We have auctions for you to participate in at Rhino Self Storage. When a storage unit is abandoned, we set-up events called “storage auctions” to sell the items in the unit. This allows anyone to bid on items ranging from furniture to clothes.
Sometimes, auctions include collectibles and valuables. If you’re interested in scoring new treasures, sign-up today and start bidding. Before you begin, here are some of the specifics about our auctions so you know what to expect.
Storage auctions are common in the self storage industry. Auctions help facility managers free up storage units for tenants who truly need them. When a lease ends or someone stops paying their rent, we may—after a certain time—auction off the items in the unit.
Unlike a regular auction, storage auctions don’t go item-by-item. Instead, everything in the unit is bid on at once. Storage auctions are open to the public and can be done in person or online.
For online auctions, anyone can participate from the comfort of their home. However, the winning bidder must come by the facility to pick up their new possessions within a certain timeframe.
At Rhino Self Storage, we hold our auctions either in-person or through an online platform called Storage Treasures. For online auctions, simply register on the Storage Treasures site, find your facility’s auction, and start bidding. When you create your account, you must input a credit card to authorize you to participate in the auction. However, all payments will be made at the facility itself.
Online auctions are limited to a certain timeframe—with the winning bidder declared immediately upon the end of the auction. On the page for each auction, you’ll find details about bid increments, site premiums, and payment procedures. When we post an auction, a Notice of Public Sale will be posted on the storage facility’s page on this website.
Before each auction, we take pictures of the unit’s contents to give you an idea of its contents. The pictures are featured on the auction posting on the Storage Treasures website. In all cases, what you see is what you get. You are not permitted to visit the unit at any point during the auction as the units are sealed to prove they haven’t been tampered with.
If you win one of our online auctions, what happens next? Depending on the size of the unit and the contents, we give you 48 to 72 hours to come by the storage facility during regular office hours to collect your new belongings. (Exceptions are granted with the permission of the facility manager.)
At this time, we require you to leave a $100 cash deposit, which you’ll get back once all contents are removed from the unit. You’re required to take everything in the unit—even if it is unwanted or trash. Please note that we don’t allow you to dispose of unwanted auctioned items at our facilities.
All items must be picked up by the winning bidder by the date listed or agreed to. If not, this may jeopardize your ability to participate in future storage auctions and removal of the items. Once you’ve claimed the unit’s contents, everything is your responsibility.
That being said, if there are dangerous or illegal items among the contents, please let us know and we’ll work out a solution. Please note that we reserve the right to refuse any bid, at any time, and all sales are subject to suspension.
Our storage auctions are a win-win situation. They let you bid on an entire unit’s worth of belongings, and they let us free up storage space for those who need it. Many times, the winning bids are far below market value for the contents in the unit.
Although online auctions are easy, we’re happy to help you with the process. Simply call the facility hosting the auction if you have any questions or concerns. Find your nearest location to see if there are any ongoing or upcoming storage auctions and start bidding today!