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Storage Unit Contents Auctioned As Renters Default

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By PETER BERNARD

News Channel 8

Published: December 9, 2008

Tough economic times are forcing some storage unit renters to stop paying their monthly fee.

After they are given several warnings via certified mail, their stuff is auctioned.

Tammie Lockwood, vice president of Storage Protection Services, travels Florida, visiting storage facilities to conduct on-site auctions. "Nobody wants to sell anybody's defaulted stuff," she said.

An auction is a last resort after a 90 to 120 day period where storage locker tenants are offered a chance to pay what they owe. Storage sites tend to cost $35 to $100 a month, depending on size.

On a recent visit to Uncle Bob's Storage facility on West Columbus Drive in Tampa, veteran bidder Donna Wencka zeroed in on the units up for bid.

"I sell a lot of stuff on eBay, craigslist and yard sales. I have a few people who I'm in touch with -- if I need to get rid of it, they come and get it," Wencka said.

Bidding comes with some risk. Buyers may look inside a unit, but only from the door. A winning bid could yield gold or trash.

Longtime bidders know how to size up a storage unit in a few seconds. Most sell the items they buy at double or triple what they pay. Today's highest bid was $65; yesterday's was $600 – there was a motorcycle inside.

Buyers who find personal items such as family pictures, diplomas or cremains are asked to bring those back so original owners can claim them.

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