Greetings to everyone, haven't had much time to chime in lately as the regular job and life in general have been very busy lately. Went to 2 auctions in the last 10 days and am glad to report small crowds and reasonable bidding. First had 6 units and 10 bidders in my hometown, I got a 60% full 5x10 for $55.00 that turned out good; and the second had 16 units and 30 bidders, I got a 60% full 10x10 for $275.00 that is looking very good having sold one big item already. As always, enjoy reading everyones posts and be carefull in the heat. We cleaned out the 10x10 in mid 90's with high humidity. Good luck out there!

First of all Maj, you are writing a newbie guide. Correct me if I'm wrong but a guide is something helpful in accomplishing a task. I don't see how threatening part-timers with "when part-timers come around I make sure you don't buy anything or I run you up so high you don't come back" is a helpful item in a guide. Now as for me, I work nights and do auctions during the day, wife just went to her first auction last month (bought a great unit to). I enjoy every part of doing this including the hard work which you are correct that most people won't do long term. As for attitude, you seem to have a very bad one toward those of us part-timers which is why you wrote more of a "How to scare away part-timers guide" not a noobie guide, and I'll pass on shoving it. You sound as though you can't achieve your past success with the changes the shows brought to the business. I'm respectful of those who make their living doing this because I know it's a tough environment. However, there is one thing that will never change - adapt or die. Businesses do both all the time. I do love capitalism.

Nice job. Yardsales take me a few days to recover, so I doubt it's age. Getting ready is the tough part for me, sales day not so bad. A wad of cash will certainly help ease your pain.

Well, took my wife to an auction yesterday hoping to change my luck. Bang, picked up 2 units. The problem is the unit I liked is not looking to good and her unit is looking real good. She saw one thing in a bag, had a "feeling", and damn she was right. She might going some more. Prices and crowd were a little better than I've seen lately and only 4 miles from the house, didn't want to go home empty again.

acman....same story for me, haven't got a unit in 2 months
cobia......the Nashville area is supid right now, experimented at auction yesterday-I came to my reasonable value for the 3 units I liked, doubled it, and still didn't win. This included a 40% full 5x10 I couldn't get for $450.00!

Been expanding into bulk lot online auctions, yardsales etc. and picking up some stuff that way.

Good job. Spring Hill is on the edge of my travel radius so I didn't make that one. Sure I'll run into you, I'll be the middle aged white guy with a flashlight. 

To begin with, I return personal items. However, this is one of the hardest things anyone could prove. Short of a photo taken by the facility during an audit before the auction, dispute of the unit contents can't be proved. The facilities don't have a release form to sign proving you brought it back even when you do. The entire thing is one word versus another. Some facilities tell us they don't want it because there was no request, others have said the previous owners never come get them and they have to shred them. I bring the the stuff back at the next auction or when I know I'm passing by. If a dispute ever comes up - send in the FBI (as long as it's JJ from Criminal Minds).

It sucks here in Tennessee (specifically Nashville) also. Spent the last 2 days at auctions (7 facilities/43 units) and didn't even attempt to bid. Huge crowds and absurd prices. You gotta love opening bids higher than your max! I'm heading out to a couple next week in very rural areas, maybe I'll find some sanity there. Good luck everyone.