So, I've started buying storage lockers....

[Fresh Baked Printing]

I've started buying foreclosed storage lockers for fun and profit. The #1 common item in ALL lockers is porn.
Besides the porn, the story you can piece together from their contents is amazing, if not completely accurate.

[tpitman]

I saw on the news a couple who auction off those things, and someone got one for about $1000 or so, and there was literally a box in it with pirate gold or silver coins worth a small fortune. Forget how much the estimate was, but it was enough to retire on.

[Frog]

You mean that you are buying the contents of abandoned rented storage spaces.

You see, just yesterday, I was showing my wife a storage container similar to the one my last boss got to store blanks when he needed more secure room quickly, and that's what I thought of.

Like these
http://www.mmrents-portablestorage.com/products/portable-storage-container-rental.aspx

[screenxpress]

They've had a series on History Channel (I think) called something like Storage Wars that takes place in California. 

It's just another reality show where they "usual" bidders bid on storage units after being given a quick view from the doorway.  I've watched a couple of them, but kinda saddens me in a way that people have maybe come on hard times and cannot afford to pay their rental and then the stuff is sold out from under them.  Possibly cherished possessions.  Years ago I used to go to pawn shops looking for bargains on tools.  Then realized that most of the stuff there is someone else's misery or stolen merchandise.  Have not been in years.  Guess I'm getting soft in my old age.

[Fresh Baked Printing]

I have a partner and we go in on them 50/50 (it's hard to see 50/50 and not think of fabric) so that softens bust lockers which are more common than tv's Storage Wars would lead you to believe. Also the expense involved in disposing of mattresses and other crap.
Yes, you get peoples personal and possibly cherished possession but if not me then to the landfill or cherry picked to the pawnshop anyway. The range of emotions when going through the locker contents can be heart tugging to WTF.
BTW, the locker renter can requests that any personal items be returned, like passports, immigration papers, documents, photos, baby shoes, etc. and if you as the buyer are not willing then you're asked not to bid on that locker. Also, the locker renter can bid on their own locker at the auction and get their stuff back for less than what they owe. I seen a few renters show up at the auction and tell others not to bid so they can get their stuff back for a pittance. So, in the end, renters have ample opportunity to get their stuff back. I think that more often, the case is that they don't know what they have or care or it's aunt Betty's stuff and don't want to deal with it. In Minnesota, any auction monies above the bill due to the storage company go to the renter of the storage locker.
Not every locker has gold bars or priceless antiques. The trick is to resell the mundane items that we don't toss or give to Goodwill. Also, you have to choose the locations carefully. Richer communities have more valuable stuff in storage. There are other tell-tell stuff to look for in the brief 15 seconds you have to look at the locker from outside the doorway.

Some of the more common finds: dream catchers, porn, credit cards, prescription medicines.
Some of the more worthy finds: Jewelry, DVD's/games, electronics, vintage stuff, vintage ceramics, gift cards still in wallets/purses.

I won't be quitting this screen printing thing anytime soon...unless I find gold bars.

[screenxpress]

I know.  I imagine a lot of times its units that belonged to people who have died and next of kin either don't exist, don't know about it, or don't want to bother picking up the tab for fear of holding nothing but garbage.

[jason-23]

So how do you find out about the auction dates and info?

[Shawn (EIP)]

Wouldnt it be cool to find a locker full of screen printing gear? We use to use these nicer climate controlled storage units as band practice spaces , a locker full of instruments would be cool.

[Printhouse]

About 8 months ago there was a single post made on DigitSmith for a 6/8 javelin.  I contacted the owner to find he had won a storage unit for less than $500 and this was just one item inside.  It was of course torn apart and needed a ton of work but still pretty good find.

[GraphicDisorder]