by John Stevens
June 16, 2011 5:36 PM
One thing about the American spirit that other countries either love or hate is its ability to find something glittering when there is no gold. For example, take the current economic times. As some people have been forced to downsize their living arrangements or move in order to find work or because they can’t find it, an industry (self storage) has experienced growth.
However, since many people are using self storage due to less-than fortunate financial circumstances, their belongings inside the self storage units get seized due to lack of payment. Rather than let the number of liens placed on storage units be a stain on the industry, another form of business has grown—self storage auctions.
These auctions have grown from being a legal means to an end for self storage owners to reality television hits and have even spawned hole new business entities focused solely on storage auctions. Just like there are websites that exist to help people find self storage facilities around the nation, there are some that have popped up to help people find auctions at self storage facilities.
One such site is called StorageTreasures.com. Thanks to shows like ‘Storage Wars’ and ‘Auction Hunters’ self storage auctions have become targets for the experienced as well as novice bidders. StorageTreasures.com helps anyone who is interested find auctions that are taking place near them.
The site was founded earlier this year; after just a few short months it is now ready to expand.
“The Arizona, Texas and California storage auction markets are all quite competitive, so supplying the most comprehensive, up-to-date auction intelligence in those states is a key goal for us,” StorageTreasures President and Founder Lance Watkins. “We are adding thousands of upcoming auction dates throughout the country, but since so much of our membership is concentrated in California, Texas and Arizona, we are prioritizing our efforts around these three states...”
Watkins went on to mention that the site will be looking into 10-12 other geographical areas that they may look to target next.
The website also serves as a source of legal information for self storage facilities, tenants, and bidders. It also serves as an online directory for self storage facilities.
Dan Dotson, one of the personalities on ‘Storage Wars’ and a co-founder of the site has said he will soon be taking applications over the site for people that think they have what it takes to be a bidder on the show.
Sources Used:
“Storage Treasures Expanding Texas and California Storage Auction Listings.” Online PR Media; 15 June 2011.
“Self Storage the Secret to Success for Some.” Self Storage Industry News; 23 May 2011.
“New Storage Auction Portal Ready to Launch its Website.” Self Storage Industry News; 10 January 2011.