{"id":18635,"date":"2025-06-23T05:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/?p=18635"},"modified":"2025-06-24T01:49:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T08:49:17","slug":"storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Roll-Up Door: 8 Storage Auction Myths Debunked by Industry Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Thanks to reality TV shows like <em>Storage Wars<\/em>, storage auctions have taken on a life of their own in the public imagination. The thrill of possibly uncovering a hidden fortune behind a roll-up door has many fantasizing about bidding on storage units. But how close is this to reality?<\/p>\n<p>We spoke to storage industry experts Sue Haviland of <a href=\"https:\/\/havilandstorageservices.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Haviland Storage Services<\/a> and Steve Reed of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carefreecoveredrvstorage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carefree Covered RV Storage<\/a> to get the real story on what storage auctions actually look like \u2013 both for buyers and for operators. Along the way, we explore why, even with the occasional auction, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">self storage<\/a> remains a responsible, regulated and ultimately <em>worthwhile<\/em> solution for millions of people needing secure, flexible space.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-1-Every-unit-holds-hidden-treasures\"><\/span>Myth 1: Every unit holds hidden treasures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: Most units are filled with everyday items \u2014 and that&#8217;s what makes them valuable.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-18682 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-unit-auction.jpg\" alt=\"self storage auction in front of a storage unit\" width=\"770\" height=\"515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-unit-auction.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-unit-auction.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-unit-auction.jpg?resize=768,514 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>TV often paints storage units as vaults of rare collectibles and secret riches. But according to Sue Haviland, this public perception is a \u201cdouble-edged sword.\u201d As she puts it, \u201cPeople either think all storage units are full of junk, or they believe every unit contains priceless treasures.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The truth is far less dramatic but no less meaningful. Most units contain normal household goods \u2014 furniture, appliances, clothing, or sentimental items \u2014 rather than anything you&#8217;d see in an auction house. Steve Reed recalls that \u201cOnce a guy had a 4-wheeler hidden that was worth $6,000, but that\u2019s the only one I can remember out of hundreds or thousands of auctions we\u2019ve had.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Experienced resellers often view auctions as high-risk ventures. With expenses like hauling, disposal and cleanup, it&#8217;s not unusual to break even or take a loss. Still, these stored possessions often reflect life\u2019s transitions \u2014 moves, family changes or financial setbacks \u2014 and storage offers a valuable bridge during those moments.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-2-Facilities-are-quick-to-auction-off-belongings\"><\/span>Myth 2: Facilities are quick to auction off belongings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: Storage operators take multiple steps to help tenants avoid auction.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Contrary to popular belief, storage facilities don\u2019t rush to auction. In reality, self storage facilities are legally bound to follow a series of structured steps before an auction can even be considered. Tenants receive multiple notifications, often by phone, email, and formal letters, and are given ample time to settle their debts.<\/p>\n<p>Sue Haviland, who operates facilities in California, outlines just how extensive this process can be: \u201cLock-out at the gate, first late fee, pre-lien and lien letters, lock cut, auction notice, advertisement timeframes and then the actual auction.\u201d These steps aren\u2019t just bureaucratic \u2013 they\u2019re designed to give tenants every opportunity to catch up before their items are put up for sale.<\/p>\n<p>At Carefree Covered RV Storage, Regional Manager Dan Brown says this approach is not only standard \u2013 it\u2019s the culture. \u201cWe go out of our way to work with everyone who is behind in payments,\u201d he says. \u201cPeople with RVs, boats, and trailers are usually heavily vested in them. We make every effort to get them caught up, and it has worked, reducing the number of auctions held. We know life happens.\u201d Brown emphasizes that every possible route to resolution is explored before considering auction&#8211; it\u2019s truly a last resort.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-3-You-can-inspect-the-unit-before-you-bid\"><\/span>Myth 3: You can inspect the unit before you bid<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: You\u2019re bidding blind &#8211; with just a peek to go on.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many assume bidders get to thoroughly inspect units before bidding. In reality, the view is limited to the doorway, either in person or via photos in online auctions.<\/p>\n<p>The main rule is no touching and no digging through boxes. You simply bid on what you can see. That could mean a sealed box full of valuables or one full of garbage. Savvy bidders use clues like visible labels or the condition and the quality of furniture and other visible items in a unit to make their best guess. But it\u2019s obviously a risk, always, especially when several people bid on the same unit, and the price goes up.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-4-You-can-pick-and-choose-what-to-take-from-a-unit\"><\/span>Myth 4: You can pick and choose what to take from a unit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: It\u2019s all or nothing \u2013 buyers are responsible for everything inside.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unlike garage sales or flea markets, you cannot cherry-pick items during or after a storage auction. The entire unit is sold as a single lot. Bidders take on everything inside: the good, the bad, and the potentially worthless.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, that includes any mess left behind by the former tenant. Most facilities give buyers a couple of days to clear out the unit. If they fail to do so, they may lose the cleaning deposit they had to pay prior to entering the auction. They can even be charged additionally if they fail to clear up the auctioned unit.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-5-Everything-in-the-unit-is-yours-to-keep\"><\/span>Myth 5: Everything in the unit is yours to keep<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: Some items, like personal documents or firearms, must be handled with care.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Technically, the contents of the unit belong to the winning bidder, but there are a few important exceptions. Personal items like family photos, legal documents, and IDs are expected to be returned to the facility. \u201cWe hold these items in case the former tenant comes back,\u201d explains Reed.<\/p>\n<p>There are also legal complications with items like firearms or vehicles. For instance, a car may lack the proper title to be resold, and guns may need to be turned over to the authorities.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-6-You-must-attend-auctions-in-person\"><\/span>Myth 6: You must attend auctions in person<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: Most auctions are now online, and more competitive than ever.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-18685 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/Storage-auction-online.jpg\" alt=\"Image suggesting an online auction\" width=\"770\" height=\"515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/Storage-auction-online.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/Storage-auction-online.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/Storage-auction-online.jpg?resize=768,514 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The old image of a crowd gathering at the storage yard is increasingly outdated. Online auctions have become the industry standard. \u201cThe online sales dominate now over the old fashioned, in-person auctioneer,\u201d Haviland says.<\/p>\n<p>Online auctions are clearly more convenient for everyone involved and allow more bidders to participate. Platforms like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storagetreasures.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Storage Treasures<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lockerfox.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lockerfox<\/a> allow buyers to browse multiple auctions at once, often in different cities or states. Online formats also minimize the logistics for facilities and usually have better results, thanks to increased competition and thus higher bids.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-7-Storage-facilities-profit-from-auctions\"><\/span>Myth 7: Storage facilities profit from auctions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: Auctions recover some losses, but they\u2019re far from profitable<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Auctions are not a moneymaker for storage facilities. They&#8217;re a financial loss-mitigation strategy. \u00a0Facilities typically recover only a portion of the rent owed. Industry data from early 2024 shows that <a href=\"https:\/\/opentechalliance.com\/blog\/self-storage-operators-achieve-39-lien-loss-recovery-rate-on-storagetreasures-platform-surpassing-8-8-million-in-recovered-rent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">operators recouped just 39% of outstanding rent through auctions<\/a>. Add to that the costs of notices, advertising, and staff time, and the reality becomes clear: auctions are a necessary inconvenience, not a revenue stream.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also important to note that, in the rare chance the auction brings in more than the tenant owed, a refund for the extra money is returned to the tenant.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth-8-Storage-auctions-are-held-constantly\"><\/span>Myth 8: Storage auctions are held constantly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Reality: In well-run operations, they\u2019re rare \u2013 and that\u2019s a good thing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While auctions are common across the industry, their frequency varies. Haviland notes that her properties average one to four auctions per month. \u201cIf I only have one unit, I might hold off until the next month,\u201d she says. In areas with reliable tenants, auctions can be rare. \u00a0\u201cI have one property in New Jersey where everyone but one tenant pays on time every month, and it\u2019s been like that for five years. I have not had to have a sale there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The most efficient operations are those where storage auctions are the exception, not the rule. \u201cIf your team is working their collections well,\u201d Haviland adds, \u201cyou can often only have to have them every other month.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thinking-of-bidding-Heres-what-to-expect\"><\/span>Thinking of bidding? Here\u2019s what to expect<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking about bidding on a unit, here\u2019s what you should know before diving in. On average, winning bids land around $300, according to data from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insideselfstorage.com\/revenue-management\/using-data-to-generate-higher-returns-from-your-online-self-storage-auctions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inside Self Storage<\/a>, but that varies considerably. Some units go for as little as a few bucks, especially if they look mostly empty or unremarkable. Others, particularly those with visible electronics, tools or furniture, can sell for several hundred dollars or even into the thousands if there&#8217;s a bidding war.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that what you see is all you get to go on. You\u2019ll typically be bidding based on a few photos or a peek through the open door. You can\u2019t open boxes or dig around, so there\u2019s always some risk involved. What looks like a promising set of moving boxes might turn out to be old clothes or completely unsellable stuff.<\/p>\n<p>On top of your winning bid, you\u2019ll likely pay a 10% buyer\u2019s premium and a refundable deposit (usually $50\u2013$100) to ensure you clean out the unit shortly after winning the bid. If you don\u2019t, you could lose that deposit or end up paying additional fees. As Reed notes, \u201cAuction winners typically have only 48 hours to clean out the unit or risk paying rent on it themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Most bidders aim to turn a profit by reselling items, but it\u2019s not guaranteed. Between sorting, hauling, cleaning and reselling, there\u2019s real effort involved. If you do jump in, go prepared and start small.<\/p>\n<p>Storage auctions may not be the gold mines TV shows suggest, but they do represent the final stage in a well-regulated, often compassionate process. More importantly, they spotlight the broader role of self storage: a safe, flexible resource during life\u2019s unpredictable chapters.<\/p>\n<p>Even in the rare event of an auction, storage operators work hard to protect tenants, follow the law and uphold ethical standards. And for the overwhelming majority of renters, storage units are never auctioned \u2013 they\u2019re simply a reliable solution when space, security and time matter most.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thanks to reality TV shows like Storage Wars, storage auctions have taken on a life of their own in the public imagination. The thrill of possibly uncovering a hidden fortune behind a roll-up door has many fantasizing about bidding on storage units. But how close is this to reality?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":18654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-everything-storage"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v24.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>8 Storage Auction Myths Debunked by Industry Experts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get the real story on what storage auctions look like, both for buyers and for operators, and find out what to expect from bidding yourself.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Behind the Roll-Up Door: 8 Storage Auction Myths Debunked by Industry Experts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Get the real story on what storage auctions look like, both for buyers and for operators, and find out what to expect from bidding yourself.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"StorageCafe Blog - Your Go-to Source for All Things Self Storage\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-23T12:36:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-24T08:49:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-auctions.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1170\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"515\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Maria Gatea\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Maria Gatea\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/\",\"name\":\"8 Storage Auction Myths Debunked by Industry Experts\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-auctions.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-23T12:36:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-24T08:49:17+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/61ef570d30be80dee10d19e65a97ea02\"},\"description\":\"Get the real story on what storage auctions look like, both for buyers and for operators, and find out what to expect from bidding yourself.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-auctions.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/06\/self-storage-auctions.jpg\",\"width\":1170,\"height\":515,\"caption\":\"self storage facility\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storage-auctions-truth-vs-myth\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Everything Storage\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/category\/everything-storage\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Behind the Roll-Up Door: 8 Storage Auction Myths Debunked by Industry Experts\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"StorageCafe Blog - 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After covering business and finance-related topics as a freelance writer for 15 years, she is now focusing on researching and writing about the real estate industry. 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