I went to a storage unit auction Saturday!

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I went to a storage unit auction Saturday!

(22 posts) (13 voices)

Started 2 years ago by Claycat
Latest reply from Ella
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Claycat
Member

I didn't buy anything, but it was fun to see what people had left in their unclaimed storage units. In this case, it was a lot of junk! I saw nothing I wanted to bid on.

I know. I know. Here I am, trying to unclutter, but I'm going to auctions???

Well, in the process of doing research to find out how much to charge for items online, I have discovered that it is a lot of fun. I found a mug at a thrift shop that is from a restaurant in Texas that has been closed since 1990. I was so disappointed! I wanted to find the restaurant, go eat there, and show them the mug!

I don't have a job right now and live out in the middle of nowhere, so this may be a way to make money. I'm not interested in most of the things for me; I'm more interested in selling them.

I don't know if this is going to work into a business for me. We'll see! But, I have found something that is fun for me. I just have to have a place to keep the items away from my house! LOL!

Don't worry! I'm just thinking about it, but I have noticed everyone is shopping the thrift shops! The big department stores are dead, but Goodwill is packed. A secondhand store might be a good thing in this economy!

Posted 2 years ago #
chacha1
Member

Sounds entertaining, CC. DH and I like to go to open houses instead of auctions, but I think the principle is the same.

Back in the early days of eBay, I think quite a few people were able to turn "junking" into an income stream. The field is a little more crowded now, but on the other hand having more people involved means prices are more realistic.

Case in point, an out of print book I once bought (a poor copy of) for $35, I recently was able to replace with a better copy for $13, just because more dealers are online. Obv, this is good for the buyer more than for the seller, but the flip side is the seller probably has greater volume now because more *buyers* are online as well.

Good luck if you decide to proceed with it! :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

LOL! I went to a clean-out-the-warehouse auction on May 15. I bought several lamps for $1 apiece to resell.

I can't believe I am telling my unclutterer friends this, but I enjoy looking for treasure. I don't necessarily want to keep it, but I like finding it!

I am still uncertain if this will turn into a business for me, but in a poor economy secondhand stores do well. I was dreaming about owning one the other night.

Maybe it's just a phase, but maybe not.

Posted 2 years ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

I thought of you today! There is a new secondhand store, so I went in to check it out. I was looking for something specific, didn't find it and left with nothing. Anyway, If you love treasure hunting, it could be a nice business or you.

I would love to be a professional organizer. I dream about it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

Thank you, JuliaJayne! It is nice for someone to think of me!

I do love treasure hunting. It is something new I have discovered about myself.

If you want to be a professional organizer, go for it!

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

JuliaJayne, have you investigated this website?

http://www.napo.net/

Posted 2 years ago #
terriok
Member

Claycat, I have been selling on Ebay for years. Specialize so people know to come back to you.

Normal books, I can tell you, do NOT sell usually. Or you cannot make any $ on them.

If you want to email me, that would be great.

I am pretty sure you are familiar with Ebay from selling already, right?

Katie

Posted 2 years ago #
trillie
Member

Claycat, that does sound like a lot of fun! I think the difficulty for me would be to be able to keep track of how much an item is actually worth in resale, or if I just think it is really really pretty. But I guess when you're toying with the idea of a second hand store, you probably already have a general idea of how easy it is to sell something, and it's a good thing you just like finding the treasures, not keeping them -- that would have gotten you The Big Uproar here in this forum, hee hee :o)

When I read the title, I first thought that maybe the storage units were closed and it was like a "surprise" auction where you bid and then only after you paid you find out what is in that storage room. I guess I thought that because one of Berlin's airports does that with lost luggage every year, you can bid on the closed suitcases, often you get someone's dirty laundry (no wonder they never picked it up!), sometimes you get weird travel souvenirs or really funny things. (I never went there though -- yet!)

@JuliaJayne, why don't you just go for it? Or find out how to just go for it? The internet is full of great resources on how to become self-employed, how to 'practise' your dream job while you still have a day job, and how and when to tell if it's actually worth it :o)

Posted 2 years ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

Thanks for the link!

Posted 2 years ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

Trillie, I think I'm going to get in contact with an NAPO member in my area to talk to her about the business. I don't live in a huge city, so I'm not sure if being a professional organizer could replace a full time job, but I'll never know unless I ask.

Posted 2 years ago #
chiwi
Member

@Claycat - the mug you mentioned... is it by any chance from Grandy's restaurant?

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

No, chiwi, it is from a restaurant that was in Early, TX. It was called Pass th Biskits. I thought it would be so neat to go there and even make a little video about the mug and the restaurant.

I'm going to start making videos about the items I'm selling. I know a man on eBay named softypapa who made videos, and it helped him start selling his merchandise.

I would love to email you, terriok! My email is CCat444@gmail.com

Posted 2 years ago #
tj82
Member

If there are any of you need lists of storage unit auctions you can get a pretty detailed list from this web site I found http://www.storageunitauctionlist.com/ the list has been a lot of help to me since I like to organize where to go first and be able to go to as many as I can. Of course I don't think this is going to make the bidding any easier.LOL

Posted 1 year ago #
Ginger
Member

I know some ladies who loooove to treasure hunt. A few years ago they opened an "upscale thrift shop" as an outlet to get rid of the things they find but still not grow broke in the process (or cluttered). It doesn't make their living but sure is a great way to continue their hobby. It's pretty cool. :D

Posted 1 year ago #
storageauctions
Member

There is another great source for storage auctions - http://StorageAuctions.TV

It is free to search for storage auctions in your area and if you own (or manage) a storage facility you may post your upcoming storage auctions.

J.R.

Posted 1 year ago #
ninakk
Member

JuliaJayne, I've heard of designers who consult on-line in shorter, very specific projects now and I once suggested that as an option for bandicoot, who seems to live a bit more remote, when she told us about being forced to deal with her soap studio. Don't underestimate the power of the internet as a means to reach potential clients, because many many live in places where there probably won't be a professional organizer within a radius of 500 km, however much that is in miles, far anyway. You could always start small and take a bigger jump into it only once the number of clients is large enough and until then keep your current job. Just sayin' GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS! I'm no hindu so I don't believe in second lives. Hug.

Posted 1 year ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

I think about it on and off Nina. I'd feel more comfortable about it if I could get some practice in other situations before charging people to do it.

Posted 1 year ago #
ninakk
Member

Why don't you check with family and friends if there is someone who'd volunteer to be your lab rat? Then give your first attempts for free until you feel comfortable charging a bit for it? Then slowly increase your fee? Just an idea.

Posted 1 year ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

I have done some decluttering for my mom, which was a lesson is patience, and I did their pantry too, which left by head bloody from banging it against the wall. Not really, but I won and they stopped getting mysteriously sick once or twice a week. Other than that, one of my husband's sisters could really use my help. Her house is clean and tidy, but they have so much stuff some of the rooms feel claustrophobic. I haven't figured out how to approach the subject.

Posted 1 year ago #
themusiclivez
Member

@Claycat - I say go for it! I do this as well and it is so much fun to hunt for treasures. Flea markets are also fun. I hate clutter with a passion but hunting for treasures to re-sell is definitely something I enjoy!

Posted 1 year ago #

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