My buddy and I bought a unit the other day for $900. When the auctioneer opened the door we immediately saw a 6 foot vintage craftsman drill press, two table saws, two big tool boxes, scroll saw, band saw, bunch of lumbar, two large old trunks, nice wooden tv cabinet and dresser along with some boxes. The auctioneer started the unit out at $300 and nobody was bidding on it, probably because the drill press looked heavy as hell along with the saws. We ended getting in a bidding war with a guy who ended up telling us he was a contractor and he wanted it because of the tools. If he wasn't there we probably could have got it for $300, but what can you do?
After digging through it we opened up the one trunk and found an old locked briefcase. We busted it open and found a jewelry box filled with some old silver coins and a couple very old gold coins. Went and got the gold coin appraised today and was told its worth a little over $640 in gold. The silver coins are worth around $70. Also in the briefcase I found an old Original German Bowie Knife. I have seen them going on eBbay for $50-250. Also found an old German book that was published in 1902. Went to an appraiser today and he said the book in mint condition would go for $2,300. The book is pretty beat up he offered me $500. I told him that I wanted to get it checked out at some other places before committing. Unfortunately, since the drill press is a craftsman from 1954 I am hoping to get $200 for it. Thought it was going to be worth more.
Already got a $200 offer for the TV cabinet and have collected $75 on the misc tools. Not sure if people are still buying cassette tapes these days, because the one trunk probably has over 400 cassette tapes. I also found out the previous owner is an investment banker from New York City after finding his taxes and W2 forms in a box. Real pumped up though about the locker. Definitely a rush.