Making More Money with Your Online Self-Storage Auctions

Online self-storage auctions have become the industry standard, transforming the way self-storage operators process their liens in a timely and effective manner. Making more money with your online self-storage auctions is as simple as implementing these 3 tips into your next online auction.

Tip Number 1:  Ensure That Your Lighting and Camera Quality are Excellent

You want to avoid taking pictures in dark spaces, so find a well-lit area. Aim for clear, high-quality images. Sometimes, photos can be too far away or too close, so be mindful of your framing.

Always be cautious to avoid any dangerous situations while moving around the unit. If there’s something significant back there, don’t make potential buyers guess what it is—take a picture! However, if an item is heavy or cumbersome, it’s best to leave it where it is and take a photo of it in its original location.

Using tools like selfie sticks can also be very helpful. You can set your camera to video mode and capture footage of larger or hard-to-reach items. With good lighting, these videos can serve as excellent promotional material. After recording, you can take screenshots of the best shots from the video and consider sharing both the images and the videos on your auction listings to attract more online self-storage auction buyers.

Number 2:  The More Pictures for the Online Auction Site, the Better!

I recommend including more pictures—rather than just one, try to upload five. This gives potential buyers a better view of what’s in the storage space and what they’ll be bidding on.  

Also, avoid taking pictures of any trash or unappealing items. If I see something that looks gross or weird, I don’t include it in the photos. I try to move such items out of the frame when I can.

When you take photos, make sure to include anything that looks valuable or collectible. Think about items that have always been popular, like high-quality tools, nice furniture, or well-packed items. The more effort the customer puts into storing their items and boxes—accurately packing, wrapping, boxing, and labeling them—the better. For instance, if it’s good wood furniture, it’s normally wrapped properly for protection. Little details like that can really help attract buyers who know what they’re looking for and help you make more money with your online self-storage auction.

Number 3:  Tidy Up! Online Self-Storage Auction Bidders Don’t Want to See Trash!

When it comes to super-dusty items or furniture, it’s best to dust a bit and tidy up. I’ve used a blower to clean them off before. Some items have just been left for a long time, and dust has accumulated under the door. It wasn’t that something was wrong with the item itself; I just thought, “Who would want this with all this dust on it?” So, I decided to get the blower out and clean it up. Afterward, I said, “Okay, now we can take pictures!” The difference was noticeable after cleaning it up a bit.

After years of experience as a self-storage auctioneer, I can tell you that these three tips will help you make the most of your online auction experience and bring in the most money from bidders. You always want to recoup some of your lien costs, but it’s not always easy. Remember these tips and get off to a great start at making more money with your online self-storage auctions!