Archive - April 2014

Storage Wars: Jarrod & Brandi Close Store

April 10, 2014

Storage Wars: Season 5, Episode 7: “LBC U LTR.”

Jarrod finally decided to close his Long Beach store. He held a meeting with Brandi along with the staff. Some would keep their jobs. Others, well… not. Brandi stated that Jarrod held on to the store for a long as he could. Meeting adjourned. Employees took items out of the shelves to stock the Orange County store.

The beautiful graffiti wall was painted over in white. Closed sign placed on the door. It’s over. Sad day for Jarrod and Brandi.

Rene decided he was tired of dirty units. He was only bidding on clean lockers. Is there such a thing? Ivy frustrated at calls from home. Darrell wore a t-shirt advertising his new website. Advertisement always stated “Open 24/7. Brandi wondered what exactly was open 24/7.

Jarrod: He’s just saying his pants never close.

1^st Storage Unit

Fan, computer, wires, DVD player, towel, and boxes. Ivy wanted this locker because it was small and he could get home quickly. No one else showed much interest. Because it was junk! He won it for $150.

Ivy: At this rate, I’ll be sitting at the dinner table before the stove even gets turned on.

Ivy found a bike rack, bike parts, action figure, motorcycle coveralls, bowling ball, and jewelry.

He also discovered Velcro suits used for a game to where the player jumps onto a Velcro wall. Ivy took suits to Stacy at the fun company. She appraised the items at $700.

Ivy test-drove a suit and thew his body onto the Velcro wall. That might have caused a small earthquake somewhere. One problem. He could not get off the wall. Where did Stacy go?

2^nd Storage Unit

Picture frames, speaker box, tires, boxes, and a disgusting mattress. Bed bugs a definite no-go-no-bid for many. Rene however was not deterred and won for $725.

Rene found several Kiss Band dolls in their original boxes. Tons of action figures. He also found a Chucky doll and a Chucky’s bride doll. Rene was excited but Casey just found the dolls creepy.

Couple took the Chucky dolls to an expert. Rene held the Chucky doll and said:

Rene: Don’t kill me. I’m evil too. We are friends.

Oh, Rene. You need help on your jokes.

Rene with fingers crossed anticipated they were studio props. Expert found a manufacture’s tag. Dolls made after the film. As a pair, the dolls valued between $125-$150.

Laura Dotson let it slip to Rene that Jarrod’s Long Beach store had closed. Was that a smirk, Rene? Not cool. Dan Dotson took Laura aside and stated that was a secret. Oops. Too late. Rene without consideration approached Jarrod and asked him if he closed his store. Jarrod was not yet ready to reveal the truth.

This was not a classy move for Rene. At least Darrell knew to stay out of Jarrod’s business.

3^rd Storage Unit

Action toys, stroller, safe, and lots of bags. Jarrod wanted the safe for the unit, but Brandi did not see value in the mess of a locker. Darrell won at $225.

Jarrod and Brandi left empty-handed. He did feel relieve that the cat was out of the bag on the closing of the Long Beach. Time for them to go home.

Time for Darrell and Brandon to dig through their locker. Father and son team found a scooter, bags full of shoes, roller skates, and a lamp. The safe had no treasure, though.

Darrell: This locker is making me all itchy and bitchy.

Darrell retrieved a big black case. He opened the top lid. Air brushing equipment which “The Gambler” thought it was for tattoos. Brandon thought it was for something else. They took the case to Diana, a European body art expert.

Diana told them it was professional body art kit, top-of-the-line brand. Valued at $800. She tested the kit on Brandon. Sprayed his eyebrows and gave him a uni-brow. Fun-ny!

Profit Scorecard:

Rene Nezhoda & Casey Nezhoda: $4,400
Ivy Calvin: $1,150
Darrell Sheets: $890
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: $0

How did you feel about Jarrod and Brand closing their store?

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.

Barry’d Treasure: Ghost Busters

April 8, 2014

Naomi Luc

Barry'd Treasure

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Barry’d Treasure: Season 1, Episode 4: “Birthday on the Bayou.”

Barry was in New Orleans to help celebrate “The Praline King” Kenny grandma’s 101 birthday bash. The party wasn’t until later that night. Barry and Kenny decided to enjoy a fun-filled New Orleans day.

The Collector

Barry had two goals. One, find a present for grandma. Two, get inside the secret room of an upscale antique store. What is so special about the collectibles inside this room? Who knows? Only a few select (or should I say elite few) were allowed entrance.

Barry sent Kenny into the antique store to scope the place. Kenny wore a receiver in his ear and a camera in his coat. The antique dealer showed Kenny artwork, snooker tables, music boxes, and silver. Kenny however was not allowed in back room.

The Hunt

Barry needed an item of interest to get him into that secret room. He brought an antique medical device used for smoke enemas. Gives a whole new meaning to – Blowing Smoke Up Your Ass!

Back in the day tobacco smoke was thought to have healing properties. Tell that to the Surgeon General today. It was a very collectible piece (so rare, seen only in books). Barry thought this smoke enema would be the key to get inside that secret room.

But first, a present for Kenny’s grandma! Probably shouldn’t give her the smoke gadget.

Duo split up to hunt. Kenny looked in stores while Barry consulted a psychic. She told him he was kind, generous, opinionated, and meant to be the father of three kids.

Barry: I have two. Is there one I should know about?

You tell us, Barry!

Psychic did not “know” what to give a 101 year-old woman. Barry asked Kenny’s uncle Donald for gift ideas. Donald was clueless.

Barry: Celeste is 101. She abused the gift of life.

Barry drove past a graveyard. Kenny spooked out of his mind and body. Barry decided to stop and help Kenny face his fears. Kenny anxious not to step foot inside that old cemetery. They walked around a bit. Kenny thought he saw something move. Let’s say Barry wasn’t that easily spooked. However, he wasn’t keen on staying long either.

Back to the gift hunt. Then the car broke down. Kenny thought a ghost jumped in the car. Barry fiddled under the hood. Kenny prayed. Barry turned the ignition. Car started.

Who you gonna call? Barry’s Ghost Busters!

Barry: He may have been praying, but I turned the key. We’ll call it a team effort.

It was time to head back to the antique store. Barry arrived in a Royal Royce. He showed the antique dealer his smoke enema. Did the antique dealer know what it was at first sight? Yep! That’s why they are a unique and high-end antique dealership.

The Success

The antique dealer was very interested in the antique medical device. He wanted to know the value. Barry’s answer? A peek inside the secret room

Agreed! Barry and Kenny went behind closed doors.

Barry: Sorry but cameras aren’t allowed inside. Hey, I never said that you guys would get into the secret room.

Tease!

Next stop, Grandma’s party. Barry greeted grandma and unveiled his present. A brass band! Dixie music, of course.

What rare collectibles do you think were behind the secret room?

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: Can You Hear Jaws?

April 7, 2014

Naomi Luc

Storage Wars

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Storage Wars: Season 5, Episode 3: “For a Good Time Call…Ivy.”

Darrell honked at Rene on the drive to auction. Today’s lesson for Brandon: Physiological Warfare. Ivy decided today was going to be about having fun and messing with the others.

What is it with these players today?

Brandi talked Jarrod that maybe it was time to close Long Beach store. Jarrod wanted to save it by buying a good locker.

1^st Storage Unit

Bed set, Legos, suitcase, nightstand, dresser, ice chest, trash bags, and boxes. Ivy and Darrell about to bid war. Ivy used a little psychology himself. He told the security guard Darrell, who was riddled with tattoos, was a drug dealer. Security guard then distracted Darrell. Ivy won the locker for $275.

Ever notice how Ivy hardly pays much for a room? Bottom feeder.

Ivy found a sleeping bag, books, Play Station console, memory card, controller, DVDs, and a phone.

The telephone had a voice transformer along with DVDs for prank calls. He took the device to a professional prank caller. Is there such a profession and where can we all sign up? Prankster showed Ivy how the machine could alter a voice to sound like a woman or robot.

The machine in very good condition valued at $500.

Ivy: Forget about calling the pizza man, just deliver my $500.

2^nd Storage Unit

Vintage ham radios, bike, washer, shelves, shocks, old computer parts, hard hat, bottles, and flight jacket. Darrell had Brandon use some “physiological warfare” on the competition. It sounded more like a meet-and-greet time. Rene won the unit for $1,300.

Inside the locker, Rene found a thermo energy measurement device, more ham radios, old computers, multiple testing equipment, and earphones.

Unique items were meteorites.

The couple took the meteorites to Alan, an expert at UCLA. Some of the rocks were not from space, but rocks formed from the impact of a meteor. A few of the rocks possibly a few million years old.

Rene: I don’t need college. I went to the school of hard rocks…knocks? Meteorites?

Majority of the collection were too small for any real value. The large rock appraised at $1,000.

3^rd Storage Unit

Huge fish tank, pool pump, tools, wagon, vacuum, and lots of boxes. Jarrod really wanted this locker. Ivy rose the bid and dumped the locker on Jarrod who won at $3,000. Ouch!

Brandi was NOT happy.

Jarrod: I spent three grand on this unit. But it’s a small price to pay if I can save Long Beach and prove Brandi wrong.

You should know by now Jarrod, Brandi is never wrong. The couple found a drill, pet carrier, pool heater, raft and motor, back massager, glass octopus figurine, and sex toys. Ew!

Brandi opened a case to find a type of fish tracking device. The couple took it to Josh Jones, a researcher at an aquarium, to appraise the item.

Josh explained that the device was used to listen to sea creatures communicate underwater. It was missing the transmitter, but Josh had one and attached it to the device. He placed the transmitter inside a shark tank.

Jarrod and Brandi heard sounds of fish and stingrays. They even heard “Jaws;” well, not the real Jaws, but sharks in the tank. Very cool device however it was an older model valued at $300.

Not enough to save the Long Beach store.

Profit Scorecard:

Rene & Casey Nezhoda: $1,560
Ivy Calvin: 450
Darrell Sheets: $0
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: LOSS -$176

Do you think it’s time for Jarrod to throw in the towel and close the store?

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.

Storage Wars: King Darrell Reigns Supreme

April 2, 2014

Naomi Luc

Storage Wars

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Storage Wars: Season 5, Episode 5: “The Return of the King of Montebello.”

Ivy hired someone to manage his store. Less stress he thought as he bought storage units. Rene not pleased to return to the same facility where his hired help backed his truck into a gate. Darrell proclaimed himself “King of Montebello.” Yes, he even wore a crown.

Brandi arrived solo. She drove her own truck. Now that was sexy! Jarrod arrived with his own truck for the Long Beach store. Two trucks. Same family. Not practical, but fun to watch.

1^st Storage Unit

Princess House crystal boxes, containers, plastic bags. Everyone bid on the locker, but Rene won it for $725.

The Princess House boxes all had crystal inside. Rene found stilettos and fancy underwear in another box. Don’t ask, we’re not.

Rene got very excited when he discovered a stripper pole.

Rene: Whatever we have to endure to find out what this is worth; I think we’ll just have to suffer through it.

Rene wanted to go to a stripper club for appraisal. Over Casey’s dead body. They went to a dance studio instead. The instructor showed them how to put it together and taught Casey a few dance, pole moves. Best unit ever for Rene.

The pole was only worth $200-$300. Rene decided they’d just keep it. Wishful thinking, German.

2^nd Storage Unit

Office chair, DVDs, leather suitcase, plastic containers, play mobile, Star Wars toys, Legos, toy car, and action figures. Rene and Darrell once again bid war but it was “King Darrell” who won it for $2,800.

This was a nerd haven locker. A Batmobile car toy, a Phantom car, tons of Star Wars toys and actions figures of Andre the Giant, Rob Zombie, Hulk, Spiderman, Captain America, and Thor. Plus a ton of comic books. Like I said, Nerd Haven.

Darrell set up all the toys in his warehouse on a forty-foot table. He had a toy expert come to look at everything. All told, the toys and comics were appraised at $40,000.

Wow!

Darrell: Now I’m the king of Montebello and Toy Land!

3^rd Storage Unit

Leather couch, cooler, purse, heater, spade, tool box, speakers, propane fuel, and air conditioner. Brandi really wanted this unit. So did Ivy. But a phone call from his new employee distracted Ivy. Brandi won the locker for $900.

Jarrod might not have liked the unit, but he happily helped Brandi sort through it. Now that’s love or an irritation. You decide.

The couple found a radio, a raft, an outdoor cooker, survival food, and a stuffed animal of a monkey. Inside a plastic container, Brandi found a deer’s head, some chicken bones, and weird voodoo items. Creepy!

Brandi wondered if maybe the items had been used for sacrificing virgins.

Jarrod: I feel like that’s kind of a waste.

Jarrod and Brandi took the most interesting of the voodoo items to a specialist. He told them it was from New Guinea and that it was a sacred flute. When the sound came out of the flute, it was believed it was the voice of an ancestral spirit.

While some similar pieces had been sold in the past for as much as much as $2 million; this piece was more of a souvenir valued at $150.

Profit Scorecard:

Darrell Sheets: $37,000
Ivy Calvin: $0
Jarrod Schulz & Brandi Passante: LOSS -$180
Rene Nezhoda & Casey Nezhoda: LOSS -$345

Do you think Brandi and Jarrod would do better to combine forces?

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.

Barry’d Treasure: European Naughty

April 1, 2014

Naomi Luc

Barry'd Treasure

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Barry’d Treasure: Season 1, Episode 3: “Big Vice Country.”

Barry was in Denver, Colorado. His companion for this trip was John. Barry owed John a favor for helping him win a Halloween costume.

John wanted extreme adventure on this trip. Barry would deliver.

The Collector

Barry went to meet Bill, a collector of Victorian vice. Advertisements for tobacco, liquor, and gambling items. One little collectible figurine made of brass could open her dress. Barry called her a “European Naughty.”

Bill had his eye on three vintage ads owned by Don who lived in Montana. He was a hard sale to part with his collection. Top price Bill was willing to pay was $25,000. Barry had his work cut out for him.

If Barry was successful, he would keep the “naughty.”

The Hunt

Barry spotted a ranch not far out of town. They stopped to give John a ride on a horse.

Barry: I promised Johnny a ride on a horse. And when I make a promise, I capital D-eliver.

The ranch operated by Jesse and Chelsey, true rodeo folk. It just so happened they had a rodeo to attend up in Montana. Barry offered them a ride.

Who could say “No” to Barry?

Conversation during the drive about the vehicles Barry has had the pleasure to drive. A tractor. Semi-truck. But not a Zamboni. Barry realized this lapse on his driving resume. Today they would stop at an ice rink.

Barry’s new mission – drive a Zamboni on ice. Everyone had fun at the ice rink, even John who could skate very well. Time for fun and games to end. Hit the road again. Barry drove his borrowed Land Rover into a snow bank. “The Collector” literally hit the snow. John suggested they use his skateboard on the back wheel for traction. It worked!

Rodeo folk thought Barry could use a makeover once they arrived in Montana. He was not dressed in “Cowboy” style. Barry bought a few western themed clothes to fit in at the rodeo.

Barry: I got Jesse here on the rodeo, and most importantly, I did it in style.

If only it looked like regular cowboy clothes, but you know Barry. He went way-out-there-eccentric. He said his goodbyes to Chelsey and Jesse after a day at the rodeo.

Enough distractions. Time to make a deal. Off to finally meet Don.

The Collector

Don had forgotten all his appointment with Barry. The girl friend said Don was gopher hunting… wait, that’s a thing? She took Barry and John and yep, he was shooting gophers.

Barry: First step in this negotiation: don’t get shot!

Wise move!

Don took Barry to look at his vintage ads. Barry picked the three Bill wanted and Don was not too happy. At first Barry tried to play it cool, but the negotiations were at a standstill. Barry decided to level with him.

Barry: Obviously my best strategy here is no strategy. I’m coming clean.

Don didn’t like Bill. He felt like he did all the work and collectors such as Bill just sat back and bought all the good stuff from him. He asked $31,500 for the ads.

Barry said Bill should get a loyalty discount at $25,000. Don reluctantly agreed knowing Bill would come back again for another piece. Done deal!

One “European Naughty” for Barry!

Please leave your insightful opinions in the comment box below.