I have been doing storage auctions in California since 1984 and have seen a lot of units.  Most managers are honest but as with any field with people, sometimes a few do illegal stuff.  In California, the tenant can pay on the unit until the auctioneer has sold the unit.  Sometimes the unit looks picked by the manager but it was the tenant getting to their unit before they were locked out.  Some managers are not as quick to lock them out as others.  Some people break into their units after they have been locked out.  A lot of buyers will say managers do stuff just to keep buyers from going to their storage auctions.  Always watch who is bidding on the unit, a lot of times it is the very person who is claiming the manager picked the best stuff out.  Hope this helps.  I have a lot of answers to common questions on my website: storageauctionexperts.com.  Good luck on your buying.  A lot of people make good money with storage auctions but one thing the TV shows are, edited.  People who make serious money have to work long hours and they are always moving stuff.