Storage Unit Auction Business
Conduct auctions for abandoned storage units and resell contents
Overview
Storage unit auction buyers buy units $100-$2,000, resell contents for $500-$10,000, generating $80,000-$500,000 annually with 40-60% margins.
In 2025, storage facilities auction abandoned units monthly.
Services include attending storage auctions, bidding on profitable units, sorting and appraising contents, reselling through various channels (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, flea markets, yard sales), and quick inventory turnover.
Successful storage buyers assess units quickly (can't enter before bidding), recognize valuable items, move inventory efficiently, maintain multiple resale channels, and attend auctions regularly.
Need working capital for unit purchases and storage for inventory.
Marketing not needed (buying and reselling).
Resale through online platforms, flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores.
Required Skills
- Quick Valuation
- Auction Bidding
- Item Identification
- Resale Channels
- Inventory Management
- Logistics
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Regular storage auctions (weekly/monthly)
- Low unit purchase costs ($100-$2,000)
- Potential for valuable finds
- Multiple resale channels
- Can start part-time
Cons
- Gambling on unit contents (can't see inside)
- Most units contain junk or low-value items
- Time-intensive sorting and reselling
- Need storage for inventory
- Physical demanding work
How to Get Started
- Find local storage auctions (websites list them)
- Attend auctions to learn process
- Build working capital for unit purchases
- Learn to assess units quickly
- Develop resale channels (eBay, markets)
- Storage for inventory sorting
- Attend auctions regularly for volume
Explore More Online Auction Platforms Ideas
Discover additional business opportunities in this category.
View All Online Auction Platforms Ideas →