Storage Auctions
The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on January 31, 2012, 04:09:06 PM
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(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/auctionscenefeb2012.jpg)
Time flies when you're buying particle board ! ;)
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LOL Movieman - now that made me laugh this morning. Well Feb is starting out like Jan did. One of my auctions for friday has already called and canceled. That leaves me with U-haul friday if I can make it. Meeting from 10-11 and then heading to Statesboro at 6am saturday. So really don't need a locker but want to get a fell for the crowds.
Next week I have my caravan on the 9th and a 3 facility caravan on the 11th. I'm almost afraid to go on the 11th as they canceled January's auction just to wait for people to get tax refund checks back before auction.
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Well January was a bust and I will be going out of town the first week of February. The nice thing is I found some auctions towards the end of the week. I do have a place were I can store stuff there as well so it may not be a bad thing.
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Transitioning from Jan to Feb...
Started working in the lkr I got the other day...took 23 black and transparent bags of clothes to Goodwill. Keep in mind I could tell these were not the kind I would sell at the flea market.
Got some good stuff and looks like I will sell about $1K or a little more out of the $600 lkr.
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Busy day yesterday... I thought I had got lucky and found a auction close to home with 17 units advertised.....Wast of time!
Only 6 units.......About 60 people......
When the auction started at the first unit the auctioneer said "Before we open it there is $250 owed on it does anyone want to give me half ( $125 ) blind" I thought he was joking. Who wants to bid without seeing the unit? He was not kidding they sold 3 units "BLIND". Not only were they doing this, the units he opened he would go in the lockers and look in the boxes, open tool boxes, and read name brands to the crowd WTF!
Left very angry at these practices, I thought there may be some fishy things going on between the regulars and the auctioneer. People that were seen before auction started talking and joking with auctioneer are the ones who bought the "BLIND" lockers with no one contesting there opening bids. What would have stopped the auctioneer of informing them what lockers to bid on blind as they would have sold for more if they were opened?
Aftere all this I stopped by a Antique shop and flea market that I had heard about but never stopped at. THis place was huge. I pass it once or twice a week but thought it was a small shop. I did not realise it had a basement that went under the whole shopping center and included 2 buildings behind it. I actually got lost and couldn't find my way back to the office! LOL Had to follow arrows on the floor.
I bit the bullet and rented 2 spaces. Guess we will see how I do. Going today to start setting up.
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I bit the bullet and rented 2 spaces. Guess we will see how I do. Going today to start setting up.
Please keep us up to date on how you do there. My wife and I are debating renting at the local antique malls, but aren't sure if it's worth the overhead.
I would love to hear about someone else's results. Might warrant a new thread though.
Good Luck!!
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Transitioning from Jan to Feb...
Started working in the lkr I got the other day...took 23 black and transparent bags of clothes to Goodwill. Keep in mind I could tell these were not the kind I would sell at the flea market.
Got some good stuff and looks like I will sell about $1K or a little more out of the $600 lkr.
You did sort through those bags first just to make sure there was nothing else hidden didn't you?
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Busy day yesterday... I thought I had got lucky and found a auction close to home with 17 units advertised.....Wast of time!
Only 6 units.......About 60 people......
When the auction started at the first unit the auctioneer said "Before we open it there is $250 owed on it does anyone want to give me half ( $125 ) blind" I thought he was joking. Who wants to bid without seeing the unit? He was not kidding they sold 3 units "BLIND". Not only were they doing this, the units he opened he would go in the lockers and look in the boxes, open tool boxes, and read name brands to the crowd WTF!
Left very angry at these practices, I thought there may be some fishy things going on between the regulars and the auctioneer. People that were seen before auction started talking and joking with auctioneer are the ones who bought the "BLIND" lockers with no one contesting there opening bids. What would have stopped the auctioneer of informing them what lockers to bid on blind as they would have sold for more if they were opened?
Aftere all this I stopped by a Antique shop and flea market that I had heard about but never stopped at. THis place was huge. I pass it once or twice a week but thought it was a small shop. I did not realise it had a basement that went under the whole shopping center and included 2 buildings behind it. I actually got lost and couldn't find my way back to the office! LOL Had to follow arrows on the floor.
I bit the bullet and rented 2 spaces. Guess we will see how I do. Going today to start setting up.
Sounds really fishy to me. If something like that happened were I live I would watch to see if anyone agreed to bid like that. If certain people agreed and started bidding I would "run them up" because I would know they have "inside" information.
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There are absolutely no auctions in my area :( In one local paper, there is a facility with listings almost every week about defaulted units. No current contact information for the facility, so I had to do a little digging. I end up calling the paper to see if they have any contact info and that I might know a defaulted renter. Lo and behold the owner calls me back. She tells me that they rarely sell off units, but takes my name and says "I can call you if we do decide to do anything with them". Even though the ads say "lockers up for public sale on such and such a date". I have even contacted facilities that state items will be disposed of on such and such a date, no luck.
All the auctions advertised are for like one or two lockers over an hour away. I cannot wait for spring!!
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You did sort through those bags first just to make sure there was nothing else hidden didn't you?
Half of them were transparent bags, so NO on those. Yes, on the others.
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I'll keep everyone posted on my adventures at the antique mall/flea market. I will start a thread now in the flea market section.
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went to my first auction of this year and my first caravan. It was fun! No auctions in jan in my area.
I was excited to attend to an auction and see/talked to some of the regulars.
It was a pretty fun day. The auction itself was a joke. everyone joked and laughed at the items in the storage. 12 lockers total,
all together combined $170.00
yes i said it right. All trashed or almost empty with broken furniture.
Maybe next time!
;D
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all together combined $170.00
yes i said it right. All trashed or almost empty with broken furniture.
Maybe next time!
;D
What no quads, Winchester 73s, model jet aircraft, dirt bikes, coin collections, rare art, autographed sports memorabilia, jade, Breitlings or Rolexes ? What the hell ! What kind of dirtbag storage facility was that ? ;)
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LOL! at movieman. ;D
unfortunately this was beyond trashed.
even the regulars laughed..
it was so bad.
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Small local facility 3 units me and 2 other buyers I got 2.
Unit 1 $100 contained
Kirby G5,
antique dresser, 2 chest of drawers, bed,
dozens of DVDs in the correct boxes,
2 DVD players,
Playstation2 (just have to find the cords and stuff,
5'x4' picture that sold in my booth in less than 5 hrs.
Oil painting from Artmasters Studio
Lots of nice clothes Example London Fog jacket nurses scrubs almost new.
Yes there was junk too. Filled my 6x12 cargo trailer and high roof Sprinter all for $100
Unit 2 $250
Bunk bed friends on the way to buy
2 antique chest of drawers
real wood modern chest of drawers
antique trunk
2 new in the box Hunter Princess lamps
ESPN football game that I need to check out
table chairs
6x12 trailer and half of Sprinter load
NOW THE REAL WORK STARTS!!!!!!!!!
Found a second playstation 2, Nintendo game cube, old sega gensis, hand made patchwork quilt, some gold jewlery may be best lockers so far ;D
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Liandra that sounds great !!!!! ;D
Glad they weren't like Todd's LOL
Auctions scarce the first of the month and we are still in a holding pattern. Having problems on the selling end. (Thrift our consignment having issues). We are actively looking for other avenues. Might even open our own. :o Have enough inventory to do it. :P
And CL sales are not moving. ::)
We are still getting stuff for free from neighbours and my brother. LOL Also picked up a nice sofa, bought a table and chairs from a CL ad they had a sofa trying to sell (to much for us to make a profit off of) they emailed and said we could have it for free. Had to give it to my daughter due to the thrift situation.
My .02 on the income tax money. Will bring out new noobies or there will be less units due to people being able to pay up.
Happy Hunting.
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I'm almost surprised they held the auction with only 3 people. Sounds like a gold mine you found - I'm jealous.
My 10am U-haul paid up at the last second. Have a number of units at the 11am one but they are normally pretty trashy. Will go mostly to look. Report back on crowds later.
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Well the trend continues from January. Crowd of a good 50 people at U-haul downtown. Mix of people I've never seen and regulars. Units were better then in past auctions for this location. Prices however again went north. Unit with a 32" LG flat screen in front and furniture went for $710. Unit before that was $500 something. Both went to new people. Few other units go by with too high prices I thought. Watched another unit sell for $350 that we thought would be a $150 unit. Lady that had been coming on strong all day with her bids won it. Of course she didn't have a lock or anything. I just started to shake my head and laugh. She was buying for her daughter who was just getting married and starting out in the world. Best unit for price was a $160 unit that went to one of the regulars. Had a big projection TV in it and some other furniture. He has a big thrift store so can sell it all pretty easy. Should be a $200-$300 locker with little worry so he will prob double or triple his money. Didn't stick around for the last unit. Was told it had 6 matresses in it by the auctioneer. Be safe money to say it went for $100 or more with how stupid people were being.
Two caravans next week with 3 auctions the week of 13th and 3 week of 20th. Few places that only hold auctions a few times a year have them this month. So we will see how things go.
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Went to three different auctions yesterday. All had about 20-30 people.
The very first unit at the first stop ended up being the one I missed: a refrigerator and chest freezer, two cb radios, cheap bicycle and skateboard and totes/boxes went for $80. I bid up until what I felt was the scrap price for the fridge/freezer and then stopped. In hindsight I wish I would have kept going.
One locker with office papers (a lot!) went for $125 because there was a burton snowboard case leaning in the corner. I know snowboards are loot but I thought it was kinda high...
At the last stop a bunch of friends were just toying with each other and bidding each other up on trash. small locker with two pieces of medium luggage (that's it!) went for $135.
You can learn a lot by attending these with an open ear...
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I went to two auctions today (wish I would have stayed home!)
I bought a 10X10 for $300. It had a 32" lcd, fake leather sofa and love seat, glass dining room table and 3 chairs (yes 3 ), big car speaker box, lcd computer monitor, tower speaker for house, a couple of pairs of jordans real clean, and 6-8 boxes.
This looked like a good unit, BUT I WAS Wrong! I overpayed from the get go, but thought I would be ok.
Lcd tv has cracked face, but I expected this it was no surprise.
Sofa and love seat were stacked on top of each other and when flipped over thy were CRAP
Car speaker box had no speakers
House speaker tower was really beat up.
Did find a gas powere rc car just to look it up and it is a cheap one even if it ran.
Lots of clothes and shoes.
I may still break even but I doubt it.
There were about 80 people at the auction, but not many bidders. I thought this was the best unit of the day but now I think I would have been better driving home empty.
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Lol - UGAFAN - At first read I thought you had attended the U-haul auction with me. Sounded like the LG flatscreen unit that came up for sale. However, that unit sold for $710. I expect he will have the same results.
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Auctions a little scarce here.
A U-Haul one tomorrow. Not attending. Auctioneer mailing list / Auction zip / found on CL / and local online Classified.
People + Money = staying home ;)
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Did the popular auctioneer circuit today, happy to report numbers were down, but bids were too high and temps today were below freezing so lookie loos probably chickened out.
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There are 15 within 30min of my place this week.
Called the four that are early morn and all have 5 or more units. Trying to switch schedule so I can work the night shift and make them.
Guessing right know is the end of the time period where everyone was broke at the end of last year and didn't pay??
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Don went yesterday to day 1 of a two day caravan. Crowds were 'normal', but bidding like crazy. There were two elderly couples that blew through (at least we hope) their pension checks. They bought 4 lockers yesterday and overbid on every one. Many of the regulars ran them up and took quite a bit of joy doing so.
Supposedly another newbie (never seen before) who stated 'come on man! let's get this auction going! This is a rush! better than Vegas'~sheesh..... :-\
Well.....I'm going today and can report back what I find.......
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tomorrow, the caravan takes off here for another uhaul tour. the wife will be attending this one with me, and with income tax refund in the bank + her overtime + my 2 projects i just completed = 7 grand to play with.
for those interested, i paid 16k in taxes this year (federal) :\
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tomorrow, the caravan takes off here for another uhaul tour. the wife will be attending this one with me, and with income tax refund in the bank + her overtime + my 2 projects i just completed = 7 grand to play with.
for those interested, i paid 16k in taxes this year (federal) :\
Would only play with 1 grand. No need to play with all of it. Our 1st unit was $35. Just my .02. ;)
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7 grand in play money would find my happy butt on a cruise or type vacation. Not spending it on smelly units that I have to clean ;D Seriously - good hunting to ya.
Have my 7 facility caravan Thursday. So have the day off and wife will be attending. Two different vehicles (for parts only) currently in the paper with a third unit by the same person. Hope can snag the one unit as I did well last time on a parts/tool unit that people didn't know was related to the vehicle. Saturday will find me at a 3 caravan auction. The next two weeks should be interesting.
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Well....all it takes a couple yahoos to ruin the fun.....and we've got 'em. Relatively small crowd~about 30-40. All the regulars (about 40%), a few looky-lous (say 20%) and the remaining 40% fools.....who were soon parted with their money.
Really not much to report. Just typical overspending. A friend of mine went along to watch and her final comment was "These people aren't here to make money. They just want to win at any cost!" Sad, but true. Even our Dave Hester was looking a bit flustered today.
I'm hoping this trend doesn't continue or we may have to rethink this. We had a couple people ask if we wanted to go in on a unit. As Don said "I've got plenty of money. I just don't want to throw it away."
If these same 'newbies' show up at our 'hidden' auctions on Monday......we're in trouble~
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They will find the hidden places, trust me. My one secret place is slowly being found, by idiots too.
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im only taking a grand when i go to the next auction. sadly, tomorrows excursion has been cancelled. next one is Monday, assuming its not cancelled either.
no desire to vacation right now. my business just landed an IT contract for a trucking company that's contracted to Halliburton. im making some mad cheese right now and the guy who's network im administrating..., hes about to open 2 more offices... and guess who gets to purchase, install and set up the new gear? :D
im guessing its going to be an EASY 20k+ profit for me after its all said and done, and that's not counting the money my employees are going to make :D
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Well the trend continues of large crowds and low number of units. Seven facility auction this morning. In paper every facility had at least 1 unit, most with 3-4 units, and first with a good dozen. Reality was 4 units, 1 unit, 1 unit, skip, 1 unit, skip, 1 unit. We had 75 people +/- 5 all day long. First few units were going for twice normal price. The 5th unit was a very nice large unit with some old furniture, enclosed shower, tub, bins, other things in back. Buddy of mine bought it for $1500. I bid on the 6th unit of the day. Was a large 10 x 30 unit 1/4 full with isle down middle. Was a teacher / classroom unit. Had 6 gateway monitors, a microscope, 6 old style desk, overhead projector, boxes, etc. Went to $200 and quit, sold for $350. Was going to bid on a small unit that was bags of cloths, some hanging cloths, semi-junky. Normal this is a $50-$100 locker. I told a friend and wife - today this is a $200 locker. I hit it on the nose.
Last locker of the day I wish I had taken a picture of. Was a 10x10 or such that opened up with line of boxes on left wall. A good dozen or more black trash bags, a few totes, pillow top matress, bedspring, odds and ends. Unit looked like they just tossed the crap in. 2 rock band drum sets were in the middle. Could see 2 ds boxes and game cases. Also, could see a ipad2 box poking out of one of the boxes on the left. Vera Bradley purse in one of the boxes. I liked this unit but didn't really think I had a chance at it. In talking one guy said $250, I said at least $400. Boy were we WAY OFF. I got in my truck at $750 - the unit finally sold at $1375. I don't know who purchased the unit but it had to be a newbie. No way any of the regulars would of paid that much money for empty boxes. I so wanted to sit around with my camera and film the surprise on the buyers face when they find all the empty boxes.
I forgot to add we had a number of newbies. Lady walked in to register and said she had never been to a auction before. Another person in the crowd asked the auctioneer - "You don't cut off the locks?". The shows continue and the people still come out in swarms.
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Well things continue. Hit our 2 day caravan today (did not have one last month).
Skipped first stop, but a regular got a 10 X 30, with tools and totes for $1000. He said he was comfortable with it.
Long story short over 75 +/- people for the entire caravan. Loosing some and gaining some. Had a guy from out of town driving a Mercedes spent over $3000 on the first 3 stops. ::)
The funniest thing of the day. 2 young men dressed in dress pants fancy shoes and dress shirts, iphones in hand. Come to a bid and hold until 5PM unit that was auctioned 3 months ago with a bid and hold on it then.
Restaurant equipment in it. There was a large SS something. Most people did not know what it was. Last time it was auctioned everyone thought it was a Kiln. Actually it was a dish washer had the buttons that said wash, rinse, sanitize on the side. These two young men with iphones working hard bid it up to $550. They won it and over heard them telling a spectator that it was a kiln. Even with a computer they did not know what it was.
Most units were trash, a few good ones but way to much money. One of the regs bought a small unit with three chairs in it. He sold them to us for $10. (have a table without chairs). Had more fun talking with the regulars. Should have made a bet for lunch on one, said it would go for $1000. Sold for $1100.
Should take some popcorn tomorrow. ::) and a milk crate. ;D
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A balmy 22 degrees for today’s auction – locals in the Mid-South were freezing!! Facility had five units, down from 20 earlier this week. (Darn you tax season!!) About 15 bidders and 30 total with six or seven folks who own stores, and one “whale.” (This guy owns an auction house and has purchased about half the units at every auction I’ve seen him at.) It was also “family” day with about 8-10 kids including several babies! (Remember, it was 22 degrees!)
About 30 seconds before the auction started, a past-due tenant comes screaming into the parking lot, followed by his girlfriend in another car. They sprint into the office hoping to pay up. Soon you could hear LOUD arguing with the facility managers, and then the couple comes out the door screaming at EACH OTHER.
Man: “I owe $450 – you’re not gonna give me the money!!??”
Woman: “Make them print you a list of what you owe, you know how these people are. They will rip you off every chance they get!”
(So let me see if I understand – YOU are $450 dollars behind, and THEY are ripping YOU off!!?? Oh, OK.)
Man goes back in the office, comes out with a list and starts arguing with his girlfriend again. She finally gives him money and he goes back in the office. In the meantime, the girlfriend goes back to her car and calls 911 to report how she was mistreated by the facility owners. The man comes out of the office, cusses out his girlfriend (who is in her car with the windows up), peels rubber and leaves – leaving his girlfriend to wait for the Po-Po. We’re gathered back together ready to head to the first unit, when the cops arrive. So we all wait again and enjoy the show. Within seconds, the woman is arguing with the officer, then arguing with the facility managers, and then begins YELLING at the cops. Who knows what was said, because she jumps back in her car and squeals out. The officer kind of rolls his eyes, gets in his car and leaves. The facility managers come back and say:
Manager (man) – “Are we FINALLY ready to start – anyone have any more issues or interruptions!!?? Oh, by the way, we are now down to four units….” (Boos from the crowd)
Manager (woman) – “Let’s go! Wow, it took ALL my strength to remain calm and not kick that girls a$$!!” (Loud roar by entire group!) ;D
So with the morning’s entertainment over, it was time to see the units. Unfortunately, the above story was way better than the lockers. The first one was the best, and was owned by someone who had a consignment store. It was pretty full, with display cases, sunglasses displays, posters, racking, boxes, shelving, and a few random boxes. I was in until $400, then the whale made his move and got it for $800. Unit two was a 5x5 that contained a small coffee table, two end tables, and a random print. That’s it! No boxes, no trash, no anything else. Went for $300. Unit #3 was a 5 x10 that had two couches/cushions blocking the doorway. A gamble since you couldn’t even see anything behind. Sold for $350 to Mr. Whale. The last unit was a 5x5 and had 6 boxes of children’s toys and an old DVD player with about 20 DVDs (beat up). It did have a real nice wooden rocking chair, but the name “JOSHUA” was branded in the backrest. That was it – again no garbage, no clothes. Sold for $125 with five people bidding. Once the bid reached $100 I had to step up and take another look. What the heck was I missing? I didn’t see it.
So auctions here are the same as everyone’s – drama, last minute pay ups, some good units, some bad units, and prices seemed in line with what everyone else has been reporting. Good luck to everyone and thanks for posting your stories, info, etc. I have really enjoyed reading about it.
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Today found me at my 3 facility caravan that I've done ok at and have lost my shirt on. Still a silent auction, instead of live bid like they plan to do. Only about 50 people today which was a small crowd compared to normal and earlier in the week. Yet, again a large number of new faces and declared newbies. Even heard one lady asking about the auction at our last stop and was like "that could be fun" (she was a tenant storing stuff). Large number of units paid up. Had our first gun safe today but was told up front that it was NOT included in the unit. Management decided to turn the safe & weapons (owner said weapons inside) to police to run serial #s. Everyone was pissed of course. Was a very nice unit (compound bow, deer antleers, etc) - guy bid $601 I know and think he won. Last unit of the day was packed to the rafters, one of the regulars got it and I think he said he put down $1000 bid. Only other unit of note was a aqua unit. This thing was slap full of shelves of aquariums and reptile display cases. Was interesting but not something I really wanted.
Headed down to Statesboro after auction w/ father to buy some stuff. Had my score of the day while at the agriculture store. Saw two cloths racks on rollers next to store. Asked manager about them and he said he had gotten them for a friend 3 months ago and friend decided didn't want. So I got them for free. That and the two pennies picked up was my profit of the day.
So still striked out on lockers for the month but got some goods. See what next week brings.
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Had our first gun safe today but was told up front that it was NOT included in the unit. Management decided to turn the safe & weapons (owner said weapons inside) to police to run serial #s. Everyone was pissed of course. Was a very nice unit (compound bow, deer antleers, etc) - guy bid $601 I know and think he won.
So still striked out on lockers for the month but got some goods. See what next week brings.
Thought you were at the auction we had. Gun safe, and compound bow. $1100 Safe included. LOL
We also striked out on lockers, but hit a good one this evening. Will post in other forms of buying.
@ Cheeshead have seen a little drama but nothing like that. :o
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Yesterday I went to a local auction. 15 units about 40 people, man was it freezing! I bought the first unit for $25 (score) 15 x 30 mostly empty but, 2 glass display cases, four wheeler frame and misc parts, a couple of pieces of mismatched furniture (junk), metal desk, tall filing cabinet, and in the back where you couldn't see it was an electric scooter (NO KEY OR CHARGER) but it was $380 new. I will say I got the best unit of the day.
I sold the smaller 1 shelf glass case with light to a fellow bidder for $25, so minus my gas everything was free. There is at least $50 in scrap metal.
And I get the 4 shelf glass display case for my booths at the Antique mall/indoor flea market.
All in all great day
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Congrats - and good luck with the rest of the stuff!
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Well the trend continues. Today's auction was down to 6 units, a good 60-70 people, and overpriced units. Nothing great today, specially for the prices people were paying....even before the 10% bp and 7% tax. I should of just stayed at work.
Talked with the guy that won the unit that had a gun safe we couldn't bid on. He still made out like a freaking bandit if it's not all a big tale. Unit had piano he sold for $400, the fender case did have a fender guitar in it. He found all sorts of camo, gun cleaning kit, and a .38. Also said he found 2 wildlife gold coins 1oz .999 gold. If all that is true he is going to triple or more his $601 investment.
Seeing more and more new people. I don't know if it's everyone has cash so going auction crazy or what. I'm just trying to weather the storm and not get too frustrated. Buddy of mine said he may just take rest of the month off. He hasn't purchased a locker since Nov. Think he is getting a little frustrated. Told him we will just have to borrow the box truck and hit Atlanta or Savannah one day. Try our luck there.
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Seeing more and more new people. I don't know if it's everyone has cash so going auction crazy or what. I'm just trying to weather the storm and not get too frustrated. Buddy of mine said he may just take rest of the month off. He hasn't purchased a locker since Nov. Think he is getting a little frustrated. Told him we will just have to borrow the box truck and hit Atlanta or Savannah one day. Try our luck there.
think you got it. On the money too burn. Last auction saw a lot of new faces but were regular auction buyers (you can tell). So guess they are travelling to us because their area bad. ???
One of our regulars lives south, said it was ok a lot of less advertised auctions so we may travel south.
Think we are good with the OTHER BUYING for the month. Looks like we bought 2 lockers - the clothes, but have enough of those to be out of 5 lockers. :)
Get your mom to start cleaning out a shed. ;).
Wishing you and your buddy luck. ;D
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OK~first two facilities cancelled (one after we showed up, but I love the manager and gave him a couple slices of cake~) and the last was down to 3 units. About 35 in attendance. Pretty much all regulars. First unit one small dining set with 3 chairs. Ended up going for $50. My husband actually bid on it as there were some sort of gauges (that 90% of us missed). He stopped at $30. Second unit 5X10 about a third full. Went for $300 to a buddy. We didn't bid and I don't know that he'll recoup. Final unit was a 5X5 that when the doors opened I looked, gasped and politely told Andy I'd see him next month~a few bicycle tires and dirt. Yikes!
We do have some on Weds with a little known auctioneer, but with all the regulars crapping out the past couple weeks, it's gonna be tough. Did go the casino (for lunch) with $22 and came home with $285.......wish that could happen everyday!!! ;)
Oh yeah.....no sneaky mousy girl!!!! YEAH!!!
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I think with the tax refunds out there, there are going to be a lot of newbies trying to get as much as they can. A month from now, when they've spent all their money and had the joys of going through the lockers...I bet they won't be back! I would also bet that rent gets paid up, too with that money but by April/May those units will be listed yet again.
Good luck to all of you this week!!! Keep us posted :)
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Went to one auction the other day; only about 50 bidders (really only about 6 actually bid), but a pain anyway as viewing takes a long time.
I stayed for 8 of the 22 lkrs offered; figured my time was worth more than standing around waiting for people to pay too much for too little...also just wasn't into it that much. Went to do some "picking" and got a couple of things.
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Your idea was prob the best bet for your time/money MovieMan. I'm going to bite the bullet however and try some new territory myself. Have to head up near Atlanta next week to pickup some shelves father purchased. So found a few auctions so far next week. Will just pick a day with the most units for sale and head up there.
Also found a saturday auction in a different town I've never tried. Then a caravan on the 25th down in Savannah. So may give it a go depending on the weather. They have a 400+ booth flea in Savannah so want to hit it while I'm there if can.
Auction Wednesday and Friday here but don't know if I'll make them due to work. Want to try and hit at least one.
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Went to a 2 facility auction here in my town (for a change). There were 2 units at 1 and 7 at the other. There were only about 8 people. There was only 1 really good unit, I bid to my limit but didn't win.
I did win 2 units, 1 was for $10, and the other $80.
The $10 unit I bought was a 5X10 and I got it just because no one else wanted it and there was a old gas furnace and a dresser and a couple of boxes, I thought what the hell I can scrap it if nothing else.
The second unit for $80 was a 10x10. It has a gun cabinet (NO GUNS), lots of shelving, couple of pieces of furniture, heavy duty craftsman drill, GAY PORN LOL, 2 Vintage Howell and BEll projectors which are pretty cool one was a 8mm and the other was 16mm, and some mens suits and jackets.
I like the second unit there was saleable things in there. And I can use the shelves.
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I like the second unit there was saleable things in there. And I can use the shelves.
So must be some good porn.. LOL
Just kidding. ;)
Glad you got two.
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I did win 2 units, 1 was for $10, and the other $80.
Nice job - congratulations!!
Took a day off to hit three auctions on Wednesday, 2/15/12 - but didn't go due a few "issues" -1) 90% chance of rain - and they were right!!
2) Total units as of Tuesday evening - six! (Two with only one unit, and one with four units) The one with four lockers started out with over 30 two weeks ago, then went down to 15 last week, and 8 on Tuesday night. Then four at auction time.......
3) The biggest deterrant - our local ABC TV station was going to the facility with four lockers to shoot a local "Storage Wars" segment. Oh goody - elbow-to-elbow with 200 people all waving at the camera!! No thanks....
Switched days off - now going on Thursday to two places - one with 37 UNITS (as of Noon Wed.) and one with 15....so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
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Wish I could find a gun cabinet even if there were no weapons in it. Would go for more then $80 that is for sure. You had a steal there IMO.
I went to a auction today that I didn't think would make. So I didn't even bring my auction wallet with me to work. Didn't make the 10am (4 units) but did skip lunch to make the 1pm (13 unit) auction. I was flat amazed. There wasn't really a crowd. The 10am auction had 9 people from talking with a few of the regulars. Nice slate pool table and unit sold for $225.
Anyways - we start this auction. You can tell they don't hold them often and everything was VERY laid back. We had less then 20 people. One new black lady that has never been to one. No idea how she stumbled onto this auction. Everyone else were regulars, or new faces to me but the old timers knew them. Prices were LOW. Highest unit was $195.
I purchased bid on 5 units and won 3.
Unit 1 - 6 georgia luggage bags (aka trash bags cloths) - $20
Unit 2 - 10x10 that had been tossed, beat up fridge - $5
Unit 3 - 5x10 - about 6 boxes of items in back. Is a gamble - $40
I missed out on another gamble unit that had bags in it, pump pellet rifle, and looked like a amp. I stopped at $40 since it didn't really grab me. Other small unit with 6 milk crates, boxes, other odds and ends I got outbid on also. I prob should of kept going but $50 is my max on small unit gambles.
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Wish I could find a gun cabinet even if there were no weapons in it. Would go for more then $80 that is for sure. You had a steal there IMO.
I went to a auction today that I didn't think would make. So I didn't even bring my auction wallet with me to work. Didn't make the 10am (4 units) but did skip lunch to make the 1pm (13 unit) auction. I was flat amazed. There wasn't really a crowd. The 10am auction had 9 people from talking with a few of the regulars. Nice slate pool table and unit sold for $225.
Anyways - we start this auction. You can tell they don't hold them often and everything was VERY laid back. We had less then 20 people. One new black lady that has never been to one. No idea how she stumbled onto this auction. Everyone else were regulars, or new faces to me but the old timers knew them. Prices were LOW. Highest unit was $195.
I purchased bid on 5 units and won 3.
Unit 1 - 6 georgia luggage bags (aka trash bags cloths) - $20
Unit 2 - 10x10 that had been tossed, beat up fridge - $5
Unit 3 - 5x10 - about 6 boxes of items in back. Is a gamble - $40
I missed out on another gamble unit that had bags in it, pump pellet rifle, and looked like a amp. I stopped at $40 since it didn't really grab me. Other small unit with 6 milk crates, boxes, other odds and ends I got outbid on also. I prob should of kept going but $50 is my max on small unit gambles.
You WON 3 units at ONE location!! Why you gotta be soo greedy!! Could'nt let somebody else get em', had to throw all that BIG money around didn'tcha! ;)
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As Hester would say..... YUUUUPP - was only 5 of us that bought any units. Think only 7 or 8 of us that even bid. I would of bought all 5 I bid on if had been willing to go over $50 bid. I was just in shock that we didn't have 50+ people there. Even my normally small (under 20) locations last month had over 50 people at the place. Heck - dad said there were 40 people at one location for 1 locker.
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So must be some good porn.. LOL
Just kidding. ;)
Glad you got two.
lol NO! Some was Playgirl, and my siss said "look through them some could be collectible" DON"T THINK SO I PASS, she can look through them LOL
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OK~well I broke my toe last night (why oh why did the door not stay either open or closed??) so......Don did a circuit today that took him to 5 facilities with the final being about 75 miles away. Relatively small crowds, but prices were semi-high. He bid on a couple, but nothing that jazzed him. The outta town was a small crowd (about 20) with only two from Tucson. The regulars were determined that the 'foreigners' were not going to get a unit and overpaid on all 3 units and the car.
Wasted day......for Don~
I however just won my first online auction. It was up for bid last month and I lost out at the last second (danged snipers). Well for whatever reason.....the unit came back up and this time.....I sniped. It's a 10X30, but only about a quarter full. Some interesting items, but until I can get down there and dig.....I won't know. Don did stop by and talk with the manager and come 9:30 tomorrow morning I'll be loading up (broken toe be damned!).
I'll let ya know how it goes~
Hey....at least it's a unit~and like I told Don.....that unit with our crowds during a live auction would have ended well over $100. I picked it up for $70~under $85 after fees~
we'll see~
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lol NO! Some was Playgirl, and my siss said "look through them some could be collectible" DON"T THINK SO I PASS, she can look through them LOL
LOL Husband agrees with you, let her look though it.
Rockin slow down and that door want hit you. ;) Sounds like you did good.
Craiglst Glad you got 3 and sounds like good prices too.
No auctions until Friday but calling for rain for Friday and Saturday, so with current supply and possible only one day to sell may skip it. :( .
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Rockin - you are starting to remind me of Rebecca (member here and she has a blog also I read). Glad you not letting a toe stop ya from shopping :)
UGA - Athens must be pretty slow it sounds like which surprises me. Hope you keep doing well.
Cheesehead - All I can say is ouch, I would hate for the news here to do a story. Crowds are bad enough w/o advertising it on the 6 o'clock news. Good luck to ya.
Money - you may want to hit auction anyways. May be surprised and find cheap lockers like I did yesterday. I went on a whim (didn't even have my auction wallet with me). I'm doing an auction Saturday instead of selling since they calling for 80% chance of rain. If rain holds off I'll hit the dump and maybe scrap yard also.
Already made some of my money back on the 3 units. Found a $5 target card, and 13 forever stamps. So only $55 in the red for this buy. Did find some 9.5 Air Jordan shoes, Rubber boots, and some scrap. My $40 locker turned out to be mostly books (boo). Did get some costume jewelry and a fake Coach bag. Truck full of black trash bags to search still but figure those are mostly Goodwill donations.
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Got a call recently from a friend who has pretty much stopped going to the auctions almost altogether due to the prices the units are commanding.
"What happened to you yesterday?" Seems I had missed a set of 3 auctions by the same outfit. Somehow slipped through the cracks, but as we talked it turned out I had missed nothing really. Each place had started with 10 or so units and ended up with 2 or 3 and they were "nothing".
Continues the trend that apparently more people are paying up (due to tv shows) and those seem to be the better lockers. Sure, there are still some good ones coming to the auctions, but not as many (IMO, IMA [in my area]).
MEANWHILE....
Picking is working for me. Good returns (some high) on hand-picked items. Fills the void between getting lkrs...any lkrs, average or great.
My friend has gone almost exclusively to picking and one other fellow has just started it too. We try to "outrun" each other at fleas (when shopping) and will take different rows if we think the other hasn't already been there.
Keep on changing with the market !
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Yesterdays lockers were crazy with some big crowds. Today is off to a slow start. The first auction had 7 lkr's all paid up. The next one is at 11 and they have 12 lkrs as of now.
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At Craiglst I know we should plus we have never been to these facilities. Find quite a few of those at this time of year. But with current inventory running short on Dry space. Looks like rain all weekend. :-\
We need the rain desperately, but wished it would come during the week.
MEANWHILE....
Picking is working for me. Good returns (some high) on hand-picked items. Fills the void between getting lkrs...any lkrs, average or great.
My friend has gone almost exclusively to picking and one other fellow has just started it too. We try to "outrun" each other at fleas (when shopping) and will take different rows if we think the other hasn't already been there.
Would like to see that, picturing it in my head hysterical. ~~0~~0 ~~~0 rolling. (coyote and road runner)
Beep Beep.
We too are picking (not like you) box lots, and free stuff. Our Box lot find looks like it will pay off well. May turn and burn some and sit on the the other for higher returns. ;D
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Rockin - you are starting to remind me of Rebecca (member here and she has a blog also I read). Glad you not letting a toe stop ya from shopping :)
UGA - Athens must be pretty slow it sounds like which surprises me. Hope you keep doing well.
Cheesehead - All I can say is ouch, I would hate for the news here to do a story. Crowds are bad enough w/o advertising it on the 6 o'clock news. Good luck to ya.
Money - you may want to hit auction anyways. May be surprised and find cheap lockers like I did yesterday. I went on a whim (didn't even have my auction wallet with me). I'm doing an auction Saturday instead of selling since they calling for 80% chance of rain. If rain holds off I'll hit the dump and maybe scrap yard also.
Already made some of my money back on the 3 units. Found a $5 target card, and 13 forever stamps. So only $55 in the red for this buy. Did find some 9.5 Air Jordan shoes, Rubber boots, and some scrap. My $40 locker turned out to be mostly books (boo). Did get some costume jewelry and a fake Coach bag. Truck full of black trash bags to search still but figure those are mostly Goodwill donations.
I'm A UGA Fan, I watch a lot of college football, but i'm not from there, it's actually a couple of hours from me, I live in Rome, GA which is in the northwest corner of Georgia.
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2-16-12: Here's a shot of the crowd at today's auction. About 50 people and 20 bidders.
I bid on five or six of the 34 units that were available, but each time the price went over my limit. Winning prices weren't terribly high, it's just the lower cost units were complete junk.
Good ending to the day though. I made contact with two folks who own Thrift Stores. They also told me they would be interested in buying (at a fair price) any large furniture/mattress/etc that I won in a locker (since I am not in the furniture moving business). This will obviously help in hauling/storing/selling in the future.
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Just to give you and idea of prices in the Mid-South ---->
Photo #1 = $40.00
Photo #2 = $385.00
Photo #3 = $130.00 (TV screen was cracked)
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Can anyone tell me where they have storage auctions in Memphis TN? or has anyone been to Memphis sales? I have never been to a storage auction but would like to try it. Thanks for any in put.
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@ Cheesehead
Good Lord !!!!!!!!!!
thought our prices were bad. Guess should stop complaining.
Yes a thrift contact is great. We were doing great (ours does consignment). But things have moved to a crawl do to the county not allowing her to put stuff outside. ::). That is where all our large pieces went usually straight from the auction, but now we are having to be more selective at the auctions.
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Just to give you and idea of prices in the Mid-South ---->
Photo #1 = $40.00
Photo #2 = $385.00
Photo #3 = $130.00 (TV screen was cracked)
My analysis:
Unit #1 if it's a lazyboy, and no bad stains, cigerette burns, or tears $100-$150 easy. Off brand $50 - $75 so that unit is a profitable pick.
Unit #2 Can't really see anything but I will guess it will be a scramble to break even (unless you can give us any details about what you saw).
Unit #3 No side boards or support rails for the headboard & footboard so probably get $100-$125 for em' $3-$5 at flea for the bouncer, TV=$0, so break even at best.
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Can anyone tell me where they have storage auctions in Memphis TN? or has anyone been to Memphis sales? I have never been to a storage auction but would like to try it. Thanks for any in put.
Look in the legal section of your local and area newspaper for lien sales. Look in those papers every day for two months.
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My analysis:
Unit #1 if it's a lazyboy, and no bad stains, cigerette burns, or tears $100-$150 easy.
D*mn! I need to move. But just 20miles south is 10-15 warehouse outlets where you can get furniture that has been on display for cheap. Might get $150 for a lazy boy if it's brand new, up a bit if new and leather. Fred Meyer has off brand for $320 for two right now....
But maybe I just don't have the outlets to move items for a good price.
Still looking for the people that will buy used shop vac's for $75-100 like they say on Storage Wars! lol
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D*mn! I need to move. Might get $150 for a lazy boy if it's brand new, up a bit if new and leather. Fred Meyer has off brand for $320 for two right now....
But maybe I just don't have the outlets to move items for a good price.
Still looking for the people that will buy used shop vac's for $75-100 like they say on Storage Wars! lol
Me too. Lucky to get $50 maybe $75 for a recliner.
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Me too. Lucky to get $50 maybe $75 for a recliner.
I got $125 for a Lazyboy recliner, but it was also a lift chair......and that took me 3 weeks to move~ :-\
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The recliner pictured above was nothing special - pretty good shape but far from "new" condition. Our local "whale" bought it, and I think he was pretty much trying to make a statement. (He ended up with 18 of 34 lockers that day).
As far as the $385 locker (I re-posted image below) - it contained a portable wheelchair in average shape (see wheel below the auctioneer's hand), a TON of Christmas stuff, a beat up washer and dryer (right side of locker), and more misc. medical supplies. The boxes were mostly open/empty and there were also a few plastic bins that weren't Xmas.
A lot of lockers looked like the good stuff had been picked through with everything else left behind. Several had inches of dust and cobwebs, but still not many good items. Two units went for a bundle - one with commercial cooking equipment and Sysco Food items ($2000) and a 5x5 with a safe! ($500) All others in the $75-400 range. There were several lockers I valued at $50-100 that went for $300-400 - and most were purchaed by regulars. I kept thinking I missed something, but I couldn't see it. Oh yeah, the safe unit was won by a Thrift owner I spoke with, so I will find out what was in it and report back.
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Marki - please take a few mins and do a search on this board. If you need do a google search with "storageauctionforums" in the name. Will answer your questions. Hint - look in your paper.
Today I had 2 silent auctions. First one had 13 units and about 20 people. Second auction had 10 units and we were up to 30-35 people. No real newbies at the first auction, and like 8 at the last.
Auction in the morning in a out-of-town place. Will see how those crowds are.
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Auction in the morning in a out-of-town place. Will see how those crowds are.
Good luck!
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Two units went for a bundle - one with commercial cooking equipment and Sysco Food items ($2000) and a 5x5 with a safe! ($500)
Here's a photo of the "safe" unit. The round table in front was pretty nice, but the pedestal was broken. The dresser was cheap and the mattress and box spring were worn. The black leather office chair showed a little wear, but wasn't in bad shape. Behind the mattress was a microphone stand and a hard square case that may have held either the mic or a musical instrument of some kind. The safe was tucked along the right side on the floor just behind the chair. You had to shine your light along the wall to see it - the safe door was facing out towards the right side wall. Unit went for $500 - and I honestly think about half the bidders missed it because I fully expected the price to go out of site.
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Thanks I'll try the Google search. My local paper wont be a help, we have never had a storage auction in this town..lol.. very small town. and there arent any in near by town either. I would have to try Memphis or Little Rock the bigger cities, and I know nothing about either place.
Marki - please take a few mins and do a search on this board. If you need do a google search with "storageauctionforums" in the name. Will answer your questions. Hint - look in your paper.
Today I had 2 silent auctions. First one had 13 units and about 20 people. Second auction had 10 units and we were up to 30-35 people. No real newbies at the first auction, and like 8 at the last.
Auction in the morning in a out-of-town place. Will see how those crowds are.
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Well even going 40 miles out of the metro area to a mid-size rural town didn't work out to well. Was two different locations. First location had 4 units (all paid up), about 6 bidders but I got there right at time for auction to start. So some may of already gone to other location. Second location had 13 units in paper - down to 3 10 mins to 9. Lady comes in and ask where is "some name". I was like you mean the auction/owner - over there. She paid up, so down to 2. First unit was small closet size with a beat up recliner, baby bouncy, and maybe something else. Second one was a 10x10 with a trunk, decent desk, antique warddrobe closet (broken door), and a few other things. Only myself and another guy was bidding. I went to $50 and stopped. Didn't take my trailer so wasn't worth me going home, getting trailer, and going back. Today was more of an exploration trip. Crowd reminded me of the city. There was 25-30 people, baby to 60-70 yr old w/ a cane. Black lady and her kids were even posing for pictures.
The old guy saw my light and made the comment to me "you take this storage wars seriously, you been watching to much tv". I laughed and told him if this was storage wars I would be at the beach already since could get $30 per trash bag.
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The old guy saw my light and made the comment to me "you take this storage wars seriously, you been watching to much tv".
This must be the brother of the guy at my last auction. Mr. "Not What To Do At A Storage Auction."
1) He'd look, then stand in front of the locker for every auction! (Right in the middle of the doorway)
2) He'd get kind of huffy when people were trying to look around him with a flashlight. "You don't have to push me pal!..."
3) He smoked non-stop while doing all this. (Don't get me wrong, I don't mind if you smoke, just not in the middle of the action. :P)
4) He never placed a bid.
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If a guy pulled that in my area he would get moved. Either by the other regulars or by the auctioneer himself.
Today was my 3 facility caravan starting at 4pm. We had another pretty large crowd, good 35+ strong. Most of the people were regulars with a few newbies. Most of the units went to regulars. However, we had one guy called "yellow shirt" who was buying lockers like mad. None of the regulars knew who he was. He tossed out some serious money for iffy lockers. Think he ended up with 5 or 6 lockers at the first stop. He didn't show up for the last location. Guess he was out of money or had enough units.
The prices were so/so. Some cheap prices, some decent prices, some "You are kidding me" prices. One unit had a huge couch blocking the door. You couldn't see inside of it. It sold for like $500 something. I was like - say what...did they see something I didn't. Room full of boxes (cloths spilling out), sold for $350.
Daughter and I picked up two units. First is a small 5x5 "girl" unit that had a silver case daughter liked, some boxes, 3 suit cases, lamp shades, etc. Spent $120 for it (20 more then really wanted). The second unit we picked up was a 10x10 with a old first gen looking front loader and dryer. I really wanted this unit as I could see a rack mounted server and 2 hard drives on the floor. Room was pretty spare so figured may be able to get it cheap. Opened at $50 but got taken up to $90. The local whale was also bidding but stopped when I hit $90. He sort of gave it to me as he could of kept going. He also knows I may sell him the washer/dryer. Found a whole spool (1000') of networking cable in a box. Large tote was empty. Not too much in the unit, but I was very happy. If server works I'm golden. Will make my money back just on the networking cable.
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Christmas lights anyone?
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/xmas1.jpg)
Box shown in these two pics is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet on a side. No takers locally, how about you ?
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/xmas2.jpg)
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That first picture looks about like my back shed. Must be someone's scrap pile. I don't have that many xmas lights yet but I'm sure getting a good pile going. Really thinking I need another trailer or two. One to load up with trash, one with scrap, and the other to clean out units.
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Went to an auction today with 8 lkrs; crowd of about 60; prices not totally out of line.
Saw one 10 x 10 with nice washer/dryer and good looking quality furniture....best furn lkr I've seen in a LONG time, but I don't buy this type unless there are a bunch of boxes too and there weren't. Think it went for $800 or so...would be some profit in it.
A couple of 5 x 10s went in the $400 to $500 range....used to go for $250 to $300 WAY BACK WHEN (14 months ago).
A 10 x 20 about 2/3 full front to back and maybe 6 fee tall from there to back wall...went for $750.
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The main thing I noticed here was that of the 60 or so attendees (many of whom spent a LOT of time looking at each locker, only 5 or 6 were bidding AT ALL ! Two of the 6 lkrs I remember when to a newbie and his wife who rolled their stroller down several narrow halls and then wanted US to get out of the way for the U-turn. I had to say something to them but they didn't bat an eye. The other 4 lkrs I remember went to 4 regulars and only a few newbies made feeble attempts to get those lkrs. STAY HOME PEOPLE !
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Movie Man...
You can take the lights to certain recycle yards and they pay by the pound of lights. It is decent money because the state of California pays them a fee of some sort..... Its been about 6 months since i did it but you should get good money for all those lights. I think it was $2.50 a pound.
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Christmas lights anyone?
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/xmas1.jpg)
Box shown in these two pics is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet on a side. No takers locally, how about you ?
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/xmas2.jpg)
How did you get pictures of my backyard?
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If you were in GA I might have a buyer for the Christmas lights. I don't know how much, but she is wanting to do a big set up at her house. I will talk to her and let you know.
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If you were in GA I might have a buyer for the Christmas lights. I don't know how much, but she is wanting to do a big set up at her house. I will talk to her and let you know.
No need to talk to your buyer...I put that pic up just for fun. The box was at a Goodwill store parking lot and apparently is part of THEIR recyling program. There was also a box of crutches, etc.
Even if your Georgia buyer wanted them, can you imagine what the shipping cost would be for a box that big ? ;D
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I hate having a full time job sometimes. Miss alot of the smaller auctions and only hit the rediculos ones. Then my dad and I are doing another business that takes more time. Only way with the way prices have been that we will make money. People are either redeeming at to high a rate, bids are out of control, or the units I've seen are pure ****. Hell my next sealed bids have potential but the jokers are putting crazy bids there too. I'm going to stick around because I love this, but I'd really love for some of these nut jobs to fall off the face of the earth. Damn tax returns.
End rant! Lol
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Lol Acman - I feel your pain. My sneaking out at lunch to attend an auction days are about over. Getting a new boss that micro manages like mad. Even exempt people have to clock in-out, line up for fire drill, etc.
Anyways - on the auction side you are right about people paying up. Thank to Drew's ASA weekly I was set to hit two auctions today while in Atlanta. I didn't make it. First facility canceled the auction as all the units paid up. The second facility when I called had 2 units left, 90% paid up. Was a 2 hour wait before the auction so father and I hit the road back towards the house.
I see the same thing in my area. One auction already this month canceled as everyone paid up. Last saturday all the units in one location paid up, and lady paid up at last min on second facility so we had 2 out of 10.
Prices for us still seem to be all over the board but mostly high. Like the other evening, daughter put in a bid of $10 on a small unit with nothing but cloths. Manager told her he already had a $100 opener. She was a little shocked. Him and I both agreed if this was even last August, she may of gotten it for the $10, at least under $50.
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We have an auction next week where the legal notice reads ---> "Units will not be opened or viewed until time of sale."
Nice. There are 10 units available, which means there will be one or two come auction time :-[
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Great day for splitting the crowd! ::) 4 auctions in 1 day, and 3 going at same time.
I went to the independent facility. There was only 1 other regular and 12 newbies. One guy runs an auction house and he won the big one. A 10 x 30 80% full for $750. I got a 10 x 15 25% full $150. The owner of the last unit showed up just as the bidding started! Auction ended.
We all rejoined the big corporate caravan. Prices were sky high at the auctions going on while we were at the independent facility. Around 60 people, 8 regulars, 5 old newbies, the rest fresh newbies. The location we rejoined only had 2 BUILD UP units. They went for over $100 each. ATTENTION NEWBIES, YOU DON'T PAY OVER $100 ON SMALL BUILD UP UNITS!!! ::) The next location had 2 units. First had old beat up freezer & 4 hubcaps, $11. Second took about 10 minutes to cut the lock off, this one should be good! NOPE, EMPTY.
I go clean out my little buy and hustle to the late auction at another small independent facility. 6 regulars, 12 newbies. 4 units, prices reasonable but not cheap for what was showing, but probably enough meat on the bone to make some money.
The auction I missed was PODS and they went pretty high. I heard something like $750-$1300 range.
Looking back at previous post it looks like the current trend is stealing a couple good units at the small independent facilities, but fighting of the newbies and potentially overpaying at the large corporate caravan runs. The large corporate run on Tuesday I skipped was full of newbies and expensive too from what I was told.
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Last October I think it was I got my "safe" locker that paid off well. That one cost $350 and there were maybe 15 people there.
Same place today; 60 attendees...I recognized 6 (old timers/6 month old newbies)...the rest .... 54 of them I had never seen before. Another good spot starting to go to the dogs.
Seven lkrs...prices a little out of whack...I got the last one (waited out the rest) and decided early on if the bidding got high I would just HIT it. Started at $400, went quickly to $700 when I jumped in at $1000. That did it.
A 10 x 20 packed floor to ceiling and left to right..almost to the front. Pic below shows pretty well. I had already made some working space on left and right. Should do well based on quality in front area and volume...unless it's 50 boxes of clothes.
History was an elderly woman who had moved stuff in over 3 years and then died and children kept paying bill but finally defaulted. Hoping for goodies.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/ham223.jpg)
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Here's another pic showing the front edge of the "pile" which is about 8 feet in (12 feet left front to back) and showing the top of the pile near the ceiling. I climbed up and can see the back wall in one spot; surface looks pretty solid with boxes but they may be stacked on top of furniture. Will know in a couple of days.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/ham223b.jpg)
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Wow Movieman looks like a good unit!
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Glad to see ya post UGA*FAN - read about the twisters up your way.
Movieman - that is a decent buy IMO. That locker would be $800-$1000 normally in our area. With people doing stupid stuff the way they are it would of gone for $1300 and up now. Not as full of a locker that size with "ipod", "macbook", etc. boxes showing went for $1375.
Good looking unit with a number of u-haul boxes. If it was an older lady that supervised the packing and storage you have a good chance of finding some old coins or gold, along with tons of nylons, old magazines, and books. I know my grandmother who lived during the depression kept anything and everything of value or use. She had a old purse with nothing but rolls and rolls of old wheat pennies. Also have a shed full of old harliquine romance novels...still. If I could ever find a buyer for those I could make some money.
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The list I've done so far on the first "8" feet looks to total around $400 to $450, so if the back 12 solid feet pans out, it will be fine....the risk on these high priced lockers is that they will AT LEAST pay for themselves, but so far I've been lucky and have made a net of $300 to $900 on $1,000 lockers. Hopefully this one will be the same.
I could have taken this up $50 to $100 at a time from the last $700 bid that was placed, but might have had the same result and the $1K bid just ended it. I wouldn't have gone up from that. When getting in at this level, there can't be any Monday morning quarterbacking...if you're in it for the long haul it seems to work out in your favor.
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@ craig Yeah I'm still around, Thanks. Tornados just a couple of miles from my house.
Well I'm headed to another local auction tomorrow, I have been doing really well at these. As of this morning 24 units. My last 2 lockers I have made my money back 5X over and still have a couple of things to sell.
Maybe I'll get a couple of good priced units.
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Lol Acman - I feel your pain. My sneaking out at lunch to attend an auction days are about over. Getting a new boss that micro manages like mad. Even exempt people have to clock in-out, line up for fire drill, etc.
Prices for us still seem to be all over the board but mostly high. Like the other evening, daughter put in a bid of $10 on a small unit with nothing but cloths. Manager told her he already had a $100 opener. She was a little shocked. Him and I both agreed if this was even last August, she may of gotten it for the $10, at least under $50.
Sorry for the new boss. :(
Can picture your daughters face... Looks like ours. (confused and shocked smiley)
Movieman that looks like a good one. Would have gone for a higher in price here.
Auctions slow here a few but so inventory rich still in a holding pattern. :(
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Movieman that looks like a good one. Would have gone for a higher in price here.
The $1k was high enough for me ! Today I got $20 for scrap metal and $40 for gold for a total of $60...not much but it's a start on knocking down the $1k.
Gold...two 10K necklaces that couldn't have weighed more than a fingernail clipping (maybe less) and a small thin 14K ring. Each batch brought $20.
So, now it begins....the selling.
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Least your finding some gold Movieman. I just keep getting the gold plated rings, fake avon jewelry, or a small gold color sterling silver necklace out of my last unit. I know most of the rings / necklace will sell for a few bucks at the flea. No idea what to do with earrings - they don't sell.
Was going to hit Savannah today with 3 large auctions but that got canceled on me by the wife and mother. Each of them have things for me to do/help with today starting with taking my girls to ice skating practice. Oh well - hope to hit a few auctions next week before get moved and transfered to the new boss.
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Least your finding some gold Movieman.
This is the first I've found in a long time. Hoping there will be some more in there as the little I found wasn't in a jewelry box per se, but in a little "trinket" box.
A friend who buys a lot of lockers (and was $7K in the hole for about six months) got a lot of gold but 20x the trash to go with it. He finally bailed himself out but hasn't been finding as much gold lately either.
5 a.m. here as I write this....time to go to the flea for selling....can't say my heart is in it this morning. :(
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We bought our first unit in five years on Saturday. We went to two local private storage companys....the first was pretty crowded 35-40 people and all but the last two units were washateria units (looked like the owners just dumped their dirty clothes/shoes and bought new ones), they went for 3x's what they should have. The last two were very nice and we bid but they too sold for way, way too much. We dropped out at $400.
The next was a silent auction and the units were cleaner but a lot of furniture. Less crowded. about 15-20 people. We entered a bid on two and won one for $150. It was a 5x10 about half full, mostly totes, boxes and an entertainment center which we sold to another buyer for $50. The owner of the place did not charge a deposit and as it was a silent auction...no buyers fee! He also said just to take what we want and feel free to leave the rest.
I went through everything yesterday....clothes, 6 comforter sets, 2 totes of curtains, clothes, religious knick-knaks - Catholic and Buddha. Maybe they were covering all bases! Also 4 porcelain dolls, clothes, clothes......
I can make my money back but it will be slow. I generally will sell the clothes at the swap for $1 for all they can cram into a bag. The collectiables will bring another $40 to $50 and hopefully the bedding will sell for $10 a set.
Oh, we were actually recognized by another buyer....said he missed the doughnuts I usually bring along with me!
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Don and I are dividing and hopefully conquering today. There were supposed to be 3 separate carvans, but alas one claims all at both facilities paid up. So we're down to two. One being PS and the other the local 'popular' auctioneer. I'll be taking the latter with Don hanging with the 'regulars' at the less publicized one.
Seems like eons since we've been to auctions (ok....only a week, but it feels like eons). February has been stinky for sure, what with Tucson's population almost doubling due to all that we have happening during this month (gem show, golf tournaments and the rodeo) then add in newbies with tax returns..........ugh. Well guess what? We're flush on our seed money, have plenty of storage space and our tax return posted this morning.................look out newbies.................We're ready to BUY!!!
8)
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Good luck Rockin. This month has been good to me so I can't complain too much except about the crowds. Hope you score a nice unit.
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Good luck Rockin. This month has been good to me so I can't complain too much except about the crowds. Hope you score a nice unit.
Actually ended up with 3 units (2 for Don and 1 for me). Total spent was right around $1000. Crowds were relatively small and prices pretty minimal.
Just starting to dig, so let ya know more when I have a chance to breathe~
Don had the facility manager contact him and say that one of the tenants wants to buy back his stuff.....not even sure how we'll deal with that one....yet~
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Feburary sucked for selling. Worked way to much.
March I have tue/wed off and that's the days for auctions here.
Did a lot of details and some bodywork. Got an offer on the '67 datsun truck. Hasn't paid yet but looks like a done deal. And got a '97 BMW 528i that I gotta pull out the front end. Should make a couple bucks on that one. Got a couple bids in on some cars that are easy flips if I get them. Low ball'd so don't know. Don't put in huge bids on the online auctions. Found that the auction house's "runs great" differs from my "runs great". lol
Anyway, set myself up cash wise for march auctions. I think I might overpay on a small unit even if I loose money just so I can say I got one! Tho I'll tell y'all it was full of guns, gold, 200 safes and 5000yr old Egyptian cat.....that's still alive. :)
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Went to one close to home today that I had heard iffy things about. Rumor is the facility manager has been fired from 2 other places and has her own thrift store in town. Is said she goes into the units. At 11am she had all 4 units (very rude on phone). By 2pm for the auction she was down to 2. The tool/tote unit paid up along with the other good on paper unit, go figure? Locks on the units are also these special key locks that you have to get from the facility. Friend of mine won both units. First was $35 and had junk couch / recliner, but nice corner cabinet, mirror, and large display type case. Second unit looked pretty old and was bit of a mystery - sold for $195. Found some good stuff in the unit along with some so/so stuff. Should be able to break even or make money.
Crowd was about a dozen people. Very good compared to last few auctions. No auctions again for me till the 9th. Then start the 2 week frenzy again.
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Rockin it sounds good on your last divide and conquering plan.
It has been a slow month for us. selling and buying. :(
Planning on doing the Flea on Friday only taking stuff for other vendors to buy. Had one buy crap pots and pans last time. ??? Leaving the clothes behind.
Then hitting hard on Saturday. Suppose to rain again on Sunday.
No auctions until the 7th. We will feel like noobies again. LOL
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Rockin it sounds good on your last divide and conquering plan.
Well I've finished 'processing' my unit, which was $350. 5X10 full. What really got me was a rack of cd's that had been shrink-wrapped and a nice iron & wood daybed. Not quite sure how we'll make out on it, as the boxes were mostly women's clothes (high-end, but XXL) and clothes just don't move at our local flea. I did find a Mitchell & Ness Dan Marino jersey and if it's authentic should get back close to a third of the unit cost. There was also an XL leather Packers (why oh why can I never find Vikings gear?) jacket. A bit of gold, some silver and quite a bit costume jewelry, which I sold out of last weekend.
The toy unit ($200) is also looking a bit iffy. So many items had been chewed up by some sort of little rat dog. There were quite a few rc cars and some other items of value, but we're not making much.
The final unit ($450) is still 75% in boxes. We did find several jewelry boxes, but mostly costume stuff. Quite a few furs. A cute all leather Betty Boop purse. Quite a few collectibles and 3 large boxes of albums. Thinking of doing a large lot on craigslist for all the albums (two boxes from other lockers).
I think we'll do okay, but I don't see a great (or quick/easy) return.
I'm officially worn out.....but my feet are now up and I'm loving my adorable 'new' slippers that are big and fuzzy and designed to look like golf shoes!!
:D
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run through the records real quick on ebay. Ive had pretty good luck finding a few gems out of large lots of records. Id pick them out and sell the rest as a lot on craigslist.
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Not quite sure how we'll make out on it, as the boxes were mostly women's clothes (high-end, but XXL) and clothes just don't move at our local flea.
All sounds fair. The last ones sounds like it will be good.
Quoted you above on the clothes check out ebay for them. The lager ones are easier to sell. Fellow auction buyer sold men's XXX dress pants for $25 each on ebay. I found a lady on CL under things wanted, buying the larger sizes. (I did not have enough for her though)
Love the slippers. We have snoopy flashing drinking glasses, want loose the adult beverage in the dark. ;)