Hobbies And Interests
Appliances
Some people store extra or old appliances in their self-storage unit. You may be able to snag an excellent deal on a washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher. You can then turn around and sell these items for a profit via an online auction website or through classifieds ads, or simply keep the items for yourself. Figuring out which appliances are worth your time is one of the trickier aspects of auction hunting.
Instruments
If you attend a few self-storage auctions, you will likely come across many musical instruments. Guitars, amps, drum kits, violins, cellos, and any number of other instruments often make great buys at auction since they can be resold for premium. If you are planning on picking up instruments at auction, familiarize yourself with some of the higher-end brands so you will be better prepared for spotting a deal.
Sporting Gear
If you are into sports, you have probably noticed that good gear for certain sports can be very expensive. Snowboarding and skiing require thousands of dollars of gear, while sports like climbing, biking, tennis, and surfing also involve a fair investment in equipment. Self-storage units are often treasure troves of equipment of this nature. You can usually resell these items for a profit, or keep them as upgrades of your own personal stock.
The Process
In most self-storage auctions, you will be allowed to look at the contents of a unit before you bid on it. Units are usually auctioned as a whole and are rarely separated into individual items. Browse through the area carefully to ensure there is a profit to be made. You can sometimes find artwork, antiques, playground equipment, toys, jewelry, and many other salable items that offset the cost of finding those items you prefer to keep.