First off this is a great idea for a category in this forum. So often you come across stuff but don't really even know enough to start researching onthe  the interenet for it.

I have two thigns I really want to know the value of as well as the history, always kinda curious to know the background on certain items I find and don't have a rolodex of my own "experts" like pawn stars, storage wars, etc. lol.

I found this 3 dimensional porcelain picture/sculpture of the last supper. There's really no markings or anythign on it. I've seen some of these online for a couple hundred but seen some by this capadona or some name alogn those lines going for upwards of $6500.

Anyone know about this particular one?

Does html show up as pics on this forum?

Sorry pics are too big and having trouble resizing so putting photobucket links below...

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa410/rulesforrebels/IMG_2951-1.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa410/rulesforrebels/IMG_2950-1.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa410/rulesforrebels/IMG_2949-1.jpg

I actually was at an auction where the person who previously owned the unit actually went into the unit took a jewelry box and a folder full of stuff and ran off.

Any pictures, documents, etc I always try to give back to the origional owner and wouldn't even think of charging for this kind of stuff.. Any kids stuff I will always give back for free. For the most part clothes I'll even give back. Bigger ticket items I'm keeping though.

Is it really though?  I understand defending your livelihood, but I also sense some immaturity in some of these posts.  I hear a lot of people on here commenting about people showing up and not even bidding.  Did all of you bid and buy at your very first auction?  Did you know all of the unwritten rules of the auction world at your first handful of auctions?  I doubt it.  If you did, more power to you.  The point is, the game has clearly changed.  The once private storage auction world has now been exposed, and the new competition is likely here to stay.  I'd guess that just as many "regulars" will end up being pushed out of the business as newcomers. 

I don't think the most of the new crowds are here to stay. As silly as it sounds I think some people really do believe it's really like the show and every unit contains some 50k rare item or cash or gold. That's the only way I can imagine people would bid some of the prices they do on some of these units we are seeing go upwards of a grand that used to be like $35.

I imagine people will see you really gotta buy a lot of units to find quality ones. I think people will discover they spend money and make nothing in return. I also think some people think it's all about buying the unit. What really makes you money is how many avenues you have to get rid of stuff. Every item you give away or throw away is money comming out your pocket. The people who can get rid of everything from old paper to scrap metal to clothes for a profit are the ones that will make it.

Oddly enough I actually did wind up buying a unit at my first auction and was surprisingly the best unit I have bought in the past year and a half or so.

I don't think this is uniqe to the storage game. Lots of hobbies and livelihoods are not welcoming of newcommers. Do a google search of how do I become a tattoo artist, tattoo artists are brutal on people looking to learn. Same thing with glass blowing. I ride motorcycles and found that when I first started out people as a whole weren't very welcomming of a new rider. I don't agree iwth it but its in all different aspects of life.

I do agree though its actually probably not wise to go out gungho and buying stuff your first time without scoping out how auctions run, what things go for, etc. In the same token its easy to see why those who have been doing this for 10 or 15 years and this is their sole livelihood are frustrated that some people see the show and just want to come out and look and have no intention of buying or getting into it and are essentially just taking up space and time.

I think both shows are incredibly fake and stupid but still can't stop watching them...lol.

From the start I always like Storage Wars much more than Auction Hunters.

I had another post on this forum from yesterday about something I discovered though. I was watching animal planet and Ton was a snake rangler as well. I highly doubt he's a part time snake rangler part time auction hunter so its pretty clear to me that this show is completely fake and these two guys are actors.

Storage Wars has a story line to each episode and is staged to a point but I'm pretty sure at least those are really peoplel who really do this.

With the somewhat limited number of people at these forums right now, the best bet on your dump site question for Chicago is to do a google search or talk to the people at your waste management offices in your area.

In my area the county dumps are accessible to the general public and a pickup truck load (as high as you can stack) goes for about $15 to $18 dollars. Paying by the ton is more expensive, but if you take a big box truck in and pay that way you're only making one trip which saves on gas.

Not sure how long this has been in effect but last time I went to the dump they charged me all types of extra fees for hazard fees and all this other nonsense even though it was normal stuff I was dumpiong. Not sure if this is just an IL thing or a federal thing.

I find the cheapest and easiest option is those waste management bags you can buy at home depot. About $130 you pick up the bag unfold it load it up in your driveway and call them to have them take it away.

http://www.youtube.com/rulesforrebels#p/u/7/gVGPZkp3ppA

Just starting out. Been to two auctions so far. First was a sealed bid auction and 6 people showed up. Didn't win any but did place bids. Second was just outside of Rockford, IL at 10AM on a Saturday and the wid-chill was about -5. 9 units were up for auction and 79!!!!!!!! people showed up. Prices were through the roof. No more auctions to go to until the 28th but looking foward to it. Would like to see smaller crowds but it is what it is.

What did you think about the silent bid format? Do you prefer one over the other? I in Chicago, don't come across many sealed bid auctions but I actually prefer them to the regular auction format.