A balmy 22 degrees for today’s auction – locals in the Mid-South were freezing!! Facility had five units, down from 20 earlier this week. (Darn you tax season!!) About 15 bidders and 30 total with six or seven folks who own stores, and one “whale.” (This guy owns an auction house and has purchased about half the units at every auction I’ve seen him at.) It was also “family” day with about 8-10 kids including several babies! (Remember, it was 22 degrees!)
About 30 seconds before the auction started, a past-due tenant comes screaming into the parking lot, followed by his girlfriend in another car. They sprint into the office hoping to pay up. Soon you could hear LOUD arguing with the facility managers, and then the couple comes out the door screaming at EACH OTHER.
Man: “I owe $450 – you’re not gonna give me the money!!??”
Woman: “Make them print you a list of what you owe, you know how these people are. They will rip you off every chance they get!”
(So let me see if I understand –
YOU are $450 dollars behind, and
THEY are ripping YOU off!!?? Oh, OK.)
Man goes back in the office, comes out with a list and starts arguing with his girlfriend again. She finally gives him money and he goes back in the office. In the meantime, the girlfriend goes back to her car and calls 911 to report how she was mistreated by the facility owners. The man comes out of the office, cusses out his girlfriend (who is in her car with the windows up), peels rubber and leaves – leaving his girlfriend to wait for the Po-Po. We’re gathered back together ready to head to the first unit, when the cops arrive. So we all wait again and enjoy the show. Within seconds, the woman is arguing with the officer, then arguing with the facility managers, and then begins YELLING at the cops. Who knows what was said, because she jumps back in her car and squeals out. The officer kind of rolls his eyes, gets in his car and leaves. The facility managers come back and say:
Manager (man) – “Are we FINALLY ready to start – anyone have any more issues or interruptions!!?? Oh, by the way, we are now down to four units….” (Boos from the crowd)
Manager (woman) – “Let’s go! Wow, it took ALL my strength to remain calm and not kick that girls a$$!!” (Loud roar by entire group!)
So with the morning’s entertainment over, it was time to see the units. Unfortunately, the above story was way better than the lockers. The first one was the best, and was owned by someone who had a consignment store. It was pretty full, with display cases, sunglasses displays, posters, racking, boxes, shelving, and a few random boxes. I was in until $400, then the whale made his move and got it for $800. Unit two was a 5x5 that contained a small coffee table, two end tables, and a random print. That’s it! No boxes, no trash, no anything else. Went for $300. Unit #3 was a 5 x10 that had two couches/cushions blocking the doorway. A gamble since you couldn’t even see anything behind. Sold for $350 to Mr. Whale. The last unit was a 5x5 and had 6 boxes of children’s toys and an old DVD player with about 20 DVDs (beat up). It did have a real nice wooden rocking chair, but the name “JOSHUA” was branded in the backrest. That was it – again no garbage, no clothes. Sold for $125 with five people bidding. Once the bid reached $100 I had to step up and take another look. What the heck was I missing? I didn’t see it.
So auctions here are the same as everyone’s – drama, last minute pay ups, some good units, some bad units, and prices seemed in line with what everyone else has been reporting. Good luck to everyone and thanks for posting your stories, info, etc. I have really enjoyed reading about it.
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If I like a unit I bid, but I am also smart enough to see if one of the store owners/regulars likes a unit too, then I just stay out of the way and let them make a living.....
) As I mentioned before, to me the fastest way to lose a potential bidder is to charge too much for shipping. You might want to weigh each and check the USPS website as a guide for postage cost. Then keep track of your shipping and over time you will develop your own "cost list" on what to charge. That way you can dial it in for a true shipping charge.
