ST site

I haven't? Funny enough I believe Don Dotson is one of the creators of the website, so no I haven't done my homework at all. I also find it funny enough that a lot of the top auctioneers seem to be staging the units, this has been told to me by people who have been in the auction scene longer than me and not just in my area. Probably isn't it odd that I hear about it's mostly the top auctioneers sites around. Yeah that's $3000 bid we'll get yeah a nice commission. The only playing field  you're leveling is padding your auctioneers commission. your emails from your site telling people what they might find one In every 100 lockers is pretty funny, but also rather pathetic. maybe one of these days you could tell people what this is really like that it's hard work and that you're not always going to find great stuff. Let me see an email like that.

YUUUP, Dan D is a part of our company. Dan Has been our auctioneer for 15 years. He as sold storage units since 83'. He just might know a thing or two. We have lots of messages on the site, none of which make anything seem easy. We welcome criticism, just back up your arguments.

I will save this area for you to put your ST (sensationalizing the storage auction) quotes:

We are more concerned with stage units than anyone on the planet. You can't even begin to imaging the work we put into the industry to limit scams. We the storage industry will be the ones hurt if a few crappy operators and auctioneers keep the far units going. Again do your homework on who is behind the site. 

Auctioneers, storage companies and the delinquent tenants are benefiting from the increased bids. That is the market today. If people stop going to auctions the price will go down. Dont know why I need to give a econ market model to a auction forum.

Maybe that is the email that needs to go out.

ST

Not true, we dont make money. LOL

If you are really getting junk emails from our site we would really want to know. We set up test accounts all the time and see none of this..

ST

I find it a pretty hard core coincidence that I go from 3-4 a month to over 100 with in 24hrs after signing up. But I've delt with more bizarre situations, so its possible.

I havent used that email for anything else so 2+2=??

I've deleted the emails and haven't checked it since. But message me a contact email and if it has continued I'll let you know the source.

Like I said before, don't want to bash your site, just seemed a little odd.

Why should tenants benefit from increased popularity?  How much a unit goes for should be dictated by content of locker showing. Not by foot traffic or hyping up crap units.  You pay to store **** that ain't worth anything, tough luck this shouldn't be a tenant bail out session or a take my **** I don't want session.

If you spent time telling people to think before bidding(rather then giving readers allusions of grander) sane and old time bidders wouldn't have as much of a problem with you or yor website.

I may be new to this but I see the problems others also see in you.  Free advertising, laziness, and protecting your interests all under the guse of protecting tenant who don't need to be protected.

I find it a pretty hard core coincidence that I go from 3-4 a month to over 100 with in 24hrs after signing up. But I've delt with more bizarre situations, so its possible.

I havent used that email for anything else so 2+2=??

I've deleted the emails and haven't checked it since. But message me a contact email and if it has continued I'll let you know the source.

Like I said before, don't want to bash your site, just seemed a little odd.

We are setting up 5 aliases today and reregistering with virgin email to check ST. If we find any truth to this will will first kill the hole in the system and second report, third apologize!

We dont believe this is happening.

ST

Just checked that account. Not one email since that blast.
Perhaps just a coincidence.  

[update] nevermind. Forgot to check "junk" folder. 82 in last week.Orchard Bank. Canadian Pharmacy. 1Link.......

Why should tenants benefit from increased popularity?  How much a unit goes for should be dictated by content of locker showing. Not by foot traffic or hyping up crap units.  You pay to store **** that ain't worth anything, tough luck this shouldn't be a tenant bail out session or a take my **** I don't want session.

If you spent time telling people to think before bidding(rather then giving readers allusions of grander) sane and old time bidders wouldn't have as much of a problem with you or yor website.

I may be new to this but I see the problems others also see in you.  Free advertising, laziness, and protecting your interests all under the guse of protecting tenant who don't need to be protected.

This is a great question BTW. Very few people ever ask this....and the way the tenant benefits is in conflict to how the buyer might benefit.
1) More people are paying their bills = less units going to auction. People did not truly understand the result of not paying before the show. TV has educated the world - maybe to your disapproval. Just an opinion bases on operating over 100 storage facilities in 7 states.

2) Some people have their unit sold without their knowledge. Example: You rent a storage unit and move to a new location. Your wallet gets stolen and you cancel your CC or maybe it just expires and you are at a new address and the storage company has not been notified.  (BTW - This happens often)  The last thing on your mind was that storage unit - now ur stuff got sold. If the storage company advertised properly and there was a large crowd you have a much better chance of getting some value for your contents. There are many other possibilities as well.

You might not care about everybody involved in the process, but we do. Here is a link to our email archive to help you find the information to share with the forum how we mislead people.

Lance Watkins

This is a great question BTW. Very few people ever ask this....and the way the tenant benefits is in conflict to how the buyer might benefit.
1) More people are paying their bills = less units going to auction. People did not truly understand the result of not paying before the show. TV has educated the world - maybe to your disapproval. Just an opinion bases on operating over 100 storage facilities in 7 states.

2) Some people have their unit sold without their knowledge. Example: You rent a storage unit and move to a new location. Your wallet gets stolen and you cancel your CC or maybe it just expires and you are at a new address and the storage company has not been notified.  (BTW - This happens often)  The last thing on your mind was that storage unit - now ur stuff got sold. If the storage company advertised properly and there was a large crowd you have a much better chance of getting some value for your contents. There are many other possibilities as well.

You might not care about everybody involved in the process, but we do. Here is a link to our email archive to help you find the information to share with the forum how we mislead people.

storagetreasures.com/general-information

Lance Watkins

In response to #1- if people would read all the fine print on the paperwork, they would know, but like most people they are lazy and don't read the whole paper or brochure they are given, so the only thing that These shows have done is do more legwork for the lazy tenant.  This would also be why you find rancid food in units, because people don't f'ing read, they expect to be spoon feed everything.

As for argument 2, in rare occasions I understand this one(service men and women or the deceased).  Sorry besides that, again laziness or forgetfulness shouldn't be an excuse. If you are forgetful enough to not pay for your unit for 3 or 4 months(don't know how it doesn't cross your mind once in that time frame), then IMHO it really wasn't that important to you in the first place.  I also believe many of these stories to be fabricated to make the storage site look neglectful or the bidder to be a heartless b'tard.  I believe the real truth to be people living beyond their means, hence when the unit does come up they can't pay.

Btw, this is part of the email I speak off(part of a donation email)

So you’ve won your first storage unit for $200 and start digging in. First you find a few fly rods you know are worth a couple hundred bucks. Then you find an old silver watch and cufflinks that will bring a few bucks. The rest you decide to dump ... other than a few odd trinkets you’ll get appraised later on. You start gathering up piles of clothes, kitchenware, and a baby stroller to throw away at home.

I have problems with this email. We live off of clothes, nic nacs and kitchenware. This email implies alot that this is easy work.  And who the hell gets shid appraised? It's called ebay dude.  Your driving up prices by fabricating a once in every 50 or 100 units and trying to pass it as norm.

Btw, this is part of the email I speak off(part of a donation email)

So you’ve won your first storage unit for $200 and start digging in. First you find a few fly rods you know are worth a couple hundred bucks. Then you find an old silver watch and cufflinks that will bring a few bucks. The rest you decide to dump ... other than a few odd trinkets you’ll get appraised later on. You start gathering up piles of clothes, kitchenware, and a baby stroller to throw away at home.

I have problems with this email. We live off of clothes, nic nacs and kitchenware. This email implies alot that this is easy work.  And who the hell gets shid appraised? It's called ebay dude.  Your driving up prices by fabricating a once in every 50 or 100 units and trying to pass it as norm.

Well you got us - we tried to help charity and used an example of a GREAT unit. Here is the whole message:
So you’ve won your first storage unit for $200 and start digging in. First you find a few fly rods you know are worth a couple hundred bucks. Then you find an old silver watch and cufflinks that will bring a few bucks. The rest you decide to dump ... other than a few odd trinkets you’ll get appraised later on. You start gathering up piles of clothes, kitchenware, and a baby stroller to throw away at home.
STOP! Why dump these items when they could help someone else and you can receive a tax deduction in the process? Everyone benefits when you drop those items off at an organization who can get them in the hands of someone in need.
Here are some tips on tax deductions:

When documenting and claiming your tax deduction there several approaches to valuing the donated items. It’s important to be reasonable and consistent. For some help in this area, click here for IRS guidelines as well as input from the Salvation Army.
Here are some charities that accept donated goods:
   Charity Storage
Storage Treasures has teamed up with storage operators to found the first national storage charity. After you buy a unit, ask the facility manager if they participate in Charity Storage, where facilities designate a storage unit as a donation point, and later auction the unit off to raise money for local and national charities.
   
Salvation Army
Salvation Army can send a truck to your home to pick up your items, which may help someone across town or at the site of a natural disaster.

   
Goodwill
Goodwill has over 150 stores throughout the US and Canada as well as a wide network of donation points to help get your used goods to someone in need.


Stop by our forum and let us know how you, or your fellow auction hunters have made a difference and to let us know what organizations can accept goods in your area.

Happy Donating,
Your Storage Treasures Team

Well you got us - we tried to help charity and used an example of a GREAT unit. Here is the whole message:
So you’ve won your first storage unit for $200 and start digging in. First you find a few fly rods you know are worth a couple hundred bucks. Then you find an old silver watch and cufflinks that will bring a few bucks. The rest you decide to dump ... other than a few odd trinkets you’ll get appraised later on. You start gathering up piles of clothes, kitchenware, and a baby stroller to throw away at home.
STOP! Why dump these items when they could help someone else and you can receive a tax deduction in the process? Everyone benefits when you drop those items off at an organization who can get them in the hands of someone in need.
Here are some tips on tax deductions:

When documenting and claiming your tax deduction there several approaches to valuing the donated items. It’s important to be reasonable and consistent. For some help in this area, click here for IRS guidelines as well as input from the Salvation Army.
Here are some charities that accept donated goods:
   Charity Storage
Storage Treasures has teamed up with storage operators to found the first national storage charity. After you buy a unit, ask the facility manager if they participate in Charity Storage, where facilities designate a storage unit as a donation point, and later auction the unit off to raise money for local and national charities.
   
Salvation Army
Salvation Army can send a truck to your home to pick up your items, which may help someone across town or at the site of a natural disaster.

   
Goodwill
Goodwill has over 150 stores throughout the US and Canada as well as a wide network of donation points to help get your used goods to someone in need.


Stop by our forum and let us know how you, or your fellow auction hunters have made a difference and to let us know what organizations can accept goods in your area.

Happy Donating,
Your Storage Treasures Team

Your missing the point Lance.  That first paragraph is a what will set people off. People doing this don't get things appraised, eBay 99% of the time is our appraisal. Why? Because 99 of every 100 units is usually clothes, 5 buck nic nacs or common electronics.  Your email implies that every unit may have rare antiques.  Sorry just not the case.

And I saw the whole email, just posted the part that will enrage any half minded person intent on reselling items.  I even said if you read my whole post that it was part of a donation email.

And yes we heartless low balling b'tard bidders do donate alot, only way to get rid of the **** you dont want that your site doesn't talk about without dropping money at the dump. Salvation Army, clothing bins and the such save our asses.

Your missing the point Lance.  That first paragraph is a what will set people off. People doing this don't get things appraised, eBay 99% of the time is our appraisal. Why? Because 99 of every 100 units is usually clothes, 5 buck nic nacs or common electronics.  Your email implies that every unit may have rare antiques.  Sorry just not the case.

And I saw the whole email, just posted the part that will enrage any half minded person intent on reselling items.  I even said if you read my whole post that it was part of a donation email.

And yes we heartless low balling b'tard bidders do donate alot, only way to get rid of the **** you dont want that your site doesn't talk about without dropping money at the dump. Salvation Army, clothing bins and the such save our asses.

Did not miss a thing. We used a good example for focus on Charity. You think we dont care about bidders? You are wrong. Auction Hunters are the most important part of the process. I dont know where your units are, but ours are not (majority clothing). Good news bc the storage industry would go out of business if people only stored old clothes.

I think the real rub is that all the TV has prices up and competition entering the market. For 25 years units sold for under market and now for the last year units are selling for over market.  The storage industry chose to hide the process bc they were afraid the public would not react well if they knew we sell their stuff. TV outed the process and the inside auction gig is no more a secret. It will never go back to where it was, but it will lower over the next few years. You have 2-5 more seasons of TV to watch.

I applause the change bc it will make the whole process more professional and the market will settle the price and the industry will be better off.  

You can blame whoever you want or work within the conditions of the day. You can ***** about ST all you want but we have done a very good job with honestly conveying information. You have seen all the get rich quick schemes allover the web...none with us.

ST

Did not miss a thing. We used a good example for focus on Charity. You think we dont care about bidders? You are wrong. Auction Hunters are the most important part of the process. I dont know where your units are, but ours are not (majority clothing). Good news bc the storage industry would go out of business if people only stored old clothes.

I think the real rub is that all the TV has prices up and competition entering the market. For 25 years units sold for under market and now for the last year units are selling for over market.  The storage industry chose to hide the process bc they were afraid the public would not react well if they knew we sell their stuff. TV outed the process and the inside auction gig is no more a secret. It will never go back to where it was, but it will lower over the next few years. You have 2-5 more seasons of TV to watch.

I applause the change bc it will make the whole process more professional and the market will settle the price and the industry will be better off.  

You can blame whoever you want or work within the conditions of the day. You can ***** about ST all you want but we have done a very good job with honestly conveying information. You have seen all the get rich quick schemes allover the web...none with us.

ST

Lance,

Acman lives in Michigan, I attend auctions in Tennessee, Georgia, & Alabama. Where I attend auctions, 90% of units have clothes in them. 40%-50% of them have more clothes in them then any one person can sell in a month. I am interested to know what parts of the country have storage units with very small amounts of clothing in them. I guess if soemone was a "cherry picker" and a professional hobbyist they can avoid units with a lot of clothing, but for the professional/consisent buyer I believe they are going to get a lot of clothing from buying storage units.

Lance,

Acman lives in Michigan, I attend auctions in Tennessee, Georgia, & Alabama. Where I attend auctions, 90% of units have clothes in them. 40%-50% of them have more clothes in them then any one person can sell in a month. I am interested to know what parts of the country have storage units with very small amounts of clothing in them. I guess if soemone was a "cherry picker" and a professional hobbyist they can avoid units with a lot of clothing, but for the professional/consisent buyer I believe they are going to get a lot of clothing from buying storage units.

I agree with Cobia and in just the last few days I have heard the same thing from long-term, regular buyers in central California where I buy and sell.

It is not at all uncommon to see black plastic bags of clothes, towels, small kitchen, bathroom rugs, etc. I'm sure this is the case too in southern California where you are and probably is evident in the 250K of film rolls that never make it to the TV screen on Storage Wars.

Yesterday I saw someone pay $350 for 6 boxes and 3 nice looking suitcases that IN MY OPINION probably contained clothing. Even if it was good clothing that is a push for making any profit.

There is no doubt in my mind (and anyone who is half-way honest would admit this too) that the TV shows have skewed the prices so much in the way they portray this business that they are literally costing everyone (old and new alike) money.  The people making consistently good money today are the FACILITIES and the AUCTIONEERS.

Also, see my next post in this thread about how it is still possible for the OP production company to "salt" the units shown on Storage Wars and Storage Wars Texas. Yes, I know you can't speak for the Texas end.

Lance…

Below is a link from a “Dave Hester” thread from May, 2011

http://storageauctionforums.com//index.php?action=profile;u=884;sa=showPosts;start=15

In this post the sections below which are in BLUE are from you. The sections in RED are from me.

I will only speak for the auctions that have been filmed at my stores, bc i have been there for every second. The units are real. There are 47 state laws we as storage owners have to live within and breaking the laws has substantial liability. I would never risk my core business or subject my investors to liability for a few hits on our website.

Those of you on this site that are Pros know that the Tenant can come in and pay for the unit up until the auction has started. We (storage outlet) and any operator following CA law have taken possession of the property between the time we cut the lock and take the inventory (state law) (all done video camera and a witness).

Now lets get to the conspiracy theories I keep hearing. I have the key to the door and a seal on the auction unit and I am going to give it to (OP) and let them into the unit before the auction so they can stack gold bars in there to make it interesting? ...lest go down that path and say I do? what happens when the tenant sees their unit on tv and says wow "I had gold bars in my unit" maybe I should get an attorney? Or if OP put the Gold Bars in there and the tenant came and paid the bill just before the auction starts? Demands control of the unit - which they would get. Do we sneak in in front of 200 people and get the Gold Bars? BTW im using "Gold Bars" substitute anything you want.

If you have any questions I will try to answer...
SW is now starting to film in other markets
Lance Watkins
storageoutlet.net
storagetreasures.com

In the eight years I have been buying lockers (almost 400 bought so far) I have seen a lot of goods come and go.
I have seen honest facilities and dishonest facilities.

While I understand what you have said in regard to your experience with the Storage Wars filming group, I would like to ask you a question which I FEEL can be answered with a YES or NO and I hope you will do that.  I also understand that either a YES or NO answer would need some further explanation, and that will be great to. Here is my question:

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT AFTER A LOCKER IS PURCHASED by one of the SW buyers that the show producers COULD THEN put a FANTASTIC item inside the locker for the buyer to later "find"?  Please remember, answer YES or NO first, then explain your answer.

Lance…

Below is a link from a “Dave Hester” thread from May, 2011

http://storageauctionforums.com//index.php?action=profile;u=884;sa=showPosts;start=15

In this post the sections below which are in BLUE are from you. The sections in RED are from me.

I will only speak for the auctions that have been filmed at my stores, bc i have been there for every second. The units are real. There are 47 state laws we as storage owners have to live within and breaking the laws has substantial liability. I would never risk my core business or subject my investors to liability for a few hits on our website.

Those of you on this site that are Pros know that the Tenant can come in and pay for the unit up until the auction has started. We (storage outlet) and any operator following CA law have taken possession of the property between the time we cut the lock and take the inventory (state law) (all done video camera and a witness).

Now lets get to the conspiracy theories I keep hearing. I have the key to the door and a seal on the auction unit and I am going to give it to (OP) and let them into the unit before the auction so they can stack gold bars in there to make it interesting? ...lest go down that path and say I do? what happens when the tenant sees their unit on tv and says wow "I had gold bars in my unit" maybe I should get an attorney? Or if OP put the Gold Bars in there and the tenant came and paid the bill just before the auction starts? Demands control of the unit - which they would get. Do we sneak in in front of 200 people and get the Gold Bars? BTW im using "Gold Bars" substitute anything you want.

If you have any questions I will try to answer...
SW is now starting to film in other markets
Lance Watkins
storageoutlet.net
storagetreasures.com

In the eight years I have been buying lockers (almost 400 bought so far) I have seen a lot of goods come and go.
I have seen honest facilities and dishonest facilities.

While I understand what you have said in regard to your experience with the Storage Wars filming group, I would like to ask you a question which I FEEL can be answered with a YES or NO and I hope you will do that.  I also understand that either a YES or NO answer would need some further explanation, and that will be great to. Here is my question:

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT AFTER A LOCKER IS PURCHASED by one of the SW buyers that the show producers COULD THEN put a FANTASTIC item inside the locker for the buyer to later "find"?  Please remember, answer YES or NO first, then explain your answer.

YES

But think about this:
This will come out in the long run - They have filmed about 70 episodes on SW alone. The other shows I dont count... Those 70 shows have been seen 100's of millions of times. Somebody should have jumped up and said "Hey that is my unit and I did not have a (whatever) stored in my unit"... Than comes "gee the storage facility miss advertised my unit and the buyer made all this money - maybe I should sue the facility, auctioneer and whoever else my attorney wants"

You can be sure that is in my mind when allowing OP to film. We do not make money from the producers, so liability is considered.

Guys this is reality TV - its entertainment. They have a hit show and it is not perfect. You are correct the auctioneers and storage facilities are doing well. However the good auctioneers hate the show. They know in the long run this is tough on them. It used to be only the really well organized auctioneer could get the good bidders to an auction with a fist full of cash. Now any auctioneer can get a crowd. Something to think about.... There is a lot in that message.

ST

ST