Auction today: 14 units advertised, 6 units were available at time of auction. 47 registered bidders. Roughly 100 people.

Cheapest unit went for $190. Contained "firewood" (i.e. particle board tv stand and cheap head board), a Hat box, and a computer chair with a rip in the fabric. The tv stand was even busted.

Most expensive went for $790. A 10x10 packed to the brim with crap. A solid wood tv cabinet that had been painted at least twice, looked to be able to fit a 27-32" TV. A piano that you could barely see but the edge you could see was beat to hell. Boxes full of stuffed animals. Lots of trash bags with clothes were visible. The individual that bought this unit immediately started calling people to borrow their trucks to move the stuff out.

One unit climate controlled: contained some O.K. furniture and misc. items. Went for $775. I thought $350 would have been a good buy on it.
Anywho, it was a long and boring day. The auction was run by the manager and she ran the auction in $10 increments. Starting at $25 for every unit.

How does one get into foreclosure cleanouts?

I have never had a chargeback either.  If someone wants to rip you off they are going to. Most people are not going to get into credit card fraud. In the example with the furniture that you made, the card company is not going to just give them their $300 back. There will have to be a reason given and they will have to call you to get your response. Would it be a pain in the ass if it happened?? Sure. But the odds of it are slim. Just don't tell someone you are selling them a Louis Vitton and it actually be a knock-off, and you should never have a problem.

I am not sure about that company, but I use the Intuit (quickbooks) unit. I love it. I have never had a problem with it and never had a customer with an issue with it either. Even one time customers find it very convenient. If you are only doing a couple of things a month it may not be worth it. However, if you are doing a lot of CL and flea market stuff I would strongly consider it.

Not a CPA, but I use my vehicle for my landscaping business. I write off my gas and mileage. I would think the same would apply to anyone that is claiming their income from lockers. Just have to keep up with your receipts and keep a mileage log. Then it is a write-off regardless of the tax that would be applied. I actually write off ALL expenses w/my vehicle. I would think that if you keep your proof of attending an auction even if you don't buy they would count. Even if you live in New York and drive to Florida. As long as you attend an auction during that visit, theoretically it's a write-off. Again, not a CPA but it def. applies to my business.

The competition varied greatly I suppose. If it was off the beaten path a little (Royal Palm) there were less people there, however, the money still followed. If the auction was in Wellington or West Palm there would be the money and a higher number of people. Higher being 10 to 15 on a weekend. I am by no means a whale or an expert in this business. It was actually by accident that I did it to begin with. My best friend got a notice that his unit was going up for auction. I said "Can they really do that?" I showed up to that auction, bought a unit for $100. Made a couple of hundred on some of the odds and ends. I only bought it because there was a "plasma" fishing rod in it that I wanted to buy from Bass Pro. Wish I would have done it more when I was there but spent most of my off time chasing women and fish.         I have finally gotten back on my feet after coming back and now run a successful lawn care business. So, my business partner asked me if I was interested in getting back in.....and here I am.