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Messages - Cheesehead

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151
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #2...February, 2012
« on: February 16, 2012, 08:08:57 PM »
2-16-12:  Here's a shot of the crowd at today's auction.  About 50 people and 20 bidders. 
I bid on five or six of the 34 units that were available, but each time the price went over my limit.  Winning prices weren't terribly high, it's just the lower cost units were complete junk. 

Good ending to the day though.  I made contact with two folks who own Thrift Stores.  They also told me they would be interested in buying (at a fair price) any large furniture/mattress/etc that I won in a locker (since I am not in the furniture moving business).  This will obviously help in hauling/storing/selling in the future.

152
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Do you care who wins the unit?
« on: February 15, 2012, 01:06:09 PM »
Around here, it seems the regulars have a number in mind, and don't go over that.  I haven't seen a lot of "bid 'em up" bravado or buying a unit just to make a point.  I'm a "smalls" guy - and I usually have a conversation with myself on whether to bid or not!  (Do I need medication for that!?)  :o   If I like a unit I bid, but I am also smart enough to see if one of the store owners/regulars likes a unit too, then I just stay out of the way and let them make a living.....

153
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #2...February, 2012
« on: February 15, 2012, 12:49:46 PM »
I did win 2 units, 1 was for $10, and the other $80.

Nice job - congratulations!!

Took a day off to hit three auctions on Wednesday, 2/15/12 - but didn't go due a few "issues" -1)  90% chance of rain - and they were right!!
2)  Total units as of Tuesday evening - six!  (Two with only one unit, and one with four units) The one with four lockers started out with over 30 two weeks ago, then went down to 15 last week, and 8 on Tuesday night.  Then four at auction time.......
3)  The biggest deterrant - our local ABC TV station was going to the facility with four lockers to shoot a local "Storage Wars" segment.  Oh goody - elbow-to-elbow with 200 people all waving at the camera!!  No thanks....

Switched days off - now going on Thursday to two places - one with 37 UNITS (as of Noon Wed.) and one with 15....so I'll keep my fingers crossed.    

154
eBay / Re: Shipping & Boxes
« on: February 13, 2012, 12:26:12 PM »
The Dollar Stores/Dollar General used to be great around here for boxes - but now they all went to the compactor!  Try your Hallmark Store/card store - I talked to the Manager a few years ago, and she now saves all the "odd" shaped (and normal shaped) boxed for me to pick up. 

I have never used the USPS Flat Rate boxes - think I can pack and ship cheaper in my own boxes.  (Oh, I did use them for a while - used to break them open, turn them around, re-tape, and re-use.  Of course, that was BEFORE they started printing on the inside too!  :-\)  As I mentioned before, to me the fastest way to lose a potential bidder is to charge too much for shipping.  You might want to weigh each and check the USPS website as a guide for postage cost.  Then keep track of your shipping and over time you will develop your own "cost list" on what to charge.  That way you can dial it in for a true shipping charge.

Good luck!

155
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #2...February, 2012
« on: February 12, 2012, 07:03:05 PM »
Congrats - and good luck with the rest of the stuff!

156
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #2...February, 2012
« on: February 11, 2012, 03:19:36 PM »
A balmy 22 degrees for today’s auction – locals in the Mid-South were freezing!!  Facility had five units, down from 20 earlier this week.  (Darn you tax season!!)  About 15 bidders and 30 total with six or seven folks who own stores, and one “whale.”  (This guy owns an auction house and has purchased about half the units at every auction I’ve seen him at.)  It was also “family” day with about 8-10 kids including several babies!  (Remember, it was 22 degrees!) 

About 30 seconds before the auction started, a past-due tenant comes screaming into the parking lot, followed by his girlfriend in another car.   They sprint into the office hoping to pay up.  Soon you could hear LOUD arguing with the facility managers, and then the couple comes out the door screaming at EACH OTHER. 

Man: “I owe $450 – you’re not gonna give me the money!!??”
Woman: “Make them print you a list of what you owe, you know how these people are.  They will rip you off every chance they get!”
(So let me see if I understand – YOU are $450 dollars behind, and THEY are ripping YOU off!!??  Oh, OK.)

Man goes back in the office, comes out with a list and starts arguing with his girlfriend again.  She finally gives him money and he goes back in the office.  In the meantime, the girlfriend goes back to her car and calls 911 to report how she was mistreated by the facility owners. The man comes out of the office, cusses out his girlfriend (who is in her car with the windows up), peels rubber and leaves – leaving his girlfriend to wait for the Po-Po.  We’re gathered back together ready to head to the first unit, when the cops arrive.  So we all wait again and enjoy the show.  Within seconds, the woman is arguing with the officer, then arguing with the facility managers, and then begins YELLING at the cops.  Who knows what was said, because she jumps back in her car and squeals out.  The officer kind of rolls his eyes, gets in his car and leaves.  The facility managers come back and say:

Manager (man) – “Are we FINALLY ready to start – anyone have any more issues or interruptions!!??  Oh, by the way, we are now down to four units….”  (Boos from the crowd)
Manager (woman) – “Let’s go!  Wow, it took ALL my strength to remain calm and not kick that girls a$$!!”  (Loud roar by entire group!) ;D

So with the morning’s entertainment over, it was time to see the units.  Unfortunately, the above story was way better than the lockers.  The first one was the best, and was owned by someone who had a consignment store.  It was pretty full, with display cases, sunglasses displays, posters, racking, boxes, shelving, and a few random boxes.  I was in until $400, then the whale made his move and got it for $800.  Unit two was a 5x5 that contained a small coffee table, two end tables, and a random print.  That’s it!  No boxes, no trash, no anything else.  Went for $300.  Unit #3 was a 5 x10 that had two couches/cushions blocking the doorway.  A gamble since you couldn’t even see anything behind.  Sold for $350 to Mr. Whale.  The last unit was a 5x5 and had 6 boxes of children’s toys and an old DVD player with about 20 DVDs (beat up).  It did have a real nice wooden rocking chair, but the name “JOSHUA” was branded in the backrest.  That was it – again no garbage, no clothes.   Sold for $125 with five people bidding.  Once the bid reached $100 I had to step up and take another look.  What the heck was I missing?  I didn’t see it.

So auctions here are the same as everyone’s – drama, last minute pay ups, some good units, some bad units, and prices seemed in line with what everyone else has been reporting.  Good luck to everyone and thanks for posting your stories, info, etc.  I have really enjoyed reading about it.

157
What's it Worth?? / Re: motomaster?
« on: February 10, 2012, 09:39:48 AM »
Looks like Motomaster is sold exclusively in Canada.  Didn't see any on eBay, but here's a US model for comparison:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-NAPA-Warehouse-Automotive-Mechanics-Creeper-Heads-Up-/120854715494?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c23809c66

Either way, that's a pretty cool item.  Good luck with your "creeper"!!  :)

158
eBay / Re: What have I been waiting for?!?!
« on: February 09, 2012, 10:16:31 PM »
I'm not allowed to talk to you.  You see I've been known to wear purple and gold during football season and well.....cheeseheads and Vikings....... :o

Oh well~it's the off-season so we're good until say.....September~ ;)

Well.....Brett played for both teams....so that gives us some common ground!!   :)

Plus I'm a transplanted Arkie, so now I root for our pro teams......oh wait, we don't have any!! :'(

159
eBay / Re: What have I been waiting for?!?!
« on: February 09, 2012, 06:45:52 PM »
Congratulations!!!   :D

160
New to Storage Auctions? / Re: Noobie Packing List
« on: February 09, 2012, 06:41:05 PM »

19.  A heapin' helping of common sense

20.  Patience - or a sense of humor (depending on where you are) :-\

161
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: How far are you willing to travel?
« on: February 09, 2012, 03:38:36 PM »
The "how far" question is all relative, since most of you have a larger population in a 10-mile square area than I have in the whole state.  It's pretty rural here, but I can normally find enough in a 30 mile radius. 

BTW - Asia was one of my favorite bands from the 80s!!  ;D

162
New to Storage Auctions? / Re: Minimum opening bid and Credit Card
« on: February 08, 2012, 10:31:39 PM »
Facilities here are mostly cash only, but some take CCs and checks!   (I'm in the boondocks)  Also, not all require a cleaning deposit. (about two-thirds)  And luckily every location has asked for an opening bid and not set one.   

Good luck!

163
eBay / Re: Ebay items from storage lockers
« on: February 08, 2012, 10:03:23 AM »
A scale is a must, especially with USPS raising rates on Feb.1.  I weigh my stuff, check the USPS website for the shipping cost, and use this on my auctions.  If the shipping cost is above $5, I also normally add a disclaimer like “shipping cost is directly from USPS website” – that way people don’t think you're trying to rip them off on shipping. 

I have always believed high shipping scares off bidders, and let’s face it, most of your customers also sell on eBay, so they know exactly how much it costs.  Why risk bad feedback or a low rating.

164
The Treasure Chest / Re: Nazi Silver
« on: February 07, 2012, 08:05:18 PM »
Good luck - be interested to hear what happens

165
eBay / Re: More eBay fees?????
« on: February 07, 2012, 05:01:41 PM »
There wasn't any cost - it was all stuff I had laying around the house or services.  My point is even with eBay charging fees, it's still worth it IMO.

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