Welcome to the boards Todd.  Now - your questions get asked at least once a week on here.  So I'll give you my normal answers to your question.

1) The time frame before going up for auction is dependant on the storage facility and your state laws.  Could be 60 days, could be 180.  As for the public notice most states due require them to post a notice in the paper.  However, I've seen a few that don't do this or I'm just missing it.  The notices should be in the legal section of the paper.  Normally 1-2 weeks out from the day of the auction.

2) Some people give "free listings" for various areas.  They are normally not complete.  You can get some of the info yourself from your local online version of your newspaper.  I know in GA a few of the papers also send notices to a state wide repository.  So if I travel to another part of GA I can check it for any auctions.  You mostly have to do your own leg work.

Best bet is to call around and get on the calling list for the facility.  Ask them when the next auction is and/or how often they do them.  Some places do an auction every month on a set date.  Like the 2nd thursday of every month, etc.  Only exceptions are due to holidays and things.  Always check ahead before you go in case everything is paid up or canceled/moved for any other reason.

I was thinking of the people not the lockers LOL

CL You have been doing pretty good from what I can see except for the keep factor... 

Lol - well the same title would still apply to the people also 

As for auctions I'm not doing too bad but not great either.  Will see if my two latest buys can push me into the black even w/ everything that has been kept.  That keep factor is killing me.  But it does keep the family happy so is worth the lost revenue.

Think in Boxlot's context he is talking about a locker that has $1k and $5k "worth" in it.  Not how much it sells.  As for me I've seen 2 lockers now sell for 1k.  The most recent I know was worth more then the 1200 that was paid.

I'm just glad I don't have any auctions this week.  Maybe by next week people will of done moved to the next biggest thing.

Yep - smart auctioneer.  Get the grandson hooked and the parents/grandparents will come and maybe spend some money.

I know my oldest daughter is hooked on auctions.  She is just working up the nerve to buy her first unit.  She already helps me look for clues in a unit when the door goes up and what she thinks it may go for.  Her biggest worth is in the selling.  She works her tail off greeting people and such that come to the flea.

I'd have to agree w/ money4nothing that it sounds like you found a portable porn room.....

Depending on how old the computers are they should be worth some money.  As long as they are running XP you should be fine.  Even if none of it works you should be able to sell the laptops to someone for $5 each.  I'm sure a scrapper or computer nerd would pick them up and you don't loose any money.

Hmm - I've donated dog toys, beds, etc. that I find in units to the local shelters.  I'll have to ask next time if they do pick-up next time I'm in there.

BigBizz - I gamble $100 on units all the time.  As I tell my mother she travels to the casino to gamble, I do mine in town.  Trunks / safes are my weaknest.  I know 98% of the time they have papers or empty....but I love to win lockers with them.  Put a token bid at a silent auction of $26 on a trashed looking unit due to the 2 trunks just inside the door.  Even one the unit which surprised the hell out of me.