Saturday, February 16, 2008

Buying contents of abandoned storage units for profit

“There are people who make a living buying this stuff
and selling it at flea markets.”



An interesting article is out today on NorwichBulletin.com about storage unit auctions. This is where a lot of flea market sellers, antique store dealers, ebayers and other second hand merchandise sellers often look to get their merchandise. Check out the article for a local look at who attends and how it works!

Here's a video of a typical storage auction. It's not the one in Norwich.




A few tips to know if you have never been to a storage auction:

  • Be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled auction time. Before the auction starts, the self storage facility or auctioneer will have a sign-in sheet and a set of their company rules that covers the terms and conditions of the auction. These vary at each site.

“Everything you see from the door is what you’re bidding on.”


  • Bring a strong flashlight. You’ll be viewing units from the entrance area into the unit, and it’s often like peering into a dark hole crammed with stuff. It can be difficult to see what’s inside.
  • Bring a padlock. If you purchase a unit, most sites require the high bidder to use their own lock to secure the unit.
  • The high bidder must remove all contents of the unit within the time specified by the self storage facility. Facilities do not allow the use of their garbage cans or dumpsters, so plan to take the entire contents away with you. You are expected to leave the unit broom swept clean.

And, just one more thing to know... Buyer beware. There is risk involved:

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just what I would do. I would 'rent' a unit, then fill it up (60-75%) with ebay boxes and other boxes and totes marked 'flea market'and journal register books, marking guns, price labels and all other merchandising tools and well leave the boxes full of garbagy junk and worthless trinkets, some cat poop and what-have-you....(and walk away) just to sweeten it and make 'my' unit sell to the next ebay or flea marketing 'profiteer'.

That's what the Me-Bayers and sellers deserve.

And all that....for 5 bucks.

Ahhh....that felt good.

Unknown said...

The "anonymous" commenter is clearly an idiot and a very mean spirited and unhappy person. Here's some advice: get a life, a hobby and maybe a girlfriend. Oh, and a job that pays you well and makes you happy while you're at it. Maybe even stretch yourself and do something nice or charitable for others. Stop wasting your short time on this earth hating others. I feel sad for you.