Storage Wars - where to find real auctions?

[EllenFrasier]

I love the show "Storage Wars"! I like going to garage sales and buying stuff and then selling it on Ebay. I would love to go to an auction for storage units and buy some stuff to sell. Does anyone know how to find the auctions in the area you live in? I tried looking in the local newspaper, but there's nothing there about storage unit sales. Is there a website that is free to use that lists them?

 

[kim929]

They have to advertise in the paper. I think they are in the legal notices with foreclosures etc....

 

[usnuzuloose]

Sometimes you can call the storage places close to you and they may tell you when they are doing auctions as well.

 

[luvmyeor]

Try: auctionzip.com

 

[ah1126]

Maybe try craigslist.com?

 

[CowboyCO]

Two ways -- All storage companies auction off their abandoned units. Call a couple and ask them when they have auctions and who handles it.

The next way is just to Google "Storage auctions (Your city).

That's how I found them.

 

[swilshire]

The legals in our newspaper list them, but I've noticed a big increase in pricing since the show became popular. The winning bids are usually way more than a person that doesn't have some sort of store can justify paying.

Years ago, we bought one for $35 because it had a little cabinet that I wanted. It was a LOT of work. The storage places take a large deposit that they don't refund until you clean EVERYTHING out of the unit. Then you have to do something with all that stuff. We donated a lot to Goodwill and found some things my daughter could use. The person had stored clothes with the tags still on that fit my daughter.

It was sort of depressing because of the personal items that were left in there. That particular storage company allowed you to return all the personal photos and papers if you wanted to and they would hold them for the owner. We did that, but we'll never know if she retrieved them.

The bonus was that we found almost a whole roll of postage stamps that was worth more than the purchase price. I bought one cent stamps for years to put with the old ones in the storage building until I finally used them all up.

Sheila

 

[vitfamily]

http://www.unclebobs.com/auction/
I don't know if they have any locations near you?

 

[de8212]

Used this one to find some local auctions. I never went but it listed some with the dates/times/etc.

Not sure if you have to register to get more info.

Link......

 

[VirataMama4]

By law most states have to advertise them in the newspaper, like pp said. So look in the legal/foreclosure sections. Also you can call you're local mini storage places, and most will tell you when their next auction is scheduled and some will even tell you how many units. Many "local" storage facilities are run by management companies, so they could have multiple sales at multiple facilities on any given day. If at all possible, try more of your "mom and pop" places instead of chains, like Public storage etc.

A few things to keep in mind, Many of these local mini storages have been having sales every month for as long as they've been there so they have their "regulars" and these guys are not enjoying the influx of newbies, so they can and will up bid just to make you pay more... Kinda like "Dave" on the show. Units that used to sell for "pennies" are selling for hundreds now, all because of the show. Most places do the whole unit and by law they can not look in any of the boxes or open anything, so you could wind up paying $300 for a 10x10 unit full of empty boxes or garbage and you are 100% responsible for cleaning it completely out, usually in 24hrs. Some states require you, the purchaser, to return any and all personal papers/ pictures, etc to the storage facility.

Also, if/when you go to your first auction make sure to bring as much cash as you're willing to spend and lose (kinda like going to Vegas, its always a gamble), a flash light, gloves, wear clothes you don't mind getting ruined and bring a padlock incase you have to lock up the unit after you purchase it. And get there early as most places don't have a lot of parking and since the show there are HUGE crowds at most of the auctions.

I just realized how long this is, sorry! I used to manage a mini storage and my parents have been running one for 13 years so sometimes I get a little carried away.