I've gotten something like this before in my email.  I always pass and don't respond back.  For one I don't take checks - it's cash only (and I take a money marker also).  I don't even take USPS money orders as I have seen a few fakes of those also.

Sounds like a good day for ya.  I have to be careful with music equipment.  My kids end up keeping most of it.  First unit I ever purchased was a small closet size unit that had a guitar.  I paid more for the unit than I would if was going to re-sell since we wanted the guitar for christmas.  Even after buying the unit, restring, etc. was about $50-75 less then a new one.  Daughter has purchased a auto-harp from another unit buyer to learn to play.  They want a piano....will end up with one soon I suspect.

This can be a great teaching tool for kids.  Least my daughter has been learning the ins/outs for the last 6 months.  For her she is up $200 + the PSPs that she kept.  While her and I have had a few arguments, etc. it's great to be spending time with her.  I joke with some of the other regulars that in another 4 years they may want to retire as she will be 18 and rolling.

Some of the newbies do bail out due to cash.  They roll the dice and loose that big fat tax rebate check and go home.  Others like you say can't stand the work.  I know I have walked away with some nice units due to other people not wanting to put the work in to move heavy furniture, appliances, etc.

It's like the one auction I was at that had this old guy walking with a cane.  He bought up 5 or more units that day.  I was like seriously - how are you going to clean them all out.  I suspect his son / son-in-law / whoever told him "Hell no - no more" after that week.  So between what he paid for those units and I supsect lack of help the lasted 1 week.

In my area we never start early.  They have to follow the time as posted in the paper.  Now we have started later many times, but never early.  Only once can I think of a time we started early.  Was our 7 facility caravan.  We were done with the 4th location and 5 + 6 didn't have any.  So instead of standing around for 2 hours the auctioneer said we would go and auction the 1 room as a bid/hold till time of the sale.  So instead of 20 of us standing around, only the person that won the unit had to wait for the auction time.

Now - a few places are bad about starting late.  Or if it's a caravan the other facilities are later than what is posted in the paper.  One of my 3 facilities post in the paper 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 so that we don't have to wait around once we start.

Well I have yet to see / get a POD auction.  Only 1 place in town does it.  Every time that I have gone it was canceled.  Even when I put my number on the list they don't call.  U-haul in my area is mostly lower income due to the location.  The converted factory they made into storage units is highly prone to bugs, rodents, etc.

As for quality items I've seen them all over the place.  The % chance is higher near the uppper income area's then mid and lower.  I've done better in RoI with the mom n pop places then the big chains.  Example is Metro has auction guy from Florida - large crowd, 10% bp, and tax.  Compared to say American that has 5-10 bidders and same type units.

Lol Rockin - we thought about homeschooling our kids.  However, I told my wife and mother that I would need a sub everyday in order to do it

Just came back from Uhaul.  First facility that I didn't make it to had 4 units, low number of people (2 regulars) and low prices.  Second facility I made it to had 5 registered bidders.  Myself, one regular, a 6mo old couple, a 2mo lady that has been buying a bunch, and a noobie.  Once again only 4 units.

1st - up-top style unit - 2 totes, lots of cloths, laundry basket, empty wallet, papers on floor

I told auction guy $5 and if anyone bids over me they have it.  I got it for $5.

2nd unit - just old washer & dryer -- sold for $60 -- regular
3rd unit - more totes, cloths, etc. -- bid till $50 (sold for 70 to same as above)
4th unit - best 6 x 8' packed to top.  Some furniture, old computer, boxes - I bid up to $120 and stopped.  No point in bidding up the regular, was upstairs so a PITA to move furniture, and my help is out of town this weekend.  So with 24 hours to clean it out not worth it.  Suspect he will make a killing on it.  Same regular as above.

So quick auction, low attendance, low units, low quality except for the 1 unit.

My daughter likes the show.  Of course she has been bartering since she was 4.  The post we had a few months back of the 14yr old who bought a house in Florida really got her interest.  Anyways, I'll come home on fridays like today and she will have a list of yard sales for saturday, possible trades on CL, etc.

Most of the trades on CL are sells - not really trades.  That and they "value" the item at new retail.  So far I've only seen a few straight trades that looked good.  Example was a dresser or chest of drawers for a digital or video camera.  If I had of had some at the time I would of tried to work a trade.  Furniture isn't my thing where camera equipment is.

As for the show - I've watched a few mins of them but not really a fan.  Some of the stuff they trade up is just in the "WOW - how dumb can you be" type factor.  I do like watching how they "talk" to people.  Even if scripted some of the thought processes that they have relates to us.