Did another run today got 2 units one was a 10X10 for $250 full of mostly boxes and bags, unloaded it and it looks like a hoarder, lot of odd older things not sure of value yet but I got a ton of video games and systems. Other was a 10X10 and it had a air compressor showing a Smith and Wesson Air compressor no less. Cost was $170 and it has 2 pieces of antique furniture.  Prices were higher then they had been but only about 30 people showed up.  I think that being only a couple days before Christmas is why so few showed up.  I am done shopping this month my garage is to full to enter right now and I have one load still on the truck/

Yes I went to a auction today they had 26 units at one facility. I ended up with 3 units two were one dollar each one was $200.  I bid what I thought was stupid prices on 3 other units and did not get them.  The crowd was only about 30 people but even us regulars seemed to be bidding to high.  I cleaned out the units and the one dollar unit had a Harley exhaust system and front wheel in it.  I think I did okay on it. The other had over a dollar in change and some tools but I have not sorted through everything yet. The $200 unit should have been a $100 though it looks okay I will still need some luck to make any money on it. Best hing about the second dollar unit was that when I got my change back the clerk gave me a 1966 Kennedy half which is a 40% silver coin worth more then the dollar I paid for the unit so the unit was free.  There was one unit that no one not even I would buy all it had were mattresses and a old TV in it. Oh one unit sold for $350 that was a bid and hold in July in July the bid was $600 I guess it got redeemed then now it sells for less and it was a unit worth $350 IMHO.  My son bought a $25 unit which is what used to be a $5 unit.  He got some DVD and some junk. 

The storage units are probably getting way to many inquires since the unreality shows came out.  Best bet is to call the big name places and ask to be put on distribution for their list.  Most around here do not auctioneers they just do it themselves. Where in the Seattle area are you located North South East or West?

I went to school in MI, you should be about ready to head south now the weather really stinks in the winter there.  Welcome aboard always good to hear what i going on in other parts of the country.

It is good to just watch a few auctions before actually buying a unit.  Be prepared to not find anything in your first buy as well.  Most units do not have a great treasure in them a few do most are full of normal household goods of little resale value.  If your unlucky you will get a unit full of trash so figure in dump fees to any potential purchase. I always figure at least $20 at the dump for the samllest of units and big unit $100 minimum at the dump. I have spent $200 at the dump on one unit before and I have had units with no trash as well. Do not get to discouraged if you do not find a great item in your first unit.  The more units you buy the better the odds you will find treasure.  I bought about 40 units last year. 3 had really good treasure in them the rest varied from total trash to okay. Just to give you an idea of theodds. Be sure to have a way to get rid of the trash quick so it does not take all your valuable storage space at home.  Goodwill gets a lot from me what is not good enough for them goes right to the dump.

There are always bidders that just want to make someone else spend their money so they run out and then they can buy at a better price. Some just trying to discourage new bidders from particpating.  Do not be unwilling to drop out when you think the price is to high.  No one is forcing you to bid. I have been suckered in to bidding wars myself and ended up paying more then I though I should when I intially looked at a unit.  It is best to stick with your first instinct when you first look and not go higher.  There will always be other units.

Heck I live in a big city and have lots of Craigslist noshows.  I do find that if I put something on for free it normally goes in a few hours with many people  calling.  hard to get real money for most common items but it is a way to get rid of big objects. I recently gave away a huge chest freezer that did not work. First call in 15 minutes and 4 more before I could pull the ad.  First call took it came with a huge truck full of junk he had been picking up all day.

Ebay fees are nasty. I will not put somethin on unless I think it will go for over $100.  The fees on small items is so bad you can end up netting nothing. Ebay is nasty about kicking items off for no reason as well.