Very interesting topic movieman. I know I myself have been much less active in these forums in the past few months in addition to not going to many auctions either. I think this is for a variety of reasons.

1. There's only so much you can talk about with storage auctions. Sure you can discuss recent trends and new things goinng on in the auction scene such as people changing cleaning deposit rules, crowds, etc but really there's only so many tips and tricks type posts that people can make. I think we have kinda hashed out most topics on this site so the only worthwhile discussions that are left are more recent events or changes in the auction scene type posts.

2. The height of the storage auction craze is over. Sure the tv shows are still on but you don't have the crazy crowds and allthese new people interested. I think a lot of hte peoplegoing to auctions and on sites were newbies who quickly got burnt out or realized the business wasn't for them.

3. Even among the veterans and even though crowds have gone down the storage auction scene isn't what it used to be. I used to pick units up for $300 that I would turn around and make 3k-5k on pretty easily. That just doesn't happen anymore. Even with crowds down that $300 unit is now going to go for $1500 and though there's still money to be made storage auctions and reselling is hard work and to some of us it's just not worth it for the smaller profit margins.

Currently I'm doing the whole ecommerce thing have a few online stores and also doing the ebay powerseller thing reselling goods I buy rather than getting them at storage auctions. It's much easier and less time consuming than storage auctions and the profits are better. I wake up to orders or get them while I'm at work and all I have to do at the end of the day is go home pack up a few priority mail envelopes and swing by the post office on my way to work the next day.

I've been meaning to get back into going to auctions on a regular basis but have just been to busy lately

Have been thinking of doing the ecommerce thing. I have not researched it yet but am wondering does the side have a web builder or do i need to but website then use ecommerce to launch the site?

Guy at the farmers market carries old jugs (anti-freeze, milk...) and if wind kicks in he fills them with water and ties them off to tent. That way he doesn't have to carry weights around.....tho you need access to water.

Only canopies I've used have been camping so use spikes or permanent fixers so mounted in cement or 5gal buckets of sand.....

I'll take a look next weekend at what people are using at the flee down by the Sound. Gets pretty windy there.....

I work in radio and have like 6 easy up tents to use. The best thing to use  is the sand bags easy-up makes! They even come with velcro staps and you can buy 4 for 20 bucks.

  I just found a reference ( and link ) to the RC Jet mentioned above in another forum , so the word on how fake the show is , is getting around .
Bandit

What AH  needs to do is take lesson from Barry wise on SW and mimic rocky movie. Then the show would be more real!. All the TV show are scripted and are for entertainment purposes only. The networks have an obligation to the people who pay there bills and that's the advertisers.
 

What?......I typed in "Old Yeller" and the link didn't work......

Have to type chy at the end.  after bit Here is the copy and past.
         

 
Jan'12 Storage Wars stars make $10k an episode, so why are they acting like they’re broke?


I don’t know how much interest there will be in this story, but I’m willing to take a chance as I’ve been watching so much “Storage Wars” on A&E lately. It’s not that I particularly love the show, I enjoy it but it seems repetitive and I often question whether they plant items. My kid just loves “Storage Wars” though and apart from some minor adult humor and swearing that’s beeped out it’s usually appropriate for him and interesting. (I tried to watch “American Pickers” with him but it bugged me how much those antique hunter guys seem to take advantage of old people.)

The National Enquirer scored an exclusive interview with Dave Hester, the “Yuuuup” shouting high-roller storage unit buyer, The “Mogul,” who always seems to be feuding with someone. Sometimes I root for Dave, but he’s too cutthroat lately and seems to be bidding people up and generally being a pain. He probably is playing it up for the cameras. Well The Enquirer revealed just how much all the castmembers are being paid an episode and it doesn’t sound bad at $10k per. The show is wildly popular, though, and A&E must be raking it in. Dave wants a raise in order to come back for the third season. He said that he’s holding out for more money and will basically see if A&E thinks he’s worth it.

“Storage Wars” star Dave Hester says he’s ready to pack it in if he doesn’t get a big raise.

Right now, the fast-talking storage unit treasure hunter on the hit A&E show says his negotiations with the network are “at a standstill and he doesn’t know if or when they’ll start up again. The production is due to start filming the third season in a few weeks.

Although he won’t say what he makes and what he wants, sources said that Hester and his cast mates earn about $10,000 per episode, and he told The Enquirer: “I want as much as I can get out of them so that I can support my family and my employees. It matters what my market value is, what I bring to the show.

“A&E owns the circus and we’re the elephants out here working for peanuts! A&E is making a mountain of money on our backs now and they need to share more of it with the talent!…”

In its first season in 2010, “Storage Wars” was A&E’s top-rated nonfiction show of the year, drawing an average of 2.8 million viewers per week.

Since then, its popularity has increased tremendously. The two-part premiere of season 2 drew a whopping 5.1 million total viewers, making it the most-watched show in A&E history…

Dave, who’s been in business for 25 years, is holding out, and with no modesty, said: “If A&E doesn’t appreciate my skill level and talent – and what I brought to the show – I would hope they say, ‘Thanks, Dave, and here’s an unconditional release.’”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, January 30, 2012]

Dave can be such an arrogant prick, but I have to admit I like watching him. This is what always gets me about reality shows – they talk a lot about money problems but they never admit to the great cash they’re making for doing the show, and they often act like they’re broke when they’re not. This bothered me on “Teen Mom,” it bothered me on “Sister Wives,” and it bothers me on “Storage Wars.” I think that Dave was probably the most successful buyer going into it, but if Brandi and Jarrod have made over half a million from the show so far it seems disingenuous that they’re acting like they’re broke. 50 episodes have aired so far for season one and two combined, so that’s half a million for each of the principal cast. I guess I don’t blame Dave for wanting more money since he probably considers himself the “star.” It seems like a hell of a lot of money for acting like yourself, but that’s the reality show world we live in now.

This is the real star of “Storage Wars,” Brandi. I can see Brandi and Jarrod getting a spin off focusing on their home life, and then predictably splitting up. All they ever seem to do is argue.

Wait a sec...I am way over 55 and thought the promo was cute!

The demo the show is going after is the hip younger crowd. Ad are being sold to the 18-40 demo. You can like the promo but the ad companys are wanting a younger demo.

I kinda liked it!

It's tongue-in-cheek; these guys can make a little fun of themselves.  Of any of the shows they are the "best" and will continue to do well for a while I would guess.

Meanwhile, Auction Hunters has just fallen into the deepest pit of "setup" I've ever seen.

Its a cool little video and great production valuve, but way to over the top for buying storage units.

sltrib.com/sltrib/money/52147968-79/storage-auction-unit-units.html.csp