Storage Wars: Barry Weiss Feels Lucky

Storage Wars: Season 1, Episode 19: “Live and Let Bid.”

Darrell bent on not having anyone mess with him on his home turf. Dave brought his son, Dave Jr., who was bent on buying his own locker with his life savings. Jarrod and Brandi bent on not getting sucked into Darrell’s trash talk before the auction. Barry bent on distracting everyone with his all-green Lucky Charm outfit.

At least no one was Hell-bent…

1^st Storage Unit
Big locker with few items. Boxes, records, tennis balls, and packing Styrofoam. Darrell’s intent to bid up the locker and drop it on someone; hopefully Dave. Plan backfired. Dave dropped it on Darrell at $250.

Darrell: Well, that just bit me in the ass.

Time for Darrell and Brandon to see if the locker held anything of value (good luck). Darrell found a new fog machine, skateboard, vinyl records, CDs, driveway and concrete cleaner, knives, and a small brass thing-a-ma-gig.

Medical device called a “bleeder” or “scarificators.” It was as bad as it sounds. Made in 1850s-1860s to draw blood. Valued at $500.

2^nd Storage Unit
Suitcase, lamp, small refrigerator, rubber bin, and boxes. Barry easily won at $375. Nothing to shout home about once he dug through his locker. He did however find a strangely made musical instrument.

Barry went to a music store for appraisal. Instrument a waterphone. Pour a little bit of water into cylindrical neck. Use small mallets to strike or strum against the bronze rods around the rim of the bowl.

Only 150 made back in the 1970s and its primary use for sound effects in movies. Sounded good until the appraiser told Barry his was not an original. Valued at $100.

Well, Barry’s lucky charm all-green outfit was no luck at all.

3^rd Storage Unit
Fishing gear, lots of rubber bins, and miscellaneous items. Everybody wanted this locker and the bid started at $1,000! Dave Jr. won at $5,550 and that made his father extremely nervous.

Dave: That’s like going out to a Blackjack table and putting $5,500 on one hand and just stand there and watch the cards flip.

As father and son dug through the locker, it was more nickel and dime items. Dave tried to assure Dave Jr. every item was profit.

Dave Jr.: My dad is trying to give me a little bit of hope here, but it’s still not looking very good.

Things did start to look up when one of the rubber bins was full of sports cards. Lots of fishing poles. Possibly 100 year-old painting and frame. Two slot machines which Dave wanted to get appraised.

The first slot machine was called a Jennings; good for parts only. Second slot machine made in 1933 called a War Eagle without a back door. It almost works with original parts and valued at $700. If restored, could be worth $3,000. Dave Jr. opted for restoration.

Profit Scorecard:

Dave Jr.: $1,889
Darrell Sheets: $547
Barry Weiss: LOSS -$275
Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante: $0

Would you have invested over $5,000 on your first storage unit?

Please leave your thoughtful opinions in the comment box below.