Zack Proser, a facility manager with Storage Kings self storage in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii started getting calls from non-customers shortly after the reality series “Storage Wars” and “Auction Hunters” took off in popularity last fall. They all wanted to know when the next auction was scheduled for.
“I can remember one day when I got about 15 random phone calls back to back, within minutes of one another,” Proser said. “The funny thing was, none of these people were current tenants. They’d never even been to our facility before. They were all auction hunters wanting to know when we were holding our next sell-off of delinquent units.”
Proser was then struck with an idea: StorageAuctionKings.com. He created the site as an online resource to educate self storage tenants, operators and others about the industry’s auction process, including articles explaining auctions and ways for buyers and operators to make money off the sales. Currently Proser is working to expand the site to offer more utility and assistance to other property managers and their companies. But in addition to industry advice, Proser offers guidance to storage customers who are struggling with their monthly rental payments.
Creating the website was the most effective way to handle the constant inquiries from non-customers, which became a drain on his time and energy.
“It got to the point where I realized I could actually save time by making a website all about storage auctions and then directing everyone that wanted to know about them to it. Within a few hours, I had a functional site up that would answer most people’s basic storage-unit buying questions,” he said.
The website also offers a newsletter as well as a $1.99 e-book written by Proser titled The Storage Auction Master’s Handbook: The Complete Guide to Doubling Your Cash. Intended for auction buyers, the book explains what buyers should expect during an auction, how to identify winning units, and eBay tricks used by professional bidders to maximize revenue. Proser continued to add sections to the site including auction lists, forums and more.
“From a management perspective, these auctions are financial tools to recoup losses a company incurs when tenants fail to make their monthly payments,” Proser said. “Not to mention, selling off someone else’s belongings is the least pleasant part of the job. From where we stand, auctions involve a tremendous amount of work, irritation and tedious self-protection.”
Sources Used:
“Hawaii Self-Storage Manager Creates Website to Educate on Facility Auctions.” Inside Self-Storage. July 6, 2011.
Hitler, Chris. “The Impact of Self-Storage Auctions: Improving Operating Income, Increasing Facility Value.” Inside Self-Storage. April 20, 2011.