Red Flags To Look For At An Auction

The storage door rolls open and immediately you know you want this unit. Brand name boxes galore - everything from Sony and Pottery Barn to Ralph Lauren shoe boxes. But take a second look before you assume you just made this months rent.

Given the recent interest in storage auctions, it's no surprise that the frequency of scams has increased. We've already warned you about staged units and pilfered lockers, but you also need to beware of tenant scams. Recall that when a unit sells for more than the amount owed to the storage facility any additional money goes to the tenant. On occasion, a tenant may allow a unit to go delinquent to make a profit.

If the tenant simply abandons the unit to allow it to go to auction, you as a bidder are not in danger. But if someone collected brand name boxes, and deliberately placed them in a unit to generate higher bids, then you'll overpay for a unit full of empty boxes.

We don't mean to suggest that this is the norm, but it does happen. Here's a few tips to help you avoid tenant scams.

#1 Scrutinize every unit. Don't be dazzled by brand name boxes - always consider whether the unit looks natural. Are all the brand names facing you so you can easily read them? Is there anything to indicate the boxes have anything inside of them? Does the unit look too clean to be a genuine storage unit? Too empty to justify the cost of paying monthly rent?

#2 Find out how long the unit has been rented. If the unit was only rented three or four months ago (just long enough for the unit to end up at auction) then bells should go off.

#3 Find out how much delinquent rent is due. If the rent due is $500 but the unit would likely only go for $500 or less, it's not likely a tenant scam because the tenant won't make any money. On the other hand, if the tenant got their first month free or for $1, then their delinquent rent might only be $100 and they could make an easy (albeit unethical) $400.

Barry Weiss Mystery Man?

Barry Weiss of Storage Wars

Barry Weiss of Storage Wars fame has everyone asking "What did you do for a living to become rich?" He has been confused with the movie producer of the same name. People assume since he has this cool demeanor and sense of humor, he must have been a Hollywood producer. Not so. Here is a partial interview with the man himself.

One of the biggest questions fans have about you, Barry, is what you do for a living. The rumor is that you are or were a Hollywood producer ... true?

(Laughing) No, no, I'm not. Actually, I've been an antique collector my entire life, and I was in the produce business for 20‑25 years, and I retired about four years ago. I just was traveling around the world and enjoying life, really. The way this opportunity came along was a close friend of mine, Thom Beers, who is the creator of the show, was over one night. I don't know, we were having a few drinks. He said he was working on something with these storage lockers, and would I like to be a part of it? And basically that's sort of how things unfolded.


So the only "producing" Barry has ever done was in the "produce" business. I bet buying a banana from this guy back in the day was a scream. The jokes he probably came up with are as classic as the man himself.

We still love you Barry, just the way you are.

Barry Needs an Apprentice - Is It You?

Storage Wars New Season

'Storage Wars' Films at Self-Storage Facility in California's Inland Empire

Highland Self Storage in San Bernardino, Calif., became the latest facility to welcome the cast and crew of reality TV show "Storage Wars" (A&E, 10/9 p.m. Central time, Wednesdays).

As the show's film crew was working, neighborhood residents tried to peek in from the facility's perimeter. The San Bernardino facility invited its customers to attend the filming.

Johanna Flores, facility manager, told the source eight units were auctioned Wednesday. "Right now, this is the first (auction) that we've held this year, and we're trying to do one every other month," she told the reporter. "The process takes about 60 days to get an auction together, and from there they make sure all our legal paperwork is up to date," she said. Highland Self Storage works with American Auctioneers.

"Storage Wars" begins its second season in July. Scenes filmed at the San Bernardino site are scheduled to be used during the seventh episode.

Storage Wars and Auction Hunters TV Shows - Are They Real?

Storage Wars Barry & Jarrod look for goodies

Do You Believe What You See On These TV Shows?

So you watch the shows on television that shows the winning bidders uncover some item that is worth a small fortune. They sift through all of this junk and lo and behold, there it is. That item that is going to make them a ton of money and they only paid $600 for the unit. It can be a safe, antiques or even money itself. The question is..are these shows real or staged. I believe they are a little of both. Sure you can find items of value but does it occur as often as these shows portray? Probably not. However, I don't think Storage Wars "plants" any of the items in the storage units. I do think that maybe there is editing done and they don't always show the loser lockers. That is until the last few episodes, I believe they saw that the show was portraying every unit being a winner and wanted to show that even the experts get it wrong sometimes.

Now Auction Hunters is another story. Again every unit they buy has some sort of rare item or a valuable piece of furniture. They find slot machines, rare guns and even a Maui Blue Fender Stratocaster, which is a pretty rare guitar. Honestly, I believe this show is either staged or some creative editing is done. Personally, I don't even like the guys who are on it. They just don't seem like to people who would hang out together to me. I mean how clever is it that the big guy is called "Ton". Just an FYI, his name is Clinton so hence the nickname. Again I find this show unrealistic and misleading to anyone who wants to get into the business.

So if you ask me, out of the two shows which one is closer to what really happens at these auctions, I'd have to give an edge to Storage Wars. You have to remember the guys like Dave Hester and Darrell Sheets were doing this before cameras were present. Back then you could buy a unit for $100 and make some decent money if you had a way to resell it. It's kind of funny, I hear these guys complaining about all the "newbies" showing up at these auctions and ruining the business by bidding up units. Well if it wasn't for the shows you are on, this wouldn't have been exposed to the public. Trust me they get paid to be on the shows also, not to mention when it gets released on DVD. I don't feel sorry for any of them. Especially Jarrod...Brandi is a poor mans Jennifer Anniston.

Recently I interviewed my good friend, Tim Brendel. He got tired of all the shows making this business look easy. So he wrote an e-book called Storage Auction Wealth. I recommend it and here is why. Storage Auction Wealth is not a get rich quick scheme. This is a guide to an actual business that can make you a great deal of money if you are willing to put in the work.

I am not going to tell you that you will get rich by doing nothing. If you want to make the money from storage unit auctions then you have to be willing to work at it. Following the tips and tricks in Storage Auction Wealth will make it easier but you still must follow through with the process.

So check it out here. If you are serious about this business it is a must have. If you just want some tips on the business to help you decide if it's for you or not, I say it is worth educating yourself before you get started.

So either visit the link here or simply click on the picture of his book below.

Storage Auction Wealth

              

                                                                                                    

Storage Unit Auction Fraud

Is There Fraud Committed At Storage Unit Auctions?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The popularity of the shows on television has driven the crowds numbers through the roof. In fact, on a recent episode of Storage Wars, the star bidders on the show professed their irritation of all the "newbies" who are running up the bids on the lockers. So when you have an explosion of popularity in one particular niche like storage auctions and money is involved, then it is only a matter of time before fraud sets in.

So you may be asking yourself, where is fraud being done. I myself have witnessed it first hand but lets cover a few points of interest before I tell my experience in witnessing some unscrupulous actions. Here are some things to look for when attending an auction at storage unit facilities.

• Check out the lock on the unit. Try to get a look at the lock before it is cut off of the unit. Is it brand new or a little rusty? Is there even a lock on it or has the storage facility cut the lock and put some sort of temporary seal or wire tab lock on it.
  
  
• When the unit is opened do you see any dust? If not, this could be a sign that the unit has had recent visitors. Dust tends to collect quickly and if a unit is 2 or 3 months in default it will probably show dust on furniture or boxes.
  
  
• Are there strange interactions between a bidder and an auctioneer? Watch between auctions if there is close up talk between an auctioneer and bidder. Remember the auctioneer usually gets 10% of the final bid. If the plant bidder runs up the bid its more money in their pocket. If for some reason it backfires on them and they win, they can default and the next lowest bidder wins. It's a win - win situation for the auctioneer.
  
  
• Is the auction a real abandoned locker or is it staged? This is becoming a problem in some states and will probably only get worse. Recently, an ex-employee of a storage unit said his boss wanted to get in on the latest craze. He would put miscellaneous items like abandoned furniture, mattresses and boxes of junk and then have auctions for these created delinquent storage lockers. He could sell the units contents and pass the responsibility of removing the items to the "winner". 
  
  
• Do you see any open boxes? Most people who are truly storing their belongings will tape the boxes shut. Leaving boxes open would expose the contents to roaches, silverfish and rats. If you see open boxes then they have probably been sorted through by the tenant, who is taking the valuables out or the management. Probably a sign that only junk remains in the unit.

Do you need to attend Storage Auction School? Click Here to find out more. 

Please keep in mind that most of the storage unit facilities are running legitimate auctions with trustworthy auctioneers. We are not implying they are all deceitful crooks who are out to rip you off. However, the fact remains that fraud does exist and will probably get worse as these shows continue to gain viewers. The best way to prevent being scammed is to educate yourself on what to look for before bidding on an auction. I personally have had success in the business but have had just as many failures.

I mentioned a personal experience earlier here that made me a little suspicious of an auction I was attending. I was going to video the auction process in order to share my experience with my readers and to post on my YouTube channel. As soon as the auctioneer spotted me videoing, she yelled through her megaphone to cease recording or she would have me removed. I turned the video recording off so I could continue to attempt to buy a unit or two that day.

As I tried to bid on the first unit she ignored me. At the next unit I saw her speaking to what I consider a plant bidder. They conversed before each auction and I knew I was witnessing a game plan being devised. I decided these auctions were probably rigged and predetermined so I just sat back and watched. The bidder would stand near her and bid up the unit. Once he hit what he thought was a high enough bid, he would disappear into the crowd. The other reason I believe he was a plant was he would never even look at the unit when it was opened. If I am going to spend $800.00 or more on a unit, I'm going to check it very carefully.

I hope these tips help and always make sure you are smarter than the average person at these auctions. Remember, if you don't arm yourself with knowledge, you have no one to blame but yourself. Get the knowledge you need to succeed. 

Just Click On The Picture Above To Start Your Training Today

 

Article written and republished with permission by Charles Myers

Storage Auction Wars?

Everyone pretty much knows what a self storage unit or facility is and most people also know what an auction is. What is not commonly known however is that self storage and auctions actually have more in common than most people think.

Auctions are very popular with people who are either looking to pick things up for a steal or with people who are looking to find items worth of value, such as antiques, jewelry or electronics. The majority of people think about public auctions, auction houses, estate auctions and online auction websites when they are looking to find what they need.

Due to a recent hit television show however, self storage auctions are a growing trend both offline and online. How self storage auctions work is pretty interesting and is outlined below:

• Items that are contained in a self storage unit are put up for auction when the person who owns the belongings have quit paying the storage fee. How long a person has to be in default before the self storage company can put the items up for auction really depends on the state that the storage unit is located in as laws vary.

•  Once it is determined that the items within the storage unit are eligible to be put up for auction, a date and time is set for the auction, which is normally open to the public.
  
• On the date of the auction and at the predetermined time, the door to the self storage unit will be opened and those who are interested in the contents can look into the unit from the outside but they are not allowed to actually go into the unit.
  
• Viewers and interested buyers are only allowed to try to guess what the contents of the storage shed are worth by peering in and trying to see the stuff that is in plain view.

Self storage auctions are becoming a quick growing business opportunity on many different levels. On one level, storage facilities are realizing that they have a way to re-coup the lost income from the person who rented the unit if they decide to quit paying. Those who are in the business of buying stuff at auction and then turning around and selling the items for profits are also catching into this trend and taking advantage of it.

Another industry however that is also catching on is businesses on the Internet. The self storage auction trend is hitting the radars of those who provide information online in the form of instructions and "how to" guides as well.

Are you looking to use mini storage auctions as a way to make money? If so, will this be your first time attending an auction? If yes, please continue reading on for a few helpful and important tips, which can help you walk away happy.

Public storage auctions are a great way to make money. Depending on the auction in question, you either bid on sealed bins or whole storage bays. You are essentially making a wholesale purchase. You are offering to pay one set amount for a lot of merchandise. This is where you can make money, as some of those items may be valuable or sellable.

Despite the fact that you can make money with mini storage auctions, doing so can be risky. A wide range of items are stored inside these units. These items may include clothing, furniture, books, movies, toys, home décor, household appliances, and jewelry. There are also people who store their old financial documents and family photographs. You don't always get to physically inspect everything, so there is some risk involved.

As previously stated, you may not get to physically inspect all items up for auction, but you can get a close look. For that reason, arrive early. You should arrive no later than ten minutes before a public storage auction is scheduled to start.

When scanning a storage bay that has merchandise available for sale, look for large items that are easy to see, like furniture. What type are they? Are they modern, cheap, or antique looking? This can help you guess as to what else is inside. Cheap furniture, like furniture that looks like it came from Wal-Mart, may be a sign that the rest of the items are cheap as well. Of course, cheap doesn't necessarily mean poor in quality.

If you intend to bid, as opposed to just watching how an auction works, bring cash. Most only accept it. Rarely, will you find an auction where credit cards and checks are accepted. Do not plan on running to the bank real quick, as you may be required to make payment right away. Speaking of attending an auction as a viewer, you may want to do so. This will give you a firsthand look at how these auctions operate.

It is also important to know that public storage auctions can be canceled and sometimes at the last minute. If you are traveling far, like an hour or more, to attend an auction, call ahead. Call right before you leave.

Those with unpaid storage bills are likely to make good on their payment once they realize their belongings really will be sold. This may result in the cancellation of a scheduled auction.

Storage auctions are popular. Many people see them as a cheap way to get stuff for their homes and many more see them as a way to make money. That is why you will want to arrive early. You also need to be prepared to shout out your bids and face some competition. If you are shy or nervous about doing so, bring someone along who isn't. This is key to walking away a winner at a mini storage auction.

Finally, know that not all storage auctions are worth your time. You will want to call ahead and ask questions, like how much is being auctioned off. If only one or two storage bays are up for auction, you can still attend, but you may not want to travel far too do so. Your travel expenses may be too high and not worth it in the end.

As previously stated, public storage auctions are a great way to make money, but there is some risk involved. You will not always drive away with a truck filled with valuables that can be resold for a huge profit. However, the more storage auctions you attend and the more bids you place, the better your chances are for walking away with a profit.

Jarrod and Brandi's Victrola Find

Jarrod and Brandi take a Victrola they found in a storage unit auction to have it appraised. Studio Antiques is where they take it and to find out what it is worth.

Storage Locker Auction Shows On TV

Unlocking The Doors On Storage Unit Auction Shows

The popularity of the shows on television has now spread to other channels.

infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs Thursdays at 11/10c on Current TV.

In this video they examine the main aspects of the shows and what they are about.

Mistakes To Avoid at a Storage Auction

Mistakes Cost You Time and Money - Learn What Not To Do

Do you want to use mini storage auctions as a way to make money?  If so, money is made with the reselling of merchandise won at an auction.  How you resell your merchandise can have an impact on your profits, but your biggest potential for making money starts at mini storage auctions.  To increase your chances of making money, avoid these common mistakes.

Traveling too far.  It is said that the more storage unit auctions you attend, the better your chances are for making a profit.  Yes, this is true, but you shouldn't have to travel two or more hours to attend these auctions, unless you know they will be large in size.  With the high cost of gasoline, you may find the best luck staying local.  The good news is that if you live in a large city, you may hear of a different mini storage auction taking place every weekend!

Arriving late.  If you seriously want to make money with mini storage auctions, arrive early.  At the very least, arrive ten minutes before the auction is scheduled to start.  Although you may not be able to inspect the items up for bid, you can still improve your chances of getting a sale.  You can scout out the competition.

Not asking questions.  Not asking questions is something that can hurt you.  As previously stated, only travel two hours or more to attend auctions that are large in size.  Unfortunately, you may not know without first asking.  Also, call ahead to verify that the auction has not been cancelled.  Ask what the accepted methods of payment are and how the bidding process works.  Are you bidding on sealed storage bins or whole storage bays?

Bidding too high on blind bids.  As previously stated, you may either bid on a sealed bin or a whole storage bay.  Many times, the units are opened, giving you a quick look inside.  When it comes to closed storage units or sealed bins, bid, but keep the risk in mind.  While most storage units are packed full, some may only hold one box in the corner.  This is particularly true if the renters had the chance to remove items before the auction.

Not bringing a flashlight.  If the storage units you are bidding on will be opened, you may be granted a quick peek inside.  This peek may only last 10 seconds.  So, bring a flashlight so that you can see. 

Not knowing what to look for.  If you want to make money with mini storage auctions, it is important to know what you can profit from reselling.  You are always taking a gamble, but you can make that gamble less risky.  Furniture and household appliances are good items to resell and they are easy to spot.  Look for name brand products.  Look for boxes that are labeled with their destinations, like kitchen, bedroom, or living room.

Thinking you will get rich right away.  Since mini storage auctions do rely on a lot of luck, there is a possibility that you will make a profit with your first auction, but that doesn't always happen.  Remember, the more items you buy, the better your chances of making a profit are.  If you lose money the first time around, know you can make a huge profit the next time.

Popularity of Self Storage Auctions Spurs Change

 Change in Tennessee Lien laws

Self storage auctions are getting swamped with attendees in recent months as popularity has grown, causing many states to look at streamlining their lien laws. Earlier this week, both Nevada and Florida legislators reviewed proposed changes to their states’ self storage lien laws. Now Tennessee has joined the ranks by introducing legislation that would lift the newspaper advertising requirement for self storage lien sales.

Due mostly to the popularity of A&E’s “Storage Wars” reality show, novice bidders have begun to flock to self storage auctions hoping to find treasure amongst the boxes and bins. The demand for storage auctions has grown exponentially and many states are looking to smooth the process by taking a more modern look at what some self storage associations are calling outdated and overly stringent lien laws.  Auctions and lien laws are of such great interest that the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, March 14-16 at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas will be conducting two special seminars and a workshop that will focus on lien laws and auction sales.

The proposed Tennessee state legislation known as Senate Bill 1293 and House Bill 1265 would allow facilities to contact auctioned tenants by verified mail, which would include e-mail and hand delivery. The new advertising requirement would still require facilities to post clear auction information, such as time, date, place and manner of the sale. To be commercially reasonable an auction would require at least three bidders but no newspaper ad would be required.

For lien-sale notification, the new Tennessee law would allow for hand-delivered notices and verified mail which is far less costly than previously required Certified Mail. The bill also approved e-mail notification and does not specify an e-mail proof-of-receipt requirement. Based on a Tennessee Self-Storage Association survey with 350 respondents some interesting numbers arose:

• 80 percent said they do not subscribe to a local newspaper. 

• 83 percent said they do not read the legal notices in a newspaper. 

• 80 percent said they had regular e-mail and Internet access. 

• When given four choices for preferred methods of receiving notifications if they default on their rent, 53 percent of respondents chose e-mail, and only 2 percent chose via a publication.

 “The law should enhance communication between businesses and consumers,” said Sherry Cole, a member of the Tennessee Self-Storage Association Board of Directors and chair of the legislative committee. “The current law does not allow us (self storage owners) to use a more efficient means. In fact, the law is doing a disservice to operators and consumers. The law needs to be modernized. Technology has changed in the past 31 years.”

The proposed changes in Nevada law include legal e-mail auction notifications with confirmation of tenant receipt, as well as newspaper-free advertising requirements and new procedures for handling delinquent tenants’ protected property. Introduced by Sen. Mike Schneider, the bill would allow self storage owners to notify tenants of an auction by “verified” means, including traditional mail or electronic communication with evidence of receipt. Pre-auction newspaper advertising would be removed. However, the bill requires at least five bidders who are unrelated to the owner to attend the auction in order for it to be considered commercially reasonable.

Regarding Florida law, the Self Storage Association and the Florida Self Storage Association (FSSA) also aim to save self storage operators money by changing the mail-notification and newspaper requirements of a lien sale. One bill, HB 459 revises the notice requirements relating to lien enforcement and addresses limitations on liability. SB 1772 also affects notice requirements by allowing postal notice by First Class Mail with a certificate of mailing as well as an e-mail notification. The bill would also get rid of provisions that relate to advertisement requirements while clarifying provisions that relate to the right to create contractual liens or limitations on liability.

Sources Used:

“Tennessee Bill Proposes Changes to Self-Storage Lien-Sale Process.” Inside Self-Storage. March 9, 2011.

Stevens, John. “Two States Tackle Proposed Changes to Lien Laws.” Self Storage Industry News. March 8, 2011.

Sam Gets Angry

Thanks for visiting our site and for Sams sake please look around. We are updating the site as we speak so more free information, secrets and videos are coming soon. Our goal is to provide our visitors with as many options as we can to educate you on how to break into this business with out going broke.

We will provide as much free information as we can however some of our guides do have a cost required. The information you receive from these ebooks can be the difference in making money in this business.Without it, you can lose your bankroll quickly. So please leave comments, follow us and bookmark this page in order to get the latest information in the world of Storage Auction Riches.

Storage Wars Expert Gives Advice On Finding Hidden Treasure

Darrell Sheets of 'Storage Wars' Gives Advice on Hunting for Hidden Treasure

America has become obsessed with turning trash into treasure. Witness the burgeoning treasure hunting genre that started with 'Antiques Roadshow' and now includes 'American Pickers,' 'Pawn Stars,' 'Auction Kings,' 'Auction Hunters' and A&E's latest hit, 'Storage Wars.' 

While each show takes a different angle, they all essentially feature real-life people looking to uncover the jewels hidden among junk (theirs or someone else's) and make money off of it.

'Storage Wars,' which focuses on four men who bid on defaulted storage lockers, premiered last month to 2 million viewers, making it the cable network's best unscripted debut in 2010. The show's gotten so much buzz that it has spurred such interest in the world of storage auctions that the number of bidders has sometimes quadrupled, according to show star Darrell Sheets.

I spoke to Sheets recently about the newbies in his field, how to determine whether a locker contains valuable items and why he keeps making big bets.

The show has gotten a lot of buzz. What's the reaction been like from people you know?
Seriously, it's been out of control. This whole thing has developed this underground culture and all of these people are coming out of the woodwork. I can't believe it.

Now, you've been doing this since you were a kid, right?
Well, [since] about 20 years old.

How did you get into it?
Well, what happened was, I had a landscaping business, taking care of shopping centers and I wasn't doing it the right way, I guess, because they let me go. Two days later, I went back to him and said, "I want my job back, I'll do a better job." He said, "No, I want to show you something different that I really think you're going to enjoy."

So on the show, you're labeled The Gambler. Do you think you take bigger risks than other bidders?
I know I do. A lot of these people buy a storage locker and go one locker at a time if they win or lose. What I do, I do it by the month. In other words, if I start the month off with $25,000 and end up with $20,000, I've had a losing month. If I start out with $25,000 and end up with $40,000, I had a great month. So I'll gamble on a lot of lockers based on something I see in there, but if I don't like it I'll just give the locker away.

When you first see a locker, and you don't know everything that's in it, how do you figure out whether you're going to bid on it and how much you're going to bid? How would you describe your process?
My philosophy is if I want it, I get it. There are circumstances sometimes that don't allow you be that way, but when they first cut the lock off and open the door, there are a lot of things I look for.

Are there cobwebs along the doorjambs? Are the boxes covered with dust? Are there footprints going into the locker -- which would tell you someone had been and out of there recently. Is the lock on the door rusty? Or is it a new lock? If it's rusty, it's been in there a long time. Did they pay a mover good money to move that in there? That usually means they have good stuff. If you pay to move your stuff, it's good stuff.

So the older the stuff looks to be, the more it might be worth?
That tells me more or less what I term "virgin stuff." If there are a lot of footprints and the dust is all moved and everything, that tells me that someone had been going in and out of there and maybe they were using it as sub-storage. If it's all boxed up and dusty and all the furniture is wrapped up, you can tell no one has been there in a long time.

You've been doing this for a long time now. What keeps you at it? 
All it takes a good hit and you're addicted. When you buy something for $3,000 and turn it into $100,000 that's like an addict chasing the high. I've tasted about 20 really, really good lockers in my life and I love that feeling. And the only way I can describe it to you -- and it's good that it's this time of year where you'll understand this -- remember when you were 12 years old and mom and dad had all the presents ready and it was Christmas Eve and you're laying down to go to sleep and you're all warm and fuzzy and you couldn't wait to wake up and have at it? It's the exact same feeling every time I buy a locker. I have all these boxes to dig through.

Have you ever had a string of bad lockers where you say, 'I can't do this anymore'?
I never say I can't do this anymore, but I've gone six months without getting a good locker. But this thing goes in tides, you go up and down like the tide in the ocean. It's a numbers game. If you buy 100 of them, one of a 100 is going to stick. You really have to remember that and know that it's going to happen.

The show focuses on four bidders but I assume there are more out there. How big is this field?
This industry is a lot bigger than people think it is, I'll tell you that. Since the show started, we've gone from 40 to 50 people at an auction to 300 people at an auction. It's now, every guy or woman that's been out of work, sitting on the couch going, "What am I going to do now?" They watch this show and they can literally get up tomorrow morning and go do this.

I just had a girl email me that said, "Darryl, I watched the show and I thought you guys were full of crap. We live in Pennsylvania, my husband and I went out to a locker, an auction, we bought a locker for $25. It was full of all these old wooden boxes. My husband didn't want it, but I had this feeling. We opened it up and it was the entire contents of the General Mills estate from the late 1800s." And she's flabbergasted, she signed it at the end, in big letters, "This really is the wow factor." It made me feel so good that somebody got something like that out of this.

But now you're having to compete against a lot more people.
Here's the deal with that. That's the No. 1 question. They're like, "You opened up your field of business, you're telling them everything about you." I've had 32 years of experience that you can't go buy in school, that you can't get that experience anywhere except through trial and tribulation.

And when I see new people out there and they're going to act like idiots or jerks, trust me when I tell you this -- they're not going to get to buy anything. The veterans are going to run them out of business and help them spend their money so quick, they're going to wonder what they just did. It'll be worse than the penny stocks, believe me when I tell you that.

Do you have advice for somebody who sees the show and think they could do what you do?
I have the best advice you could possibly get. When you go to these auctions, don't stand around and tell everyone that you're new. Have your flashlight and your lock and your cash ready to go, and just act like you've done it a hundred times. Because if you're new, they're going to run you out. If you stand there and act like you know what you're doing, you're going to be right in there with the veterans.

What's your relationship with the other bidders? Are you all friends or is there a lot of competition and jealousy?
When we go there, before the auction, we have 20 minutes where we're all standing around calling each other names, making fun of each other. That is actually our entertainment. When the bidding starts, there is no love. It's 'Storage Wars,' not 'Storage Making Love' and it goes off. What you see is really the way it is. The minute the bidding stops, we're all buddies, we'll go get lunch. It's the weirdest thing I've seen in my life.

Me personally, if a guy that's been in the business gets a really good locker and I hear about it, I'm pissed off for about 30, 40 minutes but after that everything is cool ... But that's what makes me want to go out there and get a good locker right along with him.

There are a lot of shows about people taking what seems to be junk and seeing if they can make a treasure out of it. Why do you think there seems to be a rise in popularity with these shows?
I call it the modern day gold rush. Everybody wants to go out and find something that's worth money. That's what makes the whole world run -- money. Once again, somebody could be sitting there watching this and say, "Hey, I might go find the treasure. I might be able to change my whole life by finding that treasure." I think that, and personally, the way our show keeps score, people have somebody to root for ... [there are] a few different elements that really make this work.

What can we expect from the rest of the season? Is there anything we can look forward to?
Yeah, there is. We just finished shooting 12 days in Las Vegas. There were some big hits. Obviously I can't tell you what the big hits were, but it's going to be a lot of fun. Good old Dave the Mogul, he's going to get a little taste of his own medicine here.

I had no idea this world existed!
I'll leave you with this, Kelly, this is something no one's ever asked me or I got to tell them about through all my interviews. This job has also allowed me to take every summer of my life off. I work really hard all winter, I put my money away, and every summer I take off and buy a house on the river, a boat in the harbor, something like that.

If you know how to work it, this can be a great lifestyle. You're in complete control of what's going on. But in the winter it's 7 days a week, 17 hours a day.

 Storage Auction Riches Ask - "What Treasures Could There Be In These Lockers?"