Didn't we talk/discuss/argue about this some months back.  I've only read about a auction company & bidders being arrested and convicted of this once.  It was a big real estate auction scandel in California.

I've noticed a slow down here also.  Not a many new people.  Wonder if interest in storage units is starting to decline.

Well I'm done for the month.  Today saw my daughter and I at the 3 facility location that she did well at last month.  This month we had 6 "automotive" units and as expected the crowd was much larger.  They were some nice units but I stayed away from them since don't have a clue about engines, transmissions, and stuff.  My daughter got a so/so unit for $25.  I got the last unit at the facility for $170.  I'm pretty sure I overpaid for the unit.  Wanted to make sure the one other bidder didn't get it.  Daughter ended up with her 3rd unit purchase at the last location for $35.  She should do well on this one.  Twin set of 12" speakers in a box, nice Eureka vac that works and a number of smalls.

This is the most units I've purchased in one month.  So I will be selling for the next few weeks instead of doing auctions / yard sales.

Another day saturday - another caravan.  Spent the morning doing yard sales and then hit the 3 facility caravan at 10.  Silent auction so not "as much" fun but can get cheap units.  Crowd was down from the past.  Was about 20 bidders, many new faces which is normal for a saturday.  However, all of the units went to regulars in the end.

I ended up with 2 units out of the 11 myself.  First unit was a small 5x5 with a computer video card showing and boxes.  I could see 2 open packs of baseball cards showing in one box.  Saw a motherboard in another box.  I know computers so put in a 103 bid and won.  Second unit I won was a 10x15 with a nice nightstand showing, cool looking entertainment center, 6 totes, what looked like a high end car part, a lawnmower, some style rack, and a few boxes.  Not a packed unit but I could see $100 easy, another $50-$200 depending on totes, stuff working, etc.  Only bid $177 and was a little surprised I won the unit.

So in the last 8 days I've purchased 4 units with another 3 facility caravan Monday.  After that I'm pretty much done for the rest of the month so will work on selling the stuff.  Also have a dump run in my future...oh the joys of storage auctions

Today found us at 4 of the 7 facilities on this caravan.  The other 3 locations were all paid up.  Only 8 units total all day.  Crowd was down from last month but still pretty big for the area.  Still a number of out-of-town people.  Units were decent with ok prices.

I should of jumped on a computer / boxes / totes unit but got worried when 5 of the totes were all pirated movies.  The equipment was designed to burn multiple copies of DVD/CDs at once.  Unit sold for $300.  I was interested in the computers to scrap as they looked old but worried about all the pirated crap.  Guy said laptops were in the totes.  If so he just found a sleeper unit IMO.

Most expensive unit was $1040 - inside unit with some NICE furniture taken care of.  Guy that purchased it was same one that paid $400 for one unit and $625 for another furniture unit.  Was new to me but he dropped some cash today.  Lucky for him the whale wasn't around.

I did get my first "rejected" bid.  Think the auctioneer was pissed at me I didn't bid up a unit at the previous location.  Quick story:  Second location had two units.  Door opened and I see a king size matress and furniture so I didn't even look in the unit.  Sat back talking.  Auctioneer ask for bids and no one answers.  I just say $10 to open it up for him.  One of the other regulars jumps in at $20.  I was like dang - I better look at this.  Is mostly furniture and my trailer is full w/ trash for the dump so I just shake my head at $30.  So he wins at $20.  Guy sold a table to my buddy who was trying to get my attention to bid higher (he had walked away) for $40.  A newbie offered $20 for the matress (wth - can't normally give those away).  So guy made $40 before even cleaning unit out.

Get to last facility of the day.  First unit is a 5x10 with a white sofa torn and no cushions at the door and 2 tall boxes with water stains / paper showing.  He ask for $150 and no one is talking.  So I just say $10 again to get him started or figure a cheap unit.  He is like "I'll not sell it for $10".  I'm like OK.  So he ask for $50 and still no takers.  Takes him starting to close the door for a newbie to yell out $50 and it finally got to $80 by one of the newer couple of ladies that have bought a bunch of trash units.  I just had to laugh - would of made my day if no one would of bid on it.

Since I collect coins I'm always "wishing" to find a coin collection in a unit.  Or better yet buckets and buckets of change saved for years.

Most I've found so far have been a buffalo nickle and a few wheat pennies.  A few of the regulars have found small - mid size collections.

While I do buy a bunch of junk/trash units and I agree with you jc14bar it's not always the case.  If I've already purchased a unit at a location, I'll buy all the under $10 junk units I can get.  If the place is on my way home from work I'll buy a junk unit.  However, if like most of the places they are not on my way home and I've not bought a unit already there I many times will pass on the units.  If there is something I want for myself sure.  If not - it's not worth the time, effort, and gas money to clean out a $1 unit for $40.  Cost me $20 per trailer load to haul trash.

First auction of the month is Friday for me.  Going to miss one location and the first of the U-haul locations due to a meeting.  Hope to get to the U-haul downtown.  They have had some decent units for a change.

I dare you to take a black light to that matress next time you get one.  My wife has her masters in forensic and various equipment at home.  Some things just make you go "ummmmmmm".