Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on April 30, 2013, 07:41:08 AM

Title: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on April 30, 2013, 07:41:08 AM
OK, it's a day early BUT I for one can't wait for April to be over and hoping that MAY will see improvement in the locker buyer business.  ;D

Of course there are no auctions in my area through May 3rd !

Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Alias300 on April 30, 2013, 10:26:52 AM
Right there with ya!

Though there was a huge run on all my favorite locations last week so thinking May might suck.


But they are back to holding auctions every month.   Might only be 1-3 lockers but a year ago it was 3-6 lockers every 3-4 months.   


Prices are still sky high.   
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: craiglstauction on April 30, 2013, 06:28:38 PM
Well I have one on the 3rd (norm low quality / high price) and one on Saturday.  The Saturday auction is always hit or miss for me.  One month I win multiple units and the next month or two I win 0.  Silent auction so you just have to take a stab at it and hope don't overpay.  Last month they had 1 unit...waste of time.

I honestly need to sell instead of buying.  Have a good amount of inventory and low funds.  Bad weather the last couple of weekends has resulted in low to no sales.  Couple that with 2 trips to the casino :) -- under a $100 in gambling money for the weekend.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 02, 2013, 08:50:39 PM
Went to a piece-by-piece auction that was a bust !  Usually get something there but this time the six lockers were all trash.  Wait, there was one 40" flat screen TV (forget the brand), no remote. I thought I would maybe pay $75 or so on a gamble ...went for $150. Too much gamble for it to even be working let alone sellable beyond that price. Maybe they wanted it for themselves.

Some folks (mostly newbies) say...."Why would they put it in a lkr if it wasn't working?"

My reply is basically..."Haven't you ever held on to some non-working item thinking one day you would either fix it yourself or get someone to fix it?"  I've found a fair amount of stuff in regular storage auction lkrs that fit that bill, maybe you have too.


Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: alloro on May 03, 2013, 09:35:25 AM
Some folks (mostly newbies) say...."Why would they put it in a lkr if it wasn't working?"

Maybe it was working when it left the house. Then either got damaged during the move, or from extreme heat or cold while in storage. On a piece auction, the people running it were fools to not plug the TV in and test it. If they could say it was working they could've potentially got more for it.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MTP on May 03, 2013, 12:28:44 PM
Maybe it was working when it left the house. Then either got damaged during the move, or from extreme heat or cold while in storage. On a piece auction, the people running it were fools to not plug the TV in and test it. If they could say it was working they could've potentially got more for it.

Why do peopel store actual GARBAGE in their lockers?
Why broken stuff?

Tons of reasons, mostly they were in a rush. Likely HAD to move stuff out quick. Garbage access is limited in most cases. So dumping tons of stuff into their garbage bins was not an option. Lazyness to not take it to the county dump is the second.
Or what I believe is the most common case: They never intended it to become a permanent situation. It was just for a few weeks until they 'get to it'.

Which also explains the common miconception that someone that paid 10 years on stuff MUST have something valuable in there.
No tenant looks at it as: I spent $8,000 or whatever on rent to store my stuff.
They look at it as a monthly charge. They only pay $50, 75 or 125 for it .... (every month, but they don't think like that).
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Fayettenam Man on May 04, 2013, 12:10:28 PM
I went to an auction yesterday in Clinton NC. Only 3 bidders showed up including myself for 5 rooms. Before the auction started it was stated that no bid would be accepted that was below rent owed. To make a long story short, no rooms were sold at all that day. Two rooms were mostly empty, the other three would of been a small profit after paying what was owed. (Between $300 to $600.)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: alloro on May 04, 2013, 03:41:30 PM
it was stated that no bid would be accepted that was below rent owed. To make a long story short, no rooms were sold at all that day.

Tell the dumbass manager the minimum will be higher next month.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 04, 2013, 06:38:13 PM
Bought a locker on Thursday. Paid $300.. had a lot of boxes which was home decor and clothes upon clothes. Had a Directv HD DVR cardboard box in it. The top corner was bulged up just a bit and I caught a remote in the box, nobody else noticed, or knew enough to see it. In fact, most kidded that the DVR was "in the box!" .. Turns out it was in the box along with 2 standard receivers. That's my $300 on Amazon right there. The rest is profit.. Although it'll sell at $2 here and $3 there..
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Cobia on May 07, 2013, 01:33:37 PM
Think i'll make a STORAGE AUCTION post before this forum becomes completely irrelevant!

First week slow. One auction, a couple of regulars & a hand full of 6 month to 1 year newbies. NO brand new newbies. Looks like if this trend continues the misery is over! Yeah!  ;D maybe?

Only one problem. Stupid fyck 6-12 month newbies don't know what prices were like BEFORE  the TV shows! Only a handful of people at the auction and they STILL ran each other up!  :-[ :-[ And the best part is they were trying NOT too!!   :(  :o

They've never seen units go for $5 -$50 so in their shallow minds only taking a ho-hum, flea market type unit to $250 is being nice!  :D :D

Bad news is their might not be enough pressure from any new newbies to force this group out, so who knows how long before they figure it out!

Oh Well, that's life in the fast lane I guess!  ::)
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 07, 2013, 02:10:16 PM
Here's a post Cobia made in another area, but I think he might agree it fits here too.

Boy, I guess the storage auction industry has just shriveled up a died away!

My response is that finding quality lockers is IMPOSSIBLE in my area (or at least as far as I travel) and that
prices are out of line for the lockers that are for sale.

Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Cobia on May 08, 2013, 09:23:02 AM
Here's a post Cobia made in another area, but I think he might agree it fits here too.

Boy, I guess the storage auction industry has just shriveled up a died away!

My response is that finding quality lockers is IMPOSSIBLE in my area (or at least as far as I travel) and that
prices are out of line for the lockers that are for sale.

I was mainly talking about how the conversations on this forum have drifted into everything except storage auctions and re-sale, but your point is accurate too.

The price of what a good deal should be on a unit has probably been forever altered by the TV shows. A unit that went for $500 last year, now maybe goes for $300 and they(newbies)  think it's a killer deal. Some know but most don't know that we shouldn't be paying more than $50 on those type units to make a livable income.

Not only that I here multiple times on the circuit how people can't sell this or can't sell that or how do you sell this, blah,blah,blah but they keep bidding on more units!!  :-[ :-[

The other thing I've have noticed in my area anyway is how my posts are getting absolutely BURIED in short time on Craigslist! I've wondered why sales have gone down so much, and I think it's because of the competition. Soo many more people are selling stuff on Craigslist now compared to a couple of years ago. Before my postings would get buried after a few days, and generally just waiting to do the normal refresh was enough to keep them at the top. Now they get buried within a few hours of posting and for some reason Craigslist only shows the latest 100 or so posts for that day before moving down to the previous day. So if too many people post on the same day and my posts are early in the day they won't even show up on list view!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 08, 2013, 09:30:51 AM
I was mainly talking about how the conversations on this forum have drifted into everything except storage auctions and re-sale.......


Yep, we're grasping at straws to keep any kind of coversation going. How about a new thread..."How old do you think Dan Dotson is?". 

What about "How many auction buyers really want to sell the remnants of their buys at an online auction site?"

Then there's always "Here's one more shot of Brandi's attributes" (I like to start those !).

Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: alloro on May 08, 2013, 10:32:01 AM
The other thing I've have noticed in my area anyway is how my posts are getting absolutely BURIED in short time on Craigslist!

You can thank the CL posting service companies for that spot of aggravation.
http://www.craigslistpostingservice.net/
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 08, 2013, 11:08:47 PM
Bought another locker yesterday.. another $300. Lots of toys and kids clothes, which I do okay with at the flea market.. and my wife likes going through that stuff. Should be a decent profit, not breaking the bank though. Got 22 units to view tomorrow, but my funds are shrinking as I have lots of inventory held up and bad weather the last 3 weekends is killing me!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 09, 2013, 01:43:34 PM
Went to an auction the other day that had 20 lockers and a crowd of only about 25 people; 6 regular buyers, rest were people I had not seen before.

Prices were OK, but I didn't buy a locker. Best one went for $700 and contained A LOT of totes ! It was mostly a mystery locker but there were a few things showing. None of the regulars went for it. It went to a newb.

Of the 20 lockers I would say 8 or so were just trash. They sold for $5 to $25.

So, a bust for me, but two of the regular buyers bought lkrs. One got one for $600...think he will do OK, too much big stuff for me.  The other got one for $450 I think; he has a store (which is just breaking even after 6 months) and from what he says, his every other month yard sales are doing well.

Meanwhile, I poke along and am happy with what I get and sell and the lighter work load.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 09, 2013, 10:10:47 PM
Today's 22 caravan was a complete bust. Not going back to this facility any longer. I went 2 months in a row, and I keep getting that sinking feeling that they're pillaging the units. There were 3 units that were worth bidding on, but the price was real high.. Because the crowd was itching to spend their money.. It was real suspicious when every single locker had 1 couch with a cushion missing and either a washer, dryer, or fridge in it.. and nothing else. Next month, I'll consider my gas savings a win..
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Cobia on May 10, 2013, 09:08:10 AM
Today's 22 caravan was a complete bust. Not going back to this facility any longer. I went 2 months in a row, and I keep getting that sinking feeling that they're pillaging the units. There were 3 units that were worth bidding on, but the price was real high.. Because the crowd was itching to spend their money.. It was real suspicious when every single locker had 1 couch with a cushion missing and either a washer, dryer, or fridge in it.. and nothing else. Next month, I'll consider my gas savings a win..

In this day and age you gotta be real suspicious of the various facilities. The TV shows have caused managers and facility owners to see gold in auctioning off units. There are MANY facilities in my area that I'm convinced are auctioning off household junk; tenant left behinds; what the owners, managers, & employees didn't want after pillfering the units; and all around unwanted items for family & friends. Not to mention since the crowds have dropped around here, the facilities who have been using proxy bidders to run up the bidding are really starting to show now. Thankfully due to crowds dropping, the light is being shined on the missdeeds of my local facilities and I'm really finding out that MANY storage facilities in my area are crookeder than a dog's leg! Some really eye opening things happening around here for me.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 11, 2013, 10:57:53 PM
Normally I don't care if they go through the units because I just bid on what I see.. But when they take EVERYTHING!! than it's just not worth the gas to drive around to see couch after couch after couch.. I mean, who rents a 10x20 unit to store a couch and a washer OR dryer.. Yes.. washer OR dryer, not washer AND dryer.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: luke on May 12, 2013, 08:43:37 PM
Bought a locker on Thursday. Paid $300.. had a lot of boxes which was home decor and clothes upon clothes. Had a Directv HD DVR cardboard box in it. The top corner was bulged up just a bit and I caught a remote in the box, nobody else noticed, or knew enough to see it. In fact, most kidded that the DVR was "in the box!" .. Turns out it was in the box along with 2 standard receivers. That's my $300 on Amazon right there. The rest is profit.. Although it'll sell at $2 here and $3 there..

You better call directv to make sure money is not owed on them and they can be transferred to a new owner, if they are not it's just scrap metal. I never bid on any DirecTV stuff I see, must of it is un-usable.

I sold on amazon without knowing first and it costed me more when I had to refund it and eat the shipping cost.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 13, 2013, 09:15:59 PM
Yeah, you're right. The boxes are tied to an account with a past due balance.. Although, they did say that the access card dept may issue a new card on these boxes so that I can use them.. but highly unlikely.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 17, 2013, 08:55:32 AM
Went to a piece by piece auction the other day. See details and 4 pics at link below.

Some of the stuff I got: New in Box (still in plastic wrap and foam) TIVO dual tuner ($10)
                                   HP Desktop and flat screen (with Windows 7) ($15)
                                   Sea shells (lots of colorful small ones, 6 abalone, 3 LARGE ) ($5)
                                   Five pieces of handmade doll furniture with marble tops ($5)
                                   Three Canes (walking sticks) One with dragon head and sword inside shaft ($7.50)
                                   Nesting set of 3 rattan tables ($5)
                                   40 pre-cut mattes for framing prints ($5)

http://storageauctionforums.com/storage-auction-stories/this-was-a-good-unit-!/msg27171/#msg27171
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MTP on May 17, 2013, 07:25:21 PM
Was kinda short on cash, but one of my more favorite local caravans was going on, so I went anyway.

Surprisingly small crowd. Probably the smallest of the year, yet still 20+ peeps.

Units went for ok prices, hardly any newbees there, so no crazy overbidding.

Ended up buying a 5 x 10 for $90 and another for $1. Only took the $1 because it was right next to the other and I figured for a buck I take a chance. People were stunned how low the $90 went. I almost took it for my opener at $50 but another regular just 'Could not let me have it at that.'
Looked like several cases might hold high end electronics, but ended up most were empty. Some bread and butter stuff and the 2 monster TVs make me back 1/3 just in recycle value. Should do ok on that one, but no home runs. The $1 mostly some trash. Might turn it into $100.

Not too bad.

Skipped a auction to clean some of the stuff out and went to another one later today. Crowd increased quite a bit, some other auctions south of us ended and we got some overflow from there.

Ended up getting a pretty packed 10x10 for $140. Total stunner. Everybody was shocked. A Literal fleamarket unit. Foldup tables, canopy, home made racks and tons of totes and boxes.
I bought resellers units before and got mostly burned. They just never store valuables in those units. I just bid, because  wanted some of those tables and racks.

A quick scan revealed a near new pop up canopa, 3 portable DVD players, real nice canon camera NIB and TONS of fairly nice clothes. Bundled jeans, and most totes I could not even open. Saw some new knick knack fleamarket junk $0,50-$1 stuff. But LOTS of it, so that will add up nicely.
Sold a half shell mannequin torso to another bidder right on the spot for $20. They actually retail for le3ss, but he wanted it, and who am I to turn down $$ LOL.

Just based on what I saw I am sure I will make EASY $1,000 on it and I only saw maybe 15-20% of the stuff so far.

Overall definitely one of my better days.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 18, 2013, 05:32:54 PM
Bought a locker on Thursday.. It's a loser I think.. Got a bed frame, wood, repainted.. badly. A decent round side table with drawer, antique-y.. another chair that is antique-y (but just found out it was broken and repaired).. The winner of the locker is a 1949 Philco 1100 radio. In decent shape. The plug is falling apart so I can't test to see if it powers on, etc. Can't find anything regarding sales for a value.. If someone wants to help me out with that, I'd appreciate it!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: alloro on May 19, 2013, 02:01:34 PM
There isn't much value in old radios.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Alias300 on May 19, 2013, 06:45:32 PM
The winner of the locker is a 1949 Philco 1100 radio. In decent shape. The plug is falling apart so I can't test to see if it powers on, etc. Can't find anything regarding sales for a value.. If someone wants to help me out with that,


The 1100 is the AM only, right? 
Good condition and working (as in the insides have been replaced)....$150-ish.  Maybe.


Without being able to test the bulbs you might have troubles getting anyone to look at it.  They will offer a price based off of having to replace everything. Its a pain and kinda spendy.  It's an 6 or 8 bulb, plus wiring....$?$?
And the demographic....how many people fix old tube style radio's?   And want AM only?

Think first thing I would do is fix the plug and see if it works. 

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/643/M0013643.pdf


There are tons of forums for people into old radios.  Go ask aound.  Might even find a buyer.

Or repurpose it.  Keep houseing but throw a new stereo in it.......





Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 20, 2013, 06:59:11 PM
I know that there are a ton of people into vintage and antique radios.. But I also have the feeling that those people are typically cheap.. Repurposing it isn't a bad idea, but my knowledge of repurposing electronics is limited.. The case isn't in terrible shape. The bottom is fraying a bit and the screen is stressed. Not ripped anywhere, you can just see where some pressure had be put on it.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Alias300 on May 20, 2013, 07:19:56 PM
Oh yeah, there is a whole cult of radio enthusiasts.  Just in the grand scheme of things the demographic is small.  Either they want vintage tube style radio's or not IMO. 

I like to fix old mixers.   But I've sold to people that like vintage any kitchen stuff, vintage mixers, just need inexpensive mixer or collects that brand.....and one because the color matched his fridge/stove.  Didnt even use mixers. 

I was looking into the restoration process last night and looks like a fun project but quite the process and need some electronics skills.  Way beyond my skill level.  Just reading thru some forums confused me.

I did find two for sale for $150 & $200, not working.   Asking that anyway.  And one that sold, restored, for $125.

Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 20, 2013, 09:12:56 PM
Yeah I was figuring on putting it up for $75 and hope someone is a Philco enthusiast and picks it up. I'm afraid I'm holding onto a big boat anchor.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 20, 2013, 09:20:32 PM
Yeah I was figuring on putting it up for $75 and hope someone is a Philco enthusiast and picks it up. I'm afraid I'm holding onto a big boat anchor.

I got a big old console radio/record player in a locker and thought SOMEONE would buy it, but they never did. I finally had Goodwill pick it up and though I never saw it in the store one of the regular buyer's in my area came by it somehow and he put it on eBay. He ran it for 3 months I think it was and then it stopped running. I'm not a fan of his so I never did ask him what became of it. Chances are good he would tell me he bought it for $50 and sold it for $500 (whether that would be true or not is a BIG question mark.)

On the other hand I have had good luck with smaller old radios. The Zenith Transoceanics were made for years and through half a dozen model numbers at least. They all looked pretty much alike, but the people who know them know what's up with each model and its variations.  I think they're pretty dead now but I could be wrong.

I got a green metal cabinet radio about the same size and it did well. I got it for $15 at a flea market and I think it sold for $80 something on eBay.  Lot easier to handle than a big console too.  ;D
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Alias300 on May 23, 2013, 03:50:38 PM
Poted this guys work before but the Philco radio reminded me...
Check out his website.  He's repurposed a few old radios.
adamcapone.com/

Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 25, 2013, 10:47:42 PM
Cool thanks!
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Cobia on May 27, 2013, 08:59:05 PM
O.K. ladies and germs,

The Good News, crowds are waaayyy down for the last week of May! Yeah!!!   8)

The Bad News, very nice units are still being bid up too high!  :'(

At least the garbage units are starting to go for what they should. Lets keep our fingers crossed, I think I here the Fat Lady singing for the TV Show inspired storage auction madness!

Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: HomeGrownPromos on May 27, 2013, 10:19:24 PM
Around here the prices have started coming down. But we're getting into that time of year where the "tax return rich" are bowing out of this new business venture they thought they'd be so successful at. I don't think I saw a room go over $500 last week.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: calcoastgal on May 30, 2013, 02:25:06 PM
May has been another total dud. Everything in my area this month has been canceled. I'm am assuming that people are paying up their units becauce of tax returns. June looks good but I am worried that the lack of units for sale the last two months is going to cause a major driving up on prices. We shall see I guess.
On the up side I have seen an increase in good donations this month. Picking has also been good this month.
Happy hunting everyone.
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: MovieMan on May 31, 2013, 10:04:26 AM
May has been another total dud.

Yep, a total bust. But considering I hardly go to any auctions anymore that's not a big surprise for me at least.

And as calcoastgal said PICKING has been great.  I missed two auctions on May 30, 2013 because I dove 45 miles to an estate sale which paid off big time....buying pieces has been the savior for my monthly income as compared to regular storage auctions.  On that same trip  I hit 6 thrift stores and made some good buys there too.

HOWEVER, I will continue to start the montly AUCTION SCENE threads hoping for that day when I will have good positive reports on the local scene, and I know some areas are still having success at regular storage auction efforts...these tend to be in the BIG cities (or metro areas) where there are a LOT of auctions going on, thus increasing the odds of scoring a good one.

See you in June !  ;D
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: calcoastgal on May 31, 2013, 04:29:27 PM
I Scored A Unit Today!!

Let me say that there are no auctions in the forseeable future and this was not an auction.
I had an old family friend stop by today and we got to talking. He has a storage unit he has been paying $100.00 a month for to store some furniture. I know this man well and he has really nice stuff so I asked him if he would like to get rid of some of it. Come to find out he has rented this unit for the last 25 years.  :-\ I asked him if what was in the unit was worth the $30,000.00 he had spent over those years. Of corse the answer was NO.
I have not finaled a deal with him but put to him in that way he now really wants to get rid of his stuff. Gonig to see what he has next week. He will most likely want to just give it to me but I will have to make sure he gets something out of it.
It still blows me away how many people don't look at the cost as a total. I hear "it only costs me this much a month". Really? 
Title: Re: Auction Scene #5...May, 2013
Post by: Alias300 on May 31, 2013, 05:56:17 PM

It still blows me away how many people don't look at the cost as a total. I hear "it only costs me this much a month". Really?

Tell me about it!  My friend got a qoute to have an outbuilding built about 5yrs ago.
20x24 on a concrete slab.   Builder quoted him $4600. $1000 down, 150/month, no interest.

He turned it down.  To expensive.

However, he pays $175/month for a 10x20 to work out of.