A lot of the times for unknown artists subject matter is what determins the value.

Look in the site called Ask Art it has a lot of artists and their works listed also some times reagional artists have a following in their area but move 200 miles and no one knows him.

While you the buyer want to get the deals Cheap the auctioneer cannot make a living???
All people see is the auction not the work before and after an auction.

Judy why are you throwing money away???
Here clothing is a HOT seller. I know of two thrift stores that buy all the clothing units they can. They get them cheep since no one wants to hassle with clothing. One has 3 employees besides their family members and a full time store of 20,000 sq. ft mostly clothing.

AS for a mattess in the door, it happens some times it's done to discourage theft and some times it's the last item unloaded. Always be careful when moveing mattresses many times thats where Art, Mirrors and guns are stored between the mattress and box spring.

Storage auctions are easy to find.
You can go to http://onlinestorageauctions.com/storage-auctions/ and search your area, Check the legal ads in your local paper, contact the storage companies and ask who their auction company is and contact him and ask to be on their e-mail list, watch the auction section in the classifieds in your newspaper.

When you go to a storage bring a bright flashlight, most units are sold whols. You cannot go into the unit but stick your head in and sniff, do you smell cigarette smoke or cat (Bad), is it clean, neat and ordily (Good), read whats on the boxes but be careful I saw a person spend over $2,000.00 on a unit where all the boxes were marked "glass" hopeing it was full of glassware. The unit owner was named Glass.

You can make a lot of money and loose a lot of money. Watch, talk to people and learn at your first few auctions before you buy. Offer to help load out units and see what people bought.

I know several people who make their living buying storage.

Also expect some of the dealers to try to run you off, bid you up or discurage you from buying because you are now compitition to them.

Show up with your own padlocks and a truck or trailer to move your finds. You usually have 24 hours to do this.