The guy is (imo) a total d-bag (sorry for the bluntness).
He was one who was interviewed (in the segment I mentioned a couple months ago) and said he's made thousands.  real bright there buddy.  And he wonders why we have crowds??

He is also one who has been granted special privileges by one of our local auctioneers.  When at an auction there was a soft-sided gun case and he reached in and squeezed it while the auctioneer was standing next to him.  Don (being Don) popped off and asked if we all get a free squeeze?  The guy got the unit, but Don ran him up on it.  Left a sour taste and we really haven't dealt with that auctioneer since.

We did mention that story to a couple fellow auction buyers.  We're waiting to see him again so we can play a round of 'run his butt up!!'

We get two spaces and pull the truck & trailer in to the northern most end.  2 6', 2 4' and 3 card tables.  After those are filled we have tubs with stuff & tools go on a huge tarp right on the ground.  We're very redneck looking, but that doesn't bother our customers~
It's funny~a year ago I had to have everything just so........now just get it out there!  who has time to organize?

There is a couple who we see at auctions that have moved to 'our' swap meet and they love it.  They had always done the bigger (more commercial) one and couldn't believe the space vs cost vs clientele at our 'junkers' flea.

It costs $15 for a corner & $13 for an interior space.  We always get two spaces.  My sis set up on the opposite corner from us this past Sat.  I think next Saturday I'll grab that space too and just lay out tarps with clothes, luggage and toys. 

Of course weather predictions are for 104 degrees, which could squelch the crowd~
we'll see~

oh tried my best to land 4 6' tables, but the guy wouldn't budge on the price.  Have to keep looking as we certainly could use the table space~

No auctions for me until next week either.  Then we start off with Cubesmart (Day one).  Lands right on the first day of school for my girls.  And I'm homeschooling..........YIKES!!  Don is taking the learning coach job that day whilst I go and look at piles of garbage and hope to find one with profitability~

Yippee!

August so far looks rather quiet, but that will give us a chance to regroup.  We were on a roll there (landing like 7 lockers in just over two weeks) and we still haven't had an opportunity to swap meet.  Hopefully this Saturday, weather permitting~

Meanwhile ebay is still working out well, while craigslist seems to have had somebody pull the plug again.  Talk about cycles~sheesh.

Come on MovieMan.....you don't need no stinkin' badges~

I read all their requirements to be a top rated seller about 4 months ago and realized I have no desire to become one.  Just too much pressure for me, but it's funny........I usually do one day shipping and have a 14 day money back guarantee.

They definitely cater to the buyer, but as you said...........there really isn't another option~

I think I may have misrepresented here.  When I said 1 in 15 is very good to great, I meant a 5 to 10 time investment.  Like my Air Jordan unit with all the hip hop items.  I bought it for $120.  Sold the Gucci hat for $125.  Then the jeans started flying off the (ebay) shelf and now finally the Air Jordans are selling.  I'm going to net close to a grand on that unit.  To me........that was a GREAT unit.

As far as netting $3k.......that would be about 1 in a 100.  But again, I'm a relative newbie.  Bought our first unit in September and have bought about 50 since.  And again, I'm easily impressed.  Remember I'm combining all the Native American stuff from two units into a lot that could be worth a couple (to few) grand.

One of my favorite units was my 2nd pool table one that I bought for $225.  Found enough gold to cover the cost (still can't believe that, as jewelry was the last thing I expected to find  in THAT locker) then sold the pool table, speakers, jbls etc.......netted just over $900.  To me that is pushing great~

I feel like I have to quit talking as I sound like I'm bragging.  Do not want to come across like that.  Just so ecstatic at some of our finds and I can't talk about them with other auction buyers locally as there is always somebody 'listening in'.  And let's face it........family can only listen (and understand) so much of it~

Update~
The two trashy units were just that.  Trash.  Perhaps a $5 profit, but probably not, after deducting gas/dump fees.
The other unit was GREAT!  
Found lots of Native American items including some authentic Navajo rugs (don't think they're vintage, but still have significant value), a nice set of Cold Steel knives that already have bids ($200 thus far) on ebay, lots of Hard Rock items (a pin lot with bids on ebay), some tools, tons of comic books (some older) and an older Bose Wave Radio.

I had never heard a Bose before.  I fell in love with it, so I listed it high @ $125 opening bid with a $155 BIN.  I figured with the similar models selling for about $125-150 with numerous bids, I'd be safe.  Told Don if the knives hit $300 I'm pulling the Bose.  Son of a gun just sold on the BIN................argh!!!!!!!!!!!

With our last two (decent) units being owned by Native Americans we now have a great collection for sale.  Only problem is I can't find anybody to authenticate/evaluate it.  The two galleries (and a couple free-lancers) I would be inclined to use are away for the summer.  that happens frequently here as many have shops in both Tucson and the Santa Fe area.  I'll keep plugging along, but am guessing we could have upwards of $2K in vintage Native American items.  

Oh yeah....more tennies~we had a few pair of Nike's new in the box of which the facility manager was interested in some.  We took them back to the facility the following day and gave him his choice of one pair for free.....figured it can't hurt to have a manager on your side..........especially since Don was the only one at this auction.  

Can hardly wait until next month!!!!!!!!!

Edit to note: I forgot the stereo equipment.  It's all older but pieces like Kenwood, Technics, Teac.  Haven't had a chance to see if they work or not.
Still haven't looked through all the comics, but there are over 4 large boxes worth.
Probably about 150 cds/dvds and all good, salable titles for a change.
Oh yeah and some 80's rock posters including a playbill for the Cars and another for AC/DC with Humble Pie and some cheeky, cheesy girl posters.  I looked at one and told Don 'That is so 80's!'..........sure enough 1984.  He recognized the ski boots one with 'I used to see that one at Tommy's Ski Shop!'

I just hung up with Don who went to a 'new' (meaning one we had never attended) auction today.  We called yesterday to verify and was told 'yes there would be an auction and there were 8 units up'.  Don got there about 8:45 (9 schedule start) and there was nobody there.  I told him to hang out as they would show up.  Well they turned out to be the manager and he said there definitely was an auction today.

Turns out that Don was the only one (red flags) and when the manager opened the first unit Don offered him $10.  Nope~I have to have what's owed on the unit which was $275.  They proceeded to look at the rest of the units and went back to the office to discuss.  

There were two small trashy units that he offered up at $10 each.  So Don bought those.  What have ya got to lose???  Another unit was $225 and the guy said the former tenant was in jail and that he supposedly stole jewelry from his folks.  Uhmm............no thanks!  Don ended up buying another unit for the $275 fees and he is cleaning it out now.

Thus far he has found some (more) Native American items, two brand new in the box pairs of Air Jordans (will have to research as I now have some idea of their value), a box loaded with DVD's (they're in there), a couple brand new ladders (1 fiberglass the other an extension) and tons of boxes, all taped with a quarter inch of dust.

Really have no idea why nobody else was there or what the deal was/is, but figured with what I made on ebay over the past 3 days, might as well roll the dice.  It's an opportunity that I can't imagine comes along too often.  Just hope it isn't too good to be true kinda deal.

Will try to update after we learn more.

I can't even imagine how weird that must have felt being the only bidder~
Has that ever happened to you?