Storage Unit Auctions have been occurring since the days of the first storage yards existed. Typically storage auctions take place at an actual storage facility in any city during different times of the week. Customers that do not pay their monthly storage fee, forfeit their units and the facility has the rights to sell the goods of the unit in order to make back the lost revenue from the non-paying customer.



Auctions sell units as low as $5.00 and some as high as a few thousand dollars. It all depends on the contents of each unit. When auctioneers roll open the doors on a unit, bidders are given a few minutes to look at the contents of the unit. Bidders are not allowed to step beyond the threshold and are not allowed to touch anything. Once the inspection is completed, the doors are closed and the bidding begins.

These containers have the usual items of business and home goods such as furniture, beds, clothing, appliances, books and the like. On occasion power tools and hand tools as well as machine parts have been found in containers. You really never know what you will find. Most items are general household goods, furniture, electronics, clothing and personal records. Bidders do find money, jewelry, antiques and collectibles at these auctions. It is not uncommon to find someone's whole household or business in a unit, with that in mind; you never know when you might stumble on someone's life collection of who knows what! Remember you are usually viewing the property from an open entrance into a storage unit or container; this means that boxes and plastics storage containers can yield anything. Some units are packed so tight that you won't have the luxury of getting a view of the items that are behind what is blocking the entrance area.

A couple of tips; as with any auction, until the auctioneer gets to know you and your way of bidding, make sure he knows that you've bid, and know what you're willing to pay before they start the auction. Don't get caught up in the moment, and wind up paying more than you wanted to.

Another thing to be aware of is that oftentimes you're bidding against people who are 'regulars' looking to buy for their auction house, or store, so don't be put off by the fact that one or two people seem to be outbidding everyone else. Take your time, start off with a smaller unit and you'll eventually get one. You may wind up with a lot of junk that you have to get rid of, or you could wind up with some real treasure.