Two pairs of eyes are always better then one.  Can cover more area and spot something the other didn't many times.  Even my daughter can spot items at times that I don't.  Or being a teen her interest and knowledge run different from mine.

I normally bring the following things to auction:  pen, paper w/ listings, flashlight, (hot hand packs, umbrella, hat, etc) depending on weather.

In truck in case I buy a unit:  a few totes, roll of trash bags, hand sanatizer, disposable gloves, work gloves, and a few tools.  I recently added a pack of rubber tip closures that you can use to cover open oil bottle spouts, gear oil, etc.

Good luck to you.

I'm sure I miss a number of auctions.  Though I have all that I found listed in the local paper...not including SC side of the river.  80% of my auctions are in a 2 week window.  Starts this friday with U-haul, then small one on 10th, caravan on 12th, and ton on the 16th.  On 16th I have a 2 facility caravan at 9:30 with almost 60 units in paper, or can jump to a small single place at 10:30.  Then a 3 facility caravan that evening at 4pm.  Then it's all quiet again till end of month on the 26th with 2 different facilities.

My plan is to check out the 9:30 Metro auction on 16th and prob jump ship to the 10:30 small one, then back to Metro.  Metro is w/ an auctioneer and tax.  So that is 7% tax and 10% BP.  Never been to Metro as they canceled last auction.

Dregs - the difference between you and I and MovieMan / Teacher / etc is an issue of time and experience.  We both do this as a hobby (though w/ wife quiting work may turn into more for me).  As such we spend 5 - 10 hours if that a week researching, doing auctions, sales, etc.  I know for myself I hit maybe 20% of the auctions in my area.  Most I can't attend due to my full time job.

People that do this as a job have a few advantages.  They can hit all sales so see more units, gain exp faster, make good contacts, sell at flea every weekend, etc.  They can purchase multiple lockers a week since they have more time to clean / sort / sell.  More lockers you buy the better chance of hitting a good or great locker.

As I told my father one time.  If I had to do this as a job my wife, kids, and I would be starving.

As for the #s.  If it hadn't of been for 2 units (1 in particular) I would of been up about $500 or so.  Not counting all the stuff that I kept and inventory.  Not bad since most hobbies you spend money, don't make any.

I'm more interested in the moving show then anything.  Watched a little pawn stars last night.  Mostly flipped between weather channel and dumbies on wheels.

Anyways - the coke stuff I would of loved to have.  The prices seemed high on the show for the bottle but the crates were accurate for my area.  Of course we are in GA and thus have many coke collectors.  Prices for coke items like everything else are down.  5 - 10 years ago the prices they were quoting for the bottles I could see.

Saw 4 of those sewing machines in a locker back in Nov.  Locker went for like $1100.  Guess they were watching storage wars to get their values.

Seems about as fast for me.  However, if it fixed the "time-out" issue I'm 100% for it.  Lost a long post one day due to that issue and really ticked me off.

Thanks for everything Drew.

I like the toolbox in the back.  Not sure about the welder either.  The little battery/air pump car start thing is worth about $25-$50 at the flea.  I bought mine new and always have people asking where got it.  Looks like an air hose in bottom left corner of the picture.  Is the wood looking thing in front a fride or such?

I like both units.  Hope you can get them for a decent price.

The key to sizing up a unit is a good eye, quick thinking, and some luck.  Depending on the crowd you may only have 30 secs - 2 mins to look at a unit before you are asked to move or the bidding starts.  For me when the door is open the first thing I do is take a deep sniff to see if the room smells and what type of smells.  I also start looking at the whole picture, and then try and look inside box holes, under furniture, etc.

Now as a general rule I'll bid up to $50 if I see one thing I like.  Even if the rest of the unit looks like trash.  These are gamble units and I've made decent returns on them.  Many times people don't bid on them since they think it's all trash and you can pick one up for $5 or $10.

In my local area, my general rule of thumb is the following:
Scrap metal - $13.75 100# - current shred price at local yard
Bed frame rails - $10 (sell for 10 - 20 easy)
If can see CDs/DVDs - quick count * $2  (sell for $2 - $3 at flea)
Matresses / TVs - ($20) - cost me $20 per trailer load to dump.  TVs I can get some scrap value out of but the plastic/tubes go to dump.  Matresses and broken furniture goes to the dump.
Computers - $5 (escrap price is good when collect large amounts)
Totes - $3 (can sell them at flea)
Boxes Cloths - $5 (can't sell cloths often, but good tax write-off)
Washer/Dryer - $15 (scrap metal value if don't work.  Or can sell to someone that repairs/re-sells)
Other appliances - $15 (same as above)