In Ca, you will see that the unit has been previously opened. Signs of this may be a lock or two on the ground inside the unit. They will place a seal on the unit, which is removed right before the auction. It is important that the manager opens the unit for two reasons:- To take a visual inventory (without entering the unit) to report in the newspaper as a last attempt to contact the owner of the unit.
- Trust us, you don't always want to see what may be in a unit! The manager needs to be sure that there is not any signs of obvious illegal activity. Such as a meth lab, or dead bodies! It is important to be sure the unit is safe to open in front of a crowd.
- Opening a unit is important, but requires a honest manager. But remember the manager needs the unit to earn as much money as possible to make up the debt the renter owes to the storage. Typically by the time a unit goes to auction, the person owes far more money that the unit will sell for. Which means the storage facility almost always looses money when it goes to auction. For this reason, most managers do not touch the items, they want the unit to sell high! If they remove items it is illegal, and can lower the profit they receive.
- Auctioneer:
- It is important you follow an auctioneer you trust. Arrive a bit early to the auctions, become friends, let them know you are there and maintain a relationship with them.
- Auctioneers earn their paycheck by collecting a percentage of the sales total. So they also want the unit to sell high. Which means honesty is in their best interest.
- Auction Styles
- Just as it is important to have a relationship with the storage manager and auctioneer, it is also important you decide the best style of auction for you.
- Open door, pieced out, silent bid are some of the options. It depends on your area, the crowd, the auctioneer and your personal opinion on which style is best.
I am proud to say that the auctions I have been a part of are held with the highest level of business ethics possible. And I truly feel the bidders that return each month would agree. Just be sure if you have that gut feeling that something isn't right at a facility or auction, don't bid! Walk out and try a different facility.
