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Messages - MovieMan

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3796
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Box Truck, Bank Roll, Labor, Warehousing & Selling Network
« on: March 09, 2011, 10:05:59 AM »
Quote from: sbell111 on March 09, 2011, 08:52:22 AM
I am far to the other end of the spectrum as I believe that this is a business that can and should cash flow itself from early on.

We didn't start out with a truck.  Instead, we used our SUVs and a small cargo trailer.  It worked a treat and still does.
We didn't rent warehouse space.  Instead, we gave up part of our garage and storage building.  In addition to not having the outlay for a warehouse, this also keeps what we bought 'in our face', incentivising us to get it sold super fast.
The only real cash that we put into this endeavor to start was a few hundred bucks to buy the first units.  Everything else was cash flowed from that.
That's the way I started too. I worked with everything I already had. The only addition I have made is that of a regular (on-going) storage locker...just like the ones I buy, only I pay my bill!  I also sometimes will rent a one-month special of the auction lkr I just bought...selling the big items right out of it for that month.

3797
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Post your pics
« on: March 09, 2011, 10:02:17 AM »
Quote from: sbell111 on March 09, 2011, 08:38:15 AM
Rule #1:  Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

What? People lie? I don't believe it !

(and don't you believe THAT!, but I generally give people the benefit of a doubt)


3798
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: bidder with no money
« on: March 09, 2011, 10:00:39 AM »
Quote from: sbell111 on March 09, 2011, 08:59:58 AM
I guess the takeaway from this is that it can pay to stick around after teh auctions are done even if you didn't win any.

Or, as in the last line of my post directly above yours, luck out because you left. If I had stayed I would have been the 2nd highest bidder and I probably would have said "great, I'll take it at my last bid." If I had done that it would have been me that worked for days for virtually nothing to sell.  The former lkr owner had been a druggie and hoarder all in one...it was a losing locker and while I felt badly for my friend who got it, I was happy for me who didn't get it.

3799
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Now...I think this is getting a bit ridiculous
« on: March 08, 2011, 06:49:02 PM »
Quote from: TreasureHawk on March 08, 2011, 06:42:44 PM
Plus ...I've already located a ton of "less" publicized auctions which are only listed in the Legal Notices and no where else....this circuit is plastered all over everywhere on the web....its the low hanging fruit 

Please give us the report on those (with pics) when you go to them.

3800
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Lookey Loos Part 3....March, 2011
« on: March 08, 2011, 06:24:43 PM »
Take a look at this thread posted by TreasureHawk on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.

http://storageauctionforums.com/index.php?topic=781.msg2434#new

3801
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Now...I think this is getting a bit ridiculous
« on: March 08, 2011, 05:58:35 PM »
Welcome to our world.


3802
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Post your pics
« on: March 08, 2011, 05:53:09 PM »
Quote from: Mr Andersen on March 08, 2011, 02:56:59 PM
I see alot of people are so hung up at what does not sell.

One funny thing, i was told by people in here that beanie babies had to be given away, well i wonder why i then could sell all 34 of them in 2 days for 720 dollars to a serious collector, this collector told me he had been online checking ebay, but could not find the ones he wanted.


I am a Beanie Baby complainer...and not without good reason. I think the thing you might be missing is geographical differences. Here in California you couldn't get the current Beanie fast enough...years ago...and now IN MY AREA they don't sell. Additionally, I think you did well on that deal, but finding that deal on a regular basis probably won't happen...my guess anyway.

Tell you what though in re-developing the positive attitude and successful sales record I have had for the last 7 years, I will save them all from now on and sell them to you at a bargain rate so you can make another $700 plus off them ... and about this I am not kidding... if you will agree to buy all I have a year from this date at $1 each and you pay the shipping.
  ;D

3803
General Storage Auction Talk / Inventory...turn over quickly or hold on to make highter dollars ?
« on: March 08, 2011, 01:05:25 PM »
First, I know there are a lot of variables in both inventory (large/small/old/new/etc) that will affect your response to this question, as well as variables in seller's approaches (quick vs. slow turnover) and there are probably things I haven't thought about, but let us hear your ideas.

Personally, I turn over big stuff (beds, chests, mattresses (yuck!) quickly because I don't want to move them or store them.

But on little stuff (better quality) I don't mind hold them for months sometimes (usually they will sell faster than that).

As an example: If I were paying $150 a month or so for a good sized storage locker I wouldn't mind holding on to something a little longer to make better money. If I had an item (say a double seat camp chair) that I wanted $20 for, I would keep it instead of selling it for $10 NOW. This would apply to many items in many categories. They don't take up much space and when I get the bigger $ figure it doesn't take many sales to plain pay for the storage area and essentially make it "free".
I realize the camp chair is a summer item also, but you get the idea.

3804
New to Storage Auctions? / Re: AuctionZip...
« on: March 08, 2011, 12:29:24 PM »
Quote from: TonyT on March 08, 2011, 12:01:43 PM
Ok, so theres a bunch of auctions coming up from two seperate companies on the same day. One has posted on thier website, the other has posted on AuctionZip. Both have 6 different locations throughout the day. Now, obviously i'm going to call ahead to see how many units are being auctioned off at each location, but as a general rule, would it be better to go to the ones that aren't on AuctionZip over the ones that are, being that they will probably be less crowded?

These are Saturday Auctions, if that has any barring at all.

Probably go with the ones NOT on auctionzip, but as you say the final answer is how many of the auctions actually happen and how many lockers at each place....and.....do some of each.

3805
The Lounge / Re: What I don't understand about this conversation area
« on: March 08, 2011, 12:25:04 PM »
OK, this is a good example (the Avon bottles).

I think if a collector was reading these forums and wanted to add to his/her collection, an offer like yours would make sense (if they didn't mind adding duplicates to THEIR collection (as I'm sure there would be some).

But I guess my main thrust was the buyers who are looking to resell the items I would sell to them.
Perhaps they (like me) don't mind holding on to something for a while to sell at a better price.
Your point about turning over inventory so you could spend the money on new lkrs is well taken too.
I'll start a thread in the general talk area about this.

3806
Welcome to the Online Storage Auctions Forum / Re: Want to buy fifty dollar bills!!
« on: March 08, 2011, 12:21:53 PM »
Quote from: Ironman on March 08, 2011, 11:59:05 AM
Fourth answer, none of the above or fifth answer just having some fun or sixth answer a newbies attempt at sales ....actually the correct answer is just having some fun as some of the topics and responses have been way too intense lately. Oh and maybe a little bit of the dumbest post category on the forum.

Now I can relate to ALL your answers !

This thread also relates a bit to a thread I started in this same area. I understood your answer there too.

3807
The Lounge / What I don't understand about this conversation area
« on: March 08, 2011, 11:24:40 AM »
Maybe I'm not thinking this through, but I don't understand the theory of buying/selling in this area.

If I have some item say model trains, planes or other collectible, why would I sell them to someone on here who
wants to buy them? I obviously (I think) could get more for them if I sold to the end user rather than someone who is going to sell them to the end user anyway.  

So, the buyer here is not going to give me that great a price, AND since the chances of me being in the same State let alone city as the buyer is SLIM TO NONE, it means the item has to be packed and shipped. Who is going to pay for that (me or the buyer) ? When I sell something on eBay, the buyer of the item pays the shipping, not me.

ALSO, if I have something like Beanie Babies (a loser in my market), is it going to be advantageous to me to sell them to someone for 50 cents each AND AGAIN have to pack and ship them...and who pays the shipping again? !

Sorry, I just don't see it, but if someone can enlighten me with a different example, I'm willing to listen (if not agree).

3808
Welcome to the Online Storage Auctions Forum / Re: Want to buy fifty dollar bills!!
« on: March 08, 2011, 10:12:36 AM »
Quote from: Ironman on March 08, 2011, 08:00:35 AM
Willing to pay two tens or a single twenty for a fifty. Anyone interested?

Well, I have three thoughts on this:

1) Your real name is Charlie Sheen.

2) This must relate to something else and I'm too dense to get the connection.

3) Both of the above.

3809
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Lookey Loos Part 3....March, 2011
« on: March 07, 2011, 04:59:35 PM »
Went to 2 Public Storage auctions today; crowd was good....about 25 people or so. Ten regulars.

Newbies were buying and a couple of regulars did too.  Prices once again around 2x the actual sellable value...IMHO.

I bid on a couple of lkrs and on two of those other old-timer buyers got them so I'll get a chance to see and hear about the contents.


3810
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: What is the good locker to average locker ratio?
« on: March 07, 2011, 01:11:06 PM »
Quote from: TreasureHawk on March 07, 2011, 01:03:54 PM
Hey thanks for your insight!

I know starting "small" is the most prudent strategy and makes the most sense for most, but for me, after running a 7 person warehouse operation for so many years...I'm just not an "out of the bedroom" type of guy...haha

Not only because I don't want roaches, lice, bed bugs and rodents in my spare bedrooms, but I prefer to think of a business as a separate entity and desire to have all of the resources necessary in order to ensure it is a success and so that "giving up" isn't an option.

Being well enough capitalized to withstand some bad buys and noob mistakes at the onset will be paramount and staying persistent and consistent over the long haul will be absolutely necessary as well ....but the way I play the game, failure is not an option!

You already have major expenses accounted for in your current facilities. This biz would be an adjunct or possible replacement.

Best way to see if it works for you is to just start and of course make reasonable decisions.

Failure certainly isn't an option, but of course we have to make changes in our plan as we go along. Nothing wrong with getting out of something if it isn't your cup of tea for whatever reason. Look at statistics on the "failure" rate of new businesses. Even big companies "fold" after 20 years. I don't consider that a failure nor is quitting after a few months or a few years a failure in my book.

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