Upcoming Storage Auctions

     Recently I have had so many questions from people interested in finding more information on locating storage auctions.  I do find them quite often and I thought I would post them on this blog as I find out about them.
     Please keep in mind that not all storage locker auctions are the same.  Some storage unit auctions offer entire lockers, others piece them out, many have been gone through and the auctioneer or the storage company can provide a list of what is available in each locker. Contact the auctioneer if you want to know what procedure they are planning on sale day.
    If you are going please always call to confirm the times, sometimes there are last minute cancellations, which is both disappointing and aggravating.
    This weeks auctions are posted below:



Storage Unit Auctions in Illinois

Bunker Hill Storage Unit located at 702 S. Washington, Bunker Hill, IL 62014 on October 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. There are 11 storage lockers available. Contact JCA Auctions at (217) 942-5121 for more information.

Storage Unit Auctions in North Carolina     

The Elite Auctioneering Services is holding a auction at the Fort Knox Self Storage located at 2550 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC.  Saturday October 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.  There will be 12 units up for auction.  For more information you can call the  auction company at  (336) 455-4005 or email at eliteauctions2010@yahoo.com .

Storage Unit Auctions in Ohio

Stuff Storage  is holding a auction on October 15, 2011. This auction has 17 storage lockers available.   Located at 88 Old State Road S, Norwalk, OH 44857.  For more information you can contact the auctioneer Paul Bender at (440) 552-3742.

Storage Unit Auctions in Pennsyalvania

Secure Storage, Rt 590, Hamlin, PA, October 15, 2011, 9:00 a.m.  There will be Six units available.  Call Dunn & Madden Auction Service at (570) 937-9300 for more information.

Honesdale Self Storage, 14 Commerical St, Honesdale, PA, October 14, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.  There will be 7 lockers available.   Dunn & Madden Auction Service (570) 937-9300 for more information.

Storage Unit Auctions in Virginia

JK Moving and Storage, 44112 Mercure Circle, Sterling, VA on Saturday Oct. 15, 2011.  There will be 58 storage lockers available.  You can contact the auctioneer, John Rickard at (866) 822-5140 for more information.

Buying Storage Units

     Yesterday I wrote a piece on my experience of buying storage units at an auction.  Today I want to show you some items that came out of the last storage unit auction I went to.

     This wonderful old Apple computer was one of the best items in my storage unit.  Of course it didn't look like this, this is the improved cleaned up version.  There were pieces and parts in several different boxes, all filthy by the way.  After cleaning them up and plugging them in this computer did in fact work.   I got a $30 offer, which I took just so I wouldn't have to move this 40 pound monstrosity around.
     Another lovely item and common find in a storage unit is mismatched Tupperware.  I never get the matched set, not even close.

     And of course every storage unit has a collection of AC adapters.  I'm not sure why people would store the adapters without the electronic piece it goes to or why they would keep the electronic piece and store the adapter but I can guarantee that every storage unit has several of these.

  
     I'm still looking for the storage unit auction WOW factor!!!

Buying Storage Units

     Because of the popularity of the A&E hit show Storage Wars, it has made it almost impossible to buy a storage unit at a auction at a afforadable price.  People pay so much more than they use to for these units.   While buying the units are fun and the treasure hunting aspect is exciting, there is so much work involved after the sale is over!   The show eludes to the fact that buying and selling storage units at a auction is a lot of work but they don't show just how much. 
     Most of us do not have a team of people unloading these storage units. If you buy a storage unit at a auction the rule of thumb is you have to empty the whole unit, you can't just take what you want and leave the rest, or at least that has been my experience.  With that in mind you have to have some place to go with everything in that storage unit. 
     Setting up a sorting area is the best thing you can do.  Line up tubs or boxes so you can unload specific items into them.  For the clothing I like to have several boxes.  I sort men, women, boy's, girl and accessories into seperate boxes.  From there I can sort into sizes.  Clothes are the worst thing to sort so if there are tons of them most of the time I just bag them up and take them to the nearest thrift store.  Don't get me wrong, there is alot of money in used clothing if you have the time and patience to sort them, wash them, mend them, and iron them when necessary.
      Glassware, knick knacks, tools, electronics, pictures, small appliances, games, toys, lamps, kitchenware the list just goes on and on and on of what you can typically pull out of a storage unit.  That means these items need to be taken to a business or a storage area if necessary for the swap meet.  Donations to a local thrift store or a consignment auction are other ways to get rid of unwanted items.  You might even have to make arrangement for a dumpster or trash service as there is always plenty of garbage in these storage units.
     I am very particular about cleaning the everyday items (knock the dust off but never scrub or polish vintage items or antiques).  I won't display a dirty item nor will I have a cluttered booth so that takes a lot of time and work.  I truely believe from experience that presentation sells an item.
     I load up a trailer, or make several trips in a van after the auction is over.  Working alone it might take me a couple of weeks to totally empty that trailer.
     Storage units, more often than not are filled with junk.  I have on occassion found a few treasures that bring quite a bit of money but that dosen't happen very often.   I, like the Storage Wars Cast do this for the WOW factor but in the past 15 years I've only had a couple of those WOW factors from storage units.  I do so much better at auctions, yard and garage sales and thrift stores. 
     I like most junkers would love to get ahold of some of the units that the Storage Wars cast buys!