Storage Auctions
The Storage Locker => Stories about Storage Auctions => Topic started by: MovieMan on February 27, 2011, 04:31:47 PM
-
Post here regarding crowds, outrageous newbie behavior, etc when the "Ides of March" come around.
Spring weather and income tax refunds should bring them out in droves !
-
Today takes the cake on lookey lunacy. At one of the boony auctions no less.
official count 162. And I have to wonder if that was just sign in sheet, because I thought more like 200 or better.
These guys where with the program. Get there to sign up. Coolers fill with drinks .50 all proceeds to local charity. Manager is out directing traffic. I'm thinking, looks like a sporting event. And guess what? They must have thought the same thing. Cause they gather everybody up in front of the auction and the owner sings the National Anthem. And they where filming it for utube. can't wait. I'll try to post a link when I find it. was up few minutes ago.
-
Uh Oh, might be time to get a job! LMAO!
-
Uh Oh, might be time to get a job! LMAO!
don't let my wife hear you say that.
-
I keep tell myself that things will get back to normal soon. And I'm sure it will. Because as much fun as this can be it is still work. When these guys start to realize that people just don't leave their really valuable belongings in a storage unit. One they can't pay for, it will get back closer to normal. If not this year then next. Of course there is the rerun season.
How many 1st run shows are there. I can only remember 6 or 8 at most. 3 or 4 with the Haff/ton. 5 or 6 with the other, "storage wars" the one where only the 4 guys are bidding and one of them always hits the big score.
Watch that anymore and I might have to hook up the trailer and drive to California this summer.
-
Just read my last post. So it looks like I'm now talking to myself. How much would it cost to drive from Atlanta, GA to LA? Gas this morning $3.25 and RV gets 10 miles to the gallon. If I don't go over 65mph.
I can stop in vegas and buy $12,000 unit for $480, that should help out with trip cost.
When I get there every unit should be filled with antiques and guns. Sounds like a winning plan to me. What I need from you guys is a good way to sell it to the wife. She has to stay here and work. Any ideas
-
Terry...
I can't help you convince your wife, but I can tell you this. In my city the price of regular at an ARCO (formerly BP) station is $3.69 a gallon.
There are of course good lockers everywhere it's just a matter of buying 100 or more a year and you will hit some good ones ! I buy about 50 a year because that's all I need and all the work I want to do.
-
I'm still buying but the prices are going up and the time it takes just to buy is up to. never seen this many people. Husband and wife with 2 toddlers and a stroller. And if you read my other post. 150 + Singing the National Anthem. I built high-rise condos with more people at site meetings without sing the anthem.
of course maybe we should have. anybody not singing send them back home.
-
Not going to an auction until Thursday the 3rd, but am taking the standard advice and leaving two local auctions with maybe a total of 15 or so units for an auction 40 miles away that is showing 13 right now and probably half that by auction day.
Hedging my bets even further by taking the significant other and two dogs on a hike nearby. At least something will go right...IF the weather co-operates.
Will report back on this at end of day Thursday.
-
The veterns among us need to find a new revenue stream, get out that snow cone machine you found in a unit 5 years ago and still havn't sold, bring out the portable grill and open a little concession stand. I have 5 brand new coleman coolers from an auction a few months ago I still havn't sold, cans of pop 0.50 cents.
-
my next one will be the 8th. and it is the local run. Atlanta weather is one of my biggest factors.
I've only bought 5 this year. and haven't sold enough to make much of a profit. If you total all expenses gas and time. I'm not even breaking even.
That's what has been so frustrating, this time last year I would have been way a head with less time invested.
Now all the noobies are bidding stupid and the regulars that do it 365 aren't even giving me a break.
I don't go for the big units with furniture. I do the small stuff and they know if I bid, I was buying.
And since we were looking for different stuff they would mostly back off and not try to bid me up (Yes! I have been called the trash collector). And the noobs are still looking for treasure.
This has always been just a hobby and done from spring to fall. 2 reasons, well 3. #1 is I sell at outdoor flea markets. #2 gets dark too early in the winter and I had to clean out and process everything in the dark. and of course #3 I don't like being cold.
This year was going to be the start at full time. I'm construction contractor, sorry, I mean I was a construction contractor. So I'm still waiting to see if this is "The Year" I open a thrift store. Or just wait till things calm down.
The place I've had my eye on, has been on the market for over year and half. I've been on him hard for last couple months but he doesn't want to come off the asking price. And so far, doesn't want to do reasonable month to month lease.
And of course I don't want a mortgage payment. I guess he can afford to let it set empty.
Sitting here at 4:30am with foot on a ice pack. Wide awake on pain killers. Thought they put you to sleep.
Oh that's right they did. 10 minuets at a time every other hour. Cortisone shot right in middle of my heel. second one in last 7 weeks.hurts like 9 kinds of hell. This time I ask her for tongue depressor. She ask me why and I told her I need something to bite on.
I've rambled enough. time for another 10 minuet nap.
-
I'm with ya on the pain thing. I've got a screwed up back and have to go thru epidurals in my lower spine. HURTS LIKE $#!@*&^%$ when the injection starts but then the pain goes away and I'm good to go for a while. It's a real ***** doing the physical part of this business when your age and back and knees are shot. Luckily for me my Son and Wife are in this together. My son is a hoss and can work like three south of the borders and even though wife has had five back surgeries she fights thru it to. We all make a good team. I'm in this part time for now but who knows, that may change once the tv shows lose popularity and the crowds thin and the prices get reasonable and the lookey loos lose interest when the real work hits them and their income tax runs out and they don't get rich and they....oh nevermind, I'm singing to the choir here............
-
This week has been nuts.
I tell you, this week has been nuts, crazy and everything inbetween.
About 45-50 people at the auction, 14 of us the regulars, rest of the pack, new newbies that i have not seen before.
Well i did not know what was planned, but i got the clue pretty fast.
The regulars with deep pockets outbid everyone, bids starting at 400 dollars for a 5x5 with just trash. Every now and again they stuck a unit to the newbies for 1200-1400 dollars. Maybe worth 1/3 of that.
They pretty much sent a signal to the newbies, that if you want to be a part of it, then you better pay.
Some of the newbies left halfway thru the auction because they did not have enough money. LOL 3 newbies left after buying one locker becasue they spent it all. LOL
Well then we had this little "pecker" or shall i say "rat", he is a newbie who have been around for 3 or 4 auctions. He won a locker 4-5 weks ago, for 125.00 but he could not pay for it, so basicly he is bidding without money.
Well this got out, and he is running around bidding like a mad man up to 800-900 dollars, and he bids on every unit, does not matter what it is. Well some of the old guys found this out, they ran 3 lockers up to 650, 725 and 1100 and dumped it on him. Here is the funny part. He got so angry that he won the units, and complained that he had ADHD and could not be held responsible for his bidding. The auctioneer asked him if he had the money for the 3 units he won. He flat out said no, so the auctioneer asked him how he was going to pay for it. NO ANSWER. This was the last time he is attending that auction tour.
-
Bidding more than a locker is worth is a great way to lose money, regardless of whether you are a newbie or a 'regular'.
-
If your a regular and friendly with auctioneers point him out at future auctions and let them know. People like that are idiots and a huge waste of time. Sure the locker may go to the second highest bidder but even that price is too high as none of his bids were real.
-
Auctions today in my town and 2 other towns. I bet all the regulars would either stay local for go to town A about 50 miles away. Instead all the regulars went to town B which is where I ended up.
12 lockers there and all went for 2x the worth. One of my local regulars got one for $500 because he had driven his big box truck and didn't want to go home empty..."hauling post holes" as the old truckers used to say.
He'll break even. A fellow from another community (and a regular) bought one for $1,000 plus. He'll break even.
**************
Came back to my town and went to a late afternoon auction. 12 lockers here too. All sold for 2x the worth including one for $1250 with old Marshall speaker and amps. Guy said he could get $3K for them. Maybe on Mars where they are rare.
**************
Welcome to the newbies who it appears will be hanging around until the fall since both tv shows have renewed.
-
Some newbies are just plain stupid.
We had one yesterday, he was one of those "big shots" "know it all" type of guy.
He told everyone how he ruled back in his own home town, but still he did not know a jack ****, he did know he had to sign in, he did not know he could not go in the locker, he did not know it was cash only. ::)
Well he was all over the place, standing in the back bidding with the same "YEAP" as dave on Storage wars, and then he switch to become Darrel from storager wars, flicking his fingers, and yell out "Yeap" at the same time.
This guy was such a pain in the ass to have around, so the ones of us who have done this for a while looked at each other and nicked our heads, it was time to take him to the top and dump his sorry ass.
Well we came to this perfect unit, with what we all could see was worthless ****. and heavy to load and haul.
We took him up to 675.00 and dumped the **** on his head.
He then had to break out of the group to go to an ATM 2 blocks down the street, while we kept on bidding on units.
Newbies, JUST STAY AT HOME! you are gonna be hurt.
-
Some newbies are just plain stupid.
What a winner! I think obnoxious behavior should result in obnoxious results. I'm glad you put him in place.
-
I don't care or not if the storage places put a deposit on heads or not, but for the love of god I wish they would tell people who aren't signed in or even bidding to stay away from the door so people that are trying to bid can actually get a decent look. Last week there were 40 people and at 5 units there were a total of 5 people that actually bid. AHHHHHHHH! That is my rant for tonight. It will fade in time, for example beanie babies back on the day.
-
Went to 2 Public Storage auctions today; crowd was good....about 25 people or so. Ten regulars.
Newbies were buying and a couple of regulars did too. Prices once again around 2x the actual sellable value...IMHO.
I bid on a couple of lkrs and on two of those other old-timer buyers got them so I'll get a chance to see and hear about the contents.
-
Take a look at this thread posted by TreasureHawk on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.
http://storageauctionforums.com/index.php?topic=781.msg2434#new
-
Going to a sale today with just 4 lkrs and in a bad part of town, but I did get one good one here before that had the leftovers of the former lkr owner's GOVERNMENT surplus items. He had bought a gov auction, stored a lot of bulk office type stuff there (not furniture) and didn't pay his bill. So far that lkr has brought in 3x and I still have stuff left.
Will modify this post in about 3 hours with the crowd results for today, March 9, 2011.
Edit:
The auction I went to with 4 lkrs had only about 20 people with 13 of them being newbies. The other 7 were regulars all hoping to make even a minor score at this low-end facility.
One newbie (A) liked the look of a locker I would have paid $50 for at the most. He got into it a bit with another newbie (B) and it escalated from $40 to $100 with newbie (A) at $100. (B) went to $125 and (A) made his PLAY and “WON” the locker at $200. You go guy!
-
During my Saturday auction, there was this old guy (had to be at least 80 years old) just standing about 3 feet inside the locker. Didn't even look like he was looking around much either, just getting in the way. The woman auctiioning the locker must have said "Sir people can't see" or "Sir, please get out of the locker" like 4 or 5 times.
Finally, a guy, who I believe is a regular, just screamed "GET THE F# OUT OF THE LOCKER!!!" The guy pretty much jumped and finally came to the realization that he was in everyones way. It was pretty funny, but I could see how this would get annoying after awhile.
Even funnier after I thought about it, was the fact that this guy was short and about 100 pounds. This locker was filled steel cabinets 3 times his size and twice his weight. He was alone aty the auction. NO WAY he moves that stuff. I realize he could have called someone to do it for him, but I'm pretty sure he had no intention on bidding.
-
TonyT....
The lookers who bug me are what I call the "bicycle boys". These guys are usually down on their luck...or always have been...and like the 100 pound guy, they would have a hard time hauling away a 5 drawer file cabinet full or empty.
Yes, they could get someone's help too, but they are taking up space and I have NEVER seen one bid let alone win a locker.
Now as to the old guy. I have a little more sympathy for people age 70 and up...especially UP. These folks are also just looking for something to do and they suck air and time from us, but they are sometimes hard of hearing too and I've found a tap on the shoulder helps them to focus on what's happening behind them.
One older couple...mid-70s bought a couple of lockers the other day and I heard they had them on pallets out in the south 40 covered with tarps. They no more need to be in this biz than the man in the moon (IMHO).
-
I went to an auction this morning at 10am. There was about 20-30 people there for 3 units total. 1st locker was full of furniture which sold for $575, second locker was full of paper and cardboard, didn't sell for a buck, and the third wasn't anything great and I walked away once the bidding got up to 425.
-
I have plans to attend a 2 day event next week that is going to tour 24 facilities and sell a total of 160 units.........YES, 160 units at 24 facilities......this ought to be interesting......ahh the good ole Florida foreclosure market ...huh?
If I can't buy something decent at this one for the right number...I'll just have to laugh
-
Went to an auction this morning that was advertised on auctionzip and craigslist. I got there about 15 minutes before the start and signed in, and I was bidder number 75, with a line behind me! There were probably at least that many that didn't even register. It was beyond stupid. It started at 10am and didn't get over until almost 1:30, and that was just for 14 lockers.
I did win 7 bucks doing side bets on how much the lockers would sell for, and I did get a little irritated and bid a guy up (to be fair, don't know if the guy was a noobie or not, didn't care) on a 200 locker all the way up to 725! Hope he enjoys his new found treasure!
For all of the people there, most of the units were actually not going for that high. Oh, and there was actually a 5 dollar locker today. There was some big old commercial type refer unit in there with parts off it, and for some reason nobody wanted it very bad. Some lady finally bid 5 bucks and she was an owner.
-
I did win 7 bucks doing side bets on how much the lockers would sell for, and I did get a little irritated and bid a guy up (to be fair, don't know if the guy was a noobie or not, didn't care) on a 200 locker all the way up to 725! Hope he enjoys his new found treasure!
Interesting to see the betting on lkr sales amounts goes on in your area! Probably the same all over just like
the crowds and the prices !
-
We've got a little group that has been doing the side bet thing for a while now. I usually do pretty good at it, some of these guys are still guessing way too low!
Oh, and as far as the guy I bid up, I wanted the unit for 200-300. But, this guy was in the middle of the crowd and started bragging (while we were in the middle of bidding on it) how that locker was HIS! HE was getting it no matter what. Well, he was right!
-
I was bidder number 75, with a line behind me! There were probably at least that many that didn't even register. It was beyond stupid.
So let me ask, do you attribute all these crowds to spring weather and tax refunds ...meaning they will eventually go away ....or more to the popularity of these 2 shows and all these people are here to stay?
In previous years, have you seen a spring/tax time spike in crowds that eventually goes away or on?
Thx
-
It's probably both........people that watched a show that showed them how to get rich quick with minimal investment, and a tax return to give them some cash to invest!
Helpful hint to some of those that still have your tax refund and stars in your eyes: Go to Best Buy and get a new big screen, at least you'll still have something to show for your tax refund six months from now! :o
-
Went to one today with 6 lkrs and only 20 people...not a miracle, just not well known spot. A year ago 6 bidders was common. Of the 20 only 2 of us would normally have been high bidders, but not today.
The newbies were feeling their oats. One fellow who has been overpaying for two weeks now continues on his quest to spend his money and try to break even.
This auctioneer is totally weird too. He always starts the lockers at $100 if they are trash and at $400 if they look like a $50 locker. I bid $10 for the first locker. Auctioneer said who'll give me $100? Newbie above offered $50 and he got it. He continued to do that throughout the 1 hour it took and he got 3 total I think.
Another newbie paid $300 for 20 banker's boxes clearly labeled with document years, etc.
Anyway, a bust on what used to be a good facility.
-
I ditched today's caravan as there were far too many people there and the auctioneer was making no attempt to gain control. Instead, he was starting the auctions while the first half dozen people crowded around the locker not allowing anyone else to take a gander. That, and the fact that they lockers were selling for three times their worth made it not worth standing around in the cold wind and rain. Instead, I went to a nice little 'off the beaten' path single auction. Six units for sale and only about ten bidders. Bids were still a bit on the high side, but nothing crazy.
-
....yea....I'm starting to wonder if there really are any "off the beaten path" or "little known" auctions left?
Sure I have found a bunch that are only listed in the Legals of a lesser known publication in the area but finding this out and finding these auctions isn't rocket science, so i still expect huge crowds and bidders way overpaying.
Just a wait and see game for the time being
-
I have been going to storage auctions as well as regular auctions of different sorts for years now. I usually don't buy much that I actually don't want but I too like to make some extra $$ flipping the stuff I buy. What I have seen the last couple of years, even before the shows is that people are willing to bid MORE on stuff that is generally worth LESS due to the economy. I wonder how anyone makes a dime after all the work it takes to move, clean and sell all this stuff off.
I have a strategy that I will share with you guys. I am going to buy up all the cheap junk I can, rent a locker for the day and have the auctioneer auction it off. I am bound to make fortunes, right?
Anyway, I am beginning to think that the storage auctions where they pick through and auction off every single thing separately is a good idea.
-
I don't think it's going to get any better anytime soon.
Sure tax refunds put a little bit of money in everyones pockets so maybe drives prices up slightly but I don't htink that has a huge affect.
When the second season of storage wars comes back things are only going to get worse again imho
-
I don't think it's going to get any better anytime soon.
Sure tax refunds put a little bit of money in everyones pockets so maybe drives prices up slightly but I don't htink that has a huge affect.
When the second season of storage wars comes back things are only going to get worse again imho
Wow, that sucks to hear! There really is no way to make good profits consistently in the current market
with 80 to 160 people at every auction and buyers willing to way overpay...this whole gig may have totally jumped the shark!
-
I've found that you just have to have patience and a sense of humor and you will do fine. You have to have the discipline to keep going and when the prices are too high, don't buy. Then, when you find that one good auction where either not many bidders showed up or for some reason they are going cheap, buy a bunch all at once. It works, but you burn up a lot of extra fuel and you get really busy when you have to empty out a bunch of lockers in a day or two. It's not a job, it's a way of life!
-
I've found that you just have to have patience and a sense of humor and you will do fine. You have to have the discipline to keep going and when the prices are too high, don't buy. Then, when you find that one good auction where either not many bidders showed up or for some reason they are going cheap, buy a bunch all at once. It works, but you burn up a lot of extra fuel and you get really busy when you have to empty out a bunch of lockers in a day or two. It's not a job, it's a way of life!
I hear ya loud and clear. I have the rest of my month planned and NONE of the auctions that I am attending are on auctionzip or the 2 big auctioneers websites that are in the area. I am ONLY attending auctions that are only promoted in the Legal Notices of a few lesser known business publications....
If I still see huge crowds and overbidding at these auctions...I will honestly believe this market needs to be put on ice for a while
However, I remain optimistic and ready !!
-
Here's a new way to be a lookey loo...or maybe a bidder. Check this "newbie" website out...a new way to bid ?
http://storageauctiondepot.com/index.php?option=com_bids&task=listauctions&liststyle=list_detail&Itemid=2
-
Wow the website looks crazy!!!
-
they'll have to get big before its worth a crap though,not enough listings and me personally i dont like looking at pics over the computer.
-
Sorry...but that will NEVER fly....ever
-
I for one won't buy that way because you don't have a clue what you are getting after yo win. Playing devils advocae here, who's to say that the seller doesn't do a little sorting thru that locker once the aucion is over? It's not like you are there and immediately put your lock on the door so no one can get in there but you. I think the newbies and lookie loos who are plain stupid will buy into doing that but not me. When I look into a unit and win it, it's mine and I lock it on the spot so no question as to what was in there when I won it will still be there when I empty it............
-
Going to a single auction on Monday the 14th of March 2011 and expect a large crowd as it is one of 3 major auctioneers in my area. Will update this post with results after the auction. Then Tuesday 3 auctions all by another person and with a big following. One can always hope!
Edit: Monday the 14th....auction cancelled ! Bummer now I actually have to WORK at something.
Edit: Tuesday the 15th...went to 3 today all the same auctioneer.
First facility had 5. All went to newbies, and IMHO they all paid too much...what's new? 75 people/7 regulars.
Second facility had 2. Same as above.
Third facilty had 15. Now the crowd is up to 100 (some newbies don't get up early). First lkr went to a fellow
who had bought one a month ago for $1675 and told us later he was able to sell $1,000 out of it. Today he paid
$675 for a 5x10 that I would have paid $100 for MAX. Then he bought the 2nd 5x10 for $250. I would have paid $75 for it.
So, 2 down, 13 to go ....I left. No point when crowd and prices were like that. I'll find out from the regulars who stayed how the rest went.
-
Today takes the cake on lookey lunacy. At one of the boony auctions no less.
official count 162. And I have to wonder if that was just sign in sheet, because I thought more like 200 or better.
These guys where with the program. Get there to sign up. Coolers fill with drinks .50 all proceeds to local charity. Manager is out directing traffic. I'm thinking, looks like a sporting event. And guess what? They must have thought the same thing. Cause they gather everybody up in front of the auction and the owner sings the National Anthem. And they where filming it for utube. can't wait. I'll try to post a link when I find it. was up few minutes ago.
here the link what a circus
-
here the link what a circus
Incredible! I didn't watch the whole thing, but enough to see that they actually started auctioning a unit before everyone had seen it. That's different; but I guess they wouldn't say SOLD until everyone had a chance to bid.
Different kind of building construction than I'm used to also, and of course the singing of the National Athem was a hoot too....hope they got the words right !
Thanks for posting it.
-
Found a less populated circuit today...about 20 people...problem is...most all of the say, 30 units at 12 facilities were total junk...really dirty, low end crap...
One unit ...a huge double unit was the only one all day worth anything....went for $1,850 ....lots of stuff but a big gamble at that price in my opinion
This is a hard game to make any money in with the crowds like they are.....I might be moving on to another venture.....to much time spent and not enough return right now
-
Incredible! I didn't watch the whole thing, but enough to see that they actually started auctioning a unit before everyone had seen it. That's different; but I guess they wouldn't say SOLD until everyone had a chance to bid.
Different kind of building construction than I'm used to also, and of course the singing of the National Athem was a hoot too....hope they got the words right !
Thanks for posting it.
Yeah thanks for posting the link. I had forgotten about it.
As for the construction, this place is older than dirt. And this auctioneer has started auction before everyone sees it. He has also started making everybody form a line and file by one at a time. With the number of people here lately it speeds thinks up. And if the bid get over couple hundred a lot of the lookies will peel off and not even walk by. I bid on the first 2 unit till they got to stupid prices. The unit at the end they interviewed the guy about. went for 60 should have been a dollar. good luck on the comber buns I here the market is hot right now.
Did get to see my mug in there 4 or 5 times. Damn I look good at work.
-
This is a hard game to make any money in with the crowds like they are.....I might be moving on to another venture.....to much time spent and not enough return right now
Whoa ! Isn't this the FIRST time you've actually been out ?
-
Found a less populated circuit today...about 20 people...problem is...most all of the say, 30 units at 12 facilities were total junk...really dirty, low end crap...
One unit ...a huge double unit was the only one all day worth anything....went for $1,850 ....lots of stuff but a big gamble at that price in my opinion
This is a hard game to make any money in with the crowds like they are.....I might be moving on to another venture.....to much time spent and not enough return right now
Yeah if you are looking for treasure. You are in the wrong venue. I had a close call the other day. I'm processing a unit and my 6 year old says hey Papa, look at these gold coins. Heart racing I go to look. 35 or 40 Chuckie Cheese tokens.
-
Yeah if you are looking for treasure. You are in the wrong venue. I had a close call the other day. I'm processing a unit and my 6 year old says hey Papa, look at these gold coins. Heart racing I go to look. 35 or 40 Chuckie Cheese tokens.
Now THAT'S funny ! (and typical)
-
no, I've been out for 4 full day tours of duty now...haha
I'm not just looking for treasure...Overall, I'm looking for better goods that have resale value and potential and not 20 year old, beaten up dressers with the knobs missing and rugs so filled with cat piss the auctioneer is complaining about it
-
no, I've been out for 4 full day tours of duty now...haha
I'm not just looking for treasure...Overall, I'm looking for better goods that have resale value and potential and not 20 year old, beaten up dressers with the knobs missing and rugs so filled with cat piss the auctioneer is complaining about it
Four days....you're practically a veteran ! ;D
But really, give it some time. The lkrs you have seen are typical and will always outnumber the better ones. We are anxious to hear of your road trip to a better area, but remember, people lose their lkrs because they didn't pay up and sometimes EVEN THEY realize the stuff inside is not worth the storage price and they just let it go.
-
Just short of 2 weeks left in March...then it will be time for Lookey Loos Part 4....April, 2011 and of course that starts on April Fools Day ! I'm sure that will be an appropriate starting date as good weather continues on the march to a HOT SUMMER.
I remember 7 years ago when an old-timer told me how hot the lockers were in the summer. He told me two years later he thought I would fold my operation when hot weather came along. To me it's a lot better than working in the rain.
-
Going to 2 auctions Wednesday the 30th....as March winds down.
Will give the crowd and price update tomorrow afternoon.
-
Going to 2 auctions Wednesday the 30th....as March winds down.
Will give the crowd and price update tomorrow afternoon.
Auction #1, Auctioneer #1, Wednesday, March 30, 2011
They had 4 lockers here. One of the 5 x 10s went for $300. I would have paid $75. A newbie got it.
Second 5 x 10 went for $460. I would have paid $150. A newbie got it.
Third locker a 10 x 10 is pictured below. Here's the game: You get to guess what it sold for. Refer to it as The Bomb!.
After a few people have posted guesses I will tell how much it sold for. Might as well get something out of this sale !
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/auc3.jpg)
The buyer is somewhere in the picture above. Pic below shows some of the crowd. About 50 people here.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/auc3a.jpg)
-
Auction #2, Auctioneer #2, March 30, 2011.
This auction had about 85 plus people.
Five lockers: first one I thought would go for about $125 (I would have paid $50); my friend bet it would go for $300; we were both wrong about this 5x5....it went for $425! This is why I haven't bought ANY lockers in March.
So, here are three pics: crowd, a 10x10 without much in it, the same locker with the winning buyer....see contest below for some auction guessing fun.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/auc4.jpg)
I just wait in the shade until the line has pretty much gone by the door...the stuff isn't going anywhere and air is fresher outside the hall.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/auc5.jpg)
This is a 10 x 10. After a few people have guessed what this sold for, I'll reveal the actual sale amount. Refer to this locker as THE DUMP.
(http://webs.lanset.com/rjsmovie/images/auc6.jpg)
I'll reveal who bought this a little later in this thread.
The buyer is in the picture just above.
-
Final Post in regard to auction #2 shown above.
I finally bid on a locker here. It was a 10x10 and it showed good tools at the front and some good tools and other items about 2 feet in. It was packed. It started in the $100 range and when it got to $200 I just bid $500 and the action stopped for a minute, but went right on through going up $25 to $50 at a pop until it was at $625 and I said SEVEN. Went up a bit and I said EIGHT. That was it for me. A couple of others took it on up (one regular and two newbies). Newbie who was counting out his bills in front of his 8 year old son (who wouldn't know a 5 from a Franklin) got it for $1,100 (plus TAX for him). I would have liked it at around $600 or so in order to leave room for profit, but what the heck, maybe there WERE gold bars in there ! ?
-
Hmm... Here are my guesses...
The BOMB - $650
The DUMP - $180
-
Hmm... Here are my guesses...
The BOMB - $650
The DUMP - $180
There's one entry from a "newbie" (on the forums)....old timers ?
-
Come on guys...there are almost 2,000 members here. Surely, 4 or 5 can speak up (and don't call me surely).
-
the bomb = 300
the dump = 100
-
the bomb = 300
the dump = 100
Thanks for the guess Jose...may take a few more days to get 2 or 3 more answers then we'll see how good at pricing our fellow buyers are !
-
I'd say the BOMB was $375 from what I can see (crap + crowd)
and I'd guess $130 for the dump (what brand was the bike?)
-
BOMB $550 Dump $150
-
Now some regulars are chiming in...will wait for some more of the regular posters and then make a composite of all the answers and post the actual sale prices...it's for fun remember, so don't be disappointed if you are off a bit (or a lot !).
A good way to end March.
Thanks for joining in ! ;D
-
Couldn't let March end without getting a couple of lockers, though I paid dearly for one. The 2nd one was cheaper though and averaging costs out is one way to look at cost control. ;D
Then I went to a yard sale and bought a lot of gems/minerals which I am interested in. The gal had gotten them in a locker about 3 months ago....former owner was from Brazil and that's where a lot of the better stuff comes from that you see at rock shops. The stuff I bought was basically what I would pay at Quartzite, AZ without the trip expenses.
I sell rocks/gems/rockhounding books and supplies in the spring and summer at my flea space.
-
OK, March ends in a couple of hours here in California so time to reveal the answers to the "How much did the Bomb and the Dump sell for?"
Josepc came the closest on the Bomb (auction #1). It was a 10x10 with only a moderate amount of stuff inside and
nothing great showing. Surprisingly, it went for a modest $225. The fellow in the blue patterned shirt got it. He is something of a newbie, but has been buying.
No one came close on the 10x10 dump (auction #2). Even though a 5 x 10 had sold for over $400 not 20 minutes before, this one sold for.....drum roll please..... $1. Yep, and the heavy set fellow in bright blue shirt got it. He was scaring people off all day due to his strong aroma...aka...body odor!
The side bets many of us place on what a locker will sell for (at each of our attended auctions) have more than just fun value as we are assessing the competition, the locker contents etc....and of course it's just fun.
If you had seen the actual lkrs instead of pics your guesses probably would have been closer; I was amazed the dump didn't sell for more than $1. A lot of newbies were eyeing it and I would have thought $50 to $75 considering the crowd and earlier prices, but I guess it (or the heavy blue boy) turned everyone off to it.
April is here! Enjoy the new month of buying and selling! ;D