Archive - 2013

Container Wars: Season 1, Episode 5: “Last Laugh.”

You win some. You lose some. But on this show, when you lose, you lose B-I-G!

1^st Container: Port of Origin – Oakland, California.

Penny the auctioneer asked Moose to “pop that lock” and uh, hmm. Boxes, lots of them, packed from floor to ceiling.

Mo, Ty, and Matt were not eager to bid on the unknown. That left the beauty queen and the hillbilly. Jason’s vocal bids were “Toodle-oo, skip, skip.” Huh? Whatever that means.

Deana raised her hand with firm determination to take this container, and that she did at $9,000.

Excited, she opened the first box which was full of ball caulk for toilets. Ugh. Second box, toilet seats. This was getting ugly. Deana dug deeper. Next box she opened full of Brondell luxury electronically controlled toilet seats, top-of-the-line, which included seat warmers and built-in bidets. Each retailed at $2,000 a piece!

Big boxes in back contained Ariel state-of-the-art shower units. Temperature controlled showers, each with four shower heads. And she had four Ariel units retailed at about $5,000 a piece.

Deana: Shower me gold, baby!

Cost: $9,000
Profit: $41,000

2^nd Container: Port of Origin – Savannah, Georgia.

More boxes but what was visible looked like 80s educational supplies. Projectors, old keyboards, and old speakers.

Mo and Ty squabbled over container. Ty kept bidding and Mo told him to stop. Mo boasted that “He’s the boss and he’s the man” but Ty didn’t take too kindly to those remarks. A push here, a shove there. “It’s our money!” Both have trust issues.

I think everyone on the show should get some counseling, don’t you?

Jason won at $4,000. What did he find? Old educational crappy supplies along with old 8-track tapes! What was he thinking? Huge loss on the container.

Cost: $4,000
LOSS: -$2,395

3^rd Container: Port of Origin – Houston, Texas.

Visible were stuffed animals. Matt uninterested as was Deana. But Ty noticed one of the stuffed animals had video and audio cables attached to its rear end. He told Mo he had a hunch big money was to be made on this container.

Mo, off to prove a point on “trust,” push the bid over the cliff to $10,500. Once inside the container Ty took a closer look at the stuffed animals. Eureka! He was right.

Ty: Do you know what these stuff are?
Mo: They’re stuffed animals.
Ty: They’re hidden cameras.

Every single item whether a clock, a lamp, or stuffed animal were brand new professional CCTV cameras for home security. Who’s the man now, Mo? Yeah, he ate humble pie alright.

Cost: $10,500
Profit: $35,000

4^th Container: Port of Origin – Beijing, China.

Stacked from floor to ceiling with low and high performance tires. Matt saw money, but so did Deana. Mo and Ty were out to make Matt pay through the nose, and that he did. Matt won at $21,000.

Matt scowled at everyone at how he was the big winner. He figured he’d double or triple his money. One problem though, he didn’t take a good look at the tires to notice they were defective.

He pulled one out, ripped. Matt pulled another out, ripped. Each and every tire ripped. No profit and insult to injury, he would have to pay a $3,000 recycling fee to move the tires.

Cost: $21,000
LOSS: -$23,000

Ha! Ha! Ha!

I really shouldn’t laugh at his misfortune.

Bawhahahaha!

Hey, Matt’s not the nicest crayon in the box, so I’m not crying a river for him.

4^th Container: Port of Origin – Not Specified.

Though all of the merchandise was wrapped in plastic, it appeared like vintage soda fountain equipment. Deana and Jason fought hard, but Deana was distracted by Mo.

Mo stuck his tongue at her. Called her “Crotchety.” Deana finally blew up in his face and yelled, “Mo, stop, you’re getting on my nerves!” Uh, Deana forgot to bid. Jason won at $22,000.

Definitely, they all need counseling.

Jason did find a soda fountain in excellent condition; vintage candy machine that took nickels and dimes, plus a jukebox. He checked the back of the jukebox and it had the plate: Wurlitzer 1946. He’s in the money!

Cost: $22,000
Profit: $19,023

Big loser was Matt. Big winner was Deana and she said it best, “Winner, winner, chicken dinner!”

Let us know your creative thoughts on this episode in the comment box below.

Container Wars: Cardboard Hell

February 11, 2013

Container Wars: Season 1, Episode 4: “Secret Stash.”

Once in a while during an auction there’s a mystery container. Temptation. Anticipation. Exhilaration. Israel trio scored the biggest… Before I get to their container; let’s see what happened for the other players.

1^st Container: Port of Origin – Panama City, Panama.

Persian rugs, high-end antique furniture, 1920s chandelier, and a large item strapped to the wall covered by a packing blanket.

Matt bawked his bid like a chicken that lost its head, “You chicken paw, paw, paw.” Intimidation it was not. Instead it was an invitation for Mo to up the bid. Matt escalated the bid to $10,000 and rose to $20,000. He won, but it wasn’t a big payoff.

Underneath the blanket was a safe. Matt hired a locksmith and inside he found a briefcase, but it was empty. Bawk. He also found two wooden boxes inside drawers. One box contained fake jewelry. Bawk, bawk. The second box however did contain an antique Colt .45. Okay, he scored a little extra. I’ll give him that. But not enough to bawk like a crazy chicken.

Cost: $20,000
Profit: $4,000

2^nd Container: Port of Origin – Norfolk, Virginia.

John the auctioneer shouted, “Pop this can!”

EE-OO-EE-OO!!!

Container was booby trapped with an alarm system. Deafening! John disabled the alarm which was near the door. Sounded like an air raid, which by chance was fitting for this container.

Inside military surplus boxes labeled blankets, gas masks, ready-to-eat meals (MREs), canned food, hazmat suits, and more. Uzi wanted a jackpot, not something to put in a crock pot. Mo and Ty however thought they could flip the items quickly to survivalist and weekend warrior campers.

Uzi didn’t want the unit however he bid up to $10,000. Then it got real quiet. Uzi was about to implode or explode as he did not want to buy this unit.

Shout from the back from Jason with a $10,200 bid. Uzi exhaled. Mo eventually won container for $11,200 then proceeded with a victory dance. Swag? Uh, no. He needs dance lessons.

Cost: $11,200
Profit: $6,000

3^rd Container: Port of Origin – New Orleans, Louisiana. Doors open wide. Stacked high with cardboard boxes. What’s in the back, a mystery. Ooh. Aww.

Matt stated it’s a little known fact that cardboard is the #1 export to China. He was in. So was Mo. But it was Shlomi who convinced his team he had a good feeling about this container. They went all in.

Uzi: If Shlomi is wrong about this container, I’m gonna have him live inside the cardboard box!

Matt, Mo and Uzi gambled big. Israel trio thundered at $20,500. Too rich for the other players. For the first time John asked if everyone wanted to stick around to see what was inside the unit.

Uzi, Shlomi and Eyal climbed up and over the boxes into the far back of the container. They scored BIG! The biggest laugh that is; nothing but cardboard from front to back. Crowd applauded and laughed.

Wah. Wah. Wah.

John Kunkle: I just want to say one more time all sales are final.

Cost: $25,500
LOSS: – Huge!

4^th Container: Port of Origin – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

An Outhouse. Seriously, a brand new portable potty along with construction dividers. Matt’s out. He usually likes pretty things. This was all Jason who smoked the bid up to $14,000.

He found a wrecking ball and a new construction loader. He more than doubled his money on his unit, and had the dignity not to bawk like a chicken or jiggy a victory dance.

Cost: $14,000
Profit: $24,000

Lesson learned: If the container is stacked with empty boxes, then it’s probably full of empty boxes – duh!

Please leave your creative thoughts on the show in the comment box below.

Container Wars: Rubber Duck Spa

January 28, 2013

Container Wars: Season 1, Episode 3: “Israel Angst.”

In this episode, one player would rise as a big loser and one would rise as a big winner. Both were the same person. Off to Oakland, California shipyards for this auction.

1^st Container: Port of Origin – Hanoi, Vietnam.

Ooo! Ahh! Lots and lots of liquor. Visible were Vodka bottles and thirteen barrels of wine. Keep in mind there were unmarked boxes. Liquor can handle heat but not beer nor wine.

Jason, once a bartender, wanted this unit. He and Deana engaged in a bid war until she dropped out but then stepped in Matt who had connections to unload the liquor. He won the container for $27,000.

Matt checked the cases of Bakon Vodka (70 proof) about 400 bottles. Wholesale he estimated at least $11,000 for the lot. That’s good. Unfortunately he found beer and more beer. Not good. He opened another unmarked box and…

GAH!

Inside the liquor bottle was a black scorpion and a part of a snake. In Vietnam culture, snake wine is widely accepted to improve health and virility. I think I’ll stick with vitamins and supplements, thank you. What about his barrels of wine? Tasted like vinegar. A bust.

Cost: $27,000
LOSS: -$2,000

2^nd Container: Port of Origin – London, England.

Visible was an army bicycle, beacon, hand crank siren, boxes and a tarp that covered a large object. Israel duo shouted $7,000 and Matt countered with $15,000. Oh, how the big boys like to play. Uzi and Shlomi played hard and won the container for $29,000.

They found a surplus of army gear. Parachutes, Rosie the Riveter posters, and walkie talkies. However that just would just about break them even. What’s under the tarp?

US Motorcycle with sidecar. Mazel Tov! Oh, wait, they have to have it appraised first. It’s not an original WWII cycle. Made in Russia (not kidding) and at least ten-years old valued at $6,500. Not a Mazel Tov moment but that did help push them into a profit.

Cost: $29,000
Profit: $7,200

3^rd Container: Port of Origin – Balitmore, Maryland.

Lots of huge boxes, a few stands and what appeared as possible spa equipment. You knew Deana would be all over this but so was Jason. He lost one container and was not about to lose another. Jason won container for $24,000.

Cal Spa brand items, spa blankets, and cedar spa tubs, yep, spa haven. Jason stepped into a tub then cuddled with a rubber ducky. Say it with me, “Ew!”

Cost: $24,000
Profit: $2,800

4^th Container: Port of Origin – Oakland, California.

Huge boxes in front blocked the view to what was opened in the back. Rotisserie wheels were the only sign that the container could hold commercial barbeque equipment. Uzi and Shlomi climbed on the backs of Ty and Mo for a better look. Not cool. Not cool.

John Kunkle: Behave yourselves, you understand what I’m saying or I’m benching you and you’re out of here.

Israel duo did settle, finally. Shlomi gave Uzi a boost and what did he see in the back? Grills and more grills. Matt didn’t need a boost to know this was a good container. He battled with the Israel duo and won the unit for $17,500.

Boxes contained an overabundance of grilling utensils from top of the line brand Santa Maria. Matt weaved his way to the back and all the barbeque equipment was made by the same company. He even found a grill on a trailer. It’s party time!

Cost: $17,500
Profit: $10,000

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Matt experienced both on the same day.

Please leave your creative comments in the box below.

Auction Hunters Expands to Pawn Shops

January 16, 2013

T.C. Lane

Entertainment

53 Comments

Despite the recent controversy surrounding storage auction reality shows, Auction Hunters is still going strong.

On January 30^th, Spike is renewing its popular reality show for a fourth season. Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop Edition follows Allen and Ton as they search through storage auctions and convert their finds to sales stock for their new pawn shop, Haff-Ton.

Running this pawn shop should be a challenge considering how much traveling they do to hunt through auctions, but they’ll undoubtedly find a way to make it work.

Haff-Ton Pawn Shop is located at 142 Culver Blvd. Playa del Rey, CA. 90293

In order to run the shop while the boys are out prospecting auctions, the Auction Hunters team has added a new staff member. Known as “Big Sis,” this woman has been buying and selling vintage goods for her whole life according to the Spike’s website. There isn’t much information available about “Big Sis,” including her real name; the newest season of Auction Hunters hasn’t been added to IMDB and there is no bio for this new cast member on the site.

All the same, she does get a brief cameo appearance in the show’s promotional trailer. Refreshingly, she is not a thin, blonde waif, and her character’s addition doesn’t seem geared toward generating sex appeal. All the same, only time will tell what she’ll bring to the table and whether this foray into pawn shop ownership will be a good fit for the show.

So, what do you think about Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop Edition ? Leave your interesting and creative responses in the comments section below.

Storage Wars: New York: Pay Big, Lose Big

January 16, 2013

Guest Contributor

Storage Wars: New York: Season 1, Episode 6: “I’ve Got A Bridge To Sell You In Brooklyn.”

Chris and Tad hoped to break an unlucky streak. Chris wanted to ride Joe P’s coat tails. After all, The Legend consistently stole every room they wanted thus far. Mike headed to Brooklyn counting on acquiring some bigger items. Despite some quips from the other players. Mike we’re looking at you! Candy and Courtney came equipped with the big bucks.

Mike: The chicks have no clue what life is about.

1^st Room

Contents didn’t necessarily have our buyers jumping for joy, but it did peak the interest of Mike and C&C. Mike bid about as much as he was willing to pay before dumping the room on Candy for a cool $800. A safe caught Courtney’s eye. Took some digging to find the key.

What was in the box?!

Safes hold money… it has to be money right? Right?!

That’s a big – No. Gals did find a ping pong ball machine designed to help players practice. Appraisers stated sports equipment was in mint condition. Valued at $2,100.

Candy: You know what I did find, balls.

2^nd Room

Joe P’s sixth sense made a spooky appearance… until the price cap exceeded what he was willing to pay for it. Candy and Courtney were interested until the price spooked them, too. So at $375 Mike was the lucky winner – maybe. He wasn’t entirely sure this room was worth the risk.

It looked like Mike B. was going to break even or lose money (gasp!) until a magic drawer was opened. Inside was a pair of awesome vintage motorcycle gloves. He wanted value and he got some. Gloves appraised at $300. In classic The Hustler flip-for-quick-cash style; he sold the gloves on the spot to the appraiser.

3^rd Room

Furniture and boxes – who knew what could potentially be stowed away! Bid war commenced, but bids only go as far as pockets are deep. Joe P definitely had the biggest pockets of the day. He paid $4,000.

Was it worth it?

Not so much.

Once the room emptied, it was clear that there was no mystery. Most interesting item – an old taxi meter from the 1940’s or 1950’s. Appraised for $200.

And guess what? Chris & Tad walked away empty handed but they also dodged a pretty big bullet.

Chris: Joe P’d again!

Any bets on when Chris & Tad will score a good one? Sound off!

Profit Totals:

Candy Olsen & Courtney Wagner: $1,600
Mike Braiotta: $325
Joe P: LOSS-$2,875
Chris Morelli & Tad Eaton: $0

Would you have paid $4,000 for Joe P’s storage unit?

Please leave your creative comments in the box below.

Storage Wars: New York: Rain Money

January 15, 2013

Guest Contributor

Storage Wars: New York: Season 1, Episode 5: “Long Island City Of Dreams.”

It was a rainy day in Long Island but that didn’t damper anybody’s spirits as the buyers came with some serious game plans. In a daring business move, Courtney and Candy rented a work space. Good idea? Bad idea? C&C came with a fierce determination to make bank fast due to unprecedented overhead.

Chris and Tad, low on on inventory, came to Long Island to fill the store. Mike came with a strategy to step up his game.

Mike B: I brought my balls today.

Let’s not consider where he keeps them when he doesn’t bring them.

Joe P. came for one reason – buy a room to make a LOT of money.

1^st Room

Boxes. Only real interest garnered from C&C. Chris and Tad decided to make them pay for it and up the bid. Candy won at $185. Gals found vintage drive-in speakers. Let’s get popcorn and have speakers appraised. Unfortunately, vintage speakers didn’t have a loud volume of value. Appraised at $50.

Wop, wop!

2^nd Room

Duel between Joe P and Mike. Potentially high end items in this room that peaked the guys’ interest. In the end, Joe P paid $1,000.

Joe P: Mike’s like a mosquito – one of these days I’m gonna have to swat him.

While clearing out the storage unit, Joe P noted potentially fruitful furniture. Real find was a jewelry steamer. He had it appraised. Valued at $600.

3^rd Room

In plain sight, a few sinks along with miscellaneous goods. Bor-ing! Mike however saw potential. He snagged the room for $150.

What a steal this one turned out to be!

He scored big time when he discovered a two person Jacuzzi tub worth at least $2,500. Fondue maker he took to have appraised by a chef. Professional appliance was fully functional. Great condition. Valued at $1,400.

Chris: They’re sinks! What the hell are we gonna do with sinks?!

Once again Chris & Tad walked empty handed – better luck next time guys!

Profit Totals:

Mike Braiotta: $4,768
Joe P: $2,200
Candy Olsen and Courtney Wagner: $60
Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton: $0

Would you have passed at the storage unit with boxes?

Please leave your creative comments in the box below.

Container Wars: Roach Motel

January 14, 2013

Container Wars: Season 1, Episode 1: “Booby Traps and Safes.”

A common speculation generated that there’s one type of organic creature that can survive a nuclear war.

Cockroaches.

True or false?

Who knows, but cockroaches can survive a very long sea voyage inside a container, that’s a fact!

Which unlucky player bought a roach motel?

Let’s see, shall we…

1^st Container: Port of Origin – Los Angeles, California.

Mama Mia! Boxes labeled “Bonspeed Wheels,” designer wheels on top of boxes, and a fiberglass hood. Container screamed money!

Uzi felt it, but Shlomi and Eyal not so much. They tried to cut Uzi off as the bid rose to $13,000. Uzi however had selective hearing. He kept right on bidding until he won at $17,000. Shlomi and Eyal ready to give Uzi a world a hurt.

Once inside the container, the trio found a stock load of performance car parts. All smiles now. Something hidden underneath a tarp in the back. At the count of three they unveiled a 50s Porsche! Uzi and Shlomi danced but Eyal rained on their parade. Porsche made of fiber glass. It’s a kit car, not the real deal. Still, everyone’s happy.

Uzi: What can I say? I’m a genius. I’m amaze myself.

Definitely a new catch phrase!

Cost: $17,000
Profit: $38,000

2^nd Container: Port of Origin – Not Specified.

It was loaded in Asia then forfeited. Uh, oh. Why does that not sound quite right? After auctioneer John told Moose the security guy to pop-that-lock, oh my. The stench!

Boxes and cylinder containers full of spices. A few container’s seals were broken. Uh, oh. Why did that not feel quite right? It’s obvious to everyone the boxes contained spices. Jason won at $10,000.

Jason entered the container. Fennel seed, peppercorn, tea leaves, and rotting herbs crawling with big, gnarly-ass

COCKROACHES!

I would just set a bonfire.

Cost: $10,000
LOSS: -$4,500

3^rd Container: Port of Origin – Prague, Czech Republic.

Visible were several antique wooden chests. Tarp on right of the container, absolutely no clue what’s underneath. Large crate in back. Underneath that’s visible were the hoofs of carousel horses.

Beauty queen approached Daddy Warbucks about going in together on this unit. Oh, Deana, what a bad idea. You know Matt bids like a maniac. Matt opened at $5,000. Dean’s reply to that, “WTF?” Matt jumped bid to $20,000, to $30,000, to $40,000, and finally won at $45,000.

Deana: I don’t think this was a good idea.

Ya think beauty queen? Underneath the tarp was a hand-painted puppet theater show. Inside the old chests were 1920s carnival freak-show items. They did have a full 22-horse carousel set, but it was a “kiddies” horse set, not full-size.

Deana called a circus expert to appraise the portable carousel. He stated it was made by the Allen Herschell Company around the 40s-50s. Appraised at $25,000-$35,000. Barely made a profit, but at least they didn’t lose their shirts.

Cost: $45,000
Profit: $2,500

4^th Container: Port of Origin – Bangkok, Thailand.

Lots of crates and boxes. What was visible looked like martial arts equipment. Matt and Jason entered the ring to kick-box bid war. Matt with bigger money-gloves won at $20,000.

He found enough martial arts equipment to supply an entire dojo. In the very back of the container was the surprise. Tuk-Tuk taxi cab. It’s a three-wheeled taxi and it looked new.

Cost: $20,000
Profit: $12,400

Matt boasted to the security guard how he was the big winner of the day. Just as the words left his mouth, the Israeli trio drove past him in their Porsche kit car. Porsche trumps Tuk-Tuk.

Lesson learned: Stink = Trash = Cockroaches.

Please leave your insightful thoughts on the episode in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: New York: How do you spell Timex? R-O-L-E-X

January 9, 2013

2 Comments

Storage Wars: New York: Season 1, Episode 4: “The Shore Thing.”

Auction held in Shore, New Jersey.

Candy and Courtney finally had serious cheddar (money) to spend, $1,500! Time to play with the big boys, but they didn’t spend money, not really. Oh, they bought a locker. They scored. But they hardly spent any money at all.

JACKPOT!

That’s how to play the game, gals – buy low and sell high.

1^st Storage Unit
Large and sparse. Contained a few pieces of furniture. C&C were out. Joe P’s out. Mike didn’t want the locker, but he knew Chris and Tad would.

His strategy was to make them pay, but then he forgot to bid. Good one, Mike. Chris won the locker for $325.

Chris and Tad carried a console table out of the locker. With upholstery they figured they could flip it for $500 (cough, cough). I think they took lessons on “How to inflate your appraisal!” from Joe P.

Rest of the furniture was old. Chris did find a watch without a band inside a drawer. Took a quick glance. Handed it to Tad. “It’s a Timex.” Tad studied the face of the watch.

Tad: I guess that’s how you spell Timex. R-O-L-E-X.

Chris didn’t believe him. He took another look at the face of the watch. Oops! He dropped the watch on the pavement. Gah! Good one, Chris.

The duo went to Grand Central Station to get the watch appraised. It was a Rolex made in 1957. Made with 14-karat gold and all of its original pieces still intact. Valued at $1,600-$2,000.

Tad: Not bad for a Timex, huh, Chris.

2^nd Storage Unit
John Luke stated it would take two seconds to look inside one rubber container with a dirty couch cushion on top. Joe P’s out. Chris and Tad were out. Mike’s out.

Mike: This unit’s a no-brainer. As in, if you buy it, you got no brain.

Candy and Courtney however saw ‘fur’ inside the tub. Fur = Mink. They wanted to buy the locker for only $5, but some irritating man in the crowd bid them up to $25. What was the fur?

Fur = Stuffed Gorilla!

Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, now they have a new mascot for their banana van. Get it, banana van… gorilla… oh, never mind. Anyhoo, Courtney found a type of radio transmitter in the rubber container.

C&C took the ‘electronic device’ (gals so clueless unless its fashion) for appraisal. Brand new IC-7000 Ham Radio. Type you would put in your car. Top-of-the-line and it worked beautifully to the sound wave of a $1,000 value.

This is why you shouldn’t pass over unassuming lockers.

3^rd Storage Unit
Messy man cave (like there’s another kind). Mattresses, lamps, chairs, generator, dart board, camouflaged bow with arrows, flat screen televisions, and lots of trash bags.

C&C were out. Joe P showed little interest and was out early in the bid. This was all Mikey vs. Tad. Guido pumped the bid from $500 to $1,000. He won at $1,700.

Lots of clothes. Lots of trash. Mike did however find a construction type tripod and what appeared to be site survey equipment. He took the items to Terry, a friend of his who works in construction.

Terry stated the contraption was a Theodolite (sits on top of the tripod). Used to measure height, horizontal and vertical angles for building homes and such. Digital display worked. Lens in great shape. Terry offered $700. Deal!

Now here’s the thing. Terry never stated what the true value of the surveyor equipment. Mike flips merchandise quickly, but he can also lose potential profit.

Profit Scorecard:

Chris Morelli & Tad Eaton: $2,725
Candy Olsen & Courtney Wagner: $975
Mike Braiotta: $275
Joe P: $0

Lockers with the biggest payoff were the small unassuming ones, chew on that for a bit.

Please leave your insightful thoughts in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: New York: Joe P Goes Cuckoo on His Resell Price of Items

January 8, 2013