If someone you knew was about to lose their storage unit....

If someone you knew was about to lose their storage unit, what advice would you give them?

Pay your bill or lose your stuff.

Depends, how much do they owe? Are there valuables? Is it just household stuff? If it's household stuff I would advise them to let it go and be sure to let the facility know to ask the buyer to return photos etc. If there are valuables inside then go to the auction and try to win the unit. I've seen buyers with a good attitude get their units for almost nothing when they aren't jerks. Then when/if they do win the unit, pick out what you really need and sell or donate everything else. Don't attempt to store it again (that should be obvious but people can be so stupid) If you can't win your unit back approach the buyer and arrange to buy back the important things. If all else fails, just move on. It's just stuff.....

I would advise them to either pay up, or if that isn't an option, attend and either try to win or at least try to get what matters to them. No point in going into debt for items with no emotional attachment or real value.

I would advise them to either pay up, or if that isn't an option, attend and either try to win or at least try to get what matters to them.

The one problem with bidding on it is that they are still on the hook for the difference. That difference can and usually does show up on a credit report. The only way to avoid that is to pay what is owed in full.

if it was someone close id probably loan them the money. sucks to lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of stuff as well as personal items over a few hundred bucks.

if it was someone close id probably loan them the money.

If they didn't have the money to pay the rental fee, then they're sure not going to have the money to pay you back and/or keep paying the rental fee. You would only be prolonging the inevitable, plus you'd be out the money you loaned.