451
Flea Markets / Re: 3/11
« on: March 12, 2012, 12:24:06 PM »
Ouch - that had to suck. I did well at the flea sunday. Was a little wind but nothing like last weekend. Hope the weather clears up for you next week.
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452
Garage Sales / Re: Yard Sales weekend of March 9~
« on: March 12, 2012, 12:16:36 PM »
Well I blame my daughter for how our table looks. Every time she gets to go to an auction with me I bid and win "girl" units. That $100 - $200 I spend on the unit is nothing compared to spending the time spent with her cleaning out the unit, sorting, and selling. May not make my money back but is one of those "who cares". Is rare to have a 13yr old that is into this stuff or anything to do with daddy. She even talks about doing this when she gets her license and a truck so can carry MORE stuff. Now granted, she "shops" these units as she is going over the items. Thus my cloths and nick-nacks run very heavy to the female side of things.
I do have a box full of car radios, a cross-over, and 3 amps I could sell if knew that they worked.
My man items are down to some 2 sets of golf clubs, some random golf clubs, 2 fishing poles that I just got last month, and 2 old beat up tackle boxes, and 1 large bolt cutter. Even my dang hammer sold yesterday.
I so got to find a lady that is pissed with her bf / ex-hubby or something and just selling his stuff for pennies on the dollar.
I do have a box full of car radios, a cross-over, and 3 amps I could sell if knew that they worked.
My man items are down to some 2 sets of golf clubs, some random golf clubs, 2 fishing poles that I just got last month, and 2 old beat up tackle boxes, and 1 large bolt cutter. Even my dang hammer sold yesterday.
I so got to find a lady that is pissed with her bf / ex-hubby or something and just selling his stuff for pennies on the dollar.
453
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Collusion & Fraud and a grand down the drain?
« on: March 12, 2012, 12:09:10 PM »
Maybe it's me man, I have been in a bad mood of late. At the registration bit - I agree even if you are new you may be a old hat at this, or not. My point was to me you just got on here and started to come on very strong like you know everything and the rest of us are amatures. Even if in fact I know I'm an amature at this. You have some good post with some good advice. Then we have the other post that reminds me of the WOW forums. I just don't want to see this place turn into a flame roast with you vs majority of other posters here. I love this place as a location we can share stories, ideas, comments, etc.
You had a point about credibility earlier. The digital world is a double edge sword. New posters like yourself may not be taken seriously even if you have been doing (insert topic) for 20 years. The reverse is true. A new poster can claim he has done whatever for 20 years and talk a good game, when in fact he knows jack. I'm mostly a skeptic so I lean toward option B by default. It's the same with post that I see from new people buying their first locker and making 3x and 4x the money on less then $200 spent. I just read those post with a block of salt. If true I'm happy for them as they are getting better prices and returns then I'm seeing.
Being in Atlanta area you'll go up against a number of people here (if they are still around) I suspect but not me. I'm closer to Money's then Atlanta. I do get up there sometimes for other things but not made it to auctions yet. If do ever run into you it would be fun. I've met a few people in the RL, that I first got to know online. They never look, talk, act like you would picture. If that ever happens - great. I've tried to introduce people (even newbies) to this place in my area but have not gotten any bites that I know of.
You had a point about credibility earlier. The digital world is a double edge sword. New posters like yourself may not be taken seriously even if you have been doing (insert topic) for 20 years. The reverse is true. A new poster can claim he has done whatever for 20 years and talk a good game, when in fact he knows jack. I'm mostly a skeptic so I lean toward option B by default. It's the same with post that I see from new people buying their first locker and making 3x and 4x the money on less then $200 spent. I just read those post with a block of salt. If true I'm happy for them as they are getting better prices and returns then I'm seeing.
Being in Atlanta area you'll go up against a number of people here (if they are still around) I suspect but not me. I'm closer to Money's then Atlanta. I do get up there sometimes for other things but not made it to auctions yet. If do ever run into you it would be fun. I've met a few people in the RL, that I first got to know online. They never look, talk, act like you would picture. If that ever happens - great. I've tried to introduce people (even newbies) to this place in my area but have not gotten any bites that I know of.
454
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #3...March, 2012
« on: March 12, 2012, 11:47:20 AM »
Tax money is still coming in it seems. People are paying up on the units. Wasn't going to make the afternoon auction due to work so texted my buddy to see how many units at the late afternoon sale. Two units at the noon auction, and none at the late afternoon. This is down from 20 or 25 units (don't have paper in front of me). I'm surprised they even bothered other then it's an auctioneer that brings in large crowds normally.
455
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: things that suck
« on: March 12, 2012, 11:31:50 AM »
It depends on the crowd and units. If we have a ton of newbies that are bidding we will open at about the 1/2 way point or higher. So a $200 unit would open at $100 or $150. If it is a packed unit with lots of boxes - $150 to $200 to start at least just to get the ball rolling.
Now - if it's a smaller crowed (20ish) with only 5-6 of us bidding we will open up at the $25 or $50 mark and keep prices down. Specially if there are a large number of units and a small crowd most of us "share the love" on average units. Now a very packed good looking unit -- gloves and brotherly love goes out the locker.
Many of the places around my part now make you go up by $10 increments. So quickly opening at $50 or $75 on a so/so, empty unit quickly wins you the locker or makes the newbies spend all their cash. We had one guy show up last month at our 3 facility auction. No big thing as we get 3-5 newbies each time. However, he started buying just about every locker. So he started to get ran up even on the trash units. He won 5 out of the 13 at that facility but didn't make it to the rest. Figured he either bit off more then he could haul or ran out of money. Think it was money as the last few units he bid on but only up to a certain point each time before he got outbid.
Now - if it's a smaller crowed (20ish) with only 5-6 of us bidding we will open up at the $25 or $50 mark and keep prices down. Specially if there are a large number of units and a small crowd most of us "share the love" on average units. Now a very packed good looking unit -- gloves and brotherly love goes out the locker.
Many of the places around my part now make you go up by $10 increments. So quickly opening at $50 or $75 on a so/so, empty unit quickly wins you the locker or makes the newbies spend all their cash. We had one guy show up last month at our 3 facility auction. No big thing as we get 3-5 newbies each time. However, he started buying just about every locker. So he started to get ran up even on the trash units. He won 5 out of the 13 at that facility but didn't make it to the rest. Figured he either bit off more then he could haul or ran out of money. Think it was money as the last few units he bid on but only up to a certain point each time before he got outbid.
456
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: things that suck
« on: March 12, 2012, 09:15:25 AM »
Most of the auctions I hit we either form a texas line (Metro), or the auctioneer / facility manager waits for everyone to get a look. You can give him your bid before everyone is finished and that is what he will open up with. But everyone gets a turn.
Only one place would start the auction before everyone finished looking. He quickly learned not to as many of the whales / regulars were in the back of the line. So he either sold units for dirt cheap since didn't give everyone time to look, or he had this long pause before could say "SOLD".
Myself - I normally get in the front of the line so can get a quick first look and then circle back for another look if want. One of the regulars is always in front and opens the door so we just follow him.
Only one place would start the auction before everyone finished looking. He quickly learned not to as many of the whales / regulars were in the back of the line. So he either sold units for dirt cheap since didn't give everyone time to look, or he had this long pause before could say "SOLD".
Myself - I normally get in the front of the line so can get a quick first look and then circle back for another look if want. One of the regulars is always in front and opens the door so we just follow him.
457
The Treasure Chest / Re: Small unit, good find
« on: March 12, 2012, 09:09:50 AM »
I'm with money on this one. That would of just been a good $20 spent. All those tools and grinding wheels would be put to use by me. Would go into my scrap shed to use for breaking things down.
Find you a scrapper and he may clean you out on the wheels. CL should do very well I would think for you.
Find you a scrapper and he may clean you out on the wheels. CL should do very well I would think for you.
458
The Treasure Chest / Re: Our best hit.
« on: March 12, 2012, 09:06:23 AM »
Dang - nice haul you had there Vince. I've attended a few of those types of auctions before - is how I got into storage auctions. In my area those auctions are normally hit or miss. Glad you found this auction.
459
The Treasure Chest / Re: Pretty interesting find........
« on: March 12, 2012, 09:03:42 AM »
Good luck unloading it. That is a pretty cool thing to find in a unit. Beats out all the dirty cloths, furniture, and matresses by a long shot.
460
New to Storage Auctions? / Re: Just a couple questions.
« on: March 12, 2012, 08:59:19 AM »
Thought I did, but I've never been good with words. For myself, I disagree with your view of keeping items, “Because it will sell eventually.” With the amount of storage space I have open to me I keep things I think will sell. Maybe I should say I keep things longer because I think it will sell then many other people will. I do donate those same items after a much more extended period of time. Example was the christmas decorations. Do you keep those or donate them since the selling window for them is 7-8 months away?
I've kept a pair of Air Jordan baby shoes for 4 months before they sold at the flea for my asking price.
What is your idea of a timeframe to keep / donate items. That is where the disagreement is in my mind. To me it sounds like you turn and burn items and if they don't sell in that week or maybe two it goes. Where for me I'd try those same items for months.
Info: I only hit flea market every other week or so. All depends on family schedule and weather. I also do this as a hobby / time to spend with kids. So the same pressure that applies to vendors / people who do this for a living don't always apply to me.
I've kept a pair of Air Jordan baby shoes for 4 months before they sold at the flea for my asking price.
What is your idea of a timeframe to keep / donate items. That is where the disagreement is in my mind. To me it sounds like you turn and burn items and if they don't sell in that week or maybe two it goes. Where for me I'd try those same items for months.
Info: I only hit flea market every other week or so. All depends on family schedule and weather. I also do this as a hobby / time to spend with kids. So the same pressure that applies to vendors / people who do this for a living don't always apply to me.
461
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: It is Beginning to Look Like Anna's Linen's......
« on: March 12, 2012, 08:45:08 AM »
That stuff should do very well at the swap meet. The few sheets and things I get are normally stained, cig burns, or what not and end up in the trash. Did get and keep a nice hand-made patch-quilt style blanket.
You are soo right gal - us guys do like to win every now and then. Now to just convince my wife of that.
You are soo right gal - us guys do like to win every now and then. Now to just convince my wife of that.
462
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Has anyone seen an acution like this?
« on: March 12, 2012, 08:39:09 AM »
Welcome back Vince - not seen you around since last summer. I've read the "able to refuse bids" and things of that nature. Never seen or read what you are talking about. I'd be like Cobia and would read over the "contract" with a fine tooth comb.
As for the inventory and such - good luck to them. I normally move out the first load or all of the unit (depends on size) as soon as I pay for the unit and the stuff is mine. I don't do any sorting at the facility. I open the unit, take 3-4 snapshots with my camera, load up and go.
I would go and do like Cobia said. Strike out parts of the contract that you don't agree with. I do it all the time with hospital, car dealerships, etc. It will normally put the management in a tizzy but who cares. In this scenario if you win a unit get and read the contract before you give them any money. That way you can make the changes you want or just leave if they balk and don't go back. Sounds like your not going to miss many auctions from them.
As for the inventory and such - good luck to them. I normally move out the first load or all of the unit (depends on size) as soon as I pay for the unit and the stuff is mine. I don't do any sorting at the facility. I open the unit, take 3-4 snapshots with my camera, load up and go.
I would go and do like Cobia said. Strike out parts of the contract that you don't agree with. I do it all the time with hospital, car dealerships, etc. It will normally put the management in a tizzy but who cares. In this scenario if you win a unit get and read the contract before you give them any money. That way you can make the changes you want or just leave if they balk and don't go back. Sounds like your not going to miss many auctions from them.
463
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Collusion & Fraud and a grand down the drain?
« on: March 12, 2012, 08:31:21 AM »
@Rockin - Just keep this mistake/unit in mind in the future. Is an expensive mistake but you can learn from it. First off - don't ever pay/sign another contract like that again. It hurts and will still piss you off 6 months from now.
@StorMe - not sure who you are man but for someone that just registered 6 days ago you are coming on strong. Don't know if it's to help gain you clicks on your signature / auction listing page or what. You may be an old hand at this or talk a good game, not sure which. I respect Movieman's thoughts, rants, or raves 100x more then yours currently. We'll see if that changes.
@MovieMan - the post should be in one of the monthly auction scene threads and I think in a response to another thread that month. Quick story was this was a 10x40 or something drive thru unit in the industrial side of town. They opened both the front and back doors. From the door saw plywood / sheetrock on left, rack with nice CD player and some tools on right by door. Large air compressor, portable air tank, table saw, bamboo dresser, 2 mirrors, a dark walnut color dresser. On the back side looking in saw an older looking wood chest, bag behind the dresser with "Mack Tools", a large tool box, 2 heaters on wall, a stand w/ propane tank to boil like peanuts or deep-fry a turkey. This was a silent auction and I had first wrote down $550. Was first in line so I took a step back and watched the reaction of the crowd. Saw a few excited faces, whispers, etc. and started to second guess myself. Marked my bid out and put $875 and won the unit.
The air compressor's engine was blown. I know what to look for in future. The portable air tank doesn't hold air. The saws and table saw both had cords cut on them (got new cords to try and re-wire). The dresser was particle board and chipped/marked all up - sold for $50. The bamboo dresser is/was just gorgeous. However, the left side of it is broken off on the top by about 2 inches and one of the legs is broken. I've kept it and is my scrap shed holding parts. The stero and heaters sold. Tool chest I kept but it didn't have many tools in it after all. The wood chest - a kid painted the front of it red and green smear but was able to sell it. Number of smaller things have either sold or went to Goodwill. I made $100 back in cash, kept a few things, but still call it my $875 mistake.
Lessons learned:
1) don't second guess your gut
2) look for oil and leaks (know what a blown engine looks like)
3) check power cords if can
4) train your eyes
I'm still pissed with myself even today. It has improved my ability to buy units however. I'm learning to spot things quickly and still working to train my eyes. Between myself and buddy now we spot things now that others miss. Always listen to your gut and don't second guess yourself is the biggie. If I had done that I'd of lost the unit by $50 (next highest bid was $600). I turned very conservative in my bidding for weeks there but got back in stride in January.
@StorMe - not sure who you are man but for someone that just registered 6 days ago you are coming on strong. Don't know if it's to help gain you clicks on your signature / auction listing page or what. You may be an old hand at this or talk a good game, not sure which. I respect Movieman's thoughts, rants, or raves 100x more then yours currently. We'll see if that changes.
@MovieMan - the post should be in one of the monthly auction scene threads and I think in a response to another thread that month. Quick story was this was a 10x40 or something drive thru unit in the industrial side of town. They opened both the front and back doors. From the door saw plywood / sheetrock on left, rack with nice CD player and some tools on right by door. Large air compressor, portable air tank, table saw, bamboo dresser, 2 mirrors, a dark walnut color dresser. On the back side looking in saw an older looking wood chest, bag behind the dresser with "Mack Tools", a large tool box, 2 heaters on wall, a stand w/ propane tank to boil like peanuts or deep-fry a turkey. This was a silent auction and I had first wrote down $550. Was first in line so I took a step back and watched the reaction of the crowd. Saw a few excited faces, whispers, etc. and started to second guess myself. Marked my bid out and put $875 and won the unit.
The air compressor's engine was blown. I know what to look for in future. The portable air tank doesn't hold air. The saws and table saw both had cords cut on them (got new cords to try and re-wire). The dresser was particle board and chipped/marked all up - sold for $50. The bamboo dresser is/was just gorgeous. However, the left side of it is broken off on the top by about 2 inches and one of the legs is broken. I've kept it and is my scrap shed holding parts. The stero and heaters sold. Tool chest I kept but it didn't have many tools in it after all. The wood chest - a kid painted the front of it red and green smear but was able to sell it. Number of smaller things have either sold or went to Goodwill. I made $100 back in cash, kept a few things, but still call it my $875 mistake.
Lessons learned:
1) don't second guess your gut
2) look for oil and leaks (know what a blown engine looks like)
3) check power cords if can
4) train your eyes
I'm still pissed with myself even today. It has improved my ability to buy units however. I'm learning to spot things quickly and still working to train my eyes. Between myself and buddy now we spot things now that others miss. Always listen to your gut and don't second guess yourself is the biggie. If I had done that I'd of lost the unit by $50 (next highest bid was $600). I turned very conservative in my bidding for weeks there but got back in stride in January.
464
New to Storage Auctions? / Re: Just a couple questions.
« on: March 12, 2012, 07:43:18 AM »
StorMe has a good point even if I disagree some. Depending on how much space you have to store stuff you can quickly become a hoarder yourself. Turn and Burn is mostly the name of the game if you are buying a unit or multiple units every week. If not then you can take time and slowly sell items over a period of weeks. Each person has their own system, you will have to find what works for you. Myself I have the following setup:
Have 2 large buildings - seperated into 4 sheds.
Shed 1 - personal items, tools, etc. - is my primary sorting location
Shed 2 - flea market storage location. Items I've sorted and ready to take to the flea.
Shed 3 - largest structure - holds large items and furniture that I'm selling on CL
Shed 4 - Scrap / Breakdown storage - daughter and I love tearing stuff apart that don't work.
I average about 2 units a month due to work constraints. So I can take longer to sell stuff and shop the same items at the flea for multiple weeks. I try to max my profit (ie scrapping).
I have learned that a few items I just automaticly donate to Goodwill. Most cups, coffee mugs, etc. hit the Goodwill box. Re-sorting but in the future most cloths will head to Goodwill. All stuff animals and VHS tapes hit the Goodwill box. Figurine and nick-nacks are iffy. If they are the dollar store items they either get tossed in my $.25 item box if it's getting low or Goodwill.
High end cloths I've started to shop them on ebay and the flea. Not much luck but will try few more times with them before donate. Jeans seem to do ok this weekend being the first time I've taken cloths. So those will get pulled out and put in seperate totes to take. Kids cloths were slow but will keep few more times.
Holiday decorations I keep since I have the space. Those totes get put up either in the flea shed or my scrap shed for Christmas, Halloween, etc. Most people donate the stuff as they don't have space for it. You can quickly get too much of it so if going to save only save the best.
Have 2 large buildings - seperated into 4 sheds.
Shed 1 - personal items, tools, etc. - is my primary sorting location
Shed 2 - flea market storage location. Items I've sorted and ready to take to the flea.
Shed 3 - largest structure - holds large items and furniture that I'm selling on CL
Shed 4 - Scrap / Breakdown storage - daughter and I love tearing stuff apart that don't work.
I average about 2 units a month due to work constraints. So I can take longer to sell stuff and shop the same items at the flea for multiple weeks. I try to max my profit (ie scrapping).
I have learned that a few items I just automaticly donate to Goodwill. Most cups, coffee mugs, etc. hit the Goodwill box. Re-sorting but in the future most cloths will head to Goodwill. All stuff animals and VHS tapes hit the Goodwill box. Figurine and nick-nacks are iffy. If they are the dollar store items they either get tossed in my $.25 item box if it's getting low or Goodwill.
High end cloths I've started to shop them on ebay and the flea. Not much luck but will try few more times with them before donate. Jeans seem to do ok this weekend being the first time I've taken cloths. So those will get pulled out and put in seperate totes to take. Kids cloths were slow but will keep few more times.
Holiday decorations I keep since I have the space. Those totes get put up either in the flea shed or my scrap shed for Christmas, Halloween, etc. Most people donate the stuff as they don't have space for it. You can quickly get too much of it so if going to save only save the best.
465
New to Storage Auctions? / Re: First Locker
« on: March 12, 2012, 07:24:29 AM »
Dang that is a bunch of auctions. Great price on your locker. Should be easy to make money off the unit. Gratz.