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Messages - quitafind

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1
I understand your frustrations, but you must understand that people that purchase units at auction do it to stock their stores, earn supplemental income, and for the pleasure of the treasure hunt.  Most of the time we don't know the story of why the unit has been foreclosed on, although we sometimes can put the pieces together during the unload process after it is purchased.  Some of the stories are sad like yours, but it's a reality of life. 

I'm not sure what state your in, but you should get all personal belongings such as pictures and personal paperwork back (state laws). The facilities are businesses that need to auction units to stay afloat, it's a key part of they're business model.  Since you're not paying the rent and falling behind, they need someone that will.

You're going to have to move on and not take out your frustrations on the person who bought your unit or people that do this for a living / hobby.

2
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Risky Business
« on: April 18, 2014, 07:07:25 PM »
Do you guys think it's OK for friends / family members that ride with the auctioneer to the auction bid on units?  Any thoughts?

3
General Storage Auction Talk / Risky Business
« on: April 17, 2014, 12:30:26 AM »
Has anyone experienced shady auctioneers?  What's your story?

4
Yes, like most jobs if you are a dedicated individual it can be profitable.  With this business you also need to be patient, good at managing money, organized, have the space to store and sort large volumes of goods, have the means to haul things, have the help for moving large items, have the bankroll for the ups and downs, good at listing and dealing with Craigslist, good at listing and dealing with Ebay / Etsy, OK with spending hours at auctions and seeing dozens of units and not buying / winning anything, and have a positive attitude about going to the dump and donation centers every other day.

I'm like Alloro, where I do this on the side as a supplemental income.  Later in life I might do it full time, but right now it would be a stretch and pretty nerve racking if it was my only source of income (might lose the "fun" aspect of it).

It is not easy and profitability comes with very hard work and a little bit of luck. 

5
Free advertising for the facility owner.  There's a unit that probably went for 5-10 times what it should...

6
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #3....March, 2014
« on: March 16, 2014, 02:45:39 PM »
Went to an auction promoted by a local auctioneer in the Seattle area.  I went to this same auction last month and the crowd was around 20 people, about half regulars.  This month there was about 50 people with about 35-40 of them being new faces.  When I saw all the trucks with trailers in tow parked throughout the facility I was pretty close to leaving, but thought what the hell.  I should have left.

There were 6 units and it took about 25 minutes for everyone to view the 1st locker.  It was small with a few shoe boxes and surprisingly went to a new regular that likes small units for $125 or so.  Here's where it gets good.  The next unit was a 10x10 with junky particle board furniture, low end kids toys, low end household goods, and a junior guitar case in the corner.  It screamed low end apartment, but for the right price someone could turn some profit.  I was thinking a $40-$50 unit, especially since it was on the 3rd floor, but didn't have any desire to bid on it.  The auctioneer opened at $25 and it went to $50, then someone yelled out from the back "$500!"  YES $500!  The auctioneer was actually speechless and it took him a moment to catch his breath.  5 seconds later he said "sold" and the winning bidder jumped up in the air, pumped his fist, and yelled "that's what I'm talking about!"  It was straight out of Auction Hunters or Storage Hunters!  He sure showed everyone else!  (Could have got it for $200 max probably).  The guy was shaking from excitement / nervousness, it was quite bizarre. 

At that point I tried to leave but realized that I parked inside the facility and was basically stuck until the auction was over.  Another unit that looked like the leftovers from a storage auction gone bad went for $300.  The last unit was a hoarder garbage unit for which I walked away from and didn't see what it went for.  I was kind of afraid to see what someone was going to pay. 

All in all a waste of time, but the majority of auctions are when you think about it.  You just never know curveballs each auction will bring, as they're never the same!   

 

7
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: How many units do you buy a month?
« on: March 13, 2014, 12:03:19 AM »
3-7 units on average.  If we get more than 6 in a month, then we'll usually only buy 1 or 2 the following month.  I'm getting better at allowing myself to miss auctions.  When I first started out in 2011 I had a hard time missing any auction.  Yes, you may miss a great unit, but the odds are you're missing out on crap lockers!  Remember, there's always next month and usually better opportunities.

8
Art and large furniture such as china hutches or big dressers.  I'll find nice large prints with $300 frames and it will take me 3 months to move them for $20.  Even with a conservative initial estimate I usually end up getting 1/3 to 1/4 of what I was expecting to get from most large pieces of furniture in decent shape. 

I guess the more you do this the more realistic your expectations are for the $ amount you can expect to get from an item.  Why I have high hopes for hutches is beyond me. :-[

9
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Hardest things to find in storage units
« on: February 09, 2014, 10:23:38 PM »
Modern video game systems and games.  I've never found a PS3 or an Xbox 360, but I've actually come across a lot of vintage Nintendo stuff. 

Gold, it seems like every jewelry box is full of costume jewelry and maybe a little silver.  The grandma units have a lot of empty jewelry boxes in them, like maybe the kids took the jewelry when they moved everything into the unit.

I've yet to find a nice bicycle, only Walmart type quality or rusty old bikes.

10
General Storage Auction Talk / Re: Where have "all" the posters gone ?
« on: February 07, 2014, 11:27:31 PM »
I've been a lurker and not a poster the last month or so, and for that I apologize.  I've seen a lot of junk the last 4 months but have continued to by when the timing and price is right.  The past two weeks I purchased three 5x10's, one 10x15, and one 6x15.  I've been pretty busy sorting, reaching, and doing donation runs.  My double garage looks like a bomb went off in there, but it's organized chaos, right?  Two of the units are turning out to be better than average, and one is going to be great.  Found two Pfaff German sewing machines and a shoebox that contained 3 handguns!  I was extremely excited, but it did take me 100 units to finally find a handgun.

I've been extremely skeptical of online storage auctions, but gave in and bought my first one for $220.  I called and spoke with the owner of the facility before I bid and after talking with him for about ten minutes I felt comfortable enough to throw in a bid.  Current bid was $210 and I sniped it with 20 seconds left for $220.  My max bid would have been $252.  With buyers premium and tax I'll be into it for about $260 or so.  I'll be unloading it tomorrow, so I'll keep you guys posted on the experience.  It's a 5x10 and it's definitely an old woman's unit, so I'm excited.     

11
Christmas tree stands, VHS movies, used calendars, cheap glassware, worthless collectables, and magazines!

12
Suggestion Center / Re: A Blast From The Past
« on: January 19, 2014, 01:58:40 PM »
No, it wouldn't. But I'm pretty sure he was just kidding around.

I wasn't trying to be rude, and understand if you were having a bad day.  No hurt feelings on my end.  Go Hawks!

13
Suggestion Center / Re: A Blast From The Past
« on: January 18, 2014, 04:48:26 PM »
Yeah, just as much as you are a jerkoff.

Ouch, so much for trying to have some good hearted fun  ::)

That response was worse than a sensitive 60 year old woman living alone with 13 cats. 

14
Stories about Storage Auctions / Re: Auction Scene #1....January, 2014
« on: January 15, 2014, 08:13:12 PM »
Thanks for the updates on the California scene.  It seems like some of the seasoned buyers are anxious to get lockers and are spending a premium to gain inventory.  Movieman, are these buyers store owners, or just regular storage unit hobbyists?  There's been a lot of talk recently regarding crowd size getting smaller but prices remaining pretty high.  I've noticed this trend at most of the larger runs here in the Northwest.  The newbies are running up the price on the low end to medium units, and the thrift shop owners are dropping more than ever on units that show any potential.  Once in a blue moon the crowd is small and the right combination of buyers are there to get a good deal, but I'm having a hard time winning units that show any potential whatsoever. 

On a side note I went to an auction today and the facility had 5 units, 9 bidders with no signs of any whales.  I was thinking to myself "finally an opportunity."  2 units didn't sell, 1 unit sold for $1, the 4th unit sold for $10, and the 5th unit was announced as a "charity" unit.  Awesome!!  Oh well, it's the reality of the business! :-[

15
Maybe the Texas Big Men's chest was lined with silver?  About a year ago I had a lower end Lane chest and it sold for $20.  I kind of wish I kept the nice one that I sold for $80, especially since I now know that it's worth $500  :D

Don't you guys love how everyone uses the saying "I'll have to get this checked out," when in reality all they have to do is a simple Google or Ebay completed listing search. 

What else have you guys noticed that is way overpriced during initial evaluations or professional appraisals on Storage Wars?  I'm always laughing when Mary and Jenny are stating what they can get for large pieces of furniture such as China Hutches or large dressers.  For example a dresser will be totally beat up and not worthy of $10-$20 in my opinion, and it's $400-$500 in their dream world.  But wait!  They found the top portion and it's actually a china hutch so it's worth $1,200 now!!!  I sold a pretty nice solid wood china hutch with all of it's glass shelving tonight for $85, and I was absolutely thrilled to get that beast out of my garage (been in there for 6 months).   

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