Storage Auctions
The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on July 01, 2011, 11:38:20 PM
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Another month begins and promises to be a hot one...at least as far as mother nature is concerned.
Post notes in this thread about the crowds, the prices and any lkr buys you want to talk about, good or otherwise.
Edit July 4, 2011:
Going to one auction on July 5 and four on July 6. Always hope for a good one ! ;D
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/fireworks.gif)
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Went to my first July auction today, July 5, 2011 and here are the results:
Well known auctioneer group, maybe 25 people with perhaps 18 newbies...and again I MEAN NEW. There seems to
be an unending supply of new folks and with new episodes of Storage Wars starting July 20 there will be a new batch for awhile (IMHO).
Prices were somewhat decent for content; first 10 x 10 showing washer/dryer, Dell desktop, etc went for $400. There will be some profit.
Others I don't remember all that much except for a couple that went in the $200 to $300 range, and one for $35.
The one I remember the most was a 10 wide by 5 deep. Clearly showing a go cart leaned up against the wall. Engine was there but had been taken off. Also showing a little scooter that looked pretty good...gas engine, clean.
Before the auctioneer could start someone said $200, and auctioneer said.."I've got $200 but I'm looking for $500." At that point I said $300, first guy said $400 and I went to $500. He said $600 and I stopped; others joined in and it sold for $1300. Even if the winner wanted those two things for his kids he could have bought them cheaper than that and there wasn't anything else of value in the lkr. Oh well...another day at work with no work to do !
BUT, I did buy one piece of specialized equipment from a newbie lkr buyer who didn't know what he had and I'll make 10 times the money on my $30 investment. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Went to 3 of 4 possible auctions today with 1 being one auctioneer and 3 being another auctioneer.
First one had 4 lkrs; I didn't bid on a one. Crowd about 15 with 5 regulars. Prices OK.
I didn't go to the next one because I don't care for the clientel there, but a friend got a pretty good one for $295 and said crowd and prices were good.
The third one of the day (#2 for me) only had 2 lkrs; crowd of 15, prices OK for what they were. I didn't bid.
The fourth of the day (#3 for me) similar story; 2 lkrs, crowd of same 15, nothing worth bidding on.
So, a nothing day for me, but crowd and prices OK. I don't know what out of town auctions might have been going on that might have siphoned off some crowd.
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hi movieman! wish u wouldnt be so secretive bout your 30.00 purchase! i'll bite...lol no i know if you wanted us to know u would have said it...
my ? 2 u is how did u approach the newbie about the item u bought? were u bidding on that lkr too? i will report tomorrow about the auction caravan tomorrow evening. hope to uy my third. i know exactly what i am looking for for an upcoming yard sale so i hope i get it for under 300.00! 40 units tomorrow- probably 25 sold to the public...
we will see- i know i will enjoy the dig!
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hi movieman! wish u wouldnt be so secretive bout your 30.00 purchase! i'll bite...lol no i know if you wanted us to know u would have said it...
my ? 2 u is how did u approach the newbie about the item u bought? were u bidding on that lkr too?
I saw the item before the bidding started and was interested in the lkr, but just watched the bidding and saw it going at $400 to relative newbies and thought I would try to just buy the item.
Went with their kid to lock up the lkr and took a closer look. Went back to the parents and said "when the auction's over I'd like to look at one of your items."
When we went back at end of auction I pulled it out and it was something I had good luck with before. I asked them "what do you think? How much do you want?" She tried to look it up (unsuccessfuly) on a cell phone, and said "maybe I should wait until I can google it at home". I told her to throw me a number and she said "my husband thinks $200". I just laughed and said "I was thinking $25." She hemmed and hawed and I said "look, we don't even know if it works. I'll give you $30 and take the chance." She bit and I walked away with it.
Nope, can't mention the item here. I probably will never meet anyone on the forums to compete with them at an auction, but selling on eBay or Clist I might put my item up against their's, and that could be a problem.
This is a neat way to turn a buck without as much work. Washers/dryers and bigger stuff aren't my thing for the most part, though I will buy a lkr with those items in it IF I see a lot of "smalls" that I like.
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Went to an auction today; only 2 units up for sale, about 20 people there. First unit: 10x10, looked real good, saw a king bed, sectional sofa, a large dresser, nice hope chest looking piece, lots of stereo furniture, and lots of boxes. I'm feeling like it's a $600 locker (based on similar looking lockers sales in the area) bidding quickly got to $500, I bid $600, then it slowed down and started getting 50 and 25 raises. regulars dropped out after $800, and it was 2 ladies left, one I've seen at one other sale (where she also overpaid for a locker) and a new lady that I've not seen before. the first lady won the unit for $1075. (a side note about this lady...she brings her little dog to the auctions...not one small enough to hold in your hand, but not all that big..I don't know the breed, but it's ugly and barks a lot. I find it very annoying, and wonder if she thinks she's Paris Hilton...yes, I have a major pet peeve against people that bring their little dogs with them *everywhere* in stores etc. this is FL people, it's hot! leave the dog at home where it can be comfortable!)
anyway, we go on to the second unit, a 5x5x4 unit. showing some made in china tools, some paint buckets, rollers, paint pans, a children's tv/vcr combo, and a cardboard box with a leather jacket on top of it. looked like a $200-$250 locker tops. nope, same idiot with the dog bids against a guy and buys it at $575.
Oddest lookey loo moment: a couple brought their kids who were throwing a football back and forth while the auction was conducted...it's a circus out there.
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Went to an auction yesterday with 8 units, had 25 registered bidders and about 35 people total. Bigger crowd than I expected considering 92 degrees and blacktop. Didn't win one, only liked 1 unit and it went higher than I wanted to go. Most went for 125.00 to 300.00, and a unit that looked staged went for 425.00. This is in Nashville TN area.
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Went to an auction yesterday with 8 units, had 25 registered bidders and about 35 people total.
In my area 2 of the 4 major auctioneers throw a hissy fit if you don't sign in. Example: "How is it that everyone says they've signed in, but I count 24 and only 15 have signed in?" This guy is an a**hole deluxe and other is about the same.
The first guy says..."It's the law; you have to sign in". I say..."Baloney".
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I wish everybody would send some luck my way! Had an unusual Saturday auction today in a small town. About 90-100 people. A few of the regulars were there as well.
I think most of this was staged. They let us go inside the units. Stuff was arranged that looked like it could be easily seen. It was odd. And apparently some guy called in and left $400 bids on each unit, sight unseen??!!! I call BS. But all the units went for more that $400.
One of the regulars I saw after the auction said the auctioneer came up to him after the auction and told him somebody bought one and didnt pay, and wanted to sell him the locker at a reduced price. This facility was rigged and to be honest, I'll never go there again.
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Hey guys... Wish I was experiencing your small crowds. Understand this, I may be a car salesman, but I don't exaggerate or try to "one-up" people...I tell it like it is. My nephew and I went on a caravan to 5 facilities and 40 units avail... I must admit- it was taxing in the heat... anyway, we counted 78 people. >:(DAMN!!!! largest auction I have been to. the funny thing is 99 percent of them went to the first 4 places, then it got down to about 30-40people at the last facility... auctions were in st pete and lots of lookie loos but about 25 regulars and prices were sky high. I missed the perfect unit I knew I would find by 25 bucks. i know sounds lame-- but it went for over my budget for what i saw--- yeah i couldv'e won it for 375 but i set my budget at 325 and it went for 350--- im gonna try and post a pic-- been having trouble with that lately... (I still have a lot to move from my first 2 lockers so maybe it was meant to be that way so my wife doesnt kick my ass!
Have a good night and....
Enjoy your dig!
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hey gapajeff--- i feel for ya brotha- throwing you my crowd ;) at least it's smaller.. lol I feel it will all fade away soon enough- America takes up and throws away trends faster than wrapping paper... it will all fade away soon enough, like that Orlando woman Casey Anthony. Don't even get me started, right?
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Hey guys... Wish I was experiencing your small crowds.
Well, you just ran into ONE of the two realities of our biz in July, 2011.
1) The crowds are going to be here for a while yet....what with BOTH TV shows starting new episodes in about 10 days.
2) You will see more lockers than you will ever buy (a good thing I think).
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I want to give you all report on the first week of auctions in my area.
Basically, the weekday auctions have quieted down to mostly regulars. The three auction runs, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday averaged about 12-25 people, 90% bidders, 80% regulars. Bidding was reasonable, there were a couple of units that were bid up pretty high. Saturday, Oh my, different story. Started with about 40 people grew to over 50. Maybe 50% were regulars and only 15% were bidding. The newbies made up 50% of the bidders and they won probably 70% of the units. Winning bids were to rich for my blood, but not as bad as I remember back in February & March. Won two units during the weekday, one for $15 and another for $140. There was one I liked on Saturday I would have had to drop $500 to win. I figured with the downward trend in bidders and prices during the weekday auctions I would just wait. There is always another storage unit!
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@copiavita... congrats on ur two wins! Keep is updated what u find!
@movieman... yeah I feel as if I am seeing a lot and purchasing none... want to get back in the game...
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Went to two auctions by the same auctioneer. First one had 16 bidders and 3 lkrs. Didn't bid on one of them, but several people did including the 6 regulars who were part of the 16 bidders.
One relative newbie got all three 10 x 10s which were down hallways, pedestrian size doors (not 10 x 10 doors).
Prices: $275, $400, $675; so the guy spent $1350 for 3 lkrs. Some potential for breaking even....in my opinion.
Anyway, that kept him away from the 2nd auction (either out of money or space and time) where there were 2 lkrs.
First went for $90 to a newbie; 2nd went for $240 to regulars....3 feet high of tumbled down stuff with a couple of good items showing; he'll make a little on it ..... after the dump run(s).
So, not a great day, but more auctions coming the next couple of days.
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Talked to the auctioneer (best/most honest of the 4 major auctioneers) who indicated that in the 150 mile radius he covered, he was seeing FEWER lkrs up for sale and crowds moderating.
It turns out that even though the crowds are going down a bit (in some areas) there are fewer units BECAUSE THE TV SHOWS are making it apparent to lkr owners that THEIR STUFF WILL BE SOLD if they don't pay up.
So...according to this auctioneer (with whom I agree)....it's a double whammy from the tv shows.
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Went to a facility that has an auction about once every three months today. It was AWESOME! 10 people show up for 13 lockers, and a some of them were together, so basically only 8 bidders! I got two units for just over 100 bucks! One had a matching washer and dryer, so I don't think I'll have any problem getting my money back plus some! I hope this is a sign of things to come!
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Went to a facility that has an auction about once every three months today. It was AWESOME! 10 people show up for 13 lockers, and a some of them were together, so basically only 8 bidders! I got two units for just over 100 bucks! One had a matching washer and dryer, so I don't think I'll have any problem getting my money back plus some! I hope this is a sign of things to come!
If only it WAS a sign of things to come ! With the two TV shows starting new seasons on July 19 and July 20, 2011 yet another swarm of newbies will be coming out of the woodwork. :(
Meanwhile, congratulations on the bargain lkrs you got....we'll take the good luck anytime we can find it. ! ;D
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Went to an auction today where they pull out items piece by piece. Made a couple of buys that should come out OK.
A 2nd auction had about 70 people with 10 or so being regulars. Two of the 16 lkrs were going to start at a minimum of $500 each. The first one went for $750 I think; the second went for $1450. The 2nd had a couple of good things showing and depending on the boxes there might be some profit. I stopped at $1k on the 2nd one.
More auctions next week ! (there almost always are!)
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@ MovieMan In your experience, do you see more auctions toward the end of the month, or at the beginning?
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@ MovieMan In your experience, do you see more auctions toward the end of the month, or at the beginning?
It seems to be pretty well distributed through the month. Most of the auctions I go to are part of cycles run by 4 auctioneers. They don't co-ordinate of course, but it seems they are most often during different weeks, thus filling up the month.
It is nice when once in a while two or three of them fall on the same 1 or two days though...this splits the crowd sometimes 3 ways reducing the competition at any given auction..the trick is to pick the right one to go to.
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Monday, July 18, 2011
Went to one today with about 50 people and only 6 of them were regulars. A lot of fresh faces (and some of them not so fresh !)
Seven lkrs at stake. The first one is shown in picture below. It had a safe inside and sold for $650. The safe (with its unknown contents was the best thing in the lkr.
The other 6 lkrs weren't great. Only one of them had real promise; it was a 10 x 20 and went for $700. Probably some profit there. Could see a frig AND an upright freezer. Lot of boxes.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/crowd99.jpg)
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I think the pattern for the rest of the year is going to go like this:
Auctioneer: "We are going to start the bidding on this nice POS, stinky, bed bug filled 5x5 locker at $25..."
Newbie Bidder: (jumping the bid a bit) "$500!!"
Auctioneer: "???"
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Hit an auction Mon. july 18th on the Mass./Nh. border to see if the crowds are still coming out .
Yup , 35 or so bidders with only 5 or 6 real bidders there . One couple even brought there kids a guess at 8 and 10 plus Gram and Gramps pushing the baby , and they ALL had to file by the doors and look in . ::)
Started out with 16 lockers , two from a contractor 1 locker filled with junk and used boards and an outside parking space with a ladder and a bunch of long old boards .( No takers )
Also another owner with three lockers ,one filled solid with used peg boards , one with short 1 X 6 boards and one solid with 2 X 4 framed walls for the particle board ( no Takers )
One 5 X 10 that when the door was opened , cases of chrome plumbing fittings for sinks tumbled out , (went for $ 240 )and the door was wedged at 1 1/2 ft.
Others went for $ 400 to $ 800 ( one had two dome tents and boxes )
Best one with Arcade game and packed with neat boxes started at $ 500 and shot up to $ 2000.
I will see him Sun. and see what he got in His 4 lockers .
I did talk with the Auctioneer and His show with Alan and Ton in East Boston is airing tonight .
Only comment made by someone that was there , was that when the camera wasn't on Him , Ton was a chimney .
Bob
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Went to an auction today and crowd wasn't bad....I think I counted 28. They had 10 lkrs and most weren't too much to look at.
I got a 10 x 15 at what I thought was an OK price, but a little less would have been better! Just starting to get into it and if anything outstanding I'll report back.
Highlight of the day can be found at the link below and deals with an explosive device !
http://storageauctionforums.com/index.php?topic=1414.0
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Went to a facility today that had I believe 13 up for auction. Last month there was around 50 people, today between 90 and 100. All together I only saw about 6 or 7 different bidders. A lot of new faces. Lots of children as well, which no offense to anybody that has kids, do you really have to let your kids see the unit? come on
anyways, prices were a little steep. but not out of this world. A few went for pretty decent prices. I snagged one for $150 which im happy with. A tote mostly full of costume jewelry, a lot of boyds bear stuff, some nice kitchen stuff (pyrex, fireking). nothing great but I'm happy with it.
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Went to one today small town but there were over 75 people there 9 lkr's the storage facility had balloons free botteled water on ice with the storage Co. name on the label, and soda's even hotdogs I kept looking for the radio station or a clown to come around the corner handing out cotton candy. lined up to sighn in and here come a guy with a basket handing out candy, pens and business cards. the prices matched the crowd High. seen some cheap plastic handeled silverware in a box with two used matress's go for $75 with no hidden suprise's unless someone stuffed a matress with money. I went there and I saw the WOW factor therefore I will not return to that place for atleast 6 months. 6 bidders in the crowd. if I hadnt driven 80 miles id of got in my truck and left first sight of the circus.
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Went to one today small town but there were over 75 people there 9 lkr's the storage facility had balloons free botteled water on ice with the storage Co. name on the label, and soda's even hotdogs I kept looking for the radio station or a clown to come around the corner handing out cotton candy. lined up to sighn in and here come a guy with a basket handing out candy, pens and business cards. the prices matched the crowd High. seen some cheap plastic handeled silverware in a box with two used matress's go for $75 with no hidden suprise's unless someone stuffed a matress with money. I went there and I saw the WOW factor therefore I will not return to that place for atleast 6 months. 6 bidders in the crowd. if I hadnt driven 80 miles id of got in my truck and left first sight of the circus.
This whole post made me laugh. Witnessed my first unit go for over a grand today. 4 units, 30 people. 2 went high, 2 went about right. The auctioneer at this one annoys me...only accepts $25 increments. I want to nickle and dime you to death!
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Here's a link to a Sacramento, CA (area) new "buyer"s experience with crowd and prices info. The auctions took place Wednesday, July 27, 2011.
http://storageauctionforums.com/index.php?topic=1459.msg7112#msg7112
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Went to two auctions today both by the same auctioneer.
First facility had 8 units and nothing memorable until the end. I didn't even bid on a lkr.
The last unit was 10 x 20 with big stuff (including 3 mattresses, one of which was RATTY, an entertainment center (cheap) and a roll-around toolbox. Toolbox was in good red, shape but couldn't see any name on the front. I think all Craftsmen have name on front and certainly Snap-On would.
Couldn't see much else as big items covered view of the rear. There were some drum stands, pedals etc but they looked in bad shape.
Starts at $100 or so, goes to $300 when a regular offered $1,000 and half the crowd starts to walk away..most were newbies. Goes on up from there and when the auctioneer asked the $1K bidder if he wanted to go $1,200 (after a 1,100 bid was made) he basically laughed and said, "I don't want it." AND HE NEVER DID WANT IT !
So, it goes on up with a couple of regulars taking the semi-newbie for a ride to.....$1,750 where it ended with him getting it. Oh well...doubt it will break even at that.
I also asked the property manager what was owed on the lkr and it was.... $1700, so the mgrs were happy campers along with the auctioneer.
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2nd auction had 7 I think it was. Didn't bid on a one. Most went in the $200 range.
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Went to a large corporate storage auction run yesterday and ohh my. I re-read my post from earlier in the month and it looks like the current trend is large corporate auctions=new faces/big money spent; small independent auctions = less people, less regulars/more resonable bidding.
A trend I have noticed and seems to be continueing is the changing demographics of storage auctions. Last fall the crowd was predominately "working class", yesterday it was quite apparent storage auctions have gone mainstream and attracted the attention of your average "middle class and upper class" American. It looked like a crowd of people had just left Macy's or a country club, not kidding! New trucks, new SUVs, Lexus' in the parking lot. They were'nt just window shopping either.
Here are the particulars:
Regulars = 5-8 depending on location, Newbies = 40-60 depending on location.
Total units up for auction 28; # won by regulars 2-5 (can't say I know ALL the regulars), # won by newbies 23-27.
Average price of a 5 x 10, around $225
Average price of a 10 x 10 around $600
Top locker of the day 10 x 30 $1375 (I went to $1200 on this unit)
Insane locker of the day 10 x 15 3/4 full Walmart brand clothes, baby stuff, baby & kid's toys, movies (all used of course) $825!
Needless to say, I did'nt win anything. Things appear to be like Movieman said, a continual wave of new faces who drop a bunch of money, get burned, don't show up again, but then a new wave arrives to replace them and they do the same thing over again. Gotta find away to compete against this never ending hoard of "shoppers".
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You're in Ga right? What run was that? I'm glad I didn't get out there yesterday. Also glad they have some smaller auctions up my way, Gainesville, Cleveland area..
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Things appear to be like Movieman said, a continual wave of new faces who drop a bunch of money, get burned, don't show up again, but then a new wave arrives to replace them and they do the same thing over again. Gotta find away to compete against this never ending hoard of "shoppers".
That was a good report Copiavita. The details on lkr #s , prices, buyers and lookeyloos tells it all. As to finding a way to compete against the masses, I'm looking into alternative sources more than I am trying to beat the crowds anymore.
I think we're in for a long haul with the tv shows ramping up the way they are.
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You're in Ga right? What run was that? I'm glad I didn't get out there yesterday. Also glad they have some smaller auctions up my way, Gainesville, Cleveland area..
Metro Chattanooga, some of the auctions were in north Georgia others in Tennessee. You might see me in the Gainesville/Cleveland area sometime.
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BUT, I did buy one piece of specialized equipment from a newbie lkr buyer who didn't know what he had and I'll make 10 times the money on my $30 investment. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.
Appx 5 weeks later I sold this item for $275 on Clist. Funny thing was another seller had a similar item and had listed it 5 times (different wording) over about a 2-week period. I flagged it for overpost and THEN....MY item got deleted and her's stayed on.
I redid mine with different wording and in a different city and got it back on. Guess the multiple listing person worked for Clist.