Archive - December 2010

Storage Wars: Season 1, Episode 6: “All Guns to Port.”

Brandi expressed her concern to Jarrod that the shelves to their thrift store were near empty. She wanted to know his game plan for the storage auction. “Buy. Make Money.” Oh yeah, that reassured her.

Auction held at Long Beach meant two things to Darrell: high-priced imports or low income housing. Pendulum could not swing further between these two points. Barry rode his 1996 Harley Davidson to bring him luck. For the third time in the first season, Dave felt it necessary to flash $10K at the camera.

Dave: I don’t mind being the (bleep). I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to accomplish my goal, and I don’t care what these people think about me.

Nail on the head!

1^st Storage Unit
Mountain of clothes, rubber bins, old television, household items, mattresses, and junk from someone’s entire house. Brandi and Jarrod agreed to buy this locker. Dave bid them up because he thought it was fun. Darrell stated that’s why they call him “Dangerous Dave,” because he enjoys sticking it to people.

Jarrod: Dave just made me overpay again. Sometimes, I just hate that guy.

Cost him $300, that’s $100 over its value. Brandi was upset. Jarrod told her that price was not the issue.

Brandi: Price is not the issue? Horse sh–! Price is always the issue.

As Jarrod and his crew sorted through the items, they found more trash than anything of value. Jarrod’s in the dog house. They have rent and bills to pay. They need to make money, not break even.

2^nd Storage Unit
Small mountain of clothes, household items, rubber bins, and boxes. Both Darrell and Barry were interested in the boxes labeled fragile, which could contain antiques or valuables.

Barry almost bid against himself (always pay attention to who has the last bid). Darrell (unlike Dave) had compassion on Barry’s rookie mistake and let the locker go.

Barry: That was really a little bit embarrassing. I pulled a rookie mistake.

Barry had the merchandise brought to him at another location. He found box that contained several different types of flare guns, even one that belonged to the Sing Sing prison.

At appraisal, he discovered in his collection he had a line-throwing gun (shoots rope from one ship to another), a Navy 1860s pistol, and a German double-barreled World War II flare gun. Collection valued between $1,000-$2,500.

3^rd Storage Unit

Clothes, clothes and more clothes. Ironing board, chair, filing cabinet, rubber bins, and boxes. Dave did something that was most disrespectful during this auction. While the bids still in play, he closed the door to the locker and placed his padlock.

Brandi: Cocky, Rocky.

To say the very least, Brandi. It’s outrageously arrogant and disrespectful to all of the auction buyers present to do so until the auctioneer sells the storage unit. Oh, he won at a high price at $1,600 with his hubris.

Merchandise processed back at his store. Dave’s crew found a diamond bracelet, cowboy boots, small tools and machinery, clothes, trains, and household items.

Profit Scorecard:

Dave Hester: $4,850
Barry Weiss: $2,250
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: $0
Darrell Sheets: $0

What did you think of Dave placing a padlock on the locker during the sell of a storage unit?

Please leave your creative opinions in the comment box below.

Auction Hunters: Kiss and Tell

December 21, 2010

Naomi Luc

Auction Hunters

Auction Hunters: Season 1, Episode 8: “Home on the Gun Range.”

The Haff-Ton team drove to Corona, CA. One small problem, Ton got lost on the way. With only one unit up for auction they arrived halfway through the end of the bids. With little time to profile the locker, the decision was easy. One unit. Long drive. They had to buy. Next time, maybe Ton should ask for directions.

Business Equipment Unit

Office equipment, swirl chairs, boxes, filing cabinets, old computers, and even a fake plant. Duo won the storage unit at $875.

The Haff-Ton team dug into a few of the boxes. Allen found old documents from the cold war. Reference to weapons, nuclear support, biological, chemical, and radiological defense. The contents disconcerted Allen.

Fact: Biological warfare is the deliberate spread of disease-causing viruses and bacteria.

Tension replaced with excitement when Allen found a crossbow. It had staghorn inlay on the wood.

Fact: The most valuable staghorn comes from the antlers of Sambar male deer.

Haff-Ton team took the crossbow to get it appraised. They met with Joe, a crossbow expert, and he stated the bow dated back to the 16^th century. Unfortunately, it was a Victorian era replica from around 1850. Estimated value between $1,500-$1,700. Duo sold the bow to Joe for $1,300.

Fact: The crossbow’s bloody reign began in 5th century China and peaked in the middle ages.

The Haff-Ton team also discovered a 10 gauge shotgun inside the unit. They took it to get appraised by weapons expert Blaze. He informed them it was a 1901 model. Originally designed for stagecoaches and law enforcement.

Fact: Men riding “shotgun” on Wild West stagecoaches carried 10 gauge shotguns.

For accurate appraisal the shotgun had to be tested to see if it would fire. Blaze warned that the shotgun packed quite a punch. Allen was up to the challenge.

Haff-Ton team negotiated with Blaze and agreed on $1,100 for the shotgun.

Fact: A ten gauge barrel fits a lead ball that weights 1/10th of a pound.

The last big ticket item they found an old arcade game called the Kiss-O-Meter. Duo went to Jim, a vintage games expert, to get it appraised. Jim noticed it was in good condition, still with the original paint.

He explained it was a pre-war game. Significance was that most arcade games were destroyed before World War II. Jim valued it at $2,000, but was only willing to pay $700. Allen was firm at $1,300.

Fact: Many arcade game makers ceased production in 1942 to make weapons for WW2.

Ton came up with a solution. If Jim scored higher on the game he could buy it for $700. But if Allen scored higher, Jim would have to pay $1,000. Jim’s score was a passionate kisser. Allen scored naughty kisser. Guess who won?

Jim forked over $1,000.

Kissing, guns and crossbows. Ton decided they should end the day with a celebratory beer.

Auction Total:

Paid $875
Sold: $3,400
Profit: $2,425

Please post your insightful and thoughtful opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: Barry Weiss Unpopular?

December 15, 2010

Storage Wars: Season 1, Episode 5: “The Old Spanish Standoff.”

Jarrod anticipated antiques at the Riverside auction; a city rich with Spanish history. Dave anticipated commercial equipment. Darrell however lacked anticipation because he felt under the weather.

Barry: I see the other guys. I’m not sure they know really what to make of me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be accepted into this mighty exclusive club. But I’m working on it.

Oh Barry, in seasons to come you would become the most popular cast member of all!

1^st Storage Unit
CRAP! Tires, old electronics, rubber bands, boxes, scrap metal, and miscellaneous items.

Jarrod: It’s not what you can see. It’s what you can’t see.

True Jarrod, but sometimes what-you-see-is-what-you-get. Bid war Jarrod vs Barry. “The Collector” won at $600. Jarrod was pretty sure he could not go much higher because Brandi would smack him.

First box Barry took down was labeled, “Elvis.” He found a few collectibles. , Unique find was a copper moonshine still that looked complete. Appraiser stated moonshine had a pot still; thump keg (which was rare), and the copper wire that filtered the brew.

When Barry asked the appraisers what it was worth they said, “Ten years in the pen.” Barry’s jaw dropped. He told them he wasn’t planning on making moonshine. Phew! Moonshine valued between $800-$900.

2^nd Storage Unit
Art and trash. Bedroom headboard, lamp, box, stop sign, blankets, and a mannequin with the telephone. Darrell could “smell” Dave standing behind him. He spoke loudly to say that he would pay $100 for the locker. His strategy was to keep the price down.

Dave: You know I might buy this room, just to piss Darrell off.

Well that didn’t happen because Darrell won the locker for $250. Dave snooped around to take a peek at that mannequin telephone. Darrell told Dave it was a promotional telephone valued at $2000. This mannequin was in worse condition than the one he had recently sold. Dave, who boasted he knew everything about anything, didn’t know about this.

At appraisal of the telephone was made in 1979. Expert offered $1000, but “The Gambler” knew better. He would not sell the mannequin for less than $2000. Sold on the spot, but we never did learn the true value of the item.

3^rd Storage Unit
Couple dozen 5 gallon paint cans, tools, leaf blower, and construction equipment. Jarrod and Brandi agreed at $700, but Dave won the locker for $650.

Jarrod couldn’t remember the limit which threw him off. Brandi “fake punched” her man in the gut for not buying the locker.

4^th Storage Unit
Janitorial or cleaning equipment and office items. Darrell felt sick. He stayed in the truck and sent his son Brandon bid on the locker. Jarrod considered the merchandise not proper for a thrift store.

Brandi: Jarrod’s right. Did I just say that?

Brandon overheard Dave speak Spanish on his cell phone directing his guys to bring the trucks. Dave was unaware that Brandon could speak Spanish, too. Brandon decided to text Darrell since Dave had a great interest in the locker. Darrell placed a bid to inspect the locker, but then decided to let Dave have it.

Steve, Dave’s adviser, told him they would not make any money on the janitorial locker because the quality of the merchandise wasn’t up to par.

Notes:
1. Dave and Darrell both entered into another player’s storage unit, which really isn’t done anymore.
2. The 3 items for appraisal still not structured into the series.
3. The structure of 3 storage units for auction still not in play.

Profit Scorecard:

Darrell Sheets: $1,750
Barry Weiss: $400
Dave Hester: LOSS -$400
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: $0

Would you have passed on the mannequin telephone?

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.

Auction Hunters: Drinks on the House

December 14, 2010

Naomi Luc

Auction Hunters

Auction Hunters: Season 1, Episode 7: “Gangster Whiskey.”

Allen and Ton attended an early auction at reach Moreno Valley. Ton wasn’t too happy. He said his beauty sleep had been interrupted.

At the parking lot the Haff-Ton team saw something that disturbed them – newbies. Newbies bid too high, too fast and inflate the price of units.

TV Room Unit

They paid $125 for a room full of old TVs. Ton hates loading and unloading old TVs. But Allen had a hunch that there might be something good behind the televisions. His hunch paid off when they found a vintage AMI jukebox.

Fact: AMI introduced the first milti-record jukebox in 1927.

Duo also discovered an old DAD-1000 CD player, which is often put inside jukeboxes after the jukeboxes don’t play anymore.

Fact: Made in the early 1980’s, the DAD-1000 is a 1st generation CD player.

Haff-Ton team took the jukebox to Chris, a vintage music equipment expert. Couple of cracks on the jukebox and the back has been repainted. If it was inoperable, the valued at $700 and Chris offered $400.

Fact: Some models are now valued at over $100,000.

Ton plugged the machine and PRESTO! It worked! Chris bought it for $750.

Allen also found some baseball cards from the 60’s. Haff-Ton had them appraised but were disappointed to hear that some of them were worth as little as 1/10 of a cent. But things took a turn for the better when a Willie Mays card was valued at $400-$450. They sold the whole lot for $200.

Fact: Willie Mays is considered the best all-around baseball player who ever lived.

Old Furniture Unit

They bid $400 to win a unit packed full of old furniture which was valued at $150.

Ton was happy when they found an old copper still and moonshine jug.

Fact: Moonshine gained its name by being smuggled by the light the moon.

Duo took the still and jug to Brandon, a whiskey expert who ran a bar full of vintage items. He showed them how the still worked and dated it to the prohibition era.

Fact: Prohibition lasted 14 years: 1920 to 1933.

Allen joked that if they lived during the prohibition, Brandon’s job would be illegal and he’d be running speakeasy bar.

Fact: Speakeasy gets its name because one had to whisper a code to be allowed in.

Brandon noticed there was still some liquor in the jug. They all decided to taste it. Ton took a sip, while Allen wanted to see if it would burn. Boy, did it!

Fact: Moonshine is also referred to as hooch, white lightning, and mountain dew.

After a bit of negotiating with Brandon, they sold the still and jug to for $850.

Fact: When Prohibition ended, FDR declared, “What America needs now is a drink.”

Duo also retrieved a china set from the unit valued at $200. Ton found twenty-five limited edition Barbie dolls valued at $1000.

Moonshine and Barbies, that’s a pretty eclectic unit.

It was a successful day, but Ton still had those old TVs to unload.

Auction Total:

Paid $525
Sold: $2800
Profit: $2275

Please post your insightful and thoughtful opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: Rat & Puke

December 9, 2010

Storage Wars: Season 1, Episode 4: “War on the Shore.”

Dave expected a great storage unit at the Huntington Beach facility. Darrell expected expensive items, boat equipment, furniture, and paintings. Barry expected high-end goods. Jarrod expected to find merchandise from someone’s summer home or seasonal business.

In the parking lot, Darrell scratched on a number on Dave’s box truck. How did Dave react?

Dave: Don’t stand around my truck, you San Diego pukes.

Hester flashed $10,000 cash at Darrell and Brandon. Told them he would buy everything that was good that day. Darrell determined not to allow that to happen. Jarrod pleased at the rambunctious attitudes. If those two bid-iots overspend, that would allow Jarrod to steal a couple of storage units.

1^st Storage Unit
Refrigerator, office chair, reception counter, beauty salon chair, and more salon equipment. Dave was out. Brandi wanted the locker. Jarrod did not want to do the heavy lifting of the salon equipment.

Barry: The two love birds were quarreling which was good because it was kind of distracting.

Barry won at $275. As he removed merchandised from the locker, a few items broke, or were tossed. So it began, Barry’s method of cleaning out a locker – Toss, Break, Repeat. He did find a miniature piano.

Appraiser stated it was a Marshall and Wendell (1928) miniature salesman’s piano sample. The detailing and wood was an exact replica of the grand piano. Valued at $10,000-$12,000.

2^nd Storage Unit
Brand-new auto detailing trailer, commercial cleaning equipment, and tools. Dave’s tactics not to let on he was interested by his criticism of the locker. He needed acting lessons.

Darrell: When Dave is really interested in something, he starts criticizing it and trying to make it look bad.

First bid war ever on the series between Darrell and Dave. Bid rose to $1,000, then $2,000, and then $3,000. Darrell fought hard, but Dave placed his last “Yuup” bid and won at $3,900.

Auto detailing trailer included a pressure washer, holding tank, and vacuum pump. Appraised between $5,500-$10,000.

3^rd Storage Unit
Furniture, keyboard, boxes, fan, rubber bins, and other miscellaneous items stacked neatly inside. Dave decided to use reverse psychology by acting interested in the locker, although he’s not. He placed a bid at $300, then raised the bid to $400. Like that wasn’t transparent.

Darrell: If he wants a war, I’m going to give him a war.

Dave dropped the locker on Darrell and made him pay $850. Would the mediocre locker yield a “Wow” factor? Darrell and Brandon began their search. Camping stove, towels, a lamp, and then Darrell shouted – ‘Whoa, Baby!”

Dave still in the parking lot overheard the excitement. Went to investigate. Dave and Darrell peered inside a box full of baseball sports cards. Each one vintage and had value. Dave left with envy, though he would never show it. Darrell scored as he found more boxes of sports memorabilia.

Altogether, the sports memorabilia included baseball cards, signed baseballs, and a signed basketball – appraised at $3,500.

Darrell: America pay your rent, or I’m going to own your stuff.

Profit Scorecard:

Barry Weiss: $11,650
Darrell Sheets: $2,650
Dave Hester: $1,992
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: $0

Notes:
1. Before the auction began the auctioneer stated, “I’m Dan, (points to) Laura, we’re with American Auctioneers.”
2. First time Dave elongated his “Yuuuuuup” bid.
3. Not all of Dave’s bids contained his signature “Yuup.”
4. Episode trivia that a baseball signed by Babe Ruth sold for over $15k.
5. First time Laura said, “Pay the lady.”
6. First time 3 items on the show were appraised.

Jarrod explained to Brandi that either you win or you dump it (storage unit) on the other person. That there was always a bidding war and that he had to work smarter. Like playing poker, you go all-in just to push somebody around or take them out; whatever it takes to make a dollar.

Brandi: Yeah, that’s the father of my children.

What did you think of this first bid war on the show?

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: Brandi Bids

December 8, 2010

Storage Wars: Season 1, Episode 3: “Melee in the Maze.”

Darrell said Jarrod would not throw him off his game. Jarrod brought Brandi to have an extra pair of eyes to look at the merchandise. Brandi would stay out of the limelight to get a fresh look at the storage units without letting others know that Jarrod was interested.

Dave: I step out of my car. I see Jarrod. I see Darrell. I think to myself, “These two sorry PUKES are here again.
They are going to be getting in my way and annoying me one more time.”

If only he knew then what we know now…

1st Storage Unit
Packed and stacked. New-in-box items, rubber bins, camping gear, tackle box, sleeping bags, and fishing rods.

Trivia: Split bamboo rods take 100 hours to construct.

Darrell pushed his bid. Dave however won at $1,800. Hester actually bought two lockers but only one was featured. Back at his Rags to Riches store to unload merchandise. Dave found two guitars, tools, camera and lenses. The majority of the merchandise however – fishing equipment. Split bamboo and graphite rods.

2nd Storage Unit
Pop and dandy. Red hand dolly, pots and pans, VHS movies, DVDs, CDs, boxes, and miscellaneous items.

Brandi: I think this is our unit.
Jarrod: Hmm. I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said that.

Jarrod told Brandi to bid on the unit as not to draw attention to himself from Darrell or Dave, who both would bid Jarrod up fun. Darrell was in play, but stumped when he heard a squeaky woman’s voice yell the final bid. Jarrod acted incredulous and asked who won. Auctioneer Dan smiled – “Your wife.” SOLD!

Darrell: What?!
Dave: She’s Jarrod’s wife?

Jarrod and Brandi (with the help of two assistants) dug through the locker. They did find quite a few “brand new in box” electronics which would garner a nice little profit.

Jarrod: Brandi scored a good unit. Maybe she is my good luck charm.

3rd Storage Unit
Tight and light. Cheap stove, armoire, boxes, and rubber bins. No one really wanted the locker.

Brandon: If I know my dad, I think he’s just bidding somebody else up.

Darrell placed both hands on his head. Defeated, he won the locker at $400. Oops! He did not place a bid to win. Oh, well. Darrell and Brandon took the merchandise to sort out at a storage unit they rented (which is not uncommon for storage auction buyers). Darrell found a “like new” mini DVD player and movie posters.

Then there was that “Wow” factor. Inside a rubber band he found a coin collection. First a can that contained 418 quarters from the 40s which are 90% silver – worth about $3.95 each. Darrell uncovered a surplus amount of coin books and one pound 1986 silver coin. At appraisal, the silver coin collection valued at $4,100.

Never underestimate an appealing storage unit.

Notes:
1. Brandon Sheets (Darrell’s son) made his first appearance in the interview room.
2. Laura Dotson (Auctioneer Dan’s wife) made her first appearance in the interview room.
3. Showcase a bit of trivia with item such as the Bamboo Rod.
4. Brandi went into office to pay Laura for storage unit plus deposit.
5. First time Dave said, “Pukes.”

Profit Scorecard:

Dave Hester: $9,203
Darrell Sheets: $5,832
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: $2,300

Where was Barry during the auction?

Riding a motorized shopping cart in the parking lot.

Please leave you creative insights in the comment box below.

Auction Hunters: Hack and Slash

December 7, 2010

Naomi Luc

Auction Hunters

Auction Hunters: Season 1, Episode 6: “Weapons of Past Destruction.”

Allen and Ton drove to Hollywood. In Allen’s own words, “They’ll go anywhere where they can smell a deal.” Keep in mind how long some storage units sit before auction. Smell is the operative word.

Without a lot of competition and room without foreseeable value; Allen and Ton won all three units up for auction.

Box and Table Unit
Haff-Ton team big $5. The box was full of books about screenwriting. Maybe they can write a script about how two men got suckered into buying piss-poor locker. Don’t think it would be a big box office draw.

Table inside they estimated was worth around $60.

Mysterious Box Unit

Another box! Along with a few more item. Duo won the locker at $40. They walked inside and found two hidden treasures.

Allen found a World War II Japanese Samurai Sword. It had a 1060 steel blade and was extremely sharp.

Fact: 1060 steel is one of the toughest metals available.

Ton figured to test the blade so he made chop suey out of a watermelon.

Results: Ton – 1, Watermelon – 0.

Fact: In feudal Japan, blades were tested on the bodies of convicted criminals.

An antique sword dealer paid $275 for the sword. Allen threw in the slaughtered watermelon for free.

The second cool treasure was a polygraph machine from the 70’s. They had an expert hook Ton up to see if it worked. Allen had a very important question for him: “Did you eat my sandwich?”

Fact: Lying is believed to trigger involuntary physical responses.

The expert valued the machine at $350 and agreed to buy it for $200.

Fact: Until the 1980’s, it was common to take a polygraph test in a job interview.

Vintage Furniture Unit

They bid $250 on a unit full of vintage furniture and found some interesting pieces inside; including a vintage couch. Altogether the furniture valued at $800.

Fact: Claw and Ball designs date back to the Victorian era (1837 – 1901).

Furniture did not excite Ton, but the pair of black powder guns from the 1800’s made him giggle like girl.

Fact: Black powder was invented by the Chinese 2000 years ago.

Haff-Ton team took the guns down to the shooting range. If they fired, the higher the value.

Ton did not flinch when the antique gun expert, Blaze, warned him that black powder was very dangerous. If it exploded, it meant no money and no Ton!

Both guns fired! Negotiations fired with the gun expert.

The first gun was from the 1830’s and was a European double barrel. They sold it for $160. The second gun was from the 1840’s and was a single barrel. They sold it for $140.

Ton had fun with swords and guns. A good day!

Auction Total:

Paid $295
Sold: $1635
Profit: $1340

Would you like to slice a watermelon with a samurai sword?

Please post your insightful and thoughtful opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: 1st Awesome Unit Sold

December 2, 2010

Storage Wars: Season 1, Episode 2: “Railroad Roulette.”

Darrell shouted to Dave, “Go home, man!” Dave’s rebuttal, “I’m gonna make sure he goes home with his tail between his legs.”

Brandi accompanied Jarrod to monitor his spending on storage units.

Barry brought Jay, who is a dwarf, to wear night vision goggles and stilts to see deep inside the lockers.

Oh, let the games begins!

1^st Storage Unit
Suitcases, rubber bins, and boxes. In a word – trash.

Brandi: Would I allow Jarrod to bid on something like this? Absolutely not.

Dave purposefully drove the price up to welcome the new people. Make them lose money and get the Hell out of the business. Isn’t he a breath of fresh air? Barry won at $850.

Barry and Jay walked into the unit to uncover whatever was underneath a tarp. Barry was speechless. He uncovered a German BMW Isetta. Not in the best of shape. About 50 to 60 years old.

BMW Isetta is a micro car in which the door opens in the front. In case of a collision, the sunroof becomes the escape hatch. Barry’s micro car, while in poor condition, still considered a rare find. Appraised at $3000-$4000.

2^nd Storage Unit
Reproduction pot belly stove, old television, old computer monitor, boxes, and trash bags.

Jarrod: I see mystery in here. I got to see what’s in the rest of the unit.

Dave drove the price up on this blocker as well and made Jarrod pay $350. Jarrod understood Dave’s tactics and that irritated him.

He entered the locker to try to find something of value. He stood precariously on pieces of furniture.

Brandi: You break your neck and become a vegetable or something. I don’t know if I would uh, stick around.

True love.

Jarrod did find a Movado watch with a $950 tag. Could there be an issue? Yes, watches are easily counterfeited. Jarrod and Brandi took the watch to an expert who stated that the watch appeared to be a true Movado watch. However once he took it apart and looked inside the mechanism – FAKE!

Jarrod: One thing is for sure… until I hit a good unit, Brandi’s never gonna get off my back.

3^rd Storage Unit
Commercial restaurant equipment and a ton of boxes. Dave staked this locker as his. He let everyone know it would take about three hours to unload the merchandise.

That irked Darrell to no end.

Dave: Let’s face it. Jarrod and Darrell cannot handle this unit. They don’t have the manpower, the finances, and the knowledge. They are out of their league on this unit.

Dave won at $2,600. While there were no treasures to appraise, his profit margin skyrocketed because most of the items were in “like new” condition. Most items were commercial grade restaurant equipment.

Notes:

Dave paid Laura $2,600 + $40 deposit on the spot after winning the storage unit.
The merchandise was hauled back to their thrift stores instead of placed out in the hallway for inspection.

Profit Scorecard:

Dave Hester: $19,000
Barry Weiss: $3,100
Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante: $50
Darrell Sheets: $0

Dave had only six “Yuups” in this episode.

Please place your creative opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: The 1st Episode

December 1, 2010