31
Craigslist / Re: Scam or real deal, opinions?
« on: November 25, 2013, 12:01:48 PM »
Is this pawnshop located in Nigeria? 
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32
General Storage Auction Talk / Storage auction forum oversaturation
« on: November 23, 2013, 01:46:36 PM »
In perusing this and other forums for storage auctions, I can't help but notice that there are waaaaaaay too many sub-forums that haven't been active in months. Is it really necessary to have 30+ sub-forums when only 10 are being utilized on a regular basis?
33
The Treasure Chest / Re: Hundreds of WWII U.S. Navy Patches
« on: November 14, 2013, 11:25:58 PM »
Thanks Alias, that's pretty much my plan with these.
34
The Treasure Chest / Hundreds of WWII U.S. Navy Patches
« on: November 13, 2013, 08:50:56 PM »
Been on a buying spree this week, picked up six lockers for $470.00 total. In one of them that I paid $135.00 for, was four totes containing hundreds of U.S. Navy enlisted rank patches, and one bag that held rate insignia from WWII. It'll be no easy task getting these sold, but many that I have researched are getting between $5.00-$15.00 apiece.
35
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Can someone show me what is making this unit worth
« on: November 02, 2013, 12:30:43 AM »
Obvious signs of discretionary income, which is always good. But $970.00 is a bit of a gamble.
36
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Do storage auctions make you feel like you're gambling?
« on: October 22, 2013, 11:47:51 PM »
If we're going to compare it to gambling, I'd say it's like playing poker. You're playing the odds and betting on a calculated risk. Then again, some buyers bet it all on black and hope to hit it big. If you take a true gambler's mentality to this business you most likely won't last long.
37
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Have you ever partnered with another buyer just on a single locker buy ?
« on: October 07, 2013, 07:45:25 PM »
I did this once on a locker full of new, boxed furniture. It was easy to split since most of the items were the same, but discovered afterwards that most of the bar stools in the unit were missing their seats 
. The couple who I partnered with we're very fair but the deal was a bust due to the stools being incomplete. Lesson learned.
. The couple who I partnered with we're very fair but the deal was a bust due to the stools being incomplete. Lesson learned.
38
The Treasure Chest / Re: Your personal treasure
« on: October 07, 2013, 07:39:35 PM »
I'm holding onto an autographed Alan Shepard photograph similar to this one, found it in a locker I paid $325 for and had several collectibles:
39
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Why do you buy auction lockers ?
« on: October 04, 2013, 06:56:52 PM »
Because unlike my previous soul-crushing occupation as a civil servant, it's always different and affords me a degree of independence. Also it allows me to diversify from my other business.
40
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Has anyone gotten a SAFE lately ?
« on: October 04, 2013, 10:43:15 AM »
Was at a vault auction a few months ago & a unit with a safe came up. The thing was right in front so bidding got crazy, everything else looked like junk. One of the regulars bought it for $1K. I talked to him the other day about what was in the safe & he said there was a lot of silver coins & a Ruger .44, so it looks like his gamble paid off.
41
General Storage Auction Talk / Tools of the Trade
« on: October 03, 2013, 11:10:00 PM »
Just curious as to what "tools" everyone bring to an auction & for cleanout afterwards. I usually carry the following:
- Surefire flashlight w/extra batteries
- 6 locks
- Swiss army knife
- Jeweler's loupe & precious metals testing kit
- Contractors trash bags
- Tool box
- Gloves
- Wet wipes
- Tape, blankets, rope
Please share if you take something I haven't mentioned!
- Surefire flashlight w/extra batteries
- 6 locks
- Swiss army knife
- Jeweler's loupe & precious metals testing kit
- Contractors trash bags
- Tool box
- Gloves
- Wet wipes
- Tape, blankets, rope
Please share if you take something I haven't mentioned!
42
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Has anyone gotten Bose products in lockers or through picking ?
« on: October 02, 2013, 01:28:25 AM »
I've picked a pair of Bose 201's and a Wave Radio from a thrift store and put them up on eBay, tripled my investment.
43
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Who is the local whale in your area?
« on: October 01, 2013, 11:59:47 PM »
My area is saturated with whales. From the swap meet kings with 25+ tables to Rene from Storage Wars, there's no shortage of heavy hitters around these parts. I've been at auctions where there has only been 10 people but 6 were whales. I think what qualifies these buyers as such is the resources and capital to purchase multiple units and run a successful thrift shop/large swap meet operation on a consistent basis. Dropping 4K+ on a unit is nothing to them.
44
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #9.....September, 2013
« on: September 13, 2013, 12:08:49 AM »
Compared to the last few years, things have cooled off here in SoCal (San Diego County) a little bit. The whales, including Rene from Storage Wars, are still duking it out for the premium units, but the average ones aren't commanding astronomical prices like they did during the "boom". You can actually buy a somewhat decent 5'X10' for $300 or less, compared to $500+ in the not too distant past. I think (most) people have finally realized that going all in on a junk unit and hoping to hit the jackpot isn't a recipe for success in this business.
45
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Beware of staged units!
« on: January 12, 2013, 11:42:34 PM »
I am still kicking myself for buying this unit, even after noticing boxes in other units that were retaped. Saw this at another vault auction in North Hollywood, with all the good items prominently displayed right in the front of the units and boxes with new tape on them. It's gotten hard enough just trying to score a good unit in an oversaturated, hyper-competitive market without having to worry if the storage company and/or auctioneer is trying to screw you with a staged/pilfered locker.