Wow, that's a lot of stuff. I bring 2 locks to the auction and gloves for clean out. Half the time I forget to put them on.. No flashlight.. Enough people have lights there, I just look where they're shining..

I used to do this, but now when I'm looking to buy, I prefer to go early and get the better stuff. What I've noticed is that people want to get off to a great start and put some cash in their pocket right away.

The problem I've experienced when going later in the day, is that people overvalue their stuff. If I go in and offer $50 on $100 worth of stuff, I get scoffs and dirty looks. Not always, but more often than not. Now, if I go later in the day, I drop my card and say, "I own a small thrift store, when you're done for today, give me a call and I'll come and pick up your leftovers."

I get a bunch of calls! However, much of it is really not worth selling.

Not sure how this is different than you bidding at a regular auction. Wouldn't you just write down what you would be willing to pay based on what you saw ?

My apologies. I thought you were talking about closed lockers. The facility I was talking about did sealed bid, closed door sales. They expected us to make educated decisions based on a description by the management only.

One of the big wigs around here always jumps out of the way of bugs. Spiders and roaches to be specific. It's all bulldookie, but it's good theater.

The whales in my area all collude on many lockers. They work together a lot more than I would expect.. One partnership is a furniture store/thrift store owner on one of the busiest roads connecting Raleigh and Durham. Another is a flea market guy. Another is a heck of a nice guy, but not really a whale. He just gets involved in all the other's business. I don't know that I've ever seen him buy a locker by himself..

That being said, it's fairly even across the board, and there is plenty of inventory to go around. Nobody is out to get the other guy. It's pretty cordial.

My auction friend who opened a store in November, 2012 just folded his hand a few weeks ago.  Rent, lack of business and disputes with a partner on what to stock, etc did him in.

Partnerships never work in this business.

In my town, I'm not allowed to put a sign by the road, permanent or temporary. Old ordinance. So I've really got things working against me. But craigslist and Facebook have been my saving grace. Also, my website is 1st page, 1st or 2nd listing, on Google for "thrift store" and "thrift shop" in my area. Also, my Google maps ranking is either A, B, or C when people search that way. That has been a HUGE help in the last 2 weeks. It helps with the smalls, then I just have to work on the bigger items on CL or FB.

Also helps that I just need to make $35 a day to break even. I'm open 6 days. Sundays we go to the flea market, and that's how I make my auction money back.

Facebook was working out well for me, now it seems like there's more people selling and less people buying. I post and post and post with no responses. All sorts of items too.. Clothes, housewares, furniture, art, etc.

Same here in NC. Still selling well, but at a much discounted price compared to a few years ago.