I am getting the same question from many of my readers over and over again, so I thought I would cover the answer in this article. The question is this… What is happening with storage auctions during the COVID-19 outbreak, are they still going on?
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The answer is Yes and No.
Check To See If The Storage Auction Is Still On
The process of finding the auction and of finding out whether the auction is going on is still the same exact method I tell you in my guide for sale on Amazon.
The answer would be “no” if the auction were an indoor one. But, if it is outdoors in the open air and in a parking lot that can be used by the public and it is an “essential operation to keep the business going”, the auctions are still held. If you attend an auction like this, you need to stand back 6 feet apart from each other and take turns to look at the unit. The attendance may also be limited in number on a first come, first “get to stay” basis.
It's Up To The Storage Facility Manager
Some of our local managers do this as a side business and can wait until this pandemic is over, even up to a year, before holding an auction. This is great for the renters! If they can't pay, they do not need to worry about their stuff being sold!
However, for some, this IS their only business and they need to be paid in order for them to survive. In this case, they will hold an auction as soon as they legally can to get their expenses covered and to rent the unit to the next person, who will hopefully pay, as quickly as possible.
We Just Attended One And Are In A “Safer At Home” State
My husband very recently attended a local storage auction and plans to attend another one soon and we are in a state with a “safer at home” order.
This has actually been better for us because the auctioneers are allowing more time to look inside and fewer people are attending! We recommend taking photos on your phone (just like in our guide) and then as other people have a turn to look, you zoom in on your photos and see what treasures are in there!
Attendance is presently limited in our state as we are not allowed to have gatherings of more than 10 people, so get there early! You don't want to be sent home! This was not a problem for us, as fewer were in attendance.
Should You Take A Risk And Go?
So in a “safer at home” state, your travel needs to be “essential”. This would be under procuring provisions for your family as the items are always household related in some way or another.
You can rent the unit yourself and deal with it later if you don't want to deal with it at this time. Or, you can go through it, like always. Other people at storage facilities are always at least 6 feet away from us, even if they are working in their unit next to ours so this is not a problem.
Can I Still Sell The Items?
Our local online auction houses are still up and running. They now have scheduled pick up and drop off hours and even deliver to the buyers within a certain amount of miles. This added bonus has been better for our sales!
We have personally chosen not to have people come to our unit to buy items or to sell them out of our garage at this time, so that poses a challenge with larger items like furniture and appliances that the auction house will not take. We have chosen to store these in a rented storage unit, if needed.
Items can still be sold online on eBay or Etsy.com (if at least 20 years old or craft supplies) and shipped out as usual.
I hope this has been helpful. As always, there are lots of tips and tricks in our guide.
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Looks like a great opportunity to get some great deals in storage lockers, I’d wear a mask and wash up after done but that should be fine.