How to Create Extra Money From Storage Unit Auctions

New reality shows like "Storage Wars" and "Auction Hunters" have pointed the way to some hidden secrets kept behind the walls of a storage unit.  If you like these show and think you could be the next Ton or Darrell, you might want to attend a few local storage auctions and see the reality of buying storage units to make some extra cash.

1. Find a storage unit near you.  You can search the business listings on MerchantCircle, or a search engine.


2. Call or visit the storage unit facility to find out the policy for auctioning items stored in unpaid units.


3. Type your zip code in the search bar of AuctionZip.com.  This website will provide you with auctions in your area.  These are not just storage auctions, so you will need to read the information provided for each auction.


4. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the auction.  Before these reality shows began, a bidder could show up about 10 minutes before the start of an auction, but now everyone wants to find the treasure.  It will take longer to register because more people are participating.


5. Provide your name, driver’s license and a telephone number to the auction registrar.  You will be given a card with a number on it, your ticket to bid.  


6. Bid on the units you wish to purchase.  Remember that you must take everything in the unit, whether you want it or not.  


7. Clean out the unit you won.  You may have up to 24 hours to remove everything.  You may also need to supply a $25 to $50 refundable deposit to ensure that everything is cleaned out of the unit.


8. Go through the items as you remove them.  Determine if you will be able to sell, pawn or scrap the items.  These are the three main ways to make money from items in a storage auction.


9. Sell items to make a profit.  Hopefully, you will be able to sell enough to cover your bid for the unit.  You can also pawn the items for money or take metal, aluminum and brass items to a scrap yard.  


10. Decide if you were able to make more money than you spent on the unit.  If so, you may want to try again.  If not, you might think about bidding less or finding other ways to make extra cash.