The Lockerfox Guide to First-Time Storage Auction Pickup
Winning that very first storage unit auction can be exhilarating. But after the euphoria of winning wears off, the reality of storage unit pickup sets in. For a first-time auction winner, pickup can be an eye-opening experience.
Lockerfox has put together a guide for first-time storage auction pickup. If you are new to storage auctions, plan on working as quickly as possible. Your target for storage unit clean-out is 24-72 hours. You might want to consider developing unit-clearing checklists that will keep you safe and organized while also ensuring timely pickup.
What to Take With You
If you are the kind of person who likes checklists, you will find they work extremely well for clearing out storage units won at auction. By creating and sticking to a checklist, you ensure that you always take exactly what you need to every pickup. Here is a basic checklist:
- Photo ID and Payment You will need a photo ID to verify your identity. You might also need to take auction paperwork with you. You should print out the "winner email" from the auction site and take it with you. Be sure to read the winner email carefully and understand the storage facility's required form of payment. Some will take credit/debit cards but many require cash. Generally remotely-managed facilities will only take payment on a card, and a separate charge for the cleanout deposit. Be sure you understand the process to get your cleanout deposit refunded. Remotely managed facilities will generally give you an email address to send the proof of cleanout photo to.
- A Working Lock Even if you intend to complete the task in one visit, take a working lock with you just in case. You may need a lock to secure the unit if clean-out requires multiple trips over several days. You may need both a traditional lock and a cylinder lock on hand.
- A Cleanup Kit Build and take a cleanup kit with you. A basic kit includes heavy-duty bags, boxes, or totes. It also includes packing tape, a utility knife, a broom and dustpan, a permanent marker, and a collection of basic hand tools. You never know what you'll encounter in a unit.
- Moving Tools Be sure to take a selection of moving tools as well. These include a hand truck, a portable headlamp, moving blankets, straps, and anything else you need for a safe and quick move.
In terms of transport capabilities, your vehicle of choice will depend on the storage units you win. A lot of people who do this for a living use box trucks or commercial vans. Some use pickup trucks and trailers. Regardless, making sure you can get everything in one load helps a lot. If you don't own a truck and trailer, consider renting a van or box truck. Just remember, don't rent a truck until you've talked to the facility and confirmed pickup arrangements!
Things to Pay Attention to When Bidding Online for Storage Units
Before pickup and clean-out comes winning the actual auction. Here are three tips along those lines:
- Look At Pictures Carefully Pay attention to the details of what you're seeing. A flat-screen TV box might be empty. A go-cart might not have an engine. A furniture item might be badly damaged. Ignore sharpie labels written on boxes. Remember to bid on the VALUE you see in the unit, any other treasures you find are frosting on the cake.
- Look for Indicators Look for indicators that might tell you what you are bidding on. For example, clean and labeled boxes are a good sign. So are highly visible brands, furniture in good condition, and larger units that look like well handled household goods.
- Confirm Clean-Out Rules Confirm with the storage facility any and all rules related to the clean-out. Ask how much time you will have if you'll have after-hours access. You won't be able to use on-site dumpsters. You'll general face suspension for leaving items behind, so make sure you can take everything if you win. Don't get in over your head.
Post-auction, make arrangements with the storage provider for pickup and clean-out. You might choose to clean out that same day or come back later. Either way, pay close attention to each item during clean-out.
When you first roll up the door of your unit, take some picture on your phone. You are responsible for checking to make sure the unit matched the photos you saw online. If there are differences, YOU MUST TALK TO THE FACILITY RIGHT AWAY before loading anything. You can't call Lockerfox or the facility after getting home and say the unit didn't match the photos... it's too late.
Make your life easier by sorting items as you load them onto your truck. Sort them into three piles:
- Items to sell.
- Items to donate.
- Items to throw away.
By sorting as you load, you eliminate extra work. You do not end up moving the same items multiple times. Better yet, making the donation and throwing away piles easily accessible represents an opportunity to drop those items off on your way home. That way, you will not need to make another trip.
Pay Attention to Personal Safety
Also, beware of potential safety concerns during pickup and clean-out. Treat every storage unit as an unknown entity that could potentially contain hazardous materials, mold and mildew, sharp objects, and even pests. Here's hoping you don't run into any problems. But if you do, you'll want to be prepared for them.
Again, here are some helpful tips:
- Wear PPE Wear personal protective equipment for your own safety. Think of work gloves, boots, and a mask. The idea is to protect yourself against sharp objects and dust, mold, etc.
- Work Slowly Rather than digging in quickly to find those hidden treasures, move slowly and carefully. Keep boxes and bags away from your face. If you are using a knife, always work with the blade moving away from you. Also be careful not to damage the contents inside the boxes.
- Protect Your Back Protect your back from injury with proper body mechanics. For example, bend and lift with the knees. Use a hand truck for heavy items. If you need help with moving things, bring someone with you.
- Exercise Caution Exercise caution with all chemicals and unknown liquids. If you suspect something might be hazardous, ask the storage provider how you should dispose of it. You may have to contact local authorities.
Many storage facilities request surrendering personal documents, IDs, personal photos, etc. so they can be returned to the original owner. Separate such items as you are cleaning out. Although this is not a safety issue per se, it is still important to remember.
Remember That Practice Makes Perfect
Your very first pickup and clean-out probably won't go off without a hitch. There is a lot to picking up storage unit items won at auction. Just remember that practice makes perfect. After you have cleaned out half-a-dozen storage units, you will be an old pro. You will know how to do it quickly, efficiently, and safely.
FAQs
How long will I have to pick up items and clean out units? Storage providers vary in their pickup/clean-out policies. On average, you should have 24-72 hours. You might be able to arrange for more time.
Am I required to take everything? In most cases, yes. Facility owners are not all that thrilled about auction winners leaving items behind.
How clean should I leave a storage unit? The generally accepted rule is to leave storage units broom clean. You remove all the items and then sweep the floor.
What if I show up without a lock? Once you pay for a storage unit, you are the legal owner of the contents therein. You do not have to lock the unit if you don't want to. But doing so protects your financial interests. We say always take a lock with you, even if you plan to get everything in one trip.
Will the storage facility help me? Generally speaking, storage facility employees do not assist with pick-up and clean-out. All the work is your responsibility.
