As I was looking at the legal notices yesterday, I saw that one of the owners of a unit going up for auction is a film production company.  I Googled them (naturally) and found that they are very small (hence not paying on their storage), but I am intrigued by what may be in there... I am having visions of all kinds of A/V equipment dancing in my head.  I'm assuming it will be too rich for my blood, but one can always dream. 

I'm not even sure I'll be going to that one (couple weeks out), but if I do, I'll report back.

Wasn’t sure where to put this, it fit here, Auction Stories, or the Lookey loo thread.  Anyway, move it if it seems better elsewhere…

I went to my first four auctions yesterday.  The first one easily had 90 people with about 10 bidders.  That isn’t counting the dozen or so children and infants.  The next three were in a circuit and were less crowded (about 40 people), but my guess is that most lookey loos went to an auction that had 20 units up.  The first auction, though crowded, was a pleasant experience as the auctioneer was friendly and allowed people to really look at a unit.  The last three (all done by the same guy, who I found out later is a regular in southern California) were not as fun.  He would not let your feet stop moving as you walked by a unit.  One guy (a regular) got down on his hands and knees to look under something and got barked at; because he was a regular, he barked right back.  More than once I heard people sharing information as to what they saw in a unit and complaining that they had no idea what they were bidding on.

My favorite unit of the day was a packed unit (10x15) that looked like a lot of junk in the front, but was clearly most of a household.  Bidding started at $100, then $125, then $150… then a regular just yelled out $1000 and it sold for that.  Other regulars were saying it would have gone for more if he hadn’t jumped in.  He scared away the competition and avoided the nickel and diming the noobies were doing.  Overall, prices were all over the map.  A couple units went for fairly cheap for good stuff to outrageous for what looked like junk.

I didn’t bid on anything, but in describing the experience to my wife, I have piqued her interest to the point she wants to go out with me next time I go (probably in a month or so). 

All in all, it was good experience, and I now have a better sense of what I would need to bid to get certain lockers.  I also spent the day as a sponge listening to the regulars talk about the business.  There was a reporter at one facility who was just talking to a regular.  I sat back and just absorbed everything he had to say while she asked the questions for me!  It was perfect.

For those in California...

Is this business a "secondhand dealer" business as described in CA Business & Professions Code Section 21626? (see http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=68514516431+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve)

I sure hope not as the requirements of this article would totally dissuade me from starting in on this.

I told you all I research things thoroughly before I get involved... 

I live near Sacramento, and I am hoping to buy my first locker within a year.  I am the type of person who likes to know what he is getting into and does thorough research first.  Hence, I have been lurking here for a couple months.  I wanted to say hi now before the new seasons of the storage shows start on TV so I don't get lumped in with all the other noobies those will generate.   

My slow and steady pace is reflected in my "business plan."  I intend to do this only part-time (hobby) for spending money; I have a job I love with no intentions of quitting.  I am hoping to attend my first auctions in a couple weeks... just as a lookey loo for now.

Just wanted to introduce myself before I start asking all you experts for more information.  Thanks for this great community!