I've yet to see a piano in a locker in my area.  I've seen 4 guitars (purchased one), and a keyboard but no piano's.  I'll have to keep drbecker's info in mind if I do see one however.  Even if it is in bad shape and the unit goes cheap.

Well for me most people have been skeptical actually.  I know the few people that have found out that I do these auctions ask is it like the shows?  My answer one time was -- if it was I'd already turned in my 2 week notice.  Many of the people that have asked seem more interested in the byplay and such.  A few have even asked if they could tag along.  I always say sure but have never had anyone follow-up with me to commit to a time/date once I described some of the work to be done.

Oh man - I would of laughed my butt off.  Wonder if he paid up or just walked away from it all.

Didn't get to hit the auctions today as helped parents with the case-lot-sale.  My nice 3 facility caravan Monday so will let ya'll know how that goes tuesday.

I've been lucky in my part of GA.  Most of the crowds are under 20 people.  Depending if any other auctions are going on the most I've seen is close to 30.  The exception is saturday auctions.  That brings out the crowds and clowns. 

I'm with Jross.  Just been able to read and post to a couple of different threads.  Thanks a ton.  I was going through withdrawel.

What ever good luck penny, rabbit foot, or what not you have Movieman can I borrow it for next week?

Friday the 9th I went to the 2 facility U-haul auction.  First place ended up only selling 1 locker but it went for $500 or $525.  It was a 5 or 10 X 30 and packed.  We couldn't see to the back.  Did I mention old?  The unit looked like it hadn't been touched in years.  Lots of cobwebs and dust.

The downtown facility had 6 units up for sale.  This is right around from my work so I'll hit it every time it comes up.  However, I also now know why only a few regulars come down here.  The units are mostly crap.  Most of the furniture was eaten by rats.  One unit even had a dead rat inside it.  Of the six units up for sale I bid on only one that had a nice mountain bike in it.  The unit sold for $160 as I stopped at $150.  Just wasn't worth any more then that IMO.

The crowd was light - about a dozen people.  There were a few more at the first facility but all told, less then 20 people.

Have a auction thursday and friday but I'm going to miss them I suspect due to work.  Monday is my 3 caravan auction after work that saw some decent units last month.  Will let ya know.

Thursday Sept 8th found my wife and I out and about at a 7 facility 30 listed unit auction.  The starting crowd was moderate with many of the regulars from both sides of the river.  Only had a few newbies at the first site.  As the day progressed we had more and more newbies and a few of the regulars dropped out.  One had a doctor appointment, another quit as it was time for lunch, etc.  Most of the regulars are retired and do this as a means to keep busy, etc.  Only one of the store owner regulars stayed with us.  Prices were moderate, with only one high price due to a 10 x 20 packed full to the rafters with stuff.  This was a whole family type unit and sold for $910.

Today was also the day I popped my cherry and won not one but two units.  I also learned a few things about my wife.  First she enjoyed herself dispite my fears.  The second is she is the reason I purchased the second unit and lost a third .  We had bid on a unit that was full, had a dirt devil and bissel vac showing, lots of boxes, and a side by side fridge.  I had just been outbid at $250 when she nuddged me.  I thought that meant to stop...when in fact it was to keep going.  Go figure.  Later in the day I saw a unit I was interested in that she stopped me on at $160.  Didn't feel bad at getting outbid as the guy was pretty cool and we talked about the unit afterwards.  He is going to tell me how it goes later next week.

The first unit we won we wanted it due to the major item it had in it.  This is something that our daughter has been wanting and retails for $200-300.  I should of gotten the unit for $50 but got bid up by one of the newbies that I called Gypsy.  She even tried to claim at the end that she had the high bid since we were side by side in the hall in front of the unit.  The auctioneer knew better and so raised my bid by $10 more.  I was pissed at the lady and not the auctioneer since it was still below my max.  Later in the day she asked me "Where do you find all these auctions" and my answer was Google being a smart ass.  One of the regulars was even more general and just said the internet.





So this unit cost me $185.  The guitar in the picture retailed for $250-$275 new.  I only found one used on ebay for $150.  So I think it was a good buy.  My wife also kept a short-sword that sort of looks like a ninja sword.  My daughter pulled out a pair of mid-heel leater boots that she liked.  The owner was a pot head.  Other then the smell of some of the boxes I also found the arrest warrent, property evidence paper, etc. from the police.  So the unit contained a number of lighters and ashtrays.  Also found in the unit was a blue lightning sphere buddah, 2GB Ipod Nano, leather blackjack, brass knuckles, S&W .40 clip (father got), ton of burned music CDS, some legally purchased CDs, playstation games, etc.  So I have a number of $1 - $5 items for a yard sale or flea market.  If the items I put up on craigslist actually sale I'll break even just from that.  Time will tell.

The second unit we won was all furniture except for a few boxes in the inside corner with cloths and a lock box in the back corner.  In the pictures you see it on the china cabnit top but it was actually in the back left corner.  






I paid $170 for this unit.  My wife liked this unit for those chairs/table in the back.  I normally stay away from furniture units.  However, I saw the furniture was "Rockingham" stuff, and thus solid wood.  So I figured I could sale the table, two chairs, and china cabinet for $200 or more easy.  In fact one of the regulars that took off to another auction asked me how much I wanted for the furniture Friday when was telling him about it.  While I could of made some money I didn't.  My mother loved the china cabinet and my father liked the table.  He is going to sand and re-finish it.  The metal table and chairs went to my wife of course.  The rocking chair and particle board desk (very heavy) went to my kids for furniture in their play room.  The only thing I have to sale out of the unit are the cloths, pillows, and a few pairs of shoes.  So those are in my yard sale bin currently.

As for the lock box.  Like 80% of them it only had papers in it.  While they are important papers they do me no good and thus was returned to the facility.

Overall it was a long but fun day.  I hope for some better lockers in my price range next week when hit a three facility caravan on Monday 19th.

Even doing this as a hobby you need a few things before you purchase your first unit.  First you need to know what are you going to do with the items.  Are you going to keep most of them or sale them.  Do you have a place to store everything?  Do you have a means to move the items you do win.  How are you going to sale if you plan to sale.  Buying a unit is the easy and simple part.  What to do with everything is the challenge.

For me I own 3 acres of land with 2 large barns/sheds.  While most of them are full of my own crap, I have extra space for other small items.  Which means I mostly stay away from furniture unless I know someone who wants an item or I can make a quick sale.

Also, some places don't like you selling stuff out of a unit on their property.  You would need to check with each facility in your area.  I know many of my area regulars have a large storage unit they keep stuff in.  However, they are buying 2-4 lockers a week if not more and either have a store or perm place at the flea market.