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 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.

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.