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How to Buy Abandoned Storage Units

Member
By oregonspiceman
User-Submitted Article
(31 Ratings)

Understanding how to bid on a storage unit and understanding the personalities involved

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • flashlight, cash, understanding human behavior.
  1. Step 1
     

    For finding abandoned units you need to look in the local paper(s) in the legal notices section, and/or calling local storage unit facilities for upcoming auctions. The internet is also a good way to find them.

  2. Step 2
     

    Show up about 15 minutes early,check in, and check out the crowd. Who they are, who associates with who, what they talk about, and who is with them. also check out the kind of automobile they are driving.

  3. Step 3
     

    Listening to the others at the auction is the best way to get an idea of what people are bidding on and if the unit is worthwhile.A dirty/dusty unit does not mean it is a "garbage" unit, those are usually the best ones, been sitting there awhile and person paid to keep unit for awhile so there could be lots of valuables in there. If you see papers scattered all over the unit when they open the door the owner probably went through and got the valuables out. You will be making a "dump run" so be prepared to spend extra for that. Check everything, all envelopes and pocket. Try to return al valuable paperwork to previous owner, this can be done by giving it back to the owner of the facility...Happy Hunting...

Tips & Warnings
  • Watch out for sharp item, knives, needles, owners who sabotage there units, and rodents

Comments  

| View All 13 Comments
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on 9/14/2009 Great article, but so much more info. needed. I have been doing these for over 3 years now and have been successful and made a lot of money.

jillbeth said

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on 5/6/2009 I've been doing this for three years and it is a good way to make money, can be a lot of fun but is also a lot of work! You're right when you say not to overlook the trashy units. I've found some really great stuff in those junk piles!

kimarkent said

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on 4/6/2009 I have read about this and actually considered doing it... you gave exact hints....I bought a program from one of those infomericals that suggested many of the hints you gave. Thanks. 5*

elyria said

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on 4/3/2009 Very helpful! 5* and recommended

kabney said

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on 3/5/2009 Good ideas, good article. 5* and a recommend

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