Storage Auctions
The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on December 25, 2011, 08:48:00 AM
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Getting a jump start on 2012 with the new Auction Scene series which replaces the old "lookey Loos" batches of 2011, the first full year of this forum and threads about the storage auction business which was popularized by the two tv shows Storage Wars and Auction Hunters.
The TV shows have had their imitators and spinoffs and there are other storage auction websites out there too, but THIS forum remains the only really viable source for ideas and opinions about the business we all love (and sometimes hate).
Locking this down until January 1, 2012 when we all hit the bricks for another year of buying and selling !
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Ok guys and gals....
2012 is here....let's get cracking, buy, sell, report on the Auction Scene what is happening in our biz !
My first auction this year is Wednesday the 4th.
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Our first auction is also on Wednesday Jan 4th. ;D
Another on Friday.
Checked out our local auctioneer that has the most facility's all the auctions are cancelled. :(
Not that we have bought one form their auctions so maybe not all bad.
So looks like might be a slow month on the auction scene for us. Maybe we can get rid of our current inventory. ;)
Happy Hunting. :D
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My first auction is my Secret SPOT sealed bid auction on friday. I can't wait I always spend at least 2 days mulling over my bid on the units. I love having a week to digest what I see and how much to bid. Can't go wrong at this place.
Wish me luck guys, I really want the auto unit in the other thread I started.
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Ugh....I hope today wasn't a sign of what's to come in our area.
7 location caravan with only about 15 units and 5 (3 in one lot, 2 separate) cool-boxes.
First location~one unit~minimal crowd (about 25 all regulars). 5X15 3/4 full. Messy, particle board furniture. Went for $475
Second~picked up another 20 or so. 2 units. 5X10 3/4 full. Little furniture went for over $350. I bowed out a $200. Next unit nice front-loading washer & dryer. That's it. $250
Third location~4 units. Picked up a couple more people. First unit 5X10 half full. Lots of big kids toys, a dining set and some totes. Went for $275. I bowed out at $250. The rest of the units were junky and all ended up around $200.
Fourth~two units. Dump runs. Crowd about the same.
Fifth unit~Cool boxes. My first time for these. There were two individual then three that belonged to the same owner and were sold as a lot:
The first contained a dresser, nightstand and flat screen TV. Folks were saying plasma (can't verify as it was under wraps.
The second container was a bit intriguing as there were tons of totes. There was some jewelry, a camera case and stuff like that. NO furniture.
The last 3 were all well packaged and full. Every box tightly wrapped and secure. Notations on every box, like Books 1, Books 2 etc. There was some exercise equipment, but no visible furniture and the like.
I asked the auctioneer if we kick off with that one so we see how much $$$ we had left for the other two. Opened at $100 and the auctioneer rolled his eyes. I jumped it to $500 and from there it went nuts. My final bid was $1500. It went for $3300. I've never seen anything like this in the Tucson area before.
The frenzied atmosphere continued with the 2nd box going for $975. I bowed out $275.
And the final for $325. For a damaged nightstand, dresser and unidentified TV.
Yikes! I decided not to carry on as I had to get back to my side of town to get my kids from school and the like.
Those storage boxes certainly caused a bunch of commotion here. Don't know if that is the norm, but for goodness sakes people.......
Next week is our big one here with auctions going on everyday but Friday. Hope to have some good reports then. Considering there are 3 different caravans on Weds, we should have a natural crowd control taking place~ 8)
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Rockin that sounds like us last month. We are heading out tomorrow new facility for us.
This one ran another ad for the auction, Said auction the date and furniture boxes and lots more, should be interesting the auctions are slim around here.
One advantage it is at 8:00 AM. ;)
We passed on the auction on the 4th, we are freezing down here it was 21 degrees in Florida WTH.
It was quite a drive and the unit count had dropped.
Let you know how it goes.
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Next week is our big one here with auctions going on everyday but Friday. Hope to have some good reports then. Considering there are 3 different caravans on Weds, we should have a natural crowd control taking place~
That is one of the problems with living in a mid-size city like I do. Large enough population to create big crowds and crazy bidding, but too few storage auctions to spread the crowd. We rarely have seperate auctions going on the same day, and the one time we did the only thing that happened was the crowd stand the same size as normal on one trail, and it doubled to nearly tripled in size from normal on the other trail. I did NOT see that coming!
I have a hunch a lot of people came in from out of town thinking that because there were two caravans on the same day, which is rare, that the normal crowd would be split, which it was; but to many people from out of town had the same hypothesis and drove the crowd size out of sight.
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I have a hunch a lot of people came in from out of town thinking that because there were two caravans on the same day, which is rare, that the normal crowd would be split, which it was; but to many people from out of town had the same hypothesis and drove the crowd size out of sight.
Yep~with two of the caravans having Phoenix based auctioneers I expect to see some new faces down here as well. Hopefully the 100+ mile drive keeps the majority of them up there.
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First auction for me this month is U-haul in little over an hour. Not going to the 10am auction as only 3 units in paper and very well may be paid up by now. The 11am one is not even a mile from work so can sneak away at lunch very easy like. If crowds and prices are like last month I'll come back to work empty handed.
12th is one of my caravan auctions that I pick up a unit or two normally. 16th is the crazy day for me with 3 different auctions that day. If the new crowds stay away and it's the normal regulars the prices will be low. Too many units if current count stays even 50% for everyone to swallow at once, even with the cross the river people showing up like I suspect they will. So hope by time the 4pm caravan starts most everyone will have bought a unit or 4 and not want or handle anything else.
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Sounds like all you regulars who have posted here in the last few days will be busy with traveling and hopefully BUYING a lkr or two !
My last wednesday auction set was cancelled because the mgrs didn't get the timing right on their legal notices, so now it will be three weeks until those come up and the legal notices had to be redone (more cost for the company).
THEN, I just plain forgot about an auction yesterday, BUT there are always more auctions to come and I doubt the one I missed had those gold bars I am always looking for.
I did make a couple of small scores at two separate flea markets this week, and an item I got a couple of weeks ago for $10 just sold on eBay for $100, so the battle continues
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Well I was all excited to start the new year off for nothing. Got to the location and didn't see any other cars/trucks. I was like ah heck - they canceled. Sure enough - auction guy couldn't make it down so they canceled. More units for Feb 3rd but now have to wait till the 10th or 12th to hit a auction. Since will be in the 60s this week I may just go sell at the flea and try and make some money.
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Well, wish me luck, my silent bid dirt bike unit is up for auction today. Lost the 10x30 unit due to redemption, but 3 of the 4 units show signs of promise(one unit looks like $hit and appears to have black mold).
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Went to my first auction today. Found it on AuctionZip which may attribute to the shenanigans that were afoot. Went from 8 units to 3 in the matter of a few hours (damn last minute payers).
1st unit: A neat clock with roman numerals, what seemed to be brass siding and it was about 2 feet high on its stand. There was also a mattress and some boxes. The interesting thing is that there was quite obviously a car kept in there since there were several oil containers and an old matted rug that looked soaked in oil and resting on top of it was a car starter. Strange. Anyway, the unit ended up going for $525. I thought that was rather high. Little did I know that would be a continuing theme for the last two.
2nd unit: This was a packed full 5x10 that looked like it was just a bunch of junk brought out from a college dorm. An unfinished art project, boxes labeled clothes, shoes, bags, etc and a few lamps is all I could see. This one went for $700 :o Seriously, what's going on?
3rd unit: This was a 10x20 with 6 or 7 mattresses, a beat up couch that would definitely need a reupholstering job and a nice looking antique-style table. This one was interesting because I know you can sell mattresses on CL for around 75-150 bucks depending on the condition so I estimated the value of the unit to be around $800...... It went for $1775.
I don't know if it's because I'm new to this or because of the giant crowd (around 100-150) but I think most of those bins went for around double what they were actually worth. Oh well. Hitting yard sales tomorrow. Hopefully that will go better!
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Went to my first auction today.
:o Seriously, what's going on?
Welcome to our world. What's going on? Two TV shows.
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THEN, I just plain forgot about an auction yesterday, BUT there are always more auctions to come and I doubt the one I missed had those gold bars I am always looking for.
LOL Watching to much SW there Barry ;)
@ Shmoopy Sounds out of control and way to many people. Sounds like you did good looking and seeing what you could see.
@acman good luck
@ CL Sounds like it is going to be a rough month for both of us.
Ok Went to one at 8:00 Am had to get up at 6:00 AM :o to get there on time.
About 50 people, had three come right up and say this is my first one (just shoot me). Saw a few regulars.
Silent bids, first for us. People moaning and groaning of how they don't like it.
14 Units. We through our numbers out there (well on paper). One of the new guys was talking that he had a total of $1000 in bids. We looked at him like he was crazy. He said I loose that in a month selling cars, I said this is a lot more work than selling cars. Buy the time we got back to the office he said he was going to change some of his bids. (not sure if he did or not). He won one.
They did not tell the $ amount of the winning bids just who one. Only one regular got one.
Took until 9:30 to finish auction so much faster with that many people.
Husband and I were talking about the grumbles of the silent part. The owners/ Managers were two older small women. My guess is they like the quite no yelling out bids, and no fighting/ Complaints about who had the bid ect. All in all not a bad experience just wished we new the winning bid amounts.
Did get some Flea market feed back from one of the regulars. So good info there. Plus she does not like furniture units because it is only her. So another person to back up on the furniture stuff for us. ;D
Also gave us a lead on a good Auction. So worth the trip for the info.
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I think from now on I'm going to make a glorious effort to stay away from any auctions listed on auctionzip.
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I think from now on I'm going to make a glorious effort to stay away from any auctions listed on auctionzip.
Yea auctionzip is a crowd enducer, we had one on the last day of December that was listed on auctionzip, 15 lockers, 120+ people. I left after the first 5 lockers, which took about 2 hours. We were lined up like herds of cattle. Moooooooooooooooo
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We were lined up like herds of cattle. Moooooooooooooooo
I KNOW! People weren't MOVING. They were also just bunching themselves in an immovable massive crowd right in front of the bin. The auctioneer didn't seem to care and she just started the bidding when less than half the people had SEEN the damn thing. I am NEVER going back there. Horrible first experience :-\. I found four more auctions (shorter drive away even) but they're not until the 20th-27th so I'm just gonna go picking at yard sales until then...
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I think from now on I'm going to make a glorious effort to stay away from any auctions listed on auctionzip.
Don't use it much. I find other auctions on it.
We have one that advertises on Craigslist. A lot of people. Not as many as you had though.
The one we had yesterday we were Mooooooooooooing all were inside and the place looked like an old meat locker. LOL The crowed moved pretty well silent bidding.
Good luck on the yard sale picking.
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I've lost my tail at a silent auction and done very well at one. It's a toss up. I much prefer called auctions. The X money vs bid thing is one reason why I hate silent auctions. If I win more then 2-3 with most of my bids I got to get more cash. With silent auctions here however, they give you time to do that. My 3 caravan saturday auction is moving to called from silent. I suspect they are doing that since the crowds have gotten larger each month and they want to drive the bids up.
Shmoopy - those units went higher then what I would pay that is for sure. However, of late those are about normal. You currently have more newbies with money then sense. Next month or even next auction they will be gone and a new crop will come in.
Found an auction for Monday at 1pm. Not sure if will try and make it or not. All depends on work that day. Already taken off for the 12th so will hit my 7 facility caravan.
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I think I jinxed today at the flea by writing about wind/rain in another thread recently.
Today it was only 40 at 5:30 a.m. on the way to the flea market and I hadn't really looked at the forecast. If I had I would have seen that WIND was a possibiltiy.
It hit about 11 a.m. with just some steady 3 to 5 mph, but big gusts came about every 20 minutes (felt like 25 mph or so) and wreaked HAVOC. After the 3rd gust I just stopped picking stuff up and put it in my van. Winds stayed steady after that right up until 1:30 when I left.
During the big gusts the neighbor across the way had one of his two canopies fly up about 4 feet. It was linked to the other one, otherwise it just would have gone flying away. He had 3 people working with him under the two canopies and they got it under control, but couldn't collapse them fast enough. Glad I don't put one up except for summer sun or rain possibilities.
Wore me out just fighting mother nature ! (but a good day money-wise none-the-less).
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Shmoopy - those units went higher then what I would pay that is for sure. However, of late those are about normal. You currently have more newbies with money then sense. Next month or even next auction they will be gone and a new crop will come in.
Found an auction for Monday at 1pm. Not sure if will try and make it or not. All depends on work that day. Already taken off for the 12th so will hit my 7 facility caravan.
ugh. I was hoping to use my first few units to supplement my learning of prices. I guess I just have to keep going to yard sales and doing research while hoping for a nice payday...
Also I am super jealous of your caravan. I've called all 20 or 30 storage places within a 20 minute drive and I only have 4 auctions for the rest of the month. None of them are listed on auctionzip, though... hopefully a good sign.
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I think I jinxed today at the flea by writing about wind/rain in another thread recently.
Us too. Were fogged in until about 11:00 Thick as soup.
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Don went to a 'new' auction today. It was from moving and 'storage' facility and we really didn't know what to expect. Turns out that many of the units are items that the people who hired the movers didn't want. All junk. Only two regulars, Don and another couple.
Well we know not to waste our time with that one again.
Tomorrow I hope he lands a unit, if not.....Tues, Weds, Thurs are all lookin' good! 8)
edit to amend~there were about 60+ people, with only a couple 'regulars'.
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Don't know the moving & storage type places. Don't put them high on the list but you can find good stuff there sometimes. We have a few ritzy type neighborhoods in the area. I always try and watch for moving truck / companies that they use. Their discards can sometimes be high-end furniture for the low and mid class people in the area.
Shmoopy - many months the 7 facility caravan is more driving then worth. With only 1 or 2 units at each location. The very last facility on the caravan is one that only 30% of the time has anything up for sale. But it's also in a upper class area so the units are normally higher end stuff also.
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Don went to a 'new' auction today. It was from moving and 'storage' facility and we really didn't know what to expect. Turns out that many of the units are items that the people who hired the movers didn't want. All junk. Only two regulars, Don and another couple.
Well we know not to waste our time with that one again.
Tomorrow I hope he lands a unit, if not.....Tues, Weds, Thurs are all lookin' good! 8)
edit to amend~there were about 60+ people, with only a couple 'regulars'.
The last moving and storage facility I went to had some better stuff in them and would go back in a heartbeat. It was people who hired movers and put their stuff storage. I like these better as this is stuffed that is stored long team and left alone. Unlike storage lockers where the owner can be there 3 times a week if they like butting stuff in taking stuff out.
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First auction of 2012: two units up for bid.
Unit #1 5 x 10 1/4 full: major pieces showing, table saw broken base didn't see legs, beat up 6' fiberglass ladder, Shakespeare rod & reel, some clothes, some boxes (vhs tapes showing) old wall hangings, other little nickity-nacks.
slightly used table saw at pawn shop = $30
new 6' fiberglass ladder = $40
new Shakespeare rod & reel combo = $30
grand total to purchase these items new or slightly used = $100. Winning bid = $175.00
Unit #2 10 x 15 1/4 full: major pieces showing, Frigidaire refrigerator, unknown stove (older model) acoustic guitar (could not see make), glass commercial style table, old nasty mattresses and boxsprings, old bed frame, old crib, nike bag, box of cheap books, box of VHS tapes, some toys.
This one had potential.
new frigidaire refrigerator = $300 resell if working $150
used stove (if working) = $50-$75
acoustic guitar (depending on brand) = $25 - $250
glass table = $50 - $100
bed frames, crib = $25
Potential return $125 (all goes wrong with appliances) - $600 (all goes right with appliances) plus all the odds & ends. Winning bid = $290.00
Too much overhead this month for me to take a chance on this one.
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Ok - I'm starting to get a little frustrated and worried here. First U-haul cancels the auction on the 3rd. Now my auction for today at 1 has been canceled and rescheduled for Friday. It may get canceled Friday. What gives -- next my caravan thursday is going to cancel.
Cobia - not great prices there but least not $300+ units for the same trash as earlier reports. I wouldn't of gotten unit #2. Would of bowed out at $175 - $200 since have yet to get a working fridge.
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I went to the first local auction of the year yesterday. A hand full of people I saw at the first auction a month ago. There were two units being auctioned. After doing some research I found some possible information. One locker belonged to a 70 year old gentleman, who had been arrested recently on DUI charges, and the second belonged to an 82 year old woman in a retirement village. It’s a bit easier in a smaller than 200,000 population area to find info on people with rare last names. I find the research helps a little bit, or would seem to.
There were about 15 people present. Five I would say were bidders and the rest were more interested in looking. The first locker belonged to the 70 year old man. In it was a stuffed toy horse, a broken table, a recliner and a couch, older washer and dryer and some wine bottles. These lockers were not completely closed off from the elements/weather. There were some leaves and lots of dirt. The furniture and stuffed toy were water stained, and the washer and dryer looked old and as if they had seen better days. The bidding went to $115.00.
The next locker was very dirty and things had been thrown in, some clothes were not in bags or boxes just thrown in. There were some bags of trash (really trash, open food cans and news papers wadded up and such in them) and lots of old cassette tapes, ironing board thrown on top, mattress with box springs that had lots of water stains, a old lamp and some odd stuff. I was told later that it went for over $500.00.
I admit to being new to this, but not to auctions. I wonder if anyone bidding really saw the true value that was visible for the prices they bid. I hope they make some money and don’t just have to make dump runs. The apartment building where these storage units were located is one of the cheapest in town, so there’s another clue. I am sure many of you that have been doing this for a long time could shed some light with a lot of wisdom. Here is my opinion. The first locker, get a clue, washer and dryer units in our area are on craigslist for $100-150 a pair. The other unit was at least on the visible part a dump run. $500 is a lot for something that looks like it was packed with a front end loader.
Well there is another auction Friday with 15+ units at several nice locations, I’ll see what that’s like.
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I admit to being new to this, but not to auctions. I wonder if anyone bidding really saw the true value that was visible for the prices they bid. I hope they make some money and don’t just have to make dump runs. The apartment building where these storage units were located is one of the cheapest in town, so there’s another clue. I am sure many of you that have been doing this for a long time could shed some light with a lot of wisdom.
Although I have not done any exit polls or interviews of auction attendies, here is my novice opinion.
Fact #1. We all know the TV shows create the impression that finding really valuable items in a unit are somewhere between a 50/50 shot or 1/10. So the average newbie is under the impression if they buy between 2 to 10 units, 1 of them is going to have a major score in it.
Fact #2. The economy still sucks in this country, and many people are running out on their unemployment checks. They have to make money somehow.
With this information, I believe what we have is a case of "gold fever" among something like 70% of the new crowd, and "I gotta make money somehow!" with the other 30% of the new crowd, maybbe +/- 10% either way.
So what you get is a snowball effect and "cognitive dissonance" when the bidding starts. Everybody can SEE that the unit has about $50 worth of resell items and $30 worth of dump run fees, but too many people don't want to let a possible "jackpot" unit get away. "I'm not gonna let that POSSIBLE jackpot unit get away for $175, I'll bid $200. Someone else, I gotta get in this game and start making money, I'll bid $225. Someone else, I can't let that go for that little, I can risk $250!" Someone else, one of those "old timers" must see something valuable, I'm goin' $300! So it goes all through the crowd until it ends at $500.
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I would of liked pictures or bit more description. Was there a number of boxes or totes in the units? I ask as for many people lots of dust = older age. Lots of age = better chance of not being searched, antique furniture, etc.
Now - from what you described I would give it a 85% chance the people who purchased the lockers are newbies. The washer & dryer would be worth about 15-20 in scrap depending on the current shred price. I would of been looking at the wine bottles. Were they open, sealed, or broken.
Second locker sounds like a bad bet all around. Those normally go for $1 in my area. I have seen more $10 and under 10x20 lockers then I have seen $1k+ lockers. I'll even spend a $1 on a trash locker if spot 1 thing I like for around $20 just to see what else may be there. I say $20 item I like as that is what a trailer full of trash cost me to dump in my area.
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Tricky posting pics...lol
Here goes.
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Went to a flea market about 40 miles away to check it out for future buying...not selling.
Found it lacking compared to another one about same distance but in slightly different direction, so ruling something out is valuable again.
Then went to Auction #1 which was nearby and was one-item at a time auction. Didn't buy a single thing. If you don't get the first $5 bid in and it ends up going for $17.50 to $25 there probably isn't money to be made unless it's a $50 to $100 item that people just aren't smart about. Since more of my cronies are buying piece items now, that isn't likely to happen. Auction #2 was to be the same way and I decided to skip it.
I did talk to a part-time auctioneer who was selling at the flea and his report was that yes their auctions were AGAIN hitting the 100 attendee mark on a regular basis and prices were skyhigh. The trend seems to continue with new batches of tv show watchers still flowing in (and then out) like a high-water tide.
Oh well, have to pick and choose...and buy more single items with care.
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Yep....2012 is off to a rip-snoring start. 3 facilities, 6 units, about 35 in attendance, with most being regulars. I was not there, but Don reported that the trend of way overpauing, even by the regulars (myself last month included), continues.
We start day one of U-store-it tomorrow. I've missed the last two auctions due to obligations. Odds increase of getting a unit as I'm a bit more aggressive than Don. It's paid off big once and with breaking even (maybe a little meat on the bone......we'll see) on another.
All we can do is keep on keepin' on.........
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Hitting 3 unit auction today. 1st time to this place. Then off to look at CL finds.
Will let you know what happens.
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my first set of auctions starts thursday. i hope to finally take one home this time. the first 2 are in one of the many affluent sides of town in my city, so im hoping to get one early and use the rest of the day to sort it out. i havent really decided what my max is. ive told my wife one thing, but will probably be taking double what i told her... just in case...
ive been lurking for the past couple of years.. pretty much since the auction shows hit tv. ive used what i learned on there (as much as you can learn on there), from what ive seen people talk about on here and my personal experience buying and reselling on craigslist and the local flea market.
my bigger scores:
goodwill - pair of paradigm v.2 atoms, mint condition. purchased for 10$, sold for 180$
goodwill - pair of bose 301 series III, mint condition (dusty as hell though). purchased 20$ sold for 200$
yardsale - cerwyn vega tower speakers, mint condition. bought 20$ sold 150$
best score - 1994 honda accord w/ jdm h22a motor swap. bought from lady who's son went to prison. he signed the title over to her to pay her back for past debts owed. she sold it to me for what he owed her: 800$. took it to my mechanic who said it needed a rear main seal. 200$ in repair, 1000$ total investment. sold for 4500$ 2 weeks later. fun car to drive. 200bhp in a lil 4banger at 9k rpm was fun.
ive been buying/reselling for around 6 years now, but since my other job lets me work the hours i want and pays a really good wage, i finally found a hobby i can spend my excess $$ on and make more $$ :)
on a final note, its really good that i live in a house thats been converted to a 4plex. i have tons of garage space and 4 city trash cans i can use to avoid dump fees on small/medium items. im really excited to make my first purchase ever and first purchase of 2012
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Well (knock on wood cross your fingers and legs) Went to Auction today and not the first NOOBIE!!!!!!
We had never been to this place. They don't have that many Auctions. Guy felt bad that it was down to only 2 units.
About 20 Regulars ( some we had not seen before but were not noobies. The other regulars knew who they were).
1st unit 10x10 3/4 full trashed sofa and love seat a mattress and totes and of course a small safe (hidden). $200
2nd unit 10x10 AC unit 1/2 full. Nice bedroom set and a lot of those plastic drawer carts full, mainly kids stuff in side. Odds and ends. $210 We went to $200. Other bidder would have gone to 300. Not worth that much to us.
Finally a nice Auction ;D
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To: The Jerk
Sounds like you are well under way. Getting the locker may be your first stumble as things don't always go according to plan.
Other than that my only word of advice to someone who calls himself "The Jerk" is...."Stay away from the oil cans!"
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Well....got a unit. Wish like heck we hadn't. Crowds were pretty normal for around here. About 45, 2/3 regulars. prices stayed semi-reasonable too. 5 facility caravan with about 25 units total.
The one we bought had fishing gear, a compressor, some furniture and tools visible. Don and I agreed on $200 MAX. Well thought I had it at $150 then a yahoo came in at $175. I went ahead and hit our $200. The guy says $210 (increments were a steady $25 on this and most other units). I walked away and my husband leans over towards the guy and said firmly $220. He countered with $222. I kid you not. The auctioneer was PISSED. She said "I don't play that game. Any other REAL bids." I think he realized he had just made an ass out of himself. I almost wish she would have accepted it, as it looks like a break-even or even slight loss unit. Most everything is either broken, incomplete or FILTHY! Funny the cleanest and most resalable items are the baby clothes of which there is a lot.
Oh well.....we were (over) due for a loss.
Only one other unit of interest. She opened it up and it was full of sports paraphernalia, including tons of Steelers (the auctioneer is a fan as is my husband) stuff. I took it up to $700. Ended up going for over $1100.
Tomorrow I hope is a better day with 3 different caravans going on.
ugh....I've got to go launder icky clothes.....
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To: The Jerk
Sounds like you are well under way. Getting the locker may be your first stumble as things don't always go according to plan.
Other than that my only word of advice to someone who calls himself "The Jerk" is...."Stay away from the oil cans!"
oil cans and older stuff are not my thing. electronics, furniture.. these are items i like to deal in that i can move rather fast in the area i live in.
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oil cans and older stuff are not my thing. electronics, furniture.. these are items i like to deal in that i can move rather fast in the area i live in.
You must be fairly young ;)
http://youtu.be/vFWZ37ziMag (http://youtu.be/vFWZ37ziMag)
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You must be fairly young ;)
http://youtu.be/vFWZ37ziMag (http://youtu.be/vFWZ37ziMag)
Classic!!
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Auction today. Well crossing my fingers did not work. :'(
Two facility caravan. Oh and our three day 14 facility caravan cancelled this month. So expected more people at the auctions still going on but good grief.
Over 100 people 10 regulars 2 units.
10x10 1/4 full kids toys, riding worm some bags of clothes $30. We went to $20, Was not worth $40 (and that was what the auctioneer wanted.)
5 x 10 6 metal dinning room chairs table, small sitting chair, 2 tail lights (think to a Honda) a basket with a breather for something. $23.23 we bought it.
Next stop 2 lockers more people
5 x 5 1/4 full looked like business papers in boxes, paper shredder. $310 ::) One of the whales
20 x 20 Van, truck with roof cut off, second level of storage built in, fibreglass finders for cars, a ton of stuff. $510. One of the Whales
So even with the crowd prices were not bad. May be they are getting smarter. ??? Or what came up nobody wanted except for the regulars. ;D
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You must be fairly young ;)
http://youtu.be/vFWZ37ziMag (http://youtu.be/vFWZ37ziMag)
just past my 3rd decade in this thing we call a world ;)
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Day 3 of our busy week. Don and I split up....and no.....not because he made me wash all those truly disgusting clothes~
He went to day two of a local caravan. I went to day one of another with a Phoenix auctioneer. They hold these every other month and are generally busy, due to more units.
My auction started 40 minutes later than projected due to a large # at the first facility which is an hour or so north of us. By the time the auctioneer arrived we were over 100 in attendance. All units went way too high and frankly.......I didn't find any worth bidding on.
Don had about 10 people. All regulars. He picked up a 10X20 3/4 full for $250. He is now on his way over to begin the clean out. I am at home getting kids to do homework, showers and dinner.
He said there is a very nice sofa & loveseat, washer/dryer (we crank those out here), a really cool antique table, a cedar chest and a very vintage 'locker'. Oh please let there be more in there than the wheat penny from our 'write our own reality show' thread. :D
One of our 'regular' buddies told him he got the locker of the day. I hope he was right!
Don promised he would not open a single box or 'dig' until I was able to 'help'. Last decent unit he bought he found all the goodies and left me with the laundry.
Hopefully I get a call in the next half hour saying "You're not gonna believe this........" but I'm just grateful we got a decent locker at a decent price. Our tables (and craigslist account) were looking a bit bare.
I'll update later when I know more and/or we finish the clean-out tomorrow. We are arranging it so we do that after attending the bigger facilities on day two of the one caravan.
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just past my 3rd decade in this thing we call a world ;)
I'm only 33, so you don't have any excuses.
Now, go watch the movie, ya jerk!! ;D
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Gratz Rockin and Money. Maybe prices are getting better. I sure hope so. Every auction of the month for me has been canceled. First hope will be Thursday with my caravan. Most of the descriptions have "furniture" in them so I'm not hopefully of a unit. I try to stay away from furniture as have no place to sale it and sheds are getting full.
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Congrats Rockin...
At least someone is getting a lkr and sounds like a good one.
I went to 1 auction today with 4 lien lkrs and 1 abandoned. The four were nothing special. Prices Ok for most part with 30 people there; 6 were regulars, rest newbies.
The 5th lkr was opened from both ends..a 10 x 20 with an aisle down the middle. One end was full of exercise equipment and the other nothing special. Auctioneer let people walk through and look at stuff. I left before bidding started.
His 2nd auction of the day was cancelled, so I made a trip to a flea and found....nothing.
Another auction Friday and just realized I missed one that kicked off 30 minutes ago, but a trashy area so no big loss and I got some yard work done !
Edit:
Forgot to add that I heard from cronies that a sale the other day about 30 miles away had "only" about 60 people, but when they went on to the next town the number jumped to 200 as they entered the fringe of a major metro area and people poured in. Thanks, but no thanks. You know somewhere in a crowd of 200, that some idiot is going to pay $1200 for a lkr that should go for $400.
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Forgot to add that I heard from cronies that a sale the other day about 30 miles away had "only" about 60 people, but when they went on to the next town the number jumped to 200 as they entered the fringe of a major metro area and people poured in. Thanks, but no thanks. You know somewhere in a crowd of 200, that some idiot is going to pay $1200 for a lkr that should go for $400.
Saw that today as a matter of fact. 10X10 unit full of dirty clothes, a couple mattresses, a dining set and some kids toys. I figured about $300, but knew with the crowd it'd be closer to $900. Ended up at $1050. Now I know there were a couple Raiders items and I love to sell NFL, but come on man! Nuts.
I talked to the auctioneer (Phoenix based) and he said it's not unusual to have crowds of over 200. I've only seen that once here in Tucson, but today was busy enough for me. Glad Don did well.
Oh and for the record......he's already called twice with "ohhhh." "Shut up and get it home so I can discover treasure too!" He did say he hasn't found any clothes.....so my laundering others ick is done for this week!! He did find some Bushnell binoculars and some fishing stuff (always my favorites). And what he thinks is a reproduction, but not sure, antique clock~
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If I hit an auction with 200 people in my area I'm just going home. Most I've seen so far has been about 80 people. Not counting my first auction which was on a saturday and pretty much a carnaval w/ kids, dogs, 100+ people, ballons and flyers.
I'm going to look hard for a locker Thursday, and if not then Monday. Daughter just told me she really wants another locker to work on. We were out in the shed sorting some of the cloths and scrapping stuff.
Hard not to buy something, dispite the prices, when your teenage daughter wants to spend time with old dad.
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If I hit an auction with 200 people in my area I'm just going home. Most I've seen so far has been about 80 people.
Today I felt like leaving before we got started. But glad we didn't with our little score. Have to figure out how to ID the tail lights.
Hard not to buy something, dispite the prices, when your teenage daughter wants to spend time with old dad.
True but don't go crazy she want want to hang out with a frustrated Dad. ;)
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Looking forward to Saturday, competitive bid but these have potential.
Unit 216: Havercroft, Peter – kid’s items, picnic table, bikes, shelving, toy box, rocking chair, wagon, household good, many boxes/totes
Unit 221: Hug, Elizabeth – kid’s toys, household goods, Casio keyboard, baby items, dresser, bunkbed, tv, chair, desk, PC, many boxes/totes..
Unit 260A: Carmack, Edward – PC, utility trailer, 2 refrigerators, grinder, household items, garage items, 2 mountain bikes, boxes/totes.
Unit 430A: Hattley, Charles – tools, turbo heater, saw, oven, pool table, slot machine, fishing equip., minibike, bow and arrow, folding chairs, boxes/totes
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Here's some more on a lkr I mentioned a couple of post up from here. I left the auction before it sold, but a friend stayed for a while.
The 5th lkr was opened from both ends..a 10 x 20 with an aisle down the middle. One end was full of exercise equipment and the other nothing special. Auctioneer let people walk through and look at stuff. I left before bidding started.
My friend watched this thing progress, but he LEFT when it hit $1,200 and was still going. The madness continues with a new batch of crazies.
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Looking forward to Saturday, competitive bid but these have potential.
That Brookside site is highly developed...it even tells you what periodicals their legal notices are in...though why you would need that if you are reading their auction tab is beyond me since it tells you the lkr numbers and names already anyway.
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I was able to hit my 2nd auction for the year. This time about 40 people and 2 lockers. Nothing fancy at all. They went cheap enough 145 and 265 but stuff was just tossed in there. Better luck next week.
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That Brookside site is highly developed...it even tells you what periodicals their legal notices are in...though why you would need that if you are reading their auction tab is beyond me since it tells you the lkr numbers and names already anyway.
For as developed as that site is, It only gets maybe 5 regulars and 1 looker a month. The only advantage being it's in OFE Metro Detroit outskirts. Bids do seem normal for auctions though.
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Well the first auction of the year for me is now in the books. Only 5 out of the 7 locations had units. All with 2-4 units, instead of the 4-6 listed. There was a good 50+ people at the first location. To make matters worse the auciton guy asked who has been watching Storage Wars and about a dozen people raised their hands. I even heard one guy talking on his cell to someone saying "Ya, just like Storage Wars I'm out here at a auction". So I figured it was going to be a LONG day.
Saw one good unit at this location - it went for 470. The other three were 155, 210, and 275. While not outrageous prices the stuff wasn't worth that much IMO. Second location had a 5x15 that was on a bid/hold. We could hardly get the door open. It was slammed full to the roof with stuff. Bad thing was an iron board and matress in front so you couldn't see to the back. Lots of fishing rods and tackle boxes. I liked it for $300 -- it went for $610. Unit next to it had a dresser and headboard in it - sold for $100. Had one other interesting unit at this location. Had 3 metal file cabinets, push mower, and 2 copiers. One was a huge beast with a monitor attached to it, etc. Went for $265 - most people were afraid of the weight of copier. Guy does repo so has a boom/wrecker that can pick it up.
Only two other memoriable lockers just cuz of the price. First one was pretty much empty. Lady at front desk had told us the guy got what he wanted out of the unit and abandoned it. It showed as from the door you see a pile of cloths on the floor, a few pairs of scattered shoes, and a large box with some DVDs and a CD spindle 1/4 full. I liked the unit as figure could make a little money on it and not too much to clean. Auction guy thought it was going to go low since instead of the 50 - 200 bid he tries to open with he starts at $10. I jumpin and bid it up to $50. Past 50 there is no money in there unless something major was in the box. Unit sold for $105 to a newbie.
Last unit of the day was a 10x10 80% empty. However, what you did see was about a 12-20 shoe boxes stacked up. Four of the boxes had "Air Jordan" on them. Shining light in the boxes you could see shoes. Now if those were the Jordon's or not who knows. I walked away from even watching when the bid hit $400 and was still going strong between 2 newbies.
Auction Friday that was re-scheduled from the 10th. Going to pass on it as the place is sometimes "fishy". Major auction on the 16th that I figure will be a complete zoo. As of today they have 53 out of the 61 units between the two locations. However, this is a real auction guy. So the auction is both in the paper and auctionzip. All of the Federal people in area will be off work. So I figure it will be a 100 or more person day. Talking with a few of the other guys we plan to just bring chairs and watch the circus.
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OMG, auctions here in Charlotte have gone crazy. Wednesday, a three facility tour advertised on AuctionZip had over 80 units for sale and the crowds of newbies were out in force, 200 strong in the rain. Prices were off the chain, I don' think I even bid once.
I think I am skipping the widely advertised sales until things settle down. There are far better opportunities where the newbies haven't discovered.
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I think I am skipping the widely advertised sales until things settle down. There are far better opportunities where the newbies haven't discovered.
We have been waiting for over 6 months. Sure others longer.
Less advertised better, but they are finding them too.
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We have been waiting for over 6 months. Sure others longer.
Less advertised better, but they are finding them too.
It's do-able. I have only been doing this now 7 months, but the one Spot I have is a life savior to me.
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It's do-able. I have only been doing this now 7 months, but the one Spot I have is a life savior to me.
Yes we have been doing other buying sources. Last Auction prices were not bad, Have seen a lot worse at that facility. We just went to see what was happening locally. LOL And bought one. For a grand total of $23.23. Big spenders. :D
Most of the lookers were just that lookers. Not Crazies.
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Went to one yesterday......facility usually had kind of crappy units and yesterday was no exception. I only hung around for three lockers to sell and looked briefly in the fourth and left. There were around 80 people there and it took an hour for the first three lockers.....I decided I had enough to do besides stand around there in the cold wasting time. Talked to one of my friends later on and I made the right decision.
Out of all those people, I recognized about 10 of the "regulars" and there were a lot of new people, lot's of them talking about the shows, and of course there's at least one in every crowd now....usually more than one....that has to yell out "Yuuuup" at least a couple of times, because that's just so damn funny! We need a vomit smiley! It was hard to tell what the prices were with this crowd, because the lockers I saw were so crappy they were only going for about 10x pre show prices. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if there would have actually been something worth bidding on..............
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Well it all depends on the lockers. The caravan had a number of newbies but 1/2 the lockers went to regulars. However, to me some of the new regulars are starting to get dumb, maybe mob mentality?
I figure the Monday auction is going to be crazy. However, I'll be going since it's one that my daughter can attend and she has been asking to go. Not looked it up on AuctionZip but suspect it's there. I'll have to go do that now and check.
So far only 1 unit for me this year, that I spent a whole 60 secs cleaning out. Was just a bike in it. Spent $20 to give to a co-worker that got hers stolen. Just needs a new set of brakes, little air, and oil and it's good to go.
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Went to one auction today by the same auctioneer who had a crowd of 200 a few days ago. This time one of his helpers was doing it and only about 30 people there with maybe 8 of us who are regulars.
Kind of forgot the details on most of the 7 lkrs, but I got a 10x10 for $425 which was lkr 2 of 2 owned next to each other by the same tenant. The other one sold for only $55 ! Knew we probably have some mixed furn pieces and we did. I sold the other buyer a few small peices for $25 so lkr only cost me $400 I guess.
Looks like its going to come out pretty good though nothing special...maybe $200 profit...I'll take it!
Then we went on to three 5x10s. First one had about 6 cardboard boxes and 2 totes. Clean but sparse. I think it went for $85...total gamble. Next was packed all the way 'round and went for $650....made my 10x10 look pretty good. Nothing in the $650 showed as special, just PACKED. Third 5 x 10 was pretty much nothing and went for $75.
So, it continues....I just STRUCK while the iron was hot for good quantity and OK quality at what anymore was a reasonable price. This was my first lkr of the new year and I think I attended 3 or 4 auctions and saw maybe 40 lkrs.
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Wish me luck guys, taking a G and praying for that dirt bike unit. I think ima hit it $100 at a time and try to catch everyone off guard.
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Wish me luck guys, taking a G and praying for that dirt bike unit. I think ima hit it $100 at a time and try to catch everyone off guard.
Good Luck.
@MovieMan glad you got one with a little profit.
@Craigslistauction we went to one that is crazy and ended up getting one, almost got two but that bidding decision time got us. Just did not look like it was worth the $40 bucks wanted.
So in general even with all the noobies the prices were not bad, hard for us to judge the overall scene, have a lot of facilities that don't have one every month popping up. So they are new to us.
We have been to 3 Auctions and saw 18 units. Small compared to MovieMan's 40. And have bought one.
The last week in Jan. Looks good for us. So moving what inventory we have to be ready for them. :D
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I'm heading out the door to household auction today. The storage lockers have been far and few between. Those that have been going off are going way to high. Next week looks better as there are 3 maybe even 4 going off.
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And no luck. 3 of 4 units paid up and other one was junk.
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That sucks acman but seems to be normal right now. I've had more auctions canceled this month then normal. Even the u-haul that had 17 units and never gets paid up all paid but 1, so they canceled. Hoping for a good day Monday even with the crowds. On thursday we still had 50+ units so 10 or so paid up.
I got to try and call Metro monday morning if they will answer. Paper shows auction starting at 9:30 but Auctionzip has it as 12. If lucky that means most of the newbies will show up way late.
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Caught the last three stops of 6 facility caravan Friday. About 30 people there including all the regular faces. Saw about 20 units and prices were ok, not great not crazy. Got one at the last stop for $90.00. Had about 400 pieces of infant/kids/maternity clothes, wood dinette (keeper), toys, quilts/blankets and lot of misc. items. Great inventory for next yardsale, looking to clear $200-300 off this one.
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Just found out today while out buying at the flea market where I sell on Saturday a little more info on an auction that happend a week or so ago with 200 people attending.
One of the regulars (of the 8 years I've been doing it) bought 2 lockers there for a total of $3500. One went for $2100 and the other for $1400. Apparently they looked pretty good, but when I talked to him today (and his English is not so good) he said he would be happy to break even.
I saw the big furniture he got (both lkrs owned by one person) and it looked great. I saw mostly children's bedroom furn and a toy wooden bus that I have seen before. All in A-1 shape, but when you have laid out $3.5K you've got some selling to do before the profits start coming in. Apparently the smalls just weren't there.
Now this guy and his wife have been big spenders for years (even before the tv shows) but this one took the cake in my book; no details on who was bidding against him, but had to be some of the whales from a nearby metro area that also have more money than sense.
That story makes my possible $200 profit on a $400+ locker look even better today.
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Well hit two different auctions today. The first was a small facility with 3 lockers, crowd of about 30 people (mostly regulars). First locker was a lot of broken stuff, mostly full, sort of "so/so" and sold for open bid of $50. The other two were ok and went for decent prices IMO.
Then we hit the 2 facility auction with the Florida auctioneer. I was right - it was a freaking circus. We had at least 150 people at the first location and close to 200 at the second. I have pictures of the crowds on my phone. The prices reflected the crowds. Lockers that I could normally grab for 50-100 bucks was going for 200+. I have a complete listing but will not put everyone to sleep with the prices. The second facility also had a thing for matresses. Had several units with 6+ matresses in them. One had at least a dozen, some still in plastic.
My daughter was with me today. She liked one locker and prompted me to bid. It was one of the so/so lockers with a nice square coffee table showing (no glass), a ton of VHS tapes, and all sorts of boxes. Since I like boxes I went ahead and called out the next bid ($150). I actually got it which surprised me. So for $176.50 (tax and bp) we got a locker. Don't look like I will make lots of money but will break even or make some. For once what is marked on the boxes is what is in there. So I have all sorts of kitchen items now, a georgia formen grill, iron, knife block w/ all the knives, etc.
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Going to 3 auctions tomorrow with a total (maybe) of 18 lkrs at three facilities.
The $400+ locker I got the other day is marginal at this point. Thought I might get $200 profit out of it. If so, it will be close.
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Two auctions today total of 12 units advertised. Were planning on attending just to be lookie loos. Waiting on sells to pick up a little.
But it has started raining don't think will go (have been a little under the weather).
20* then 75* then back to 32* might have something to do with that.
Also our Thrift was told yesterday that she could not put anything on the side walk or parking-lot. We loaded her up with stuff over the weekend. Guess we need to set back and see what is going to happen there.
Good Luck Movieman
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Dang money that sucks about you not feeling well and the thrift store you sell to/at. In my area that is how they advertise. By putting stuff out by the road / sidewalk and in front of the store entrance.
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Dang money that sucks about you not feeling well and the thrift store you sell to/at. In my area that is how they advertise. By putting stuff out by the road / sidewalk and in front of the store entrance.
Yeah has turned into a netflix day still raining. We are ok but feel if we spent time in the rain would be knocked out.
On the Thrift it does suck that is how she has been selling so much. If people don't see it out they think she is closed. She would keep things fresh put the new stuff out front.
She said it was the county code, I doubt that. the landlord has talked to her about putting the stuff in the parking lot/ there is a Dr. office next door.
The original Dr. there passed away around the time she opened, now there is a new one there so I think that is part of the problem. She is in a great location but IMO I think she pays to much in rent for what she gets. But she has been doing well there. And there is nothing else for rent there.
Sure hope we don't have to go get that stuff we would need a barn. LOL
Thanks Craiglstauction.
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The three auctions I went to today had a decent crowd (30 or so...6 regulars). Lkrs were nothing special. Prices OK, I just wasn't interested in the goods. Regulars got some, newbies got some. I didn't even bid until the last facility and the next to last lkr. I went to $650 on a 10 x 15 and let the other regular get it for $675.
Always more auctions...three tomorrow in fact !
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Had four auctions to attend this week, but the Seattle area got a light dusting of snow, so everything was cancelled! I'm going crazy with nothing to do!
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Been a while for me, just hit my first auction of the new year today. 2 Lockers, 15 people total. First locker went for cheap, pretty nice clock showing, winner jumped the bid from $100 to $200 and scared everyone off. Later on I talked to the guy again, he said after getting the clock checked out it was a legit piece, should pay for the unit.
I liked his bidding strategy, but I think it would leave me wondering if I could of gotten it cheaper. I'll admit it, I'm the type to bleed the bid out in $5-10 increments :P.
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I liked his bidding strategy, but I think it would leave me wondering if I could of gotten it cheaper. I'll admit it, I'm the type to bleed the bid out in $5-10 increments :P.
This used to work for me...over a year ago! No more. If there are any serious regular bidders there they will just take it on up $25 or more at a time. Also, some newbies will think..."Hell, if HE likes it at that price I think I'll bid too."
Anymore, I let the basic bidding start and come in late. Sometime works, sometimes doesn't.
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I'm still up in the air if I want to go out today. Yesterday was a little crazy. The auction that would get 15 bidders had close to 50 and prices were crazy high. Not one of the regulars even bid on any lkr's never mind win one. I did not go to the next one after seeing what I saw. People come and bid to high and lose money and you don't see them anymore. The problem is you lose one and 5 take their place.
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This used to work for me...over a year ago! No more. If there are any serious regular bidders there they will just take it on up $25 or more at a time. Also, some newbies will think..."Hell, if HE likes it at that price I think I'll bid too."
Anymore, I let the basic bidding start and come in late. Sometime works, sometimes doesn't.
I have gotten so tired of the madness at the auctions that I have completely changed my bidding strategy. Two things are happening now at the auctions. New newbies are just gambling so they will pay any price to win what looks like a good unit. older newbies are "bird doging" the regulars, basically any unit a regular shows interest in, they jump on. So now I start every unit i am interested in at 75% of the maximum I am willing to spend. I think I have done enough research to guess the total value of a unit based on size, volume, and quality. The other regulars look at me like"what the heck are you doing?" but we all know the price is going to get that high anyway and higher. In fact I haven't won a unit since mid December so I am still getting out bid. What other new bidders don't know is when I start the bid at 75% of my max, and the final bid settles at twice that amount or more, the chances of making any money on that unit are probably less then 10%.
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I think it just amazes me how these prices are still going for so much! I know that a fool and his money are soon parted, but this is outrageous.
I mean I can see what you guys paid for units pre and post SW because of my Sealed bid auction and hitting public storage places. I just wish I had done this 3 or 4 years ago when I originally heard about this. My only hope is that one day SW will at least put something at the begining of the show saying that lockers don't always hold antiques and that this is not a get rich quick method. But I realize that this will never be the case.
Question to everyone else here. Do you guys try to inform people who are looking into getting into this or newbs at the auction hoping to get a locker no matter what? I just wonder if it would have an impact on prices?
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I think the ones going into this are going to be in for a shock if they are expecting antiques or anything of value. I am a newbie going to my first auction this weekend. I guess it depends how much you are willing to spend. Would I keep raising bids just to get a locker? No. I would like to think I am a realist, and have a general idea of what things are worth. Any one with a brain I think would know how set up SW are. I don't get how they put such a high value on stuff. And in my opinion, sure Dave can win by the "supposed" value of contents, but that value doesn't hold if he has to sit on the item. When you really think about it, how many people really put their valuable stuff in storage?
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Well we have some pretty loud talking regulars. They are a couple of old retired guys. Friendly enough and great to hang with. They do tell the newbies up front that they have been doing this for XX years (for most 15 - 25). If this was a easy way to get rich then what are they still doing here????
We poke fun at the shows alot also. Other then Monday for the most part the crowds have grown but it's 80% regular bidders with a few noobs bidding. With those people we pretty much waste their money at the start of a caravan or multi-unit location so by time we get to the end they have blown their wad.
Next week is 3 of the regular few locker locations that I sometimes make and other times don't. I'll be curious to see how those crowds are. We are talking only 2-5 lockers a day at a location.
Case in point from Monday. The 10am auction had 20-30 people for 3 units. Most of the non-regulars just followed the crowd since the paper said Metro was at 9:30 when it was really at 12. An hour later back at Metro the crowd was already 60 strong and growing. Auctionzip is not your friend :(
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Question to everyone else here. Do you guys try to inform people who are looking into getting into this or newbs at the auction hoping to get a locker no matter what? I just wonder if it would have an impact on prices?
I tell everybody who shows interest in this, that it is and I quote "A truly nasty, dirty business". Yes there is money to be made, but the work and the filth often leave me wondering why. I let them know about unwashed clothing, stains on furniture, food left in lockers, an old broken hutch covered in roach crap, the porn, drug paraphernalia and numerous court documents chronicling broken lives. It's gross and definitely not for the weak of heart, back or stomach.
I have gotten so tired of the madness at the auctions that I have completely changed my bidding strategy. Two things are happening now at the auctions. New newbies are just gambling so they will pay any price to win what looks like a good unit. older newbies are "bird doging" the regulars, basically any unit a regular shows interest in, they jump on. So now I start every unit i am interested in at 75% of the maximum I am willing to spend. I think I have done enough research to guess the total value of a unit based on size, volume, and quality. The other regulars look at me like"what the heck are you doing?" but we all know the price is going to get that high anyway and higher. In fact I haven't won a unit since mid December so I am still getting out bid. What other new bidders don't know is when I start the bid at 75% of my max, and the final bid settles at twice that amount or more, the chances of making any money on that unit are probably less then 10%.
I consider myself a regular. To some I'm considered an older newbie I guess, but I have been told by some friends (who just go to observe) that people hone in on me. When I want a unit they pay attention a bit more than when my husband does the bidding. Could be why I've only won 4 of the 10 units we've purchased. And I've never won one when my husband wasn't there. Seems they always go too high.
Guess I'll have to keep an eye on that and hand the reins over.
And I like your bidding strategy. Think I'll try that. Or let my husband (since I'm being 'bird-dogged') tomorrow if we find a locker worth bidding on~
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I think it just amazes me how these prices are still going for so much! I know that a fool and his money are soon parted, but this is outrageous.
I mean I can see what you guys paid for units pre and post SW because of my Sealed bid auction and hitting public storage places. I just wish I had done this 3 or 4 years ago when I originally heard about this. My only hope is that one day SW will at least put something at the begining of the show saying that lockers don't always hold antiques and that this is not a get rich quick method. But I realize that this will never be the case.
Question to everyone else here. Do you guys try to inform people who are looking into getting into this or newbs at the auction hoping to get a locker no matter what? I just wonder if it would have an impact on prices?
I have tried in the past, but it's real tough when you got 60-100 new faces at the auction. Another thing I have noticed over the last couple of months with the newbies is not only are they bidding a lot higher then newbies over the previous year, there seems to be a real difference in attitude. It's kinda like all the brash poker playing egomaniacs have come out to gamble now. I wonder if its just a sign that the bad economy has turned the corner in my area so people feel more free to waste money, or if something esle is going on? Definitely a difference.
The other thing is even if you tell several people that no unit is worth over $250, then they see you bid on one and think going $275 isn't going to hurt, and then the other folks you didn't talk to start bidding and so it goes up, up, and away...
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I wouldnt look for prices to get any cheaper, only perhaps higher with income taxes upon us. Adult christmas is here!
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I wouldnt look for prices to get any cheaper, only perhaps higher with income taxes upon us. Adult christmas is here!
Will agree with you there.
Hope it works on selling though. ;D Why we have so much at the Thrift. Adult Christmas. ;D
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Will agree with you there.
Hope it works on selling though. ;D Why we have so much at the Thrift. Adult Christmas. ;D
I may do the Blair auctions in March and April just for the shuts and giggles of seeing what fools will bid up to.
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Going to one auction today; 12 units; haven't had auction for a year ..... what's up with that?
Will report later on crowd and prices....not very optimistic about either.
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Going to one auction today; 12 units; haven't had auction for a year ..... what's up with that?
Will report later on crowd and prices....not very optimistic about either.
So some of these tenants are charged for a year of rent even after being locked out?
If so each units gonna need a grand to pay up past due rent.
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3 facility caravan today, cut down to two due to paper work issues. About 20 in attendance. Mostly regulars with a couple newbies. Prices stayed relatively normal until our Dave Hester went over the top of another regular and spent over $800 on a 10X10. Can't say I recall anything making it worth that much, but I never get upset when he gets a unit I don't necessarily want. Let him fill his sails.....leaves more air for the rest of us later on.
Second facility picked up a couple more. Only thing of note was a couple newbie girls were bidding fast and furious at both facilities. Think they landed a few and should lose their butts. Hope to not see them again at any rate, as they threw money around senselessly.
No locker for me. Just as well, as we still have quite a bit of inventory. Did notice that the first facility of the day prices are usually lower. I know it's because as you draw to a close later on.....those that haven't bought feel the noose tightening. Gotta get a unit....gotta get a unit.....gotta get a unit.....
eh.....next week brings a couple more caravans, then we're into the next month when things go crazy again!
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Got 4 of the 12 lkrs at one facility today...all 5 x 10s...for a total of $225. Should double I think. Nothing special, but anymore the bread and butter stuff is what pays the bills...and they are easy cleanouts...no furniture.
One other guy got 5 I think (a newbie who I and others bid up and then bailed on).
One newbie and his wife were chatting me up and I accomodated them as they expressed an interest in some stuff I had just won. They won one lkr. When I talked to them at the end they were prodding me (especially the wife) asking if I really ever got any good stuff. I gave her a couple of examples and told her the really good ones only happened about every 1 in 50 or so.
When she asked how many I had bought I told her..that took her aback a bit...but I reminded her it was over 8 years.
When I asked if this was their first buy, she piped up right away..."Oh no, this is our second!" I stifled my laugh especially when she said the first one was just yesterday! ;D
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When I asked if this was their first buy, she piped up right away..."Oh no, this is our second!" I stifled my laugh especially when she said the first one was just yesterday! ;D
I love it! Not sure I could have resisted the laughter.
Sounds like a good day MovieMan. I'm hoping for a day of multiple buys, but with our crowds and soooo many struggling......I'm happy just for one locker.
I tell you what~I want just a 'normal' locker again. Far too many questions with two of our last three, with the third being crap. Oh we'll break even on it, Maybe even cover the dump run, but dang that was NASTY!
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Got 4 of the 12 lkrs at one facility today...all 5 x 10s...for a total of $225. Should double I think. Nothing special, but anymore the bread and butter stuff is what pays the bills...and they are easy cleanouts...no furniture.
When I asked if this was their first buy, she piped up right away..."Oh no, this is our second!" I stifled my laugh especially when she said the first one was just yesterday! ;D
Sounds like you did pretty good today.
With Rockin not sure I could have kept my composer on the laughter. I would have asked is that one cleaned out yet? LOL
We have a few newbies that buy and hold, Wait to clean out. And then they don't clean it at all.
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That is great MovieMan that you got some stuff. I cleaned and sorted my locker from Monday. Am 100% sure it was a "combined" unit now.
Next week is interesting even if I can't make all the auctions: 2 pods for sale on tuesday, 2 locations on wed (1 only has 1 unit), small 3 facility caravan and 1 late evening auction thursday, 2 facility caravan friday (4 units, then 1), and a 3 facility caravan Saturday.
Saturday I need to confirm as not seen anything in the paper. They normally hold last saturday of month. Should have a number of units as they skipped Dec due to Christmas.
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That is great MovieMan that you got some stuff.
Yep, I just decided to go for a few even though 2 of them were marginal. Two of the 4 5 x 10s I got were only about 1/4 full, the third one 1/2 full and the fourth one full...the two smallest ones I cleaned out right away.
On a side note the weather here was blustery yesterday afternoon and the forecast for Friday night into Saturday morn was for 1" to 2" of rain and winds to 25 mph throughout the night. I decided then I would not sell on Saturday and they also predicted showers from 6 a.m. to noon.
Well, I awoke at 12:30 Sat morn to find only sprinkles, no wind and there was no 1" or more of rain that fell from when I went to bed at 9 p.m. Friday. I went back to bed slightly ticked at weather.com but was committed to working on my other two lkrs Saturday and just shopping at whatever sellers decided to brave the weather or not believe the forecasters.
As I write this at 5 a.m. Saturday it is lightly sprinkling and no wind, so my decision may have been justified after all. I was thinking it would be nice to take a break from selling (last six Saturdays were sunny after 6 a.m. 35 to 40 degrees). So anyway, best laid plans? Maybe, maybe not.
More auctions next week ! ;D
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Glad I didn't sell today as the 50% chance of rain has turned into light to heavy rain and now severe thundershowers (lost power once already).
Called the Saturday caravan to verify next week. I was told it was canceled. They canceled the auction and moved it to Feb 11th (not normal sat for them). The reason - to wait for most people to have tax money back. I was like oh good grief - it's already bad enough w/ the newbies. Now we will have them out in force with 2-4k earned income tax checks. This place will also be 2 full months of no auctions. Currently the 1 place I spoke with had 23 lockers going up. Will be MLK day all over again.
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I went to a place today where only 50 showed up. My second auction and it only had about half the people of my first, but still a sizable crowd... Anyway, it went from the 8 units advertised to 2 and they both went for over a grand. I'm not a phenomenal judge of antiques, but really, it was a bunch of furniture and it all looked kinda cheap. The other unit had about 4 refrigerators and some stuff wrapped up in those furniture blanket things. There was also a largeish toolbox on top of one of the 'fridges. There was a safe in this one, too and I tried to stay around to watch them break open, but they shunned me out. Oh well, probably empty or paperwork.
I've been picking a lot lately to get some payroll so I can start bidding, but weather prevented me from setting up at the flea market this weekend so I decided to go spectate this auction. Discouraging to say the least. But still only my second. Here's to hoping it gets better!
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I went to a place today where only 50 showed up. My second auction and it only had about half the people of my first, but still a sizable crowd... Anyway, it went from the 8 units advertised to 2 and they both went for over a grand. I'm not a phenomenal judge of antiques, but really, it was a bunch of furniture and it all looked kinda cheap. The other unit had about 4 refrigerators and some stuff wrapped up in those furniture blanket things. There was also a largeish toolbox on top of one of the 'fridges. There was a safe in this one, too and I tried to stay around to watch them break open, but they shunned me out. Oh well, probably empty or paperwork.
I've been picking a lot lately to get some payroll so I can start bidding, but weather prevented me from setting up at the flea market this weekend so I decided to go spectate this auction. Discouraging to say the least. But still only my second. Here's to hoping it gets better!
But you're doing it! Hopefully you are learning each time. And no matter how much you observe.....ain't nothin' like the first time you bid, win and start to dig! We're now at 10 lockers and each time the anticipation is great! Of course the actual cleaning out.....not so much, but that first time you lift the door after paying for the locker????? Sky's the limit!
I've yet to find a safe, but with my crowds......if one is apparent......well let's just say, I don't have the capital to compete~ ::)
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I've yet to find a safe, but with my crowds......
And you may not find one for quite a while, but when you do, you can bet it not have anything in it of value to you.
I think I've gotten maybe 10 over the years and 3 of them DID yield value, but I consider that ratio high...I would guess it's really more like 1 in 50 or so will even have a safe, and when they do it's probably 1 in 50 of those that do that have value...I just lucked out...or my ratio thoughts are off. Search for "safes" here in the threads and you'll find a fair number of stories and pictures.
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I remember one unit that a rumble started about a safe in the unit. I went back and checked and it was a small all in one stereo system with a tuning dial. I went back to the instigator (an old-timer regular) and told him what I believe I saw and he said "yeah. I know. I just love messing with folks!" I gently punched him in the arm and told him to knock it off, as I wanted that unit. Needless to say the price went far too high.
at an auction a couple weeks ago Don heard some guys talking about the 4 shotguns in the back. They could see the barrels. Don double-checked and they were curtain rods. He just chuckled and let 'em go~
Funny how different eyes see different things~
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Funny how different eyes see different things~
Think it is blind eyes.. (blind smiley)
We had one that was a kiln it really was a commercial dish washer (husband was one when he was a teen)
Husband hears more of that than I do. sometime he bust their bubble and sometimes not. :D
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That is why I always like to have a second pair of eyes on a unit. It's like the first auction of the month. One of the regulars and I were looking at a unit together. We saw something and both looked. Went outside and discussed it - both saw the riding lawnmower in the back behind some furniture. We were the only ones that did, so they got the unit pretty cheap.
As for talking up a crap unit - we do that many times when have a crowd of newbies. A few of us regulars will get into a small bidding war and then some newbie will jump in. Then another will jump in on that newbie and a bidding war breaks out. The regulars sit back and smile at each other.
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Funny how different eyes see different things~
I'm thinking this is the storage equivalent to "beer goggles."
People expect to see treasure, so they trick themselves into seeing it.
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They cancelled the auction for this weekend and moved it to next weekend. The usual auction for next Thursday has not listed yet so I don't know if it is happening or not. Had a major expense show up, so I might not be buying anything but cheap units, if I can find them, for the next couple of months, unless I a get a gift from Uncle Sam. Oh well, so is the life...
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Had a major expense show up, so I might not be buying anything but cheap units, if I can find them, for the next couple of months, unless I a get a gift from Uncle Sam. Oh well, so is the life...
We can relate. Only have one good auction next week hopefully some inventory starts moving at the thrift. Or we might just have to stay home. :(. All our seed money tied up in inventory.
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Well first time for this particular auctioneer. Very large crowd, over 60 with maybe 20 regulars. two facilities and 16 units (combined).
First facility~nothing but trash units. Didn't even consider bidding on any. A buddy of mine got one for $5. Had a safe in it (yep....my first safe) that had the back cut out of it, some crap furniture, a lamp (his $5 investment was covered with that) and a few boxes. He lives right around the corner so no issues with travel. About the only thing of note was I found .70 on the ground~score!?!
Traveled about 20 miles to the next facility, where they had 9 units. picked up another 15 or so. This was an all indoor facility and it was crowded! First unit was a 5X10 packed to the gills with tools, sports equipment and the like. I loved this unit and bid it up to $600. It went for $750. After that the units got worse and the prices higher. 3 units all belonging to the same owner contained art (y'all know how much I love that!) and ended up going for $1200, $1800 and I have no idea on the last as we left. Sad thing is somebody made the comment that it looked like possibly an art teachers unit. You know what.....the more I think about it.....I think he may have been right. Oh well.....wasn't my money.
All in all a bust of a day, but I did talk with our Dave Hester and he confided in me a bit, so that is a plus. Keep your friends close kinda deal~
Big caravan on Thurs and this one isn't listed on Auctionzip or the like, so hopefully crowds will just be us regulars there.
8)
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Auctions everywhere today! I tried a couple of the well known caravans and the crowds were disgusting! So, thinking I'd be smart, I headed 35 miles North to a "secret" facility that usually has smaller crowds.
Secret my ASS! We pulled up, and there were OVER 100 PEOPLE THERE! WTF is this? The wind was gusting at 40-50 mph, and it was raining cats and dogs! Umbrella's were literally blowing inside out due to the wind gusts. I stayed for two lockers, and after seeing the crowd, how long it was taking, and how much they went for, I called it a day.
Maybe it's time to get a job?? Just Kidding!! Even a crappy day of auction buying beats a good day on a real job!!!!
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Maybe it's time to get a job??
No say it ain't so !!!!!!. ;)
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Well first time for this particular auctioneer. Very large crowd, over 60 with maybe 20 regulars. two facilities and 16 units (combined).
First facility~nothing but trash units. Didn't even consider bidding on any. A buddy of mine got one for $5. Had a safe in it (yep....my first safe) that had the back cut out of it, some crap furniture, a lamp (his $5 investment was covered with that) and a few boxes. He lives right around the corner so no issues with travel. About the only thing of note was I found .70 on the ground~score!?!
Traveled about 20 miles to the next facility, where they had 9 units. picked up another 15 or so. This was an all indoor facility and it was crowded! First unit was a 5X10 packed to the gills with tools, sports equipment and the like. I loved this unit and bid it up to $600. It went for $750. After that the units got worse and the prices higher. 3 units all belonging to the same owner contained art (y'all know how much I love that!) and ended up going for $1200, $1800 and I have no idea on the last as we left. Sad thing is somebody made the comment that it looked like possibly an art teachers unit. You know what.....the more I think about it.....I think he may have been right. Oh well.....wasn't my money.
All in all a bust of a day, but I did talk with our Dave Hester and he confided in me a bit, so that is a plus. Keep your friends close kinda deal~
Big caravan on Thurs and this one isn't listed on Auctionzip or the like, so hopefully crowds will just be us regulars there.
8)
You seem to mention "art" in a lot of units you see. Are units full of artwork that common in your part of the country, or do you just naturally key in to spotting artwork in units? We don't tend to see much good artwork in units in my part of the country.
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Well I took a early lunch break at 9am to hit a 9:30 auction 10 miles from work. Almost turned around when called to make sure they were going to have the auctions and got "you can come and wait". Seems this girl was new and had no freaking idea what she was doing. Plus, the paperwork was a mess. So auction started 20 mins late.
Crowd was small. Only 8 or 9 registered bidders and like 20 people. That included the 2 facility ladies, and the auctioneer. We had two cute young ladies that were looky loos. Another guy that had done storage auctions years ago and had just came back to see what had changed. The rest were regulars or new regulars. Three units out of the five. Prices were ok but not great with a 10% bp, 7% tax, and a $40 cleaning deposit per locker. Buddy bought 2 of the 3 lockers. The last locker was the best. Packed 10x10 to the ceiling. U-haul boxes, nice brown leather couch upright in front with no rips/tears, baby stuff. That unit sold for $700.
Only 1 unit at the next facility so I came back to work. Two auctions thursday (may make 1), and 1 friday. Need to verify but may even have one this Sunday, which would be different.
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You seem to mention "art" in a lot of units you see. Are units full of artwork that common in your part of the country, or do you just naturally key in to spotting artwork in units? We don't tend to see much good artwork in units in my part of the country.
It seems to haunt me....kinda like the strippers units for the month of November.....sheesh. And no "units full of artwork" aren't common. The two significant pieces we've found were buried in units with visible vintage items.
Like I said~these appeared to be an art teachers units, as there were tons of canvas, framed pieces and the like. What we could see many were different mediums and talent. I did think about the first one, but when one of my buddies topped out at $600 and it kept going up.....let's just say the other two art units were not even looked at.
I really lucked out on our first unit with the Velarde, since then I've had numerous pieces worth very little. The Lautrec litho is not going to be worth much at all, if anything. At this point I'd take $50 just to get rid of it! I talked (via email) with a gallery in the Pacific NW and he basically said they wouldn't be interested and perhaps I should try ebay or an antique mall......the kiss of death for art~
We do tend to look for units with vintage items, so perhaps we're finding more art (than average) that way than say those that buy furniture or tool units (although I'm getting to prefer those more).
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Thursday the 26th, 2012....will be going to 6 facilities with possible total of 60 lkrs. Should be able to get one wouldn't you think...we'll see !
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Tomorrow is another one of the public storage runs.....we'll see what happens.....but after Daryl, Brandy and Jarrod made almost 30K between them the other night, the crowds should be thick!
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Good luck MovieMan - but at the normal rate of payment now a days you may be down to 30-40 by auction. Still that is a large number of units and sure to bring the crowds.
Missing the afternoon PS one due to work. May hit up a 5:30 auction tonight with daughter just to look. I've heard mix things about this place so not really interested in buying. Friday auctions I may not hit since it is suppose to be thunderstorms in area. Will have to wait and see what 9:45 is like in the morning. Going to confirm a Sunday auction. If that is legit I'll be there Sunday with daughter.
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Good luck MovieMan - but at the normal rate of payment now a days you may be down to 30-40 by auction.
You think? ;)
Still that is a large number of units and sure to bring the crowds.
The first 2 have time conflict so I am going to try the less attended auction and hope to score there
while the mobs are at the other two. After the first one I go to I join the mob.
Gotta try !
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Finished cleaning out lkrs 3 and 4 of the 4 I bought recently and ran into the "newbie" couple who proclaimed
"oh no, this is our second lkr buy!".
While I was cleaning out four 5 x 10s they were still only half way done working on their one 5 x 10.
They had set up a card table and two folding chairs in the hallway, and each time I visited them during a 3 day period they were looking at dozens of little toys spread out on that table. The woman showed me a metal Hot Wheels type car (out of package) and said "I'll look it up on eBay and see if it's worth anything."
I maintained my composure and told her the only ones that are worth more than $1.00 are the redlines (and I explained that to her).
She also showed me a Star Wars toys in the shrink/cardboard wrapper and asked how much I thought it was worth. I told her I would start it at $8 at the flea and be happy to get $5. She was taken aback by that a bit. I guess I take such things for granted due to doing it for years.
Anyway, they are learning...but slowly. They plan to sell Saturday at the flea where I sell...be interesting to see their setup.
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Meanwhile, van problems. Long story short, thought it was battery but think it is alternator or something. Trickle charge for a few hours. Runs all day, next morning is dead again. Sears said battery is fine, so has to be deeper than that. May have to rent a van for Saturday flea...lost last Saturday to rain.
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Movieman sounds like you have something that is draining the battery like a light in the glovebox that doesn't go out when closed, underhood light doing the same, just something somewhere not going off when you shut down. This can be a real pain to find. Good luck!
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Movieman sounds like you have something that is draining the battery like a light in the glovebox that doesn't go out when closed, underhood light doing the same, just something somewhere not going off when you shut down. This can be a real pain to find. Good luck!
My first vehicle had this same issue. I resorted to unplugging the battery when parked. Yes, it is a less-than-stellar fix, but was cheap and not that hard.
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7 facility Public Storage auction caravan~Don drives 30 miles to the first and gets a call from a buddy saying "They just paid up here. Meet ya at the next facility." So he turns around, heads to the next location, talks for a bit with the 'gang' and the auctioneer comes out and says the remaining auctions are cancelled due to technical issues and will be held next month.....WTF?!
Looks like we're done until next week and Don will be outta town and it's a heavily publicized auction so.....better get back to listing on ebay~ ::)
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I had mentioned in another thread that I was going to attend a PS auction today, but after some thought, I'm skipping it.
We are in the classic inventory rich/cash poor situation and I need to focus on the sell-side. Ebay is offering free listings today and tomorrow on top of the normal 50/month promotion. I plan on getting about 10 listings up today and then using up the rest of my 50 this weekend.
It's a lot of listings, so I'll be spending most of my day working on that. Now, off to take pics.
"Say Cheese!" ;D
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Going to a lot of auctions today..home for lunch between some of them.
Auction A, B, C. Auction B was a conflict of time with Auction C.
I went to C....only 10 or so bidders as I expected, but one of them has more money than sense.
The auctioneer is weird..he is the facility owner. He always asks his local mgr how much is owed on the locker.
First one, a 10 x 30 with doors at each end, owed $1250.
The bidder with no sense (who has never been here before) offers $750. I would have started it at $300. Then it goes up until the original bidder gets it at $850. Lkr was essentially 1/2 full but stuff was spread over the entire length and width only 3 feet high. He might break even or make a bit.
Next one goes for $500 (a 10 x 10) and pretty nice. Might break even or make a bit.
Next one goes for $500...(a 10 x 10) and not so nice...first bidder got it also, so now he is in 2 lkrs for $1,350 and that was it for him. Next two lockers are trash and each sold for $250 or so.
My contribution to this auction was to run all these people UP, UP, and UP. May they learn a lesson from this.
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Auction A (I heard) only had 40 people but prices were outrageous.
Auctioneer is a dips**t and got to Auction B 40 minutes late so I got to go to it.
Prices outrageous. Didn't have to run any of the 80 people there up...they did it to themselves. All 4 lkrs went to newbies at high prices.
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Home for lunch and skipping 2 facilities with only 2 lkr each. After that the next 2 are suppsed to have 15 and 17 each but we know how that goes.
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After lunch: facilities D and E....I heard they did indeed have 2 each and all 4 were trash. I made the right decision not to go.
Facilities F and G (15 and 19 supposedly). F went down to 9....8 were trash; #9 went for $550 because it had one of those Little Rascal type wheelchairs in it with plastic still on the arms and seats. One guy claims he can get $500 for them (of almost any brand); a regular of the 8 years I've been active said he had 2 over the years and had one of them for a year before it finally sold for $200.
Facility G I got to late because I was actually MAKING money when an eBay customer drove 90 miles to pick up an item. The "G" group did come across with 14 lkrs. Ten had been done by the time I got there. One had gone for $500 and consensus was that was twice too high. The other 9 at that point had gone between $1 and $20...what does THAT tell you? So, with 4 left, the next 2 were trash, then a 10 x 10 about 1/4 full with a big air compressor, pallet lifter, a few small tool boxes....went for $550.
So, I ended the day only having the joy of sending a few folks away with fewer bucks and some mediocre lkrs. The only place I even bid was the very first facility I went to with about 10 bidders...and it was still a bust for me. Oh well.
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Well my daughter and I attended the 5:30 auction this evening. From a start of 8 units, we were down to 3. I was # 19 on the bid sheet, with a good 50-60 people there. I had heard bad things about this place but figured would go mostly to look. Guy announces the rules and this is one of the places that takes Cash and Credit Card. I was like oh crap. Guy asked was there any questions and one lady pops up and ask "So you take credit cards - that means we have to pay the outstanding balance of the unit" or something like that. I gaged and had to work hard to smother a laugh. I was like you got to be kidding me.
As for the units: Frist - full 10x10 with dresser, couch, baby items (stroller, bouncy, etc), full but tossed in every which way. Sold for $475 to one of the new regulars (3 months). Second unit was another 10x10 with a beat up cheap trunk, a nice looking wood trunk, 1 nice display type cabinet for nick-nacks. About the size of a old medicine cabinet. The rest of the furniture was beat, broken, and water stained. Some guy and his wife won it for $375. Last unit was another 10x10 that when they opened the door I saw about a dozen office/computer chairs stacked on top of other stuff. Was in back of the crowd and I didn't even stop to look. Just kept going and got in my truck.
4 units in paper up for sale Friday. 90% chance of rain Friday and 100% Saturday. If strike out Friday will try Sunday and then we will be into Feb.
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We are in the classic inventory rich/cash poor situation and I need to focus on the sell-side.
It's a lot of listings, so I'll be spending most of my day working on that. Now, off to take pics.
"Say Cheese!" ;D
CHEEESE! ;D
We too are inventory rich /cash poor. There was only one auction this week and it was in a town north of us. Like this place, but skipped it. Auction on Monday new place for us and right down the road. Only 4 units, so with income tax may get paid up. Our Thrift is having problems still. Sells have dropped to nothing, Will go pick up things that I know will sell at the Flea. Need to get that money rolling in.
Spent the day picking my hoarding Aunts house. Work paid with items to sell and will sell for her for a commission. She has really nice stuff. So got a truck load of stuff for the flea this Sunday. Thinking about holding off on some of the clothes (think just a bad time of year for them). undecided.
Got two radio flyer wagons one regular size and then a small one. And a enamel bread box. Just worry about I might end up owing her money, I like her stuff. :D
Plus she is into smalls , I need all the help I can get in that department. ;)
Good Luck to all.
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Had our big corporate facility caravan run and a small independent facility auction yesterday. The other big corporate facility run on Tuesday I skipped but heard it was the usual junk for rediculous prices.
The big corporate auction only had 13 units between 3 locations. I think thats the least amount I have seen on this run. We started with 80+ people but because of the rain and high prices we ended with about 40+. I counted 9 regular bidders, about 10 older newbies or regular lurkers and the rest new faces. What I did'nt see was ANY newbies that won units on this same run in November and December. That is a clear indication to me that they lost money on the units or have turned over so little inventory or so little profit they have already given up on "storage wars". As usual, the new newbies paid the premiums and won most of the units. One guy who has won a unit or two at other auctions decided to gamble with the high prices and he won two units. It will be interesting to see if he is back next month or if going big to compete with the new newbies will wipe him out. The average price for a 5 x 10 3/4 full to full is now just north of $400.
At the independent facility had 6 units. We lost about half the regular bidders, and 3/4 of the newbies. Prices came down to where you could make some money on a unit. One of the regulars that I am friends with won two units for pretty decent prices. Unfortunately, I had to fight off a newbie for the unit I wanted so I paid at the upper level of my limit. (10 x 10 3/4 full) I haven't gone through the whole unit and inventoried everything but I think a realistic estimate is I will make 1.5 times the money back, if things go better than expected, I could double the money. Anyway at least I got my first unit of the year, so I'm up and running in 2012. Not sure I expect to win as many units this year as last year do to the prices, but as we like to say, and I heard plenty of yesterday, "You Never Know!"
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Well my streak of only 2 units a month avg continues. Struck out last night (didn't even bid) and didn't win any of the 4 units just now. Today's auction is one that only holds auctions every other month. Normally the lockers are not great but ok, and the prices match. Today was a mix story. I was # 17 on the bidding sheet. We were using the back of the page which is a first. Saw only 3 other regulars. The rest were new faces to me.
Unit 1) Particle board furniture, table w/ no chairs, odds and ends - $175 (noob)
Unit 2) Washer (coin op), Dryer, 1 tub with looks like a blanket, couch, and boombox - $85 (noob)
Unit 3) Bed frames, guitar, plastic trees - $50 (I didn't bid to give one of the regulars chance to win)
Unit 4) 3 matresses, 2 box springs, dresser w/ cloths, round table w/ 2 chairs, stack of CDs and various DVD cases. - $200 (regular I think)
I bid on unit 2 and 4. Passed on 3 since regular liked it. He has lost money his last 2 units. As he said I could of bid $60 and gotten it. Told him it was ok - other then the guitar ($50), not worth the cleaning w/ chance of rain.
Unit 4 I liked - was about the best looking unit except for the matress/boxspring. I stayed in till $100 and quit. Cost me $20 to dump the matress/box and the furniture looked marginal.
Previous auction I may of been able to get #2 for $50, #3 if had wanted it, and #4 for 100 or less. Is why I love this place. Can normally get cheap lockers that don't have a WOW factor, but make you money.
Calling to confirm the auction on Sunday. However, I think it will be as much of a circus as MLK monday and Saturday auctions are.
The regular that bought #3 - talking with him about yesterday afternoon at the Public Storage auctions. He said there was moderate (50+) crowds at the 3 facilities. He paid $300 for a unit and said he will loosse $200. This on top of his $120 loss from our caravan at start of the month. Told him he was skunking out. He is one of the old regulars that didn't give me a hard time when started and even told me some of the companies to watch out for. So I try to re-pay the kindness when I can. So on a marginal locker I'll pass on it if he is winning.
Forgot to mention: Place has 1 other location near where I live. Can't make it as too far from work so called father to hit it up. Only 1 small unit there. If none of the noobs go, we may snag it for cheap. Waiting on a phone call now :)
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Rainy day Thur, went to first auction with 30 bidders, prices remain reasonable for smaller units and high for large units. Picked up 2 units at this facility. Last two stops of Public Storage had 20 bidders but only 5 units, prices higher with this crowd, 200-300 for small interior units, didn't see it. Scored my first gold ring, new DVD player, bunch of great kids clothes/toys. Yardsales are huge in my area and this is great inventory.
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Gratz on the ring Millertime. Sounds like at least decent size crowd compared to the 50+ I keep seeing. I'm still waiting on my gold. Keep getting close but no cigar. So far a class ring (fake w/ no stone), gold plated ring w/ tag, junk jewelry. Only thing so far is sterling silver bracelets.
Talked to dad about the other facility that I didn't attend. Crowd was about 1/2 of what I had. Think due to just being 1 unit. The unit sold for $450 however. I was surprised when he told me as the paper just said BBQ, boxes, bags. He said it was a 10x10 with one of the nice large grills that you can use charcole or gas. Everything else was so/so. He said grill prob would be a 200 sell. But didn't see where the rest of the money was going to come from. Think it was one of the new regulars that got it.
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Here's a pic of the crowd of 80 or so who were at 3 auctions I went to on the 26th.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/crowd126.jpg)
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I did a new run today bought 3 lockers. Crowd was fair about 25 to 30.
1) 5X10 some boxes that were jumbled up with a military uniform and a EMT uniform sitting on the top dirty old. About 1/3 full cost $30
2) 10X20 about 1/3 full must be a over a 100 boxes saw a nice looking oak table. Unit dirty $400
3) 10X15 about 1/2 full. Cleaned this one out already about 75 boxes well packed lots of boxe marked Mom and Dads or Grandmas. $300
I did find some information that someone was in the Navy on #3 and the customs service found a 20 years of service from the Customs service. Hauled stuff home have not sorted yet. 1060 pounds to the dump already.
I rented the big one for a month figured I would not get it cleaned out in the 48 hours allowed. Did find out it was a woman who was involved in Horse rescue. Maybe I will find some saddles.
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@ Movieman that looks just like here in Florida.
I did a new run today bought 3 lockers. Crowd was fair about 25 to 30.
Did find out it was a woman who was involved in Horse rescue. Maybe I will find some saddles.
Sounds good on the lockers.
On the rescue thing not sure what you will get out of that. Most of them run on a shoe string. Down here it is crazy with the animals, people turning them loose because they can't feed them. And a lot of hoarding issues with animals. Hope you find something in that unit.
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The $30 unit belonged to a guy who used to own a sporting goods store in Renton that I had done business with. He left with about a dozen guys ready to kill him since he sold guns on consignment and never paid off the owners. He is in Alaska now. Got about 20 holsters a fair amount of ammo all kinds not a lot but a couple hundred worth. Got 2 fake guns the metal Japanese made ones. A puma knife, 3 S&W grips, a bunch of vintage 1960 scouting stuff, lot of police and EMT patches two badges one EMT one ambulance. Lot of uniforms a few Harley items lots of other interesting items. The usual dirty magazines and condoms. Probably $400 to $500.
Hauled one load from the biggest locker will sort some tonight and try another load tomorrow. Found about 10 pounds of Rat crap so far is all.
Took 720 pounds to the dump from the $30 locker. I am not into that locker $75 but no more dump fees on that one.
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Just found out my normal sealed bid auction most likely will not have units this month, on top of that the same place is where I sell out of, well snow plow driver hit me well I was going around row of locker. SOB
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Looks just like my auctions!
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We had two more auctions on Saturday. 1st auction had about 40 people. Most of the regulars were selling so only myself and 3 other regulars. I got a 10 x 10 for $190. Seemed like a great buy compared to what units are going for nowadays, but got into the unit and said "Oh my, what have I done?" Turns out all the cushions for the sofa and coach are thrashed, and what little boxes and bags were in there are full of clothes and stuffed animals. The other furniture in there might get me back to break even. Hopefully I can find an affordable way to reupholster the cushions. Can't afford to let these just go to the dump, atleast not yet.
Oh, second auction was an AuctionZip so about 40 people showed for that one. Funny thing it was a totally diffferent crowd from the first auction. Two units, nothing good.
Overall at both auctions prices were moderate, but nothing in the units to get excited about either.
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5 facility caravan with a very scratch that VERY popular auctioneer. Showed up 5 minutes before kick-off and there were well over 100 people. Sought out a couple buddies (hubby is outta town and needed the muscle....just in case). I was quickly informed that the 9 units had been cut to 1 and the unit everybody came to 'buy' had paid up. Seems there was a 'gem' unit (Tucson is in the middle of the biggest gem show in the world right now) from Australia, so of course EVERYBODY had to come to take a look. I never even saw the unit up for bid. A couple regulars looked in and made a bee-line for their vehicles. If those guys don't want the unit.......I know I don't!
I am still not up to par, so basically decided to save the time, fuel and aggravation. Just came on home and I'm busy listing on Ebay~
Kinda lookin' forward to Tucson summers. Seems 100+ degrees helped back down the crowd a bit. These 77 degree days have folks coming outta the woodwork looking for a little excitement~
sheesh........
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I haven't been doing much buying as of late, but since it was the end of the month and next month will be crazy with everyone getting there refund checks thought I would venture out.
Went to a caravan auction, I missed the first two stops because I was checking out another flea market in my area.
AT the third stop there were 4 units. and only 15 people. (was told by another person who had attended the first two that there were only about 10 people and no unit went for over $75.
1st unit- dresser, metal table with no top, and trash bags,,, it went for $20
2nd unit- Looked like it had a full bedroom suite, diningroom, and part of a living room,,, $190
3rd unit- SAFE!!!! (I thought here we go), misc furniture and lamps, couple of plastic totes $390 I think, WAY OVER PRICED
4th unit- SUPRISE.....EMPTY
4th stop five units none real interesting except one. Crowd had grea to about 60 people.
Only unit I will mention is the second unit because it was the only one I got a good look at that was worth mentioning.
It was a 20 X 30 I think.... It had showing office furniture, dirt bike tire I couldn't tell if the dirtbike was attached because a tarp and some bags, some computers, some tvs, vintage board games, household furniture, what looked like a huge refrigerator, some small electronics, and a console pac-man game ( the kind two people sit across from each other not the stand up kind) and about half the locker in the back was hidden. It went for $1500
I didn't finish the caravan because I figured the crowd would grow some more.
Wished I had went to the first two stops, might could have picked up some small units for cheap
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I did a new run today bought 3 lockers. Crowd was fair about 25 to 30.
1) 5X10 some boxes that were jumbled up with a military uniform and a EMT uniform sitting on the top dirty old. About 1/3 full cost $30
2) 10X20 about 1/3 full must be a over a 100 boxes saw a nice looking oak table. Unit dirty $400
3) 10X15 about 1/2 full. Cleaned this one out already about 75 boxes well packed lots of boxe marked Mom and Dads or Grandmas. $300
I did find some information that someone was in the Navy on #3 and the customs service found a 20 years of service from the Customs service. Hauled stuff home have not sorted yet. 1060 pounds to the dump already.
I rented the big one for a month figured I would not get it cleaned out in the 48 hours allowed. Did find out it was a woman who was involved in Horse rescue. Maybe I will find some saddles.
An update, so far I am about half done cleaning out the $400 unit and so far it is a bust. The $30 unit was really good the $300 uinit I have done little sorting and found only a Kitchen aid mixer but tons left to go. I have so much stuff in my garage now I can not haul any more till I get rid of some.
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The crowds on Friday were not that bad but it was the 5th day of a week of auction at PS. About 20 to 30 and preices were not ridiculas on most units. there were sevaral that went for less then I thought they were worth but that did not appeal ot me. I like units with lots of boxes that looks like they are either real well packed and or have been there a long time like really dirty. I think that while I Was on the caravan on ly one unit topped $500 and when the people that bought aht one went to pay it had been reddemed while the auction was on. There were a fair number of lockers at every place the least was 4. They sold a Hearse at one place a late 60s Caddy in retched condition with a title from Indiana and they would not help you get a title. Went for $25. There were several lockers that went for $1 and one I was tempted to bid $5 on as it had a lot of smalls in it in boxs and drawers but a lot of really ugly heavy furniture as well. The locker I got for $30 would have gone for a $1 before the unreality shows but zi was surprised to get it so cheap. I am no so overloaded with stuff I will skip the next months auctions and try to unload some inventory build up some cash so I can waste it in March.
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Last day of January, 2012 and I got a 10 x 10 for $600. Looks pretty good but I haven't really been in it yet.
There were 15 lkrs and only about 25 of us....5 or so regulars and the rest....YOU KNOW!
Some lkrs went for outrageous prices for what they were; I would have liked mine better at $400, but oh well !
Will report later on how it comes out.
Meanwhile, moving on to February, 2012 !
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Spent an hour sorting the $300 10X15. Found a box full of Navy memorabilia. 3 or 4 Zippos with ships names on them and good Vietnam era stuff like a cruise book and some patches. Found some antique china and glassware some collector porcelain doll and the usual crap. The Zippos alone may pay off the locker. Have sorted less then 25% of the boxes at this point. Feeling good now about that $300 locker. The $400 locker still have shown nothing great but I have not even finished cleaning it out. Plan on another load tomorrow maybe 2. Took another 220 pounds to the dump about half that was a box of canned food. I will not keep even canned goods from this locker to many rats.
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I recently had a ships cruise log book, and as I researched them found that some were selling for $100-$150.
I didn't do that well but did sell it for $44.....Not bad for a book, but it is military memoribila.
Good luck with the rest of your digging!
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going to our first auction tomorrow!! ;D
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Go to my first auction Feb.22. in the Frederick, Maryland