We try to return everything we can. The toughest part about lockers for Melody and me is that we realize someone has been in a tough position for the locker to be available. Or they have passed away. We love the hunt, but we try to return as much as we can, or share it with people who can use it.
spent $8700 on 4 units and nearly made 100k off those units, all NWT vintage clothing from the 90s about 5k pieces, buying storage units changed my families life forever. Amazing tips!
The value in this video is too much to unpack in a single comment. The definitions I never knew about "lien unit" "managers special" etc.... the walk through of purchasing your own, the true cost explanation including future rents. You're basically a detective and at times, I got Scooby-Doo vibes. I was waiting for someone to jump out of the locker and say "and I would have gotten away with it too, if not for you meddling kids"
I love the research. I really do. It's a big part of the reason I love vintage items so much. Thank you for all you do for everyone in the community, Rachel!
Used your advice and scored $BIG$TIME$ on a unit. One item laying on the top payed for the unit 3 times that I payed $1000.00 for. (A Brand New Yamaha Electric Guitar) Many of boxes will take months to sift through. (100+ Boxes) My sister has been doing storage units for 20 years and never seen anything like this. Opened one box and this person was marking books with real money with one, five and ten dollar bills. I told her I watched your video and it payed off. This is my second unit that I have ever bought. Once again............ A Huge Thank You! 😁😁😁
fascinating! I love your style of presenting. I can tell you were a teacher! You have awesome content in your videos. I have learned so much from you! This video was very eye-opening for me. I never would’ve seen some of the things that you saw in the pictures alone. Thank you for sharing! You are definitely one of my favorite RUclipsrs to watch!
@@TheChaChingKing I can tell that you are a true educator. I’m also an educator in my “former life”. I wish I had met you at flip con but at that point I did not know a lot of RUclips resellers. since then, I have discovered several, but you are by far my favorite!
I think it depends on the facility but I was talking to a retired storage unit owner who said once it was abandoned they would go thorough it for prohibited items (gas, chemicals) and obvious valuables to make their money back, then auction it. Bidder beware! Good advice on looking for dust and undisturbed material. I wouldn’t trust their word on not sifting through it or the “locked tag” unit photos.
Scot - you always provide such great information. Looking for dust I learned from Jack on LockerNuts...."We like dust." for all the same reasons you mentioned. You are such gem. Thank you :)
This is an amazing video. Once again, you have taught me something that I have not been able to learn anywhere else online. Thank you so much for teaching us and sharing your experiences. Wonderful!
@@TheChaChingKing I watched it twice 🤣😂 and then saved it to watch again later! I love what you and your wife are doing and your motivation for doing so - helping others.
I think that's a fair comment. It's not like spending a few dollars at a garage sale...or even a hundred at an estate sale. You also need space to manage the stuff. They are fun, but they are definitely a different game that other kinds of reselling.
I just found your channel from the Nurse Flipper. I am the GM of a storage unit facility, and I can tell you that you are spot on with your assessments! The matching bags is a huge clue in your search. When I post up units to auction, I will start with how clean and organized it is. If it's full of garbage bags.....guess what's in them? If you guessed "garbage", you win! As a reseller, it's painful to roll that door up and do pics without being able to go look at the items or bid on them. (Its not legal for anyone to go inside a lien unit at all). But as a reseller, I know good posting gets good bids, so I'll often get up on a ladder and zoom in so better pics go on the site. It also helps when the GM has to list what "appears" in the unit. Your tips are great and I can't wait to binge your videos!
@@TheChaChingKing i dont have the overhead or space for something like that right now but once I do its game on.. Also where does one buy a merch shirt from you!
THANK YOU!!! I don't remember which video of yours it was, but you mentioned checking the feedback a buyer has left for sellers. I have always just checked the feedback left on them. Well, just had an offer from a buyer with 1300+ positive feedback, but when I checked on the feedback they have left, they seem to enjoy leaving negative feedback. Giving them a deal and getting negative feedback, I think not. 🙂
@@TheChaChingKing This is bad enough that when I can, I am going to block them. Reading the sellers' responses, it is clear that this person is just trying to get everything for free. Had it not been for you, I would have gone ahead and accepted it with the inevitable negative feedback. Thanks again!
Cck, I saw you on Let's do lunch. I am so thankful. I've been hesitant to start for many reasons. A scale, shipping. How to handle the back office stuff taxes etc. In the process of watching and rewatching your videos and it's very helpful. Thank you😘
I enjoyed the videos you made when you first purchased these lockers and showed us what was in them. It was highly educational learning the process on how you came around to choosing to bid on them and setting a price you were willing to go up to, to get them. Thank you for your educational knowledge. 😃
This kinda makes me sad as my husbands family lost all their belongings when he was a kid as they couldn't afford to move and pay for the locker. They never got their family valuables back. However, I understand that they can't hold onto these lockers forever without income. Hopefully, I can look at this differently when I'm a more experienced seller on ebay. Thank you for all the info and you are great at making these things look easy and doable.
I 100% understand! Something bad has to happen to someone else for me to be able to buy a locker. We lost everything the same way when i was a kid. Honestly, it's the hardest part for me. It's not the work or the trash or the cost...it's that I hate to see anyone else lose. Personally, I don't really want that to get easier for me. I don't want to lose that bit of empathy because I was chasing dollars. I understand why they have to be sold. Obviously, I've bought them. I do try to give away most everything I buy to people who need it. I try to get the personal items back to the people who had the locker. Don't just let go of that bit that makes you sad over things like the lockers. Lockers will still be bought and sold. But it should be done with some empathy whenever possible.
I'm catching up on my favorite RUclips sellers so I just watched this. I love your videos so much! Question...I heard your list of sites that you sell on. I didn't hear Mercari on it. I wondered if you sell on there, and if not, why? My friend wants me to sell on it but I have resisted so far. I would like to hear your thoughts on this if you have time. Thank you Scott!!!
Thank you SO much for watching! I don't sell on Mercari. BUT, not for of any reason more complicated that I just haven't. I started with eBay in the late 90's. I added Poshmark several years ago because I had high-end women's clothing that did better over there. I added Etsy because I have SO much vintage stuff. I never added Mercari simply because I feel like I have enough irons in the fire at the moment. But I would add it...and may add it at some point.
Good video, can you tell me how do you inventory it all, or how do you put the cost of goods, do you just put in the cost of the locker or what do you do?
For taxes there are only 2 categories you need. 1. The total cost of everything you spend, including cost of goods and inventory, mileage, stamps, supplies, ANYTHING! 2. And the total amount you make from sales. You don't have to do inventory on individual items.
Hi Scot! I love your videos! Question- When you said you returned the photos you found in one of the lockers to the owner's family, did they inquire about the other stuff you had found hoping to get some of it back?
You don't typically speak to the family directly. You leave it with the facility, and they let the family know the pictures and personal things were left. If I had a family leave note with the facility that something else was really important to them, we'd probably leave it. We want to make money...obviously. But our business model is built to include giving back whenever we can.
Am I missing something here? I mean, why/how could a unit sit there undisturbed for 20 years?? If no one had been making monthly payments on that shed, the company wouldnt just let it sit there for so many years. Or, conversely, why would someone have been making the payments all those years?
I couldn't get this video to play with audio. The ads were playing with audio but not you. I restarted my phone bc drew could play with sound. Click back in and the video has sound and is playing at 15:29 hahahaha it's like you were there. "All it took" ok, going back now....
It's so cool that you got the photos back to the family. Thanks for sharing that detail!
We try to return everything we can. The toughest part about lockers for Melody and me is that we realize someone has been in a tough position for the locker to be available. Or they have passed away. We love the hunt, but we try to return as much as we can, or share it with people who can use it.
spent $8700 on 4 units and nearly made 100k off those units, all NWT vintage clothing from the 90s about 5k pieces, buying storage units changed my families life forever. Amazing tips!
Holy smokes! Incredible buys!!!
Thank so much
The value in this video is too much to unpack in a single comment. The definitions I never knew about "lien unit" "managers special" etc.... the walk through of purchasing your own, the true cost explanation including future rents. You're basically a detective and at times, I got Scooby-Doo vibes. I was waiting for someone to jump out of the locker and say "and I would have gotten away with it too, if not for you meddling kids"
I love the research. I really do. It's a big part of the reason I love vintage items so much.
Thank you for all you do for everyone in the community, Rachel!
Exactly!! I learned so much
Used your advice and scored $BIG$TIME$ on a unit. One item laying on the top payed for the unit 3 times that I payed $1000.00 for. (A Brand New Yamaha Electric Guitar) Many of boxes will take months to sift through. (100+ Boxes) My sister has been doing storage units for 20 years and never seen anything like this. Opened one box and this person was marking books with real money with one, five and ten dollar bills. I told her I watched your video and it payed off. This is my second unit that I have ever bought. Once again............ A Huge Thank You! 😁😁😁
That is FANTASTIC!!! How very cool. I'm sincerely happy for you.
The video I've been waiting for
😀
fascinating! I love your style of presenting. I can tell you were a teacher! You have awesome content in your videos. I have learned so much from you! This video was very eye-opening for me. I never would’ve seen some of the things that you saw in the pictures alone. Thank you for sharing! You are definitely one of my favorite RUclipsrs to watch!
That is super kind! And...the best compliment ever. More than anything, I want the videos to be truly helpful
@@TheChaChingKing I can tell that you are a true educator. I’m also an educator in my “former life”.
I wish I had met you at flip con but at that point I did not know a lot of RUclips resellers. since then, I have discovered several, but you are by far my favorite!
So interesting! You were obviously a great teacher in your school days!
I loved teaching. Truly.
I think it depends on the facility but I was talking to a retired storage unit owner who said once it was abandoned they would go thorough it for prohibited items (gas, chemicals) and obvious valuables to make their money back, then auction it. Bidder beware!
Good advice on looking for
dust and undisturbed material. I wouldn’t trust their word on not sifting through it or the “locked tag” unit photos.
No doubt. It helps when you find facilities you know are doing it right. I'm sure the laws differ from state to state, too
@@TheChaChingKing True that, once you have a good trusted location to bid on it’s on like donkey kong! Have a great Sunday
Scot - you always provide such great information. Looking for dust I learned from Jack on LockerNuts...."We like dust." for all the same reasons you mentioned. You are such gem. Thank you :)
This is an amazing video. Once again, you have taught me something that I have not been able to learn anywhere else online. Thank you so much for teaching us and sharing your experiences. Wonderful!
I'm the grateful one. I truly appreciate you watching and then taking the time to leave this wonderful note.
@@TheChaChingKing I watched it twice 🤣😂 and then saved it to watch again later! I love what you and your wife are doing and your motivation for doing so - helping others.
This is something I’m learning more about and want to get into and soon.
Equal parts fun and labor
You really need money to
play in that game! Maybe one day I will have the budget.Thanks for sharing.
I think that's a fair comment. It's not like spending a few dollars at a garage sale...or even a hundred at an estate sale. You also need space to manage the stuff. They are fun, but they are definitely a different game that other kinds of reselling.
I just found your channel from the Nurse Flipper. I am the GM of a storage unit facility, and I can tell you that you are spot on with your assessments! The matching bags is a huge clue in your search. When I post up units to auction, I will start with how clean and organized it is. If it's full of garbage bags.....guess what's in them? If you guessed "garbage", you win! As a reseller, it's painful to roll that door up and do pics without being able to go look at the items or bid on them. (Its not legal for anyone to go inside a lien unit at all). But as a reseller, I know good posting gets good bids, so I'll often get up on a ladder and zoom in so better pics go on the site. It also helps when the GM has to list what "appears" in the unit. Your tips are great and I can't wait to binge your videos!
How awesome is this!? I love that you took the time to comment. We could probably learn a ton from you
I have wanted to buy a locker, but am not ready for that much stuff all at once. Thanks for the info on these!!
It can be an overwhelming amount of stuff
Great video! Certainly something I want to do down the road.
You should try it at least once
@@TheChaChingKing i dont have the overhead or space for something like that right now but once I do its game on..
Also where does one buy a merch shirt from you!
Great info. And Scott, you and Melody have awesome insight. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Wow such great info. Yes, I got the detective vibe too! 😊
I'm as much about the discovery as I am making any money.
I learned so much Scot!
Thank you!
This was so helpful Scott! Thanks a bunch
Good luck! I hope you find something special.
THANK YOU!!! I don't remember which video of yours it was, but you mentioned checking the feedback a buyer has left for sellers. I have always just checked the feedback left on them. Well, just had an offer from a buyer with 1300+ positive feedback, but when I checked on the feedback they have left, they seem to enjoy leaving negative feedback. Giving them a deal and getting negative feedback, I think not. 🙂
That's what I do! It might not be bad enough to block them. But, I reserve the DEEP discounts for super positive people.
@@TheChaChingKing This is bad enough that when I can, I am going to block them. Reading the sellers' responses, it is clear that this person is just trying to get everything for free. Had it not been for you, I would have gone ahead and accepted it with the inevitable negative feedback. Thanks again!
@@thomasfrench2012 Some people use feedback like a weapon. I don't need that. No sale is worth that
Scot this video is so good! Thanks for taking the time to make this! - Koko
You are always so positive! I truly appreciate you
@@TheChaChingKing right back at you!!!
Cck, I saw you on Let's do lunch. I am so thankful. I've been hesitant to start for many reasons. A scale, shipping. How to handle the back office stuff taxes etc. In the process of watching and rewatching your videos and it's very helpful. Thank you😘
That's awesome! There is a lot to learn, but it's manageable
Wow! Love your videos.. I'm learning so much from them.. just wanted to say thank you!
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed the videos you made when you first purchased these lockers and showed us what was in them. It was highly educational learning the process on how you came around to choosing to bid on them and setting a price you were willing to go up to, to get them. Thank you for your educational knowledge. 😃
Thank you so much for saying this. I had no idea if our thought process would help anyone.
Great information. Thanks for posting.
Glad it was helpful!
Great info. Thanks!! Loved you on let's do lunch podcast!
Aww!! Thanks so much
Great information! I would love to do this. Thank you.
If you can handle the work, they are a ton of fun
This kinda makes me sad as my husbands family lost all their belongings when he was a kid as they couldn't afford to move and pay for the locker. They never got their family valuables back. However, I understand that they can't hold onto these lockers forever without income. Hopefully, I can look at this differently when I'm a more experienced seller on ebay. Thank you for all the info and you are great at making these things look easy and doable.
I 100% understand! Something bad has to happen to someone else for me to be able to buy a locker. We lost everything the same way when i was a kid. Honestly, it's the hardest part for me. It's not the work or the trash or the cost...it's that I hate to see anyone else lose. Personally, I don't really want that to get easier for me. I don't want to lose that bit of empathy because I was chasing dollars. I understand why they have to be sold. Obviously, I've bought them. I do try to give away most everything I buy to people who need it. I try to get the personal items back to the people who had the locker.
Don't just let go of that bit that makes you sad over things like the lockers. Lockers will still be bought and sold. But it should be done with some empathy whenever possible.
Great great video I really enjoyed it good luck with the next one and don’t forget to show us 😊
You got it!
This was such a great video! Thank you for everything you’ve shared. We’ve been talking about getting storage units next. Your tips are so helpful!
If you can handle the work, very few things can be as much fun as a storage locker.
Thank you, you're the best
I really appreciate you watching!
Thank you very much for your information! So true on managers special! He had went through it! New here, really enjoyed your video! Utah thrifter! 😎
Thank you so much! I bought a couple manager's specials back in the day. Never again
Nice and I share you out on my community tab
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate that. I didn't even know that could be done
Love!
Just making sure that this is supposed to be in the eBay Tutorials playlist.
Yes. I get tons of questions about how to pick lockers for reselling. This is intended to show the thought process behind how I pick lockers.
I'm catching up on my favorite RUclips sellers so I just watched this. I love your videos so much! Question...I heard your list of sites that you sell on. I didn't hear Mercari on it. I wondered if you sell on there, and if not, why? My friend wants me to sell on it but I have resisted so far. I would like to hear your thoughts on this if you have time. Thank you Scott!!!
Thank you SO much for watching!
I don't sell on Mercari. BUT, not for of any reason more complicated that I just haven't. I started with eBay in the late 90's. I added Poshmark several years ago because I had high-end women's clothing that did better over there. I added Etsy because I have SO much vintage stuff. I never added Mercari simply because I feel like I have enough irons in the fire at the moment. But I would add it...and may add it at some point.
Good video, can you tell me how do you inventory it all, or how do you put the cost of goods, do you just put in the cost of the locker or what do you do?
We don't try to inventory each item. So, the cost of the locker will go in to what we've spent on inventory. All of the things I sell go to income.
For taxes there are only 2 categories you need. 1. The total cost of everything you spend, including cost of goods and inventory, mileage, stamps, supplies, ANYTHING! 2. And the total amount you make from sales. You don't have to do inventory on individual items.
So for items like blower and ladder etc do you sell locally since shipping is a challenge? Thanks!!!!
That's exactly what I do. I don't try to ship any of that stuff.
Hi Scot! I love your videos! Question- When you said you returned the photos you found in one of the lockers to the owner's family, did they inquire about the other stuff you had found hoping to get some of it back?
You don't typically speak to the family directly. You leave it with the facility, and they let the family know the pictures and personal things were left. If I had a family leave note with the facility that something else was really important to them, we'd probably leave it. We want to make money...obviously. But our business model is built to include giving back whenever we can.
Am I missing something here? I mean, why/how could a unit sit there undisturbed for 20 years?? If no one had been making monthly payments on that shed, the company wouldnt just let it sit there for so many years. Or, conversely, why would someone have been making the payments all those years?
They made the payments faithfully until they passed away. Why? I can't answer that. I would never do it. Lockers are expensive. I can't imagine.
@@TheChaChingKing Wow. Yeh, that's amazing.
I couldn't get this video to play with audio. The ads were playing with audio but not you. I restarted my phone bc drew could play with sound. Click back in and the video has sound and is playing at 15:29 hahahaha it's like you were there. "All it took" ok, going back now....
I've had a couple of times when that happens. It's like youtube hasn't quite finished rendering it
Is there anything stopping the storage unit company from going through this stuff before they sell them off?
It's illegal for them to do that. So, the law stops most of them. But I'm absolutely convinced it doesn't stop all of them.
Anyone got some useful advice for me I just bidded on 4 so far my first time
Don't buy more than you can manage. 🙂 LOL
@@TheChaChingKing ikr because I don't have any help it's just me 😭