Feel like a storage unit gypsy with this crystal ball.

Just came across an email from StorageAuctionSpy.com, which I believe is a sister company of Storage Unit Auction List. The email claims "StorageAuctionSpy.com, is the only service that provides exclusive pictures of every upcoming storage auction, and the contents inside each unit."

BS meter going off yet? ... it get's better.

The website claims:

Each month, there are 10,000+ storage auctions and over 50,000 individual units up for auction, wouldn't it be nice to know what the units look like, before you go?

HOW IT WORKS:

1. You submit the auction you'd like to get photos for

2. A Spy Agent receives the pictures using secret methods    You can't make this stuff up folks.

3. Delivers the pictures to you via email, exclusively. This means you will be the only one to obtain access to the pictures. This gives you an advantage above every other attendee. As we say... "Know before you go"

So, where do I begin? First of all, there is no way this service could have photos of every storage unit up for auction throughout the United States. Quite frankly, I'd be amazed if they had images of more than 10% of the units that go to auction each month. Second, Storage Unit Auction List is an aggregator which pulls data, including images, from other public sources. The images on the public websites they scrape have been viewed thousands of times, so I don't see how they can make a claim like "This means you will be the only one to obtain access to the pictures. This gives you an advantage above every other attendee.

I have a feeling that if you sign up for this service, you might feel like the spy shagged you.

The domain isn't loading for me.

The domain isn't loading for me.

Page loaded on my end.

I see it now. I contacted StorageUnitAuctionList to see if they are indeed affiliated with the site. I have a feeling "Powered by" means "We steal content from"... but I could be wrong.

I see it now. I contacted StorageUnitAuctionList to see if they are indeed affiliated with the site. I have a feeling "Powered by" means "We steal content from"... but I could be wrong.

If they're using SUAL's content, it should probably say "Underpowered By."

If they're using SUAL's content, it should probably say "Underpowered By."

I subscribed to them for a few years and had a pretty good experience. I would meticulously plan my route for each day and I used at least 10 different sources and they seemed to always have 90% of the auctions on their site, while other sources would typically have around 40-75% of the known auctions.

Is there a better site that maybe I don't know about? -aside from the local auctioneer lists and "private" auctions. By private, I mean the ones that really flew under the radar and would draw maybe 10 to 15 regulars vs 50 to 100 newbies.

I was just making a wise crack. 

Is there a better site that maybe I don't know about?

If you're in one of the 5 major cities in Texas, then yes, anywhere else, they're probably your best bet...unless you want to make the phone calls yourself.

I was just making a wise crack. 

Says you! 

I got the following response from StorageUnitAuctionList:

"Storageauctionspy.com is a sister company that we started not too long ago to further assist auction goers with some needs and wants that we have been getting feedback about. We dont actually advertise any auction dates on that site but you are able to submit requests for images from auctions that are happening soon and we will provide them, if they are able to be gathered."

I got the following response from StorageUnitAuctionList:

"if they are able to be gathered."

So, in other words, if they are already online...on other public websites, that thousands of other people see.