At the February meeting of NAPO Houston, a documentary called "Store" was played.
It’s about self-storage units and how people use them. The filmmakers interviewed dozens of renters about their stuff and why they pay to keep it in storage. The interviewees offered all the common reasons: they moved to a smaller house, inherited stuff from a parent, or just accumulated too much to keep at home.
Watch a preview of a “Store” movie.
The sad part is when renters lose their belongings when they cannot pay their bills. Or when they die.
Then the storage units are put up for auction.
“At auctions of storage units, the contents are a mystery. Amid the junk buyers may find Rolexes and diamonds, or just someone else's sad story.”
Can you imagine all of your belongings being auctioned off to the highest bidder because you can't afford to pay the storage unit fees?
According to the Self Storage Association, 50% of storage unit renters are storing what won't fit into their homes. 1 out of every 11 Americans rents storage.
“The self-storage business is booming thanks to a nation of pack rats who cling to such things as 8-track tapes and pants with waist sizes long surpassed.”
Tip:
If you have had a storage unit for longer than six months, it’s time for you to have a garage/craigslist sale. You will not only be saving yourself $50-$80 a month in storage fees, but you’ll also make some many selling all of your old unwanted stuff.
Make a committment to yourself and your wallet, to get rid of your unwanted stuff within two months.
At an auction for the contents of a self-storage
I can arrange for local charities to pick up unwanted items and get you a receipt for tax purposes.
I can drive to Goodwill to donate unwanted itmes, or hold a garage sale for you, for anything you don’t or can’t wear or use any more.
Remember: Use the two-year rule — if you haven’t worn it in two years, it’s time to say goodbye to it.
Read more articles about self-storage auctions:
Personal Property Sold at Storage Unit Auctions
Bids on Lives Left Behind
5 Ways Self Storage Units Are More Sad Museums Than Savvy Solutions
Get rid of that darn storage unit
Find storage auctions in your area with www.storageunitauctionlist.com, USA's largest storage unit auction directory!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes bid on some storage units in Houston because you never know what you can find in one. It's always exciting when the auctioneer lifts up the gate and everyone takes a look inside. Sometimes people just can't let go of their stuff, and it's tough to do.
ReplyDelete