I'm in the military and we always have a "packing list" prior to a mission. You should look at your day of unit hunting as a mission as well and be prepared with all supplies necessary. Here is a list of items and mission plans.
Items:
1. Locks. As a noob you will need 1-2 "key" locks. As you get more experience, more locks.
2. Multiple copies of your drivers license. Many, not all facilities require it before registering
3. A 3 million candle watt flashlight, torch. Commonly found at home depot. Don't bring a cheap double AA battery Maglight brand. You may get a 5%+ advantage over the competition because you were able to see the ONE item to make more profit.
4. Food, water and gas. If you schedule your auction schedule like I do, you will be maximizing your time by going from one auction to the next with no time for breaks. This is part of your pre-planning the day before. If auction "A" starts at 9:30 and had 5 units for sale with an average sales time of 5 mins per unit......and auction "B" starts at 10:30 but it takes 30 mins to get from A-B how much time do you have at "A"? Lol, this is not a math problem, I just want to get you thinking of planning. So, bring plenty of food and water, full tank of gas and full pack of cigarettes. You may be like me going from auction "A" to "F" just like this from 9:30 to 2:30.
5. Personal protection. Depending on your state laws! I carry $7000 on me just in case I find a great unit. With that much cash I want to protect myself, "just in case", so I carry a Glock 19C and OC(mace) spray. I have seen plenty of fights break out at auctions over a few dollars or someone being arrogant. PLEASE follow the rules and laws of your state when protecting yourself or others.
6. Printed out "map quest" type directions taking you from point "A" to "B" and even point "A" to "D" incase auctions B and C were cancelled last minute.
7. A smartphone with a "barcode" application. You never know when a company has stored brand new items in the box and you have no idea what's inside. You can snap a picture of the barcode and you phone will tell you the approximate value of that item. Obviously there are other uses for a smart phone at an auction.
8. A friend, truck, storage space, etc on standby. You may need help with all these things. Your friend to lend you his truck and give a helping hand, then allow you to use his garage. Otherwise expect to spend another $100+ on a rental box truck, spend 8 hours loading/hauling and putting everything in your living room while your wife/girlfriend/other beats you over the head with an empty beer bottle telling you to "get this crap out"!!!!!!
Anyways, good luck noobies and be prepared for a rude awakening. This is really hard work, time consuming and nothing like T.V.
By, a3rdRanger