I've been going to every auction within 30 miles of my home for the last few weeks. Haven't bought a locker yet. Did plenty of bidding.. A little background.. I used to do auctions a few years ago and I'm coming back into it now that my business is up and running.

A few years ago I was buying units at least once a week. Now I'm shaking my head at some of the prices these units are going for. I'm worried that I'm undervaluing some of these units and it's getting to the point where I'm spending a lot of money in gas and not reaping a reward for my efforts.. in a word, I'm frustrated.

Case in point. Yesterday it was pouring here in NC. I went to an auction I found in the legals. Called them up and they had 1 unit. I figured, not many people will show and I've got a shot with little competition. True, not many people showed.. The unit was a 10x10, had about 10 fishing poles, no reels visible, a Fila golf bag with golf clubs (covered, don't know the brand of clubs) 3 old school TV's, mattress and box spring, a lazy boy chair, love seat, an interesting blue chest/bench (couldn't see the whole thing) a flat screen BOX, and misc boxes.

The unit went for $450. I bid up to $350 and dropped out. I was looking at $600 resale, in my estimation.

I know there's no pics to see condition, in my opinion the condition of the stuff was average. No obvious reupholstery, painting, etc.

Another example.. Today 1 unit auction, legals again, not expecting a big crowd. About 12 people at the auction. The unit was another 10x10. Had a couch which had a cover on it and it was beat up pretty good. 2 book shelves covered in stickers and scratches, pen marks. A nice shelf, just dusty, maybe 8 black bags, 1 had plush animals and another had a solid crease, so there was something in it, maybe a picture frame? Also had a nice dresser with mirror (still attached) some boxes, cheap electronics (Magnavox or GPX) and of course the obligatory mattress and box spring. Some other items going straight to trash, fake plants, crappy kitchen stuff (spatulas, strainer)

The unit went for $210, I bid up to $200. I was thinking I'd make about $400 out of the unit. Me and this guy were going back and forth the whole time, nobody else wanted it.

Based on what you've read, am I gun shy, should I be bidding more aggressively because the prices are better than I'm thinking.. Or am I smart to bow out?

100 a month for parking a truck  is 1995 pricing , welcome to new york

Not sure where you are, but around me, I see about 40 churches that are tiny. But they have parking lots. There is one that I can walk to from home, I asked them just after I posted my comment if I could park a truck there, when I buy one. They said sure! I don't even have to pay them. I'm going to donate $100.

It's just about being confident when you go in there, be respectful of their time and space.

I've got 2 stories..

First, since you mentioned a car dealership story, I'll share mine..

I was working for a Pontiac GMC dealership in Florida back in 2004. I had sold a used pick up truck to a guy and he had traded in a Jeep Wrangler. We shared our lot with a Cadillac dealership next door. Same owner. So I drive the Jeep back to our trade in area, which is just behind a chain link fence where brand new Caddy CTX's were parked, right in front of that fence.

I've got big clod hopper feet, and I had my left foot on the clutch and my right foot was on the brake. Pulling into the parking spot, everything was fine. I slow to a stop, and my foot slips onto the gas, I'm now slamming on the brake and the gas at the same time. I squeal the tires, smoke everywhere, BOOM! Hit a brand new CTX. Took a drug test, of course came back clean. Left the job 2 months later.

Second story..

I was working for Verizon Wireless as a sales person, here in NC. My buddy and I ate at a brand new Mexican restaurant just across the parking lot. My first experience with Mexican food in years. In NJ and FL, not many Mexican places (until recently). Boy was it good. But it messed up my stomach. A lovely young couple comes in to check out all our new phones. I greet them professionally at the door, ask what they were in for. They told me. I turn around emphatically as I had so many times before, and I farted... a lot.. and loudly.

I still sold them 2 new phones.

For me, it's the sale after everything is processed. I especially love it when I can sell something to someone who REALLY needs it. For example, a family who can't afford a new sofa, or clothes, etc. Being able to help someone who needs it, and still being able to make a profit really gives me a thrill.

I typically shop around each time I have to rent a truck. What I'm realizing is that it may be worth it to put out a couple thousand for a small box truck.

This wasn't by chance ran by elite auctions was it? I'm from NC area and sounded like it might of been him and his over paying bidders.

No, not Elite Auctions. These were Millner Auctions. I did go to an Elite auction on Friday in Durham. Lots of people 40-50. I wouldn't say people overpaid, but paid more than I was willing to buy them for. Nothing outrageous. All the winners were auction regulars.. No noobs.

I have not, however, I have read through storagetreasures.com's info vault. There's some good info and some bad info in there.

There's a group of people at our local auctions who are all friendly with each other, I think 2 of them are partners. But it seems like they're all in it together. They don't bid each other up, they rarely even bid against each other. After they look at the lockers, they all get in their group and discuss and typically one guy from that group will come out bidding.

They win a majority of the lockers.. But in my view they typically overpay. They keep coming, so I guess they're doing something right.