Auction Hunters

[gmar]

I watched a show this weekend calle Auction Hunters. These two guys go around CA and bid on storage units that people have quit paying rent on. I heard about people doing this years ago and thought about doing it but have never gotten around to it.

Has anyone here ever bought an abandoned storage unit? If so, what did you find and how much did it cost you?

 

[SgtMojo67]

I was kind of wandering myself. I saw the preview for that show also....Like any other form of gambling, it may or may not pay off. I would call and talk to a storage facility in your area and ask them about it. As far as the cost, what are you willing to pay?.....Let me know what you find out. I think that could be fun, but with my luck I would pay thousands and end up with some freaks adult toys and dolls..........

 

[Old Fart]

I used to go to auctions at storage facilites.
But they were open and you could see what was inside.
After seeing some of the crap people stored there is no way I'd bid on one unopened.

 

[TerryMiller]

The one instance that I heard of was from an acquaintance that went to the auctions. In his case, they opened the door and interested bidders were allowed to look in the door, but not go inside for anything.

Then, all bid on total contents of the storage unit. Most who are successful with this type of auction are those that own either a flea market booth or a permanent structure as an antique/junk store.

All others take their chances on getting worthless crud they then have to get rid of.
.

 

[druryj]

...or you could end up owning a meth lab!

 

[Zombie]

I thought about it also but was a fleeting thought. I would have to find car parts, audio equipment, tools or something like that to make it worth while to me.

 

[mr ed]

The best ones are the ones where they open the door and let you look in only.
Half the time your bidding against a friend or relative of whoevers stuff it is cause they can buy it back cheaper than paying the back storage that way.
I've bought a few that I could see some stuff to immeadiately sell to get my money back and hope to make a few bucks off the rest.
Usually its a bunch of roach infested junk you don't want to take to your house.
Theres too many people with too much money at those sales and they pay way,way too much is why I stopped going.

 

[nich018]

no way I would bid on sight unseen unit.

 

[gmar]

On the show the two guys were allowed to look in but not actually go into the unit itself. Of course the show is only showling the good stuff they find, like firearms, silver coins, Pre WW I Train Set, etc...

At the start at the each show, it does state that these are the "good" stuff they find after a lot of different auctions.

 

[sigsilly]

Those are TV reality shows meaning they are staged for entertainment and not like it really happens.