Storage Locker Auctions - It's Just Like Storage Wars

I am finding that it is getting harder for my grandmother to go to yard sales and thrift stores. She's 93 for goodness sake. Eventually she will need me at home and I won't be able to go out unless. so it's time to come up with a way to gather enough goods to last me for a few weeks to a month of processing. Storage Auctions seem to be the best answer. It's suppose to be a gamble, but I figure as long as there are clothing in the locker, I can make money.  

This idea solidified when my storage facility put up fliers to auction off their unpaid lockers. I decided to also look around and see if there where any others in the area that day. We didn't win anything that morning. Luckily I had found another large one about an hour away. 

This Auction was put on by Nor Cal Storage Auctions. It's ran just like you see on TV. 

Locks get cut and you have a few minutes to look in the unit. We aren't allowed to touch anything, just look.

Everyone lines up for a good look at the unit. 

This one was owned by someone who loved music and older stereo equipment. It was a special interest locker that ended up going for $450.00. I don't think of the other lockers went for much more.

I remember hearing people call this unit a garbage unit and how there probably isn't anything in there. I bought it for $5. Most of what I paid came back to me in the form of change from the various pockets and purses. There was one box....

It was full of metal dishes and serving pieces. The larger bowls are silver. Most is either brass or copper. It might not have had much in it, but I don't think it was all garbage. I think it was just right for us.

Granted this locker isn't gong to make us rich, but it was far from a flop for someone who is just getting started. 

Please feel free to leave comments or questions!!!

Weekly Numbers:

Total Items in Store: 359

Items Sold: 5

Cost of Items Sold: 1.00

Total Sales: 81.00

Highest Price Sold: 35.00

Average Price Sold: 7.00

International Sales: 0

Returns: 1

Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: 0.00

Number of items listed this week: 5

What sold:

$10.00

5.00

6.00

35.00

25.00

Thanks for reading!
Please don't forget to click the "Follow" button next to my picture!
Happy Hunting!

As time goes on it is getting harder for my grandmother to go with me to yard sales and thrift stores. With that in mind, I need to start thinking about alternative means of stocking up on items for my eBay store. I need a way to bring home a large quantity of items that will keep me busy for a couple of weeks.

I thought about putting an ad in craigslist offering to take left over yard sale items off of people's hands. but hen realized that I wouldn't be able to take anything that didn't fit into my station wagon.

Another thought was to give storage locker auctions a try. My local storage unit facility just put out a flier telling everyone about their up coming storage auction. It's not until the 21st and there is a good chance I may walk away empty handed. I did a quick google search and found a couple of storage auctioneers. They do auctions all over Northern California, so I have to wait until they come back to Eastern Sacramento area.

I also looked up just regular old estate auctions too and found a company that holds events in my area. I am so excited! Between the storage auctions and the  estate sales, I may only have to go out once or twice a month for in inventory! Besides I think auctions are exciting!

This week's numbers:

Total Items in Store: 312

Items Sold: 8

Cost of Items Sold: 2.00

Total Sales: 104.14

Highest Price Sold: 23.14

Average Price Sold: 13.02

International Sales: 0

Returns: 0

Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: 8.00

Number of items listed this week: 27

What sold:

12.75

9.99

9.50

12.99

15.00

20.00

10.00

14.00

List List List

I am trying not to go out this weekend, I need to build up some revenue. I would probably say I have enough stuff to post for this week and maybe next week. Looking at my items listed tells me that I need to do less shopping and more listing. I don't have a whole lot of things back logged and I want to keep it that way.

This week's numbers:

Total Items in Store: 287

Items Sold: 6

Total Cost of Items Sold: $2.99

Total Sales: $67.15

Highest Price Sold: $18.00

Average Price Sold: $11.19

International Sales: 0

Returns: 0

Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: 11.00

Number of items listed this week: 1

What sold this week:

$18.00

$15.66

$8.50

$10.00

$5.00

$9.99

I found a great little yard sale this week. I say little because they had mostly kids stuff, but a huge pile of adult clothing. This is why I don't usually poo-poo yard sales where you only see a ton of kids stuff. Unless it's the end of the day and usually things are picked pretty clean. Even then you can still find one or two pieces of adult clothing for next to nothing.

Another slow week, I really hope the "buying season" is as awesome as I hear. It will be nice to post more than two pictures of sold items!

This week's numbers:

Total Items in Store: 286

Items Sold: 2

Cost of Items Sold: Free box

Total Sales: 16.26

Highest Price Sold: 10.00

Average Price Sold: 8.13

International Sales: 0

Returns: 0

Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: 50.00

Number of items listed this week: 23

Partners by Mervin's Woman's Tank Top

10.00

Child's Tinkerbell Graphic Tee

$6.26

Finding TIme

Finding time for me to get anything completed is never easy. But this week I managed to get a few things done. It's been really slow, but it's that time of year. Besides I am mainly working toward stocking the store in time for the buying season. That's when I am hoping to make most of my money for the year. 

This week's numbers:

Total Items in Store: 263

Items Sold: 3

Cost of Items Sold: 2.00

Total Sales: 55.00

Highest Price Sold: 20.00

Average Price Sold: 19.33

International Sales: 0

Returns: 0

Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: 0

Number of items listed this week: 24

What Sold:

ROBBIE BEE ~ Size 10 Sleeveless Dress Blue with Hawaiian 
15.00

Red Beaded INC International Concepts Size 6

20.00

Thermoskin Shoulder Brace Medium

20.00

Hail and Welcome!

Loot Ship

I am starting this blog to track my progress for my E-bay business Loot Ship. 

Why the name Loot Ship? 

Picking makes me think of modern-day treasure hunting. When I go out to the thrift stores and yard sales, I am always looking for any little treasure that might become pay dirt. That item that I think looks so cool, someone else has to like it as much as I do. My kids giggle when I come home and announce that I am going to go through my loot.

E-bay is my ship. I can not afford to open a physical brick and mortar store. There's too many start up costs that I personally could not afford. E-bay makes starting a retail business achievable. 

I plan on starting off posting once a week. I plan on posting my weekly numbers and pics of what was sold. I hope that what others can benefit and learn from my experiences. I always welcome comments, questions, and advice. 

This week we where still recovering from our Disney Vacation. Seemed like I had an appointment for someone every day

Even with a busy schedule, I managed to get into my favorite thrift store and purchase enough to keep me busy. I believe that responsible shopping is very therapeutic. Being able to let go and spend 50.00 on clothing (depending on the sale you can get an amazing amount of merchandise) can take me right out of any negative mood!

This week's numbers:

Total Items in Store: 239

Items Sold: 3

Cost of Items Sold: 5.00

Total Sales: 58.00

Highest Price Sold: 35.00

Average Price Sold: 19.33

International Sales: 0

Returns: 0

Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: 86.00

Number of items listed this week: 10

What Sold:

Women's Size 10 Croft and Barrow Ballet Flats
18.00

SB Scrub Pants Medium

5.00

Set of 8 Vintage Salad Bowls
35.00