I'm so thankful that I've yet to attend an auction with a real auctioneer and the "buyers premium".

Never under-estimate the stupidity of people.  One of the regulars was talking about a locker he bought a year or so ago.  He paid like $200 for the locker and found $600 in cash inside the locker.  He was like, "wouldn't the person that put $600 in cash in the locker use it to pay for a $75 a month locker".

It's those finds that really set the hooks in.

I always hope to find a pistol or coins to add to my collection.  I never count on it but am waiting for a nice surprise.  Jewelry is always good since it can pay for your locker.  I'm getting closer with each unit.  Started out with empty jewelry boxes, then started to get watches, then costume jewelry, and finally a ring with a US Gold tag on it.  Only downside is it's gold plated (magnet sticks to it) instead of 10k or 14k.  But I'm getting closer with each unit.

Paintings I like - purchased one just for the painting I saw to put in my house.

Other nice finds even if not worth much are:
Collections (comic, card, etc.)
Old Game Systems w/ games  -- busted N64 w/ no games so far
Tools
Weapons (all sorts of various things found so far)

Well had the silent auction on the 29th of Oct.  Out of the almost 20 units in 3 locations we were down to 4 units in 1 location on Saturday.  One very nice units, two blah units, and one that no one bid on and it was a silent auction.  Crowd was lower then before but still a good dozen people.  Between saturday 5th and friday 11th there are 7 different auctions.  Only going to be able to make 2 or 3 but am hopefull.

Did a quick search but didn't find anything right off.  That is a cool painting however.  I'd most likely of kept in and hung it on the wall with my beach/ocean paintings.

Most places cut off the lock of the owner and put their own lock.  Some places in addition put on a little one-use breakaway tag.  It all depends on the laws in your state.  I would say 90% or more of the storage places you go to do not go into or through the unit.  They just pop the lock, do a sight inventory the way you do, and then put their lock and tag on.  One place near me takes a picture w/ a piece of paper showing the date, location, name on unit, and unit #.  Each facility is a little different.

You will quickly learn if a place is know to either stage units or search them.  If you go to a place that many of the regulars don't go to and it's the only auction going on that day...that can be a clue.  If the unit is old with dust covering most items but you see clear spots that can clue you in.  If every box you see looks to be open, tape (if taped) cut, etc. that can be a clue.  Many times it's the owner that has come in and grabbed what they want and discarded the trash.  Very few times is it the facility.

It only takes 1 bad apple to give the whole industry a bad wrap.  For myself I've not had a problem like this.  But I keep my eyes and ears open.

Have one auction Saturday that is a silent bid.  Called yesterday and she said it looks like most of the people are going to pay up.  Was 23 people listed for 28 lkrs.  When called I was told the 3 units at the first facility may pay up today.  The other two locations had 5 at one and 4 at the other.  So even if the 3 don't pay that is over 1/2 the lockers paying up.