Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on October 01, 2011, 07:00:02 AM

Title: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 01, 2011, 07:00:02 AM
A new month is upon us and we continue to monitor the crowds, the lkrs and the prices !

*****

Last day of September (yesterday) I went to a single auction with 7 lkrs. Crowd was 25 or so with 6 regulars, 4 "new regulars" who have been around about 4 months, and the rest were new "newbies" never seen before...that trend seems to continue....some fall off to be replaced by new faces...oh well.

Lkr prices not TOO bad with a big tool "box" (empty?) lkr which also had 6 assembled bikes, about 15 loose wheels and that was it. I'm suspicious of what I call the "bicycle boys" who piece together bikes. Anyway, it sold for about $800 whih was $400 more than I was willing to gamble for the several tools boxes and one Sawzall...the last one I sold went for $25...down from $75 about 1.5 years ago. A nearby pawn shop visit showed these stacked 10 high and they were trying to get $65 for each.

Then a 10 x 20 lkr only about half full but neat looking with a Mantis soil tiller with what looked like a broken fuel tank, some older furn (nothing great), maybe 30 boxes and an oriental rug of some kind. Two "new regulars" took it up at $25 a bid after the $400 bid....sold for....drum roll.... $1,275. I would have given $500 or $600 to be safe on a profit margin.

Finally, another 10 x 20 even less full than the last one, but a couple of antiquey things showing, maybe 20 boxes, etc. Nothing jumping out except the bimbos in the vhs porn boxes. Interesting thing here was the OTHER two "new regulars" and their bidding. Once it got into the $600 range, one guy was just holding up his hand..."I'm going to get this lkr" written all over him. 

When his competitor glanced over and saw that, HE raised his bidder card too, as if to say..."My hand is higher than yours !" (or my "d**k" is bigger than yours).....had to laugh. Then it was fun to watch as the first guy's hand went down, then the 2nd hand went down and they started slowing down a bit. Sold for $925...again, I would have paid about $400 for safety's sake.

A "fun" day, but no score for me. At least at THIS auction, it was not a good start for October, 2011.  :o
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: otbg on October 03, 2011, 06:40:20 PM
that sounds as bad as one I went to last week. 2 weeks ago there were no auctions at all (not anywhere near by anyway) So i guess people that spent that week with no bidding had withdrawals or something. Lockers were going for triple what I (and other people that I see often) thought they should of. In fact, I won our "price is right" side game we had going on. I pretty much nailed the selling price of most of the units we played. Basically I would say: I would pay $300 for this, which means it will sell for $850-900... sure enough, final price was in the mid $800's. This went on and on for most of the afternoon. Lockers that you would have to pay me to empty were going for $200-300.

I hope it settles down some this week. There is not a whole lot scheduled, but there is a big one (37 units) on Wednesday.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 08, 2011, 07:06:14 AM
Saturday, Oct 8, 2011

5 a.m. and getting ready for today's flea market and the reason we buy all those lkrs....aside from the fun of going through the stuff and trips to the dump !

Went to several auctions Thursday the 6th and crowd and prices were pretty good with just a couple of outrageous prices popping up. As I recall though, I only placed one bid and let the unit go to someone else.

Friday the 7th I went to three auctions by the same auctioneer and throughout the day the crowd ranged from about 25 to 40. This is an improvement on a few months ago but I still long for the pre-show crowds of 12 months ago. Coming up on one year in Dec since the tv shows started.

I placed a few high bids, starting one at $500 but quickly backing out as it then sold for $675. Just wasn't comfortable going on as the other bidder would have continued and it was marginal the way it was.

So, no luck on Friday, but....there are always more auctions !   ;D
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 08, 2011, 07:14:35 PM
This coming week is auction week for my area it seems.  Small 3 unit auction tuesday, 7 facility caravan on thursday, 18 units on friday, and two different auctions on Saturday.  The friday and saturday auctions are places that only do auctions 2-4 times a year.  Taking off to hit thursday auction.  May be able to swing friday since working days and 2 nights this week.  Saturday is iffy due to my oldest niece b-day party.  Got to give my sister a call ;)

Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 10, 2011, 11:08:33 AM
Monday, 10 10 2011

If you lived in central California you could go to this one....along with 100 or more other people !

Will report on this later.

http://www.jmichaelsauction.com/Images/TracyPics/PP_Photos.2728JacksonAve.pdf

Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 11, 2011, 08:17:12 PM
Monday, 10 10 2011

If you lived in central California you could go to this one....along with 100 or more other people !

Will report on this later.

http://www.jmichaelsauction.com/Images/TracyPics/PP_Photos.2728JacksonAve.pdf



I decided right away not to go to the auction shown in the link above because I knew the crowd would be big and the prices high. Later that day I heard that one of the 4 lkrs went for just over $5k.  Then today I heard that all four sold for a total just over $10K. 

I would like to have seen it, but it was 35 miles away and I found other things to do. I went to a different auction and got a 10 x 10 for $475 with some antiquey things showing and some boxes I thought were suspect....they were too new and fresh for the way the rest of the lkr looked. When I cleaned it out today (Tuesday the 11th) I was proved correct. This lkr was at least partially "set up" by the facility. It is coming out ok but I resent what they did.

As an example, a beautiful looking guitar was sitting out front. Today I found the case (empty) at the BACK of the lkr and it was under some other stuff. Can't tell me the facility people didn't get in an arrange things (and add boxes).

******

I would have had that lkr for around $400 except that a newbie wanted to strutt his stuff. Later he bid on a 10 x 25 that opened at both ends. It was FULL (we thought) of boxes. Couldn't see over the top of them (about 8 feet tall). BUT THEN...they opened the other door and the back half was basically empty. I'll give them credit for that.

I didn't bid on it because it looked just too trashy (boxes WERE old). I saw old kitchen gear in about 3 boxes.

Today I saw the guy loading his 6 wide by 8 long trailer (with 4 foot sides expandable with stake sides). It was full to the brim and he said this was the 2nd load going to the dump.  Later I saw him loading the 3rd dump load.

He wasn't a happy camper though he beamed a bit when he said he had found $83 in change and bills. But then he stuck his foot in his mouth when the said..."that'll pay for the first 2 dump runs." Oh joy, the dump runs are covered.
His comment that it "was only $350"  sort of rung hollow in my ears; he forgot the tax he paid too....but at least 2 of the 3 dump runs were covered !

I had asked how many lkrs he had bought and he evaded that with "we've bought a few." WELL NOW, HE'S GOTTEN A REAL EDUCATION.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Fayettenam Man on October 11, 2011, 08:57:41 PM
One auction, 10 units, average crowd (30) / prices ($1-$500). A perfect storm came up on the last unit, it was a mobile attic with a huge trailer parked next to the door obscuring alot of the view. It also started raining hard, so I fell on this unit for a buck! One dump run, but I scored a few yard sale items and two very nice items: A Fujitsu laptop that actually worked, and a really old record/am-fm/storage combo. Like an old furniture style piece where the top lifts up and reveals everything. Pretty exciting for a buck! Will post pics later.

Here's a few of the record player:

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Enticingbiter/RecordPlayer.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Enticingbiter/RecordPlayer2.jpg)
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Cobia on October 12, 2011, 08:21:18 AM
Has that location been known to "set up" units in the past? Has something changed with the management that might cause them to "set up" units? I have noticed in my area some facility owners are putting thier personal garbage or stuff they are trying to get rid of from other businesses in thier storage units and auctioning them. I have also noticed facility owners using their auctions for friends and family to sell off thier old stuff they would normally give away, throw away or try to sell at a yard sale. It's very obvious when certain people are following the facility owner/manager around but are not bidding, and smiling from ear to ear when the see how high certain units go for during the auction.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 12, 2011, 10:16:27 AM
Has that location been known to "set up" units in the past?

Yes, they have set up units in the past. I actually haven't been back there for about 2 years because of it, but when I went there this time I saw the same "handyman" helper and a new manager. I'm sure HE is the one who educates the turnstile rotation of managers about this process.

A small 5 x 5 (if packed solid) is usually genuine since there isn't much opportunity there for manipulation (though they could unload the whole thing and repack it), but it seems the 10 x 10's and larger with some open space are what they work on.

The last one I bought there (2 years ago) had several spots that were dust-free from a lamp or other item being taken out and the dust pattern not brushed away or re-dusted.

The lkr I got the other day contained enough big antiquey items I was comfortable with it, and I already suspected the new boxes were plants, so I knew what I was buying into pretty much, but I have now decided again to give this place a wide berth again; not worth the frustration and possibly getting stung badly.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 12, 2011, 05:14:54 PM
I'm glad none of my auctions to date have been like that.  Of course I was warned away from one of the late evening auctions by a few different regulars one week.  They said the place normally has plants in the crowd to drive up the price and the people running it don't know jack.  I even have one place that lets you go in the units to look around.

Fayettenam Man - I love $1 and $5 units.  It's easy to pick up a few nice items if you don't mind taking out the trash so to speak.  I would think your furniture could get $50-$100 easy.  Of course I know jack about furniture.  Good luck.

Caravan in the morning so I'm a little excited.  Is the same caravan I picked up 2 units in June.  While I've not made much real money back on the units both units were purchased for personal stuff and not really for re-sale.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: the teacher on October 12, 2011, 09:43:22 PM
Had a great day today......ended up with four lockers!  Went to a facility I normally go to that has an auction about once every three months.  Nice mellow crowd, about 20 people, most all regulars.  Facility had 20 units up for auction.  The lockers I bought ranged in size from 5x10 to 10x25.  The most expensive locker of the day was only(?) $321!  I bought that one and three others that went for $81, $119, and $131!  Just a quick check so far and I've got two nice washer and dryer sets, a kids bouncy house, a Mercury Marine prop, a meth house detection kit (no joke, the one locker belonged to a former cop) and some riot gear, stove/oven, some kind of fancy toilet......plumber guy pegged it as worth $300-$500, lot's of tools, line striper, lot's of furniture, etc.  I'm sure I'll find a lot more, just did a quick look through and haven't unloaded any of them yet. 

Not counting my chickens yet, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come regarding crowds and prices......but it seems like every time I go to a good one, the next two or three have large crowds with too much money burning a hole in their pockets!

Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 12, 2011, 10:34:43 PM
Had a great day today......ended up with four lockers! 

Congrats on the wins and we can only hope the crowds and prices will settle down!

I went to two auctions today by the same auctioneer. Each only had about 10 buyers and only 3 or 4 of us were regulars.  I passed on a 10 x 15 that was really clean, but I just wasn't up to the moving of the big stuff for the distance away from home...it went cheap too...might be kicking myself.

I bought a little 5 x 10 for $5 ..... paperwork scared everyone off. Got an OK computer, new laser cartridge in box...should be worth $40 or so, office supplies, a digital camera....OLD !

I liked a 10 x 15 that had two rows of heavy-duty shelving, a lot of tools, cheap roll-away tool box, etc, etc.
One of the regulars started it at $200 and 3 or four of us were in it up to around $700 when most dropped out and then a new one came in. I was really at my max, but knew the regular would go for more, so took him up to $950 and let him have it. He's no pal of mine and one who likes to buy a lot...and the better ones.

Anyway, this was a MELLOW day too with a good auctioneer and a small, friendly crowd.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 13, 2011, 04:04:44 PM
Nice Teacher - sounds like some nice units but funky prices.  Today for me was backwards.  Today was the 7 facility place where I purchased 2 nice units for myself back in June.  Well this day finds only 10 units, with 2 places with 0 units.  First facility of the morning has about 20 bidders which is pretty normal.  A few new faces but mostly regulars.  Both units here look pretty good with tools and such and go for $500 plus.  Second facility has 1 unit and all of a sudden we have 50+ people running around.  A few of the regulars headed out 1/2 way.  By the time we got to the last facility I swear we had 50-75 people.  In face one of the so-so units went for over $700 to one of the noobies.  Most of us was asking each other "who is this guy?"

Friday I have an auction that sounds like the company cherry picks stuff before the auction.  I'll go if work permits just to see.  Saturday I found out both auction locations are silent bids.  So I'm trying to figure out should I go to the 20 unit one or the 3 facility 42 unit place with one of the units near a high income community.  Both are at the same time :(
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: the teacher on October 13, 2011, 09:57:25 PM
The "Funky Prices" were due to it being a silent auction...LOL.

I got lucky on the one I got for $321......second bid was $318!  I won it by $3!
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: acman on October 14, 2011, 06:48:05 AM
The "Funky Prices" were due to it being a silent auction...LOL.

I got lucky on the one I got for $321......second bid was $318!  I won it by $3!

Lost one last month on a sealed bid by $1.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 14, 2011, 01:43:17 PM
Ah - I wondered if that was it.  I have my first silent auction Saturday morning.  Should be an interesting day.

Today was nice.  Took a long lunch to hit a auction.  Glad I did.  Had 22 units listed in paper and 18 up for bid.  Compared to yesterday the crowed was AWSOME.  Only 5 of us to start with and then a 6th person showed up 1/3 of the way in.  So we had 3 regulars, then myself, and a lady from california.  The sixth person I've seen around so not sure if he is a regular or noob like myself.  I think the lady is the same one the regulars were just talking about that dropped a grand on a locker to buy it, then rented it for a month, and is just going to cherry pick it and leave everything else.  We all pitched in to squeeze her out.  Don't think she won anything.

This place is rumored to cherry pick items.  All the units but the first two already had locks cut off and no tabs or anything on them.  So I looked at everything with caution.  Since the crowd was small the prices were small also.  A number of units went for $150 - $200, with a number going for under $100.  I purchased a unit for $70 that has some paintings in it, two dryers, weights, and a few odds and ends.  Had it at $35 till the lady jumped in.  Really wanted the painting as years ago I paid $65 for a smaller painting and know my wife will love it.  Plus I "offered" to clean out the unit next to it that no one wanted.  It had a metal shelf (which I wanted), some bags of prob trash, and 4-5 couch type cushions.  All in all a productive afternoon.

Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 14, 2011, 06:18:55 PM
Went to one auction today; 8 lkrs, 35 people (5 of whom I recognized...including me....the rest I had never seen before, and they were something to behold, old, lame, under-educated, looking to strike it rich !).

Only note-worthy was one regular who got 2 of the 8 x 10s; one at $250 (partially full, nothing special) and the other for $550 with two futons (mattresses in plastic) other big stuff, a few boxes. The final 10 x 10 looked pretty good and I would have gone $500 but it went for $750 to a new guy I have seen before but who never won one.

Oh well, there are always more lkrs.  ;)
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Leota on October 14, 2011, 08:17:23 PM
Went to an auction on Thursday and saw two die-hard regulars in a bidding war over a full locker 10x30. It got to 4900.00 until one backed off. That was my highest auction bid to date. The winner couldn't lose on this one. It was packed with great looking furniture, alcohol (boxes), tools and lots more. That was just at the first 5 or 10 feet that we could see. Hope the back 20 feet was as good. I think it was :-)
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 15, 2011, 10:01:39 PM
Well my first silent auction is now logged in the books.  Two different places had silent auctions starting at 10am.  So saw only a few regulars at my location but still a large crowd.  This one had the most units as of Thursday but most people paid friday.  Crowd was about 50 people with I'd say 30 bidders.  Two heavy hitting regulars, another regular that deals in smalls, two of us "noobie" regulars, a few non-regulars in my area but you do see them at auctions, and a bunch of noobies.  I'd say 1/2 the crowd was new people.  I expected this with a saturday auction.  However, most all of the units went to people I either know by name or sight.  I picked up two units for $128 ($27 and $101).  I really didn't want the $101 unit but I got stuck with it.  May be kicking myself in the butt later for putting such a bid down on the last unit of the day.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 17, 2011, 07:34:58 PM
Today was my 3 facility caravan day.  18 units up for sale between the 3 places.  Was heavy on the regulars today.  Of the 30 people (12-15 bidders) we had 3 noobies.  Think they more watched then do anything.  All of the units went to regulars.  Nothing of great interest this run.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Leota on October 17, 2011, 08:11:44 PM
Tomorrow is going to be interesting. Long day for auctions and it's supposed to rain with a little thunder. Maybe it will keep a lot of people away..  :D
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 17, 2011, 11:28:15 PM
Maybe it will keep a lot of people away..  :D

Won't happen. Everyone thinks the same thing and then everyone comes.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 19, 2011, 09:05:38 PM
Went to two auctions today....same auctioneer.

First one had 4 and crowd and prices were good.

I bought a 10 x 10 about 4' deep but  full all the way up to that height; paid $475. Good stuff showing and later panned out well.

A Nishiki Japanese bike (maybe worth $200). Fifty or so DVDs including big box sets of LOST. Many PS2 games and the console, etc.

$12 in quarters in one of the states, blue folders. Maybe a couple of hundred pennies individually shown in those white wrappers with the cellophane window and then a couple of hundred more in binder sheets in a binder with the individual white wrappers in the sheets.

Sony receiver; Panasonic 15" flat screen tv; Sony 25" (old style) tv; army gear; Bear Compound Bow and arrows; Ibanez guitar and 3 lesser guitars, Fender amp, pedal stuff, Estes rocket models, diecast cars, 10 fishing reels, 4 tackle boxes, partioned box (20 sections) of bigger lures, 2 signed white footballs in boxes, big keyboard and stand, boogie board, skateboard.....  etc, etc and the usual pots, pans, microwave, yada, yada.

Anyway, looks at the moment like it might make a grand profit....I know there was other better quality stuff I haven't listed here. Found gun cleaning stuff in an ammo can, but no weapons and sure there won't be any. Some boxes had been rummaged through and I think the owner got some of the good stuff out (frm lkr owner, not prop mgr).

******

At 2nd auction a locker I would have paid $500 for went for $1125, but looks really good; I went in with my friend who took a chance on it and it will pay off nicely....may make $3k profit on it. Five feet in he found 5 or 6 items that will go for around $500 easy.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: subumbro on October 19, 2011, 10:03:10 PM
Maybe a couple of hundred pennies individually shown in those white wrappers with the cellophane window and then a couple of hundred more in binder sheets in a binder with the individual white wrappers in the sheets.

What's the story on those pennies exactly? I can't imagine someone would take the time to put them in holders if they're worthless common pennies. Are they at least wheat cents?
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 19, 2011, 10:30:36 PM
What's the story on those pennies exactly? I can't imagine someone would take the time to put them in holders if they're worthless common pennies. Are they at least wheat cents?

Haven't really looked at them yet, but will take the whole batch to my coin collecting friend (he's 65 and has collected since he was a teen). If anyone will know about them, he will.

Meanwhile, 4 coins made it into the house with me. Let me know what you think of these:

1) Penny...1943 S (wheat) (no quality ranking on white sleeve)
2) Nickel...1964 (Jefferson, marked VF on white sleeve)
3) Nickel...1958 (Jefferson, marked EF on white sleeve)
4) Nickel...1964 (Jefferson, marked F/EF on white sleeve)

If those ring any bells with you, please let me know. Coin and stamp collecting were never my thing, but I know both can be rewarding in more ways than one. Now where did I put that stamp that had the plane flying upside down?  ;D

P.S.
There is a box with hundreds of empty coin sleeves. What can I get for batches of say 25  or 50 or 100 ?
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: subumbro on October 19, 2011, 10:38:37 PM
The 1943 S is worth a few bucks depending on the condition. The nickels aren't really worth anything based on those grades. Unfortunately nickels were only silver during WWII.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 19, 2011, 10:42:56 PM
The 1943 S is worth a few bucks depending on the condition. The nickels aren't really worth anything based on those grades. Unfortunately nickels were only silver during WWII.

Given your "few bucks" comment you can bet I will be looking at all those pennies with a magnifying glass...just one more "job" to take on, but a buck or so each for maybe a few of them, would be worth the time I guess.

Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: alloro on October 19, 2011, 10:47:08 PM
The information you seek should be here:
bestcoin.com/jefferson-nickels-38-64.htm
bestcoin.com/1943-steel-cent.htm
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 19, 2011, 10:52:42 PM
The information you seek should be here:
bestcoin.com/jefferson-nickels-38-64.htm
bestcoin.com/1943-steel-cent.htm

Thanks alloro... I'll check them out. I have several coin value books (including one from this new lkr) but they always seem to be a couple of years out of date (though I suspect the value of a coin wouldn't change much).
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: subumbro on October 19, 2011, 10:57:49 PM
When I look through pennies, I basically do this:

- 1959 Lincoln Memorial reverse - don't bother even though there are a few double die types out there.
- Wheaties - 1944-1958 - check for 1955 double die, maybe 1944 d/s error, don't worry about rest
- 1943 steel cents - worth 2-5 depending on condition
- Anything pre-1934 is worth at least a buck
- Big ticket wheaties - 1909 VBD (particularly S mint), 1909-1915-S mints, 1914-D, 1924-D, 1926-S

As for the rest, if you feel like being a bit of a dick, get the remaining wheat cents rolled and trying selling them as unsearched wheat rolls. They're pretty popular these days even though most of them are really searched.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 19, 2011, 11:19:59 PM
When I look through pennies, I basically do this:


- 1943 steel cents - worth 2-5 depending on condition



Thanks for the basic info...I'll use it to check out the pennies.

As regards the 1943 steels, is that 2-5 in CENTS or dollars? (I think I know the answer, but let me know will you?)
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: subumbro on October 19, 2011, 11:32:01 PM
Dollars. Of course that's what they're "worth." You might not be able to sell them for that much. Good luck though. Fingers crossed for a 1909-S VDB (worth $750-1750).
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: alloro on October 20, 2011, 01:16:31 AM
From the link I posted a few messages back:

"The Value of 1943 Steel Cents:

Currently, while these coins are an interesting change from the brown cents that we commonly see, none of the 1943 Steel Cents are considered rare. Values for all three varieties in average circulated condition is not more than 10-20 cents, at most. In uncirculated conditions, such as might be found on a coin fresh out of a bank roll, the coins have a value of 10 to 20 dollars. Near perfect specimens (MS-66 and up) will have a value from 30 to 70 dollars."
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: subumbro on October 20, 2011, 01:52:47 AM
Well, PCGS, the premier coin grading company values them at $2 in "good" condition (which is actually bad, circulated condition). Of course, now that I look at NGC, the other top company, I see they value it much lower so maybe PCGS is inflating the value for some reason. They seem to go for cheap on ebay, but I've seen people selling them on craigslist for a few bucks. Not sure how successful they are, of course.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 20, 2011, 11:09:59 AM
Dang Movieman all the nice lockers must be out in Cally.  I've only seen 3 really nice lockers out of a good 100+.

As for the coins you already have some good info.  For the common wheat cents you can make $2-4 a roll pretty easy.  I buy them at the local flea at $2 a roll.  Most of the guys try to sell them for $4+.  It all depends on your area.  People buy them by the pound on ebay all the time.

The steel cent I'd sell for $1 at a yard sale if it is in a 2x2 already.  Some person will buy it for a starter collection.


As for auctions - went to a silent bid auction today that had 6 units up for bid.  Was 9 of us bidding.  Only one pretty good unit with some heavy duty tools.  One of the former owners was there telling everyone a sob story.  His stuff was mostly junk imo and only good for scrap.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 20, 2011, 11:19:49 AM
Dang Movieman all the nice lockers must be out in Cally.  I've only seen 3 really nice lockers out of a good 100+.


Well, I'll have to admit there have been some good ones lately and I even got two of them 8 weeks apart....a record !

The one I spoke of above (my friend got for $1125) looked exceptional...after we got inside, but the big sofas, tires, mattresses toward the front discourgaged me....good for him though !

Thanks also for the coin comments....that will help me too.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: DamnthisisFun on October 21, 2011, 02:10:42 PM
Just got back from a 2 unit auction.  A TON of people for a friday auction in central oregon.  Unit #1 10x 10 1/4 full ( previous owner went to jail ) one couch will a ton of stains,  particle board desk, and about 20 boxes.  About half of the boxes in the unit had markers that said dishes.  The unit sold for $155. 

You could tell everyone was itching to spend some money today.  Unit #2 was a 5x10.  The doors opened up and it was packed.  I always try and let the crowd run up to the door while i wait till the end to look. So i am walking to the door and then i think to myself no F&*^ way.....Sh*& . What i noticed as i got closer was the padded wood, then another foot closer I for sure knew it was a Waterbed.  The 5x10 had a complete waterbed, 3 boxes that said " Ryan ", two dining table chairs, and a cheap coffee table.  It was at $175 when i decided to leave. 

Overall a real bummer.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Leota on October 21, 2011, 08:14:54 PM
It wasn't the greatest of weeks for us. Went to Cedar Hills (Tx) for the beginning of the caravan and that area was really bad. So the next day we went on another got a unit for 150 and it wasn't the greatest but we will get a little above our money back. Then on Friday got up early for a U-Haul run in Dallas, it was all canceled because the paper apparently didn't post it in the ads. So, found a Public Storage caravan and got a unit there for 75. The items that could be seen were older dolls and dolphins collectibles. Well turns out it was a crack head and her crackhead prison hubby. lol All I can say is thank goodness we didn't pay a lot. Sometimes looks of units can be deceiving. ;-) But to top it off the one for 150 that we purchased now wants to buy some of the things back. (Got a call from the storage company), but we have already gone through it and a lot of it is in the dumps that wasn't salvageable. Oh well, won't be in contact with them anyway, they had too much "gangsta" ;-) junk and I don't want them to know me or my family...haha
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Cranky on October 27, 2011, 07:05:19 PM
In Massachusetts today, I went to an auction about 20 miles west of Boston that I thought would be lightly attended because there was a 4 auction caravan with another auction company nearby ... I hoped the caravan would get most of the action.

Well, it wasn't to be. There were about 40 folks there for a 3 unit auction. First was a 10 x 10 lightly filled with sample locks/doorknobs. It went for $400. Second a 5 x 15 household unit with a junky, scratched-up dresser in front, a low dresser in the back with an old tv on top and some old mattresses in the very back.Everything else was filled with nondescript boxes. It went for $450. The final, another 5 x 15, didn't have much in it. Some new mattresses in the back, an office chair, a subwoofer, some tubs. It went for $800!

These prices were quite a bit higher than I'm used to seeing in the area. It's hard to imagine that the buyers made any money off of these buys.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Bandit on October 27, 2011, 07:35:00 PM
These prices were quite a bit higher than I'm used to seeing in the area. It's hard to imagine that the buyers made any money off of these buys.

  Hi Judy
  Thats why We have pretty much stopped going to auctions around here till the INSANITY dies down .
We have seen that the Maximum Bids on items at the regular auctions are a Lot Lower then they were last year , with the comment's being made that since they are Not selling on Fee -Bay anymore , they can't justify the initial higher prices .
Bob
Ps
 I don't expect it to ever get to where  Good locker's will go for $ 75. to $ 200. again around here , like in the good old days when Nobody new about them .
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: money4nothing on October 28, 2011, 06:28:07 AM
Went to this one on Thursday Central Fl. Not advertised only legal notice find in paper.
 No Auctioneer, no refundable cleaning deposit, no buyers premium, Nice crowd about 40 people 20 bidders

5 x 10  Washer/ dryer Single wicker bed frame   $ 110 
10 x 10 1/4 full with misc. office I don't know what not much in there.. $ 175 (had something my husband  recognized said worth around $300 if you had a buyer)

10 x 30 full of wood working, saws $400
 Only a pool table (full size nice) in it and all the accessories $170
10x 30 full household $375
5x5 inside unit... casio keyboard in it and old monitors $80.00

and a 5x5 with mainly clothes in it for $30.00 and it is ours. 
I am a noob but the prices were better than what I have seen
The managers said this crowed is dead, HAHAHA not bidding like crazy... Took for ever to get the bids going, the saw unit they almost didn't sell because the bid was at $50... They opened the other door and got more money. The crowed looked at the stuff oh I don't want to move that.... : ). So things look good here will now more next month with the more advertised Auctions.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Liandra on October 28, 2011, 07:16:49 AM
Saw a auction listed in legals of a nearby town.  Called day of auction and the facility owner said its just trash in there.  I repied one man's trash is another man's treasure.  Ask how often they had auctions and he repied this is the first in 4 years.  I show up and one other guy who said it was his first auction in years.  Facility owner opens the unit no old lock in sight and lets us look.  Facility owner said renter told him $200 worth of books were in unit.  The other guy said books are .25 ea. at the flea market must be a lot of books.  The unit had old computer desk, box fan, tool box with magazines in it, and clothes thrown over a few boxes.  Owner ask what we will give I said $5 the other guy said nothing.  Owner said he was starting the bidding @ $50 I told him forget that.  He started on about trying to recover rent lost.  I told him I did not see any money for me to cover gas,  time, and $50.  He said he would just go through it himself OK by me $5 is top.  In the parking lot me and the other guy agreed someone has been watching to much TV or it was some kind of set up.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Cobia on October 28, 2011, 07:35:01 AM
Not sure what to make of trends this month, I will just give my general observations and you all make your best guess as to what is happening.

So this month,

 The small independent facility auctions had less people including less regulars (10-15% less on average) and prices have come down proabably about 10-15%.

The large corporate facility auctions (well advertised) had more people (10-15% more on average) and prices were WAY up about 20-50%

I don't know what to think about this month, maybe it's an anomaly.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 28, 2011, 10:29:49 AM
Owner ask what we will give I said $5 the other guy said nothing.  Owner said he was starting the bidding @ $50 I told him forget that.  He started on about trying to recover rent lost.  I told him I did not see any money for me to cover gas,  time, and $50. 

He said he would just go through it himself OK by me $5 is top. 

In the parking lot me and the other guy agreed someone has been watching to much TV or it was some kind of set up.

I liked your response to the prop mgr when he said he was trying to recover some of HIS loss ! If her were smarter he would have taken your $5 and saved himself the trouble of cleaning it out. Even if he found something worth $50 he still had to make some trips to his facility dumpster.  His loss.

Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: MovieMan on October 28, 2011, 10:35:31 AM


I don't know what to think about this month, maybe it's an anomaly.

Yep, each month offers new oddities in buying patterns and prices.  I talked to one of our 4 major auctioneers the other day who does auctions from San Francisco and up and down the central California valley. He indicated that it is getting more common to see 12 (or as many as 20) lkrs originally coming up for auction and going down to 5 by auction time.

He regretted having to send his helper on a 100 mile round trip to cut 20 locks only to cut 5 when he got here.

He thinks the TV shows are showing people they REALLY WILL lose their stuff if they don't pay up. The day I talked to him he had expected to cut 13 locks and only cut 5. He said the lkrs weren't that great and of course depending on the crowd that would affect HIS income that day.  I didn't say anything, but I didn't have much sympathy for him !  ;)
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: craiglstauction on October 28, 2011, 12:06:54 PM
Have one auction Saturday that is a silent bid.  Called yesterday and she said it looks like most of the people are going to pay up.  Was 23 people listed for 28 lkrs.  When called I was told the 3 units at the first facility may pay up today.  The other two locations had 5 at one and 4 at the other.  So even if the 3 don't pay that is over 1/2 the lockers paying up.
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Liandra on October 29, 2011, 07:51:16 PM
Well I was taking a little trip and decided to take the wife and friends to an auction.  We went in the mini van, but did not plan to bid unless it was something good. :D  Well how does brand new in the packaging real wood cabinets, sinks, ceiling fans, 3 new grarage door openers, used copy machine, and much more sound?  All that for $555 and I have a buyer in the area that is interested and will pick it up from the facility ;D  I will post more tomorrow if he buys.  Also saw three units without a mattress ???
Title: Re: Lookey Loos Part 10.....October, 2011
Post by: Liandra on October 30, 2011, 08:17:23 PM
The guy didn't buy so I will have to make money the old fashion way.  WORK FOR IT :o  Will be loading up and inventorying the cabinets tomorrow.  Have a lead on someone remodeling that might be interested ::)