "other" people to clean the units out.  So they are not scared away by weight, quantity, etc.

I'm with you rockin on the temp.  Is quarter till 8pm here and still temp is at 104, heat index is like 110 or higher.  Have another 3 days of 100+ temps then we will just be in the high 90s.  Was surprised I did so well today in sells with the heat.

As for crowds - they are mid-size to more normal.  We expected this come July in my area.  Most people don't want to be out in the heat and stuff.  Still will see a few newbies I'm sure baking their kids butts in strollers.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #6...June, 2012
Post by: Cobia on July 01, 2012, 05:01:21 PM
I know it's July, but I wanted to give a report from the last week of June. This was our "big" auction week in the region. 5 auctions, 2 being multiple facility caravans.

Crowds: WAY down, 2 auctions had less then 10 people show up! WOW! The most crowded was one of the caravans with about 35 to 40, a few months ago it was double that.

Prices: All over the place, but nominally trending doward. I ended up winning 6 units over the week. Some were good buys, others I still paid to much for. 2 units look like good money makers, 2 units look like OK money makers, 1 looks to be break even, and 1 looks to be a loser.

The best units were won on the hottest day, so the heat was my ally. All units had there fair share of mattresses and boxsprings so another reason why I was able to win them for the price I wanted.

Don't know how much the heat played a part in the auctions, but the few who showed up seemed to be mostly fresh faces and lookie-loos at that. Not as much wild first time bidding from newbies like I have been seeing over the previous 6 months.