Well the trend continues of large crowds and low number of units.  Seven facility auction this morning.  In paper every facility had at least 1 unit, most with 3-4 units, and first with a good dozen.  Reality was 4 units, 1 unit, 1 unit, skip, 1 unit, skip, 1 unit.  We had 75 people +/- 5 all day long.  First few units were going for twice normal price.  The 5th unit was a very nice large unit with some old furniture, enclosed shower, tub, bins, other things in back.  Buddy of mine bought it for $1500.  I bid on the 6th unit of the day.  Was a large 10 x 30 unit 1/4 full with isle down middle.  Was a teacher / classroom unit.  Had 6 gateway monitors, a microscope, 6 old style desk, overhead projector, boxes, etc.  Went to $200 and quit, sold for $350.  Was going to bid on a small unit that was bags of cloths, some hanging cloths, semi-junky.  Normal this is a $50-$100 locker.  I told a friend and wife - today this is a $200 locker.  I hit it on the nose.

Last locker of the day I wish I had taken a picture of.  Was a 10x10 or such that opened up with line of boxes on left wall.  A good dozen or more black trash bags, a few totes, pillow top matress, bedspring, odds and ends.  Unit looked like they just tossed the crap in.  2 rock band drum sets were in the middle.  Could see 2 ds boxes and game cases.  Also, could see a ipad2 box poking out of one of the boxes on the left.  Vera Bradley purse in one of the boxes.  I liked this unit but didn't really think I had a chance at it.  In talking one guy said $250, I said at least $400.  Boy were we WAY OFF.  I got in my truck at $750 - the unit finally sold at $1375.  I don't know who purchased the unit but it had to be a newbie.  No way any of the regulars would of paid that much money for empty boxes.  I so wanted to sit around with my camera and film the surprise on the buyers face when they find all the empty boxes.

I forgot to add we had a number of newbies.  Lady walked in to register and said she had never been to a auction before.  Another person in the crowd asked the auctioneer - "You don't cut off the locks?".  The shows continue and the people still come out in swarms.

I can see the large auctioneer's and facilities doing this to make extra money.  We had over 200 people (some said 340) at a Metro auction on MLK day.

Talking with the auctioneer (does texas, fl, etc. and had been on the show) - he hates the shows.  At first it was nice to have the extra bidders and higher prices.  However, due to the crowds now he is loosing money.  Where before he could hold 4-5 auctions a day, he can only do two.

Now if they grandfathered in people.  So if you had purchased a unit(s) from them in the past you didn't pay admission.  If you were brand new, then you did.

I would be pissed however to pay $5 to see 2 or 3 crappy lockers that I'm no way interested in.  Or the day no one was interested in the two units.  Most of my auctions are 20-40 people even with the looky loos.  So the auctions still go by pretty quick. 

I stay away from strollers / cribs / etc.  Too many recall notices and things of that nature.  Please make sure to run the model / serial # through a few different sites to make sure there never was a recall on it.

Baby stuff can move well however and make you some decent cash.

I have to disagree with you on the $.25 and $.50 items.  I do really well with them in my area.  I have a small tote (about large shoebox size).  That I put in all sorts of misc junk that I'll sell for $.25.  Then I have a larger box of $.50 items.  These bring in a number of customers that like to rummage around in the boxes.  This in turn has resulted in additional sales as the husband looks over the tools or CDs while waiting on the wife.  Or the person that has now rummaged over the box looks around for other great deals.

Most people have quarters in their pocket or they keep looking till they make up a $1 or more.  I keep the same $5 in quarters in my cash box and have yet to replinish them.  I normally get a good $4-5 in quarters at the end of the day.  Good snack food money for work

Most things in your larger post are spot on.  My market is a bit different from yours, so some of the items you sell well don't move for me no matter how cheap.  But, your overall info is great for anyone new to the flea market.  Thanks

Of late by ebay sales way surpassed my flea sells.  Of course I've only been to the flea once so far this year due to time/weather.  Ebay you can sell on year round in any weather as long as you can ship items.

I'm slowly improving on my flea sells.  I don't know if it's different people, better stuff, or what.  Still trying to get a handle on what all to take.  Some of my tools, nice Gerber camping axe, and other items sold well my only trip so far.  The cds / dvds that normally move sat on the table all day.  My world coins were the best sellers count wise but most of them are only $.25 - $1 per coin.

The only reason I can afford $75-$100 days at the flea is most of my lockers I get are in the $25 - $150 range.  If I can ever get cloths to move and some of my specialty stuff I'll be great.

I've finally recovered from my $800+ locker mistake and with January ebay sells, CL sells, and flea market revenue I'm currently back in the black by a few $100 (not counting items kept).

Cobia and Matches already answered your question but I'll do so also.

Large corporate type auctions normally charge sales tax.  Small units that use an auctioneer normally charge sales tax.  However, not all facilities charge the sales tax.  IMO it's stupid to pay tax on something that has already been taxed once but I degress.

Ask up front if they charges a "buyers premium", "sales tax", and "cleaning deposit".  They should tell you all this before the auction, but I've been to a number that don't.  Also be aware that the sales tax is AFTER the BP if there is one normally.  So you can have these types of scenarios:

Figure $100 bid for a unit, 10% BP, 7% sales tax, $50 deposit (some charge this PER UNIT).
1) No deposit, tax, bp == $100
2) No deposit, w/ tax == $107
3) No deposit, w/ bp and tax == (100 * 10%) * 7% = $117.70

So if you get a facility that has all 3.  You could be looking at $167.70 for a $100 unit till you get your deposit back.  Here is a real world example from units buddy purchased the other week.  This place charges a 10% bp, 7% tax, and $50 per unit cleaning deposit.  He won 3 units that day.

Unit 1: $300 bid
Unit 2: $175 bid
Unit 3: $250 bid

He spent a total of $725 in bids + $72.50 bp + $55.83 (tax on bid + bp) + $150 (deposit) = $1003.33


Know the rules before you bid.  I've seen a few newbies be surprised that the $150 locker they won cost them $176.55 instead of the $150 they "thought" they were paying.

Lol - UGAFAN - At first read I thought you had attended the U-haul auction with me.  Sounded like the LG flatscreen unit that came up for sale.  However, that unit sold for $710.  I expect he will have the same results.