Storage Auctions
The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on September 02, 2012, 06:01:16 PM
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Ho hum.
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Ugh!! Slow beginning to September. Looks like everyone else is in the same boat. Selling is down to a slow trickle and buying is non-existent.
I finally have an auction tomorrow. Two locations and one has never had a public auction to my knowledge. Should be interesting. Will keep you posted.
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Alright~time to liven this place up a bit!
August stunk for us. Minimal auctions with prices too high and Don and I both bought stinkers. We'll make the money back, but finding venues to sell from has been tough with weather conditions. We're either sweltering or showering. And craigslist has completely died!
So we missed Cubesmart this month as we didn't have a ton of capital nor did we feel like dealing with long drives to look at piles of garbage. Talking to a couple regulars today told us we made the right choice.
Today found us caravaning with a Phoenix based auctioneer who comes down here every other month. His auctions usually draw a huge crowd and high prices, but I've gotten some great units too. Well today found a a minimal crowd (about 15 at the start) and lots of pretty good units. We are watching our finances, so were being quite picky. I did buy one for $10 that I will come close to making 10X the investment.
On to the next two facilities where I saw nothing I wanted then on to a facility with 9 units up for auction. Ended up buying 2 for $200 each. First one had a locked tool box....just the smaller 4 drawer kind, a washer, dryer, treadmill, a couple crates of dvd's and beyond that.....who knows. It was packed full. Told Don I'd go to about $350 on it. Couldn't believe it when I got it for $200~one thing to note was a regular with deep pockets looked over and asked if I had the bid (@ $200). I nodded and he grinned and said "Sell it!" Felt good to know he would step aside for us......guess we've officially arrived at regular status.
A couple more units that were ok, but nothing that jazzed us until the final one opened and it was quite full of furniture. Went head to head with a couple guys outta Vegas. Landed it at $200. Should be a good one with two dining sets (real wood), a wild assed sectional (hope it's all there) and some wicker furniture. We'll see, but I think it will be prove to be quite profitable.
Went on to the next facility and really wondered why as 3 lockers is a lot to unload, but thought what the heck. While waiting for the auctioneer we borrowed a pair of bolt cutters from a cantankerous old fart (we actually like each other....we just don't let anybody know) and broke into the one tool box we took from the one unit. It was full.......of tools!!! And not just made in China crap tools, but some serious good air/impact body working type tools. Also found a diagnostic test kit in there. Hoping for more tools or the air compressor tomorrow!
Didn't buy another locker and bowed out as we were tired, hot and hungry. Came home and were hit with the most monstrous storm of the season. Had to pull a few folks out of the sandbar that now crosses just south of our home. Yikes.
I have no idea how we did here, but feel we may have knocked it outta the park. Will update tomorrow as we will get everything back here and start the 'dig'.
Tired now.....gonna kick back and research some more tools~
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That is nice Rockin - sounds like you did good. The washer/dryer alone if works is your $200 right there. Which would make everything else in that unit profit.
I missed auctions last month due to work. Was sent out of town just before my 3 facility auction that my daughter loves. Buddy said crowds were normal for that auction - and he got a 10x30 packed full for $950. Missed some of the later auctions last part of the month due to work but those I normally miss.
This month's auctions start today. Will be missing today's auction due to a meeting that was rescheduled due to Monday being a holiday. Also, I will miss next weeks 7 facility caravan due to dang workgroup I was assigned to wednesday....grrr. Good news - have 3 facility caravan on Saturday. Not going to be many units from the sound of it. Silent bid auction but sometimes I can get a decent score.
On the selling - both craigslist and ebay have gone cold again. Not made it out to the flea due to work/family obligations. So hopefully some of that will turn around...I need to make some money.
Yard sale picking has made me some money. Have more inventory then anything since I keep buying and not had a chance to sell......
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Rockin, Craigs, I'm going to make the assumption that you guys are primarily selling furniture & other large items on Craigslist. I would think that sales of furniture that would look good & fit well in a college dorm room would be big sellers right now. Probably most kids have moved in to the dorms by now, but there may be a few stragglers. I did well selling desks (student,office) last month.
Other then the desks and small dressers, my other sales have slowed as well; but I have changed my sales strategy. I'm not a big retail shopper, but i spent some time last month doing product research at retail stores and I was shocked at how much everything has gone up in price!
Even places like Walmart, Big Lots, Thrift Stores of America, Target were selling (albeit new) crappy chinese furniture for hundreds of dollars. Little crappy computer desks go for $150 at Walmart now. Little crappy 4 chair dining table sets $250!
So I raised my prices and advertised solid wood furniture, made in the U.S.A. Sure the calls have slowed down, but I think a lot of sales were going to other pickers and re-sellers who were just gonna flip the furniture themselves.
I've decided I'm not gonna sell vintage solid wood American made furniture for less then the crap they sell at Target, Walmart, Big Lots, et. al.
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Friday, 9/7/2012...
Got 2 today; a 10 x 10 and a 10 x 30. Details later. Worked all day and flea sales tomorrow.
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Wow what a day. First facility had 9 of the ten units left. The last bid number handed out was 57. That takes a lot of time when so many of the units are upstairs. Temps were in the mid 90's today. Do I have to say hot with all of those bodies in such a confined space.
There was a lot of junk but three of the units looked good. Prices ranged between $5.00 (only thing I saw in that one worth anything was a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket) to $700.00 (Unit was pretty nice but not for that much. I put a $300.00 price on it). Most units that I was only willing to bid $150-$200 went for $300-$400. One new couple that I had never seen before bought 3 units.
Second facility has just been bought by the owner of the first facility. I was talking to him when we got there and he said he had 80 lockers that had been behind on rent. 30 had paid up. Today he sold 20 of them (only 15 were listed with the auctioneer). He still has 30 that he has liened. He will be having another sale in November to clear the rest out (something to look forward to).
Several bidders dropped off but picked up a few new ones so I would guess there were about 45. I started talking to some of the bidder while waiting for the auction to start. Many had come as far as 50+ miles away. One lady had a storage there before the new owner took over. She told me that the first owner hadn't been doing the auto pay for her unit so on the day before escrow closed he called her and told her she owed $3000.00. If she could come up with any money that day he would let her have her stuff. She paid him $400.00. She was hoping there would be some good units because others maybe couldn't come up with any money.
Of the 20 units 7 looked really good. Again most went to high for me. One unit went for $5.00 (showing several dozen mason jars with mystery stuff in them and a seat out of a car. Still amazes me how many of those are in storage lockers). One unit went for $1100.00 (Set of quad tires and rims, bicycle, couch, neat tiger wood trunk, etc.).
I purchased a unit with the following showing. Nice neutral couch, oak dinning table and ladder back chairs, headboard and one matching nightstand, HUGE tv, X-box, 2 guitar hero guitars, one box, round metal tray, rock-band box for x-box 360. I paid $200.00. Couch is a hide-a bed, tv works, box is full of nice blankets, metal tray is a nice hammered brass, rock-band is the drum set and is brand new (everyone told me it was empty which is normally my luck) 2 house speakers that were hiding behind the tv, large framed world map behind sofa, microwave, and a few other small items. All in all I did ok with this one.
The man that purchased the $5.00 unit did the best out of all of us. His unit was next to mine and he kept coming over to show me what he found. There were 5 or 6 boxes under the seat. One had a full 12 piece set of green coke glasses with handles one had some cool porcelain statues. One had a full set of china. Not sure what was in the rest but he was thrilled.
Sorry for the book but it was one of the funnest days I have at an auction in a long time.
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Cobia - most of the stuff I sell are electronics, odds n ends, etc. Furniture I take to my buddies thrift store to move.
3 facility caravan - silent auction - 16 registered bidders, about 25 people total. Was 3 old regulars, 2 6-mo regulars, and the rest new faces to me and I know for a fact 2 sets of newbies. 15 total units today. I ended up with 4 units total for right at $200. We had some nice tool units for a change. If it wasn't for the newbies I would of won them. As it is one newbie won 5 units (paid $300 for one tool unit) and their friend bought 2. I know for a fact they were new as they had no locks, had to buy from facility, was asking all the newbie questions, etc. Think they are going to end up haven to rent the units out they bought so many.
So I will be busy for the next few days helping wife and cleaning units....plus full time job. If the ring I found in my $5.55 unit is real I will have found my 2nd gold ring in a year.
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Friday, 9/7/2012...
Got 2 today; a 10 x 10 and a 10 x 30. Details later. Worked all day and flea sales tomorrow.
It's Sunday, 6 pm on the west coast and finally a quiet moment.
The crowd at the 3 auctions I went to (a chain) was small...maybe 15 of us there with 6 of my close competitors among them.
The first place is normally not too good but there were a couple and I probably should have bid on them but didn't. Two people will be happy with the results they got for the reasonable prices they paid.
Next place had 15 ! They usually list that many and it goes down to 5 to 7, but not this time. Thought I should strike and I did getting the 10 x 10 for $180. It was nice and clean with 18 sealed boxes nicely labeled (and accurately labeled too). A lot of books (including bibles) and 125 DVDs. One of the guys asked me later if they were all full and I reminded him of the appearance of the lkr and while that isn't always the case, it was this time. I brought in $75 from the DVDs I sold and still a lot left.
The other good point about the 10 x 10 was that the former owner was there. I got a check from her (post-dated) for $100 for the promise on my part of providing her with certain bags of clothing and of course all the photos, etc. SOoooo..lkr coming out good.
Third facility had 2 lkrs. I got a 10 x 30 for $200; it's full around the sides and back to a level of 4 feet or so and holds good promise so happy with it too.
Hot here in California as it is in other parts of the country but one difference is we get NO rain until maybe Dec. Sure a sprinkle once a month until then, but no real rain, and can be 100 into late October.
Anyway, business as usual with some good surprises and (as usual) a lot of work !
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It's Sunday, 6 pm on the west coast and finally a quiet moment.
The crowd at the 3 auctions I went to (a chain) was small...maybe 15 of us there with 6 of my close competitors among them.
The first place is normally not too good but there were a couple and I probably should have bid on them but didn't. Two people will be happy with the results they got for the reasonable prices they paid.
Next place had 15 ! They usually list that many and it goes down to 5 to 7, but not this time. Thought I should strike and I did getting the 10 x 10 for $180. It was nice and clean with 18 sealed boxes nicely labeled (and accurately labeled too). A lot of books (including bibles) and 125 DVDs. One of the guys asked me later if they were all full and I reminded him of the appearance of the lkr and while that isn't always the case, it was this time. I brought in $75 from the DVDs I sold and still a lot left.
The other good point about the 10 x 10 was that the former owner was there. I got a check from her (post-dated) for $100 for the promise on my part of providing her with certain bags of clothing and of course all the photos, etc. SOoooo..lkr coming out good.
Third facility had 2 lkrs. I got a 10 x 30 for $200; it's full around the sides and back to a level of 4 feet or so and holds good promise so happy with it too.
Hot here in California as it is in other parts of the country but one difference is we get NO rain until maybe Dec. Sure a sprinkle once a month until then, but no real rain, and can be 100 into late October.
Anyway, business as usual with some good surprises and (as usual) a lot of work !
its great to hear your got a couple good ones , where in california are you im thinking of moving in a couple years but that heat would kick my behind .
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...where in california are you im thinking of moving in a couple years but that heat would kick my behind .
Didn't you already move from Texas to the Sacramento area? Seems to me I remember you going to an auction in Yuba City recently.
Edit: Did a search here on Yuba City and it was member "leota" who went to the auction there.
Anyway, anywhere in the central valley of California from Fresno to Yuba City will hit 100 on any given summer day without a problem. You want cool breezes...move to Santa Barbara....of course a 3 bedroom house from the 1950s will run you $300K there.
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I bought a unit in Santa Barbara last week. It was at an auction where there were 5 lockers, but only 4 bidders. Each bidder got one locker and one locker didn't sell. My buy was a 5x10 for $325. The view was mostly blocked by a mattress and boxspring. A construction worker toolbelt w/ handtools was visible, along with a 50ft extension cord. A kids plush rocking horse was on top of the mattress.
As luck would have it, there were more tools, quality cookware, nice clothes, a solid mahogany raised panel bed and two nightstands. The 36 inch flatscreen was a nice bonus. I should be able to get about $1200 out of it at my shop.
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Didn't you already move from Texas to the Sacramento area? Seems to me I remember you going to an auction in Yuba City recently.
Edit: Did a search here on Yuba City and it was member "leota" who went to the auction there.
Anyway, anywhere in the central valley of California from Fresno to Yuba City will hit 100 on any given summer day without a problem. You want cool breezes...move to Santa Barbara....of course a 3 bedroom house from the 1950s will run you $300K there.
thank you for the info! Ive lived in long island ny for most of my life . The home prices actually sound a little cheaper in santa barbara than here . A run down 3 br cape on a 40x100 lot here would be over 300k and the taxes would be over 6k a year to boot
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If you want more info on Santa Barbara real estate go here:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Santa-Barbara_CA?source=web
There are some townhomes in the $300,000 range. Small, poorly situated, single family homes are more like $400.000. Half decent ones are more like $600.000 to $800.000. Nice homes are a mil or two. Pulling enough $$$ out of a storage locker to buy a home here would take a miracle.
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My Monday caravan has come and gone. Crowd was up from other auctions but still not that bad. About 20 bidders or so. We lost a few of the newbies when it started to rain on us. 28 units up for sale this time. Prices were mostly low, with a few great low buys, and a few nice lockers going for decent prices. I didn't get agressive on anything since didn't see anything that really grabbed me and I'm full on inventory right now. Did buy a $5 5x10 that had a bamboo ladder showing, some trash, 3 boxes with cloths, etc. Be a quick 10 min clean out job. Purchased unit as I saw a tan leather jacket and what looked like a box for an air matress. That and $5 is nothing and very easy to make money on units like that.
Don't think I'll make any other auctions this month due to conflicts with work. We will have to wait and see.
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Got a 5x10 after school monday for $55. Guy is in jail now I suppose anywho was a guitar visible from the down as well as old mattress (2) and a red lock box. Unit ended up having a used Johnson guitar, a hookah, bed sets, golf shoes and a cooler and a tv that didn't work. The red box was some type of kit that lets your motor scooter have bigger headlights but I could not get the box up so we smashed it and took the small tools out not worth much but it's something. I got $4 in scrap metal, sold guitar for $40, hookah for $25, all clothes on craigslist for $20 and other small items for $10. Might make another $20 if lucky. Going to a Saturday auction they have 15 right now.
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Went to a caravan today. They have changed the rules they will not give buyer a gate code you have to stop at the office and be let in. That means when the office closes at 6PM you are done. It will make it harder to buy a lot of lockers. Anyway at first facility they had 7 lockers. One really did not count all that was in it was a pool table in bad shape. I ended up with one there. It was a 10X10 but only about a third full. Lot of boxes an exercise machine and a small firesafe. Cost me $275 which I thought was to much. The safe had an airsoft pistol in it. That seems to be the norm for those safes nothing of value. I have not sorted I got about 20 boxes to go through. From what I have seen I will be lucky to break even. Next facility had one locker and it was mostly furniture but looked good. Next facility had 4 lockers. I ended with w a 5X10 for $200 that was packed but looked bad. A V8 block on a stand at the door lots and some tool boxes showing. I got it half cleaned out today. The tool boxes have tools in them. One was so heavy I could barely lift it and it was only a small box. The block was a real challenge to load alone but I did manage. It looks like a Chevy 350 will become scrap. Right behind it was a VW tranny and a bunch of heads and starter motors. Lots of scrap for my son. Found a ammo box full of ammo a couple hundred round of mixed high power worth something but wish the gun had been there. This locker had been rented since 1992 so 20 years. Only really good thing so far was the ammo. I went to 2 other facilities and did not even bid at either place some really poor lockers. Prices seemed to still be to high. Crowds was down from the peak about 20 to 25 people. Took 600 pound to the dump tonight cost $35 more to follow.
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@ drbecker check that airsoft pistol. My son has two glocks that are not made anymore and they worth about 120 to 160 each on e-bay. He says there are other brands that are worth more. You never know.
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Got a 10x10 for $600 had tools and hunting/fishing gear and mini safe, want to post pics 2marrow to see if people think I overpaid
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Got a 10x10 for $600 had tools and hunting/fishing gear and mini safe, want to post pics 2marrow to see if people think I overpaid
At this point (before locker is processed) it doesn't really matter (IMO) what I, others or even YOU, THINK about whether you overpaid or not.
The only thing that really matters is (after processing) whether you make money or not. (IMO)
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Went to a caravan today. They have changed the rules they will not give buyer a gate code you have to stop at the office and be let in. That means when the office closes at 6PM you are done. It will make it harder to buy a lot of lockers. Anyway at first facility they had 7 lockers. One really did not count all that was in it was a pool table in bad shape. I ended up with one there. It was a 10X10 but only about a third full. Lot of boxes an exercise machine and a small firesafe. Cost me $275 which I thought was to much. The safe had an airsoft pistol in it. That seems to be the norm for those safes nothing of value. I have not sorted I got about 20 boxes to go through. From what I have seen I will be lucky to break even. Next facility had one locker and it was mostly furniture but looked good. Next facility had 4 lockers. I ended with w a 5X10 for $200 that was packed but looked bad. A V8 block on a stand at the door lots and some tool boxes showing. I got it half cleaned out today. The tool boxes have tools in them. One was so heavy I could barely lift it and it was only a small box. The block was a real challenge to load alone but I did manage. It looks like a Chevy 350 will become scrap. Right behind it was a VW tranny and a bunch of heads and starter motors. Lots of scrap for my son. Found a ammo box full of ammo a couple hundred round of mixed high power worth something but wish the gun had been there. This locker had been rented since 1992 so 20 years. Only really good thing so far was the ammo. I went to 2 other facilities and did not even bid at either place some really poor lockers. Prices seemed to still be to high. Crowds was down from the peak about 20 to 25 people. Took 600 pound to the dump tonight cost $35 more to follow.
Well an update I have been through the lockers. The one that I paid $275 for produced 6.5 grams of 14K and 2.2 grams of 10K Gold as well as 6 sterling rings and a sterling necklace. Also found a big bag of Disney coins with $5.50 price tags on them must be 40 or 50 of them along with the folder to display them in. A Sony PSP with some games and a lot of the usual junk. I may make money on it. The locker with the engine block produced a lot of scrap as well as the box of ammo, a set of Colt Woodsman grips and 4 small Woodsman parts. A lot of tools a few Snap on but most just junk a Masonic apron and a few odds and ends. I think I will get a $200 in scrap alone so pretty sure I will double my money. The Woodsman grips are worth about $50 the other parts about $75 and the ammo look like around a $100. Some odd stuff like some paint cans with a Boeing label on them from 1979 and a couple can of Toluene with a Boeing label.
My son bought 2 lockers last week and well and one has turned out well a lot of militaria and a Pachinko machine 3 or 4 old tin toys, a tube of darkie toothpaste.
So my garage overflows with stuff been to Goodwill 5 times this weekend and the dump 3. Have a huge load for the dump tonight.
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Finally got to look over my stuff not a lot to write home about got a lot of Dewalt, hitachi and greenlee tools an tool box with couple of fishing pools. Mini safe was empty and found box of gold and silver but gold is fake but silver is real but only is worth $5 max. I'll make $750-800 on the tools and such and another $200 on other things in the unit. So should make $250 profit after the split.
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Absolutely chaotic life I'm leading right now. Home-schooling is proving to be a FULL-time job, allowing me little time to process and sell. I know eventually I'll get a nice rhythm going but right now.....I'm runnin' like a headless chicken~
Went to a little known caravan on Friday. Just regulars in a rather 'rough' area of town. First location 3 lockers. First a 5X10 went to our whale for $25. It was full, but looked rather crappy. He'll do great on it, but most (us-7 regulars) felt the work wasn't worth it. Next two almost as icky and went cheap.
Next facility was more of the same. There was one nice unit that ended up going for $600. I was in up to $400. Our whale and a buddy of mine landed the remaining (5) lockers for cheap.
Next facility I decided our whale had won enough and challenged him on a 10X10. It had some interesting items showing including some Earnhardt Jr diecast boxes, vintage furnishings and tons of boxes & bins. Landed it for $425. With our whale saying 'let them have it'.
There were some other nice units with one having 7 beauty parlor chairs, a nice washer/dryer, small fridge and other 'beauty' items. Whale got it for $150 after I ran him up $25. He asked why I ran him up and I said "I wanted that unit.....just didn't know where I could move 7 dryer-chairs" He laughed and said he takes stuff like that to an auction in NM.
We came to the last unit at this facility and it was a 10X10 packed. I looked at it and told the whale I wouldn't run him up. He got it for $100 and will do great on it. He laughed and told me he'd trade me straight up for the first we won!
Anywho......we bowed out then and started the dig. Didn't look too promising for a big profit, but I could see a hard double. Lots of smalls and knick-knacky stuff. Day two of processing landed a bag with numerous old purses and in those old purses.......jewelry! Landed a couple old gold rings and had my buddy meet her gold guy......unit paid in full +!
Digging out of our massive inventory will find us with a yard sale on Friday and the Swap on Saturday and hopefully a great deal of 'extra' cash on Sunday!
Did go to an auction yesterday but it was with the 'popular' auctioneer. About 60 people. 80% green. And 90% dumb. Two girls smoked in midst of the crowd. They bid up a locker with a nasty 80's sofa and dinette set to $340. Actually just packed up the family and left. Think that is the last time for a while with that mess. Time is limited and gas expensive......not worth it.
Hope all is well and if I ever have free time.....well.....I'll probably take a nap~ 8)
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Rockin,
Hmmm, I think I might start a little debate here with my comment, but here it goes...
Went to a little known caravan on Friday. Just regulars in a rather 'rough' area of town. First location 3 lockers. First a 5X10 went to our whale for $25. It was full, but looked rather crappy. He'll do great on it, but most (us-7 regulars) felt the work wasn't worth it. Next two almost as icky and went cheap.
Next facility was more of the same. There was one nice unit that ended up going for $600. I was in up to $400. Our whale and a buddy of mine landed the remaining (5) lockers for cheap.
Next facility I decided our whale had won enough and challenged him on a 10X10. It had some interesting items showing including some Earnhardt Jr diecast boxes, vintage furnishings and tons of boxes & bins. Landed it for $425. With our whale saying 'let them have it'.
There were some other nice units with one having 7 beauty parlor chairs, a nice washer/dryer, small fridge and other 'beauty' items. Whale got it for $150 after I ran him up $25. He asked why I ran him up and I said "I wanted that unit.....just didn't know where I could move 7 dryer-chairs" He laughed and said he takes stuff like that to an auction in NM.
We came to the last unit at this facility and it was a 10X10 packed. I looked at it and told the whale I wouldn't run him up. He got it for $100 and will do great on it. He laughed and told me he'd trade me straight up for the first we won!
It sounds like you have developed a "relationship" with your local whale that you seem comfortable with, but if I'm reading the story right it looks like he won 8 units to your 1 unit, and he still competed against you on the 1 unit you won. You had to pay $425 for your one unit, & he got good units for $25, some number between 1 & 5 cheap, $150 & he complained about it!, & you (and everybody else) were nice enough to let him win the last one for $100. He won 3 nice units for $275 & he was "nice" enough to let you win 1 for $425?
This is one of the reasons he is still the whale! I guess as long as you & Don are happy with only winning that one unit, then I will be happy for you. I don't know the story behind this "whale", maybe you told the story before and I need to look it up, & I know there is always a story about a "whale" that you can't run up cause he or she is a multi-millionaire, and if you try to run them up they won't ever let you win a unit so you gotta play nice, blah, blah, blah...
I'm not saying you should look at it like you are purposely "running him up", but I would certainly be more competative with my bidding. I can see letting him get a couple of units for cheap early and hoping he gets his fill, but once he made me pay $425 for unit after I let him win a unit for $25 (and other units cheap); it would be on like Donkey Kong. No way would he win units at $100 or $150!
My point is not that I would be trying to piss him off, but If I'm out to win units, & the same guy or gal is winning all or most of the good units, how am I ever gonna grow my business? I don't think he will really respect you until you start making him pay $425 or more for each unit he wins. The reason I say that (and he could be different) but most of the whales I have run into have short memories. They may let someone get an OK deal on one unit if the know that person didn't run them up, but eventually, maybe the next auction maybe the next month, they are back to winning the good units again, and bidding up everyone on the units they don't win. The only why to keep their memory fresh is to bid competively on all the units I want, and bid competitvely on all the units they want.
Just my .02 ;)
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Hey Cobia~no debate started here. We have a very good rapport with our whale (and most other buyers). We easily (and have previously) could have run him up, but why? We are so overrun with inventory right now. Really the only reason we went is we knew it would be a very light crowd with an opportunity to grab up a deal. Which we did. Had the 'other' auctioneer and his posse had this facility....that was a $900 locker.
Our whale does have very deep pockets and propensity to not let those he dislikes land a locker 'cheap'. He told Don (when we were relatively new) that he (Don) wouldn't have landed a locker (that was very good) if he would have been there. Don simply looked at him and replied "Yeah I would have. I just would have paid more."
I've run him up numerous times and he me. But the atmosphere at this particular auction was so (unbelievably) laid back none of us really cared who won what. We got the locker we wanted for less than our 'limit'.
Now if we weren't overrun with inventory we probably would have gotten a few more, but for this day/this auction.....THE one was enough.
Oh and from what I've been told....his memory is long and he has a mean streak. I've only witnessed it a bit and I feel for those on his bad side. I actually thought I was there after running him up over $2200 on a locker we both had 'inside information' on. He lost his butt. Of course the next locker found us battling to $1400 where he did very well.
All in all we have a very good 'relationship'.
As Don just pointed out....the majority of the 'cheap' units he won were full of big and bulky items. We have far too much furniture right now and we are plumb outta room to store it. He can as he keeps about 4 storage lockers around the city.
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Here it is October and I forgot to comment about September! To be honest, haven't been going to many storage auctions, I have been kickin a$$ at the local auction houses. Granted there's no "wow" factor, and the chances of making 5 times or 10 times the money invested are slim to none, but the pros are: very little cleaning, no 20 to 60 hour weeks sorting through boxes & bags, no hauls to the dump, no dissapointments about the condition of the furniture. Instead of the typical 100% to 400% ROI from storage auctions I am getting between 25% & 250% ROI form the auction house, so im rambling, this should be in a different post. ;D
Anyway, the few auctions Ive been to, the crowds seem to be lightening up again towards the end of the month, the beginning of the month we had a slight uptick in attendance. Prices have stabilized. For the most part, in my opinion, the bids on 70% of the units at the large corporate facilities are still to high, even though the crowds have dropped 50%-70% from the highs.
I did hit one auction that had only 6 bidders show up! 3 old regulars, 3 fresh newbies. Only 2 units, both garbage, didn't stay to see what they went for. For me, $1 bid would have been to much, but i'm done scrounching through peoples garbage hoping to find treasure.
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I have been one busy gal. I found a sale last weekend just by chance and asked my husband if he wanted to go with me. I had never been to this facility and figured why not though the store is overflowing. I figure a small locker with a few boxes will fit. So we show up Saturday morning and find two guys waiting. They were very happy as the manager had told them if no one else showed he was cancelling.
First unit wasn't bad but was mostly furniture. Not what I was looking for and apparently not what the others wanted either. Next unit wasn't bad. Small table a few computers and several boxes (one marked camping stuff and an ice chest). I figured what the heck so I bid $25.00. No one else wanted it so it mine. Two more units are garbage no bids.
The manager opens the next unit and I just had to have it. Furniture... I really don't need it but... So I go toe to toe with the local bike guy. Not sure why he wants it but I win for $350.00. Ugh not sure where I'm going to put this stuff?
Local bike guy buys a unit full of bags for $25.00. Says his son wanted a unit.
Next manager opens a 10 X 20 unit. My husband gasps. Man am I in trouble. He pays $50.00 for it. I am mad by this point because I have told him I don't have anymore room (he is not part of my resale business) Lots of boxes and some furniture.
10 units in total. I bought 3 and the bike guy bought 2. Now its time to load. First two units are on the second floor. Where is the elevator? They don't have one! We have to haul my furniture unit down the stairs! Ugh.
So I am in a total of $425.00. First unit wasn't great but will double my money on it easy.
Second unit was full of good stuff. Antique sofas (two matching) should bring around 800 to 1000 dollars at auction. Antique wash stand, two vintage City of LA oil lanterns, vintage gold room divider, misc nicknacks and lots of books.
Third unit (husbands unit) was not as bad as I thought even a lot of it is still outside. Very nice high end leather coffee table, old tin toys, box of fenton glass, I will do very good on this unit but there was also lots of kitchen garbage, toys and clothes (like someone packed in a big hurry) full of rat (not mouse) poop and pee.
Hubby asked that I leave him home from now on until the loading part. Which I quickly agreed to. LOL If I let him he would have bought them all.