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Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: How did you get started in the Storage Auction business?
« on: December 01, 2011, 10:41:49 AM »
It's all my sisters fault! Since having children, I've found 'alternative' ways to making $$. From coppersmith to furniture refinishing. My sis said I had to watch American Pickers & Pawn Stars. I did and became a picker. From there "you have to check out Storage Wars". I did. I dabbled and now am hooked. Heck I don't even have time for my antiquing lately.
It's funny though....my first step in auctions was a storage auction where they sold individual lots. My sis (she really is a driving force eh?) saw a little, lighted plastic lamb among a HUGE Christmas lot. I told her no, as my Trooper can only haul so much. There were two trees, about 8 tubs of lights, a couple boxes of ornaments and two flat boxes leaning against a wall.
Opening bid $25. No takers. $10. No takers. $5. No takers. $1 and for some reason, unknown to me, my bidders card turned in my hand and I bought it.
It did all fit in my trooper, but barely!
4 hours of sorting, testing and organizing lights found me with a lot that I sold on Craigslist (in July, in Tucson no less) for $75, enough lights to keep us twinkling for the next 20 holiday seasons and yes.....the little plastic lamb for my sister.
Oh the flat boxes contained board deer that had never been used and had $49.99 price stickers on them. The lady that bought the lot really only wanted those as she trains horses and was going to set them up on her property to get the horses used to 'wildlife'.
When my husband was taking the 'dead' lights to our local transfer station the gal running the payment booth asked if she could have the lights to recycle......Great foray as I made money and nothing was wasted!
So yes.....I have my sister to 'blame' for all this! And ya know.......she has never attended an auction herself.
Thanks sis~
It's funny though....my first step in auctions was a storage auction where they sold individual lots. My sis (she really is a driving force eh?) saw a little, lighted plastic lamb among a HUGE Christmas lot. I told her no, as my Trooper can only haul so much. There were two trees, about 8 tubs of lights, a couple boxes of ornaments and two flat boxes leaning against a wall.
Opening bid $25. No takers. $10. No takers. $5. No takers. $1 and for some reason, unknown to me, my bidders card turned in my hand and I bought it.
It did all fit in my trooper, but barely!
4 hours of sorting, testing and organizing lights found me with a lot that I sold on Craigslist (in July, in Tucson no less) for $75, enough lights to keep us twinkling for the next 20 holiday seasons and yes.....the little plastic lamb for my sister.
Oh the flat boxes contained board deer that had never been used and had $49.99 price stickers on them. The lady that bought the lot really only wanted those as she trains horses and was going to set them up on her property to get the horses used to 'wildlife'.
When my husband was taking the 'dead' lights to our local transfer station the gal running the payment booth asked if she could have the lights to recycle......Great foray as I made money and nothing was wasted!
So yes.....I have my sister to 'blame' for all this! And ya know.......she has never attended an auction herself.
Thanks sis~
We have done pretty good on the non keeper factor.. If I look at something to long I will want to keep it . My husband sees green it is gone... HAHAHAHa