Advertisements
Understand the rules, costs, and step-by-step process for bidding on storage units in the United States using your computer or mobile phone.
Imagine opening the door of a storage unit and finding furniture, tools, or electronics waiting for a new owner. In the United States, that experience is just a few clicks away.
The StorageTreasures unit auction brings together thousands of self-storage units available for online bidding, in different cities and states across the country.
Before entering the competition, however, it's worth understanding the rules, fees, and responsibilities of the winner. This way you avoid surprises in your wallet and when withdrawing the prize money.
In this guide, you'll see how the platform works, how much it costs to win a unit, and a complete step-by-step process for placing your first bids. Let's get started?
What is StorageTreasures and how does it work?
StorageTreasures is an online auction platform for self-storage units, those rented storage boxes used to store furniture, belongings, and inventory. It has been online since 2011.
The site is operated by OpenTech Alliance, a technology company in the storage industry. To date, more than 3 million auctions have been conducted in the United States and Canada.
In practice, storage facilities publish the units with photos and descriptions. Registered buyers compete for the contents through bids, within a defined timeframe.
Registration as a buyer is free and can be done through the website or the official app. The app sends real-time notifications about the auctions you are following.
Why are storage units going up for auction in the US?
When a tenant fails to pay the rent for a storage unit for an extended period, the facility can resort to state lien laws to recover the amount owed.
Each state has its own rules regarding deadlines, notifications, and publication of notices. Therefore, the auction only takes place after the facility has fulfilled all the required legal steps.
The buyer acquires the entire contents of the unit, not separate items. Everything is sold as is, with no guarantees about what is inside.
It's also common for an auction to be canceled at the last minute, for example when the tenant settles the debt. In that case, the platform issues a refund within 48 hours.
Types of auctions available on the platform
Before bidding, check the auction type indicated at the top of the item's page. This information shows the origin of the items and, in some cases, the destination of the money raised.
Most of the units advertised are lien units, linked to defaults. The other formats are clearly identified in the advertisement.
| Auction type | Who publishes | Source of the content |
| Lien Unit | Storage facilities | Unit of a defaulting tenant, sold in accordance with state law. |
| Non-Lien/Manager's Special | Private facilities and vendors | Abandoned items with the tenant's permission, items left behind, or items that the seller no longer wants. |
| Charity Storage | Partner facilities of the program | Items donated, with proceeds going to charitable causes. |
In charity auctions, 60% of the proceeds goes to the institution chosen by the facility. The remainder is divided between cancer research, scholarships in the sector, and administrative costs.
Private sellers often advertise lots with a resale profile and collectible items. This format may appeal to those seeking more specific merchandise.
Online auctions and in-person auctions, what's the difference?
StorageTreasures has two types of listings. In the online auctions tab, the entire bidding process takes place over the internet, with photos of the unit and a countdown timer indicating the closing date.
The listing of in-person auctions includes notices of sales made directly at the premises. In these auctions, interested parties attend on the scheduled day and place bids live.
In both cases, the search can be filtered by zip code, state, city, facility name, keywords, and item categories. There are also options such as auctions ending soon.
A helpful tip is to log in before searching. Without logging in, closing times appear in Arizona time, which can be confusing for those in other regions.
How much does it cost to buy a unit?
The winning bid amount is not the only cost. Upon winning, the registered card is automatically charged a buyer's fee, which varies from 9% to 18% depending on the account plan.
At the same time, the platform charges a purchase deposit of up to 10% of the bid. This amount acts as an advance payment and is deducted from the total paid upon installation.
Upon withdrawal, you pay the bid amount minus the deposit, plus sales tax, if applicable. Those with a resale certificate can present it, but not all installations are exempt from the tax.
There is also a cleaning deposit, usually paid in cash and returned after the unit is emptied and swept. The exact amounts appear in the additional information for each auction.
| Item | Illustrative example with a bid of US$ 500 | Where is it paid? |
| Buyer rate (15% in this example) | US$ 75 | Credit card, on the platform |
| Purchase deposit (10%) | US$ 50 | Credit card, deducted from the bid. |
| Bid balance | US$ 450 | Installation, with payment method indicated. |
| Sales tax | It varies by state. | Installation, when applicable |
| Cleaning deposit | Defined by the installation | Installation, refundable |
Step-by-step guide to participating in an auction on StorageTreasures
Now that you know the rules and costs, it's time to get started. To access the official platform, click the button below and follow the steps.
- Create your account. Click on Sign Up, choose to register as a buyer, and fill in your contact information, email, and password.
Website
StorageTreasures
- Activate your registration. Click the link sent to your email to confirm your account.
- Register a credit card. Without a valid card, it's not possible to place bids, as it covers the platform's fees.
- Search for the units. Use the location, category, and closing date filters to find auctions that are suitable for you.
- Analyze the advertisement. Please review the photos, the type of auction, the pick-up deadline, the accepted payment methods, and any additional installation rules.
- Place your bid. Enter the amount and confirm in both steps. If you prefer, use the maximum bid, which covers competing offers in increments of US$ 10 up to your limit.
- Follow the competition. Activate app notifications to know when someone outbids you or when the auction is nearing its end.
Once confirmed, a bid cannot be withdrawn. The most you can do is reduce the maximum bid to the value of the highest offer at that moment.
The identity of the other participants remains hidden during the bidding process. This rule maintains fair competition and prevents collusion between buyers.
If you lose by a small margin, you may still receive a Second Chance Offer. This happens when the winner folds and the unit is offered to another participant with the highest bid.
Did you win the auction? Here's what to do next.
After winning, print the invoice sent by email or available in the invoices section of your account. Then, contact the installation company to schedule the pickup.
Bring the exact amount in the payment method indicated on the invoice, plus the cleaning deposit. Pay attention to the pick-up timeframe stated in the ad, as each installation sets its own.
When opening the unit, compare what you see with the photos in the listing. If there is any difference, do not enter or touch anything and notify the staff immediately. Handling the items makes you responsible for cleaning them.
Personal documents, family photos, certificates, and medical or bank records should remain with the facility, which will handle their return to the previous tenant. Garbage cannot be left on the premises either.
Rules that may lead to account suspension
StorageTreasures takes compliance with the terms of service seriously. Those who violate the guidelines may have their bids blocked and, if they repeat the offense, may permanently lose their account.
These are the main reasons for suspension reported by the platform:
- Card declined. Fees must be paid within 24 hours of winning.
- Selective withdrawal. Take only what you need and leave the rest at the unit.
- Non-attendance. Do not empty the unit within the required time frame.
- Inappropriate conduct. Acting aggressively towards employees, creating multiple accounts, or artificially inflating bids.
It is not possible to forgo the cleaning deposit in order to leave unwanted items behind. According to the platform's rules, this action also results in suspension.
Therefore, before bidding, consider the entire logistics, including transportation, help with loading, and disposal. Most facilities do not release their dumpsters to buyers.
Tips for bidding more strategically
The first tip is to set a spending limit before you begin and stick to it. In the excitement of the competition, it's easy to go over budget and compromise your finances with a lot that isn't worth it.
When calculating this ceiling, add up all costs, including buyer's fee, tax, transportation, and any truck rental. This way, the bid reflects the actual investment.
For those planning to participate frequently, the Pro plan is worth considering. It reduces the buyer fee and allows you to register an authorized person to pick up the order on your behalf.
Finally, remember that the contents of each unit are unpredictable. Reselling may be a possibility, but the outcome depends on what's in the lot and your work after purchase.
Conclusion
The auction of units on StorageTreasures opens up opportunities for those who enjoy hunting for furniture, tools, and various objects through an organized platform.
Knowing the different types of auctions, fees, and buyer responsibilities makes all the difference in participating safely and avoiding setbacks.
With planning, a well-defined budget, and attention to the rules of each facility, the experience tends to be much smoother, from bidding to retrieval.
Did you enjoy the guide? Check out another guide on how to adopt your ideal dog by clicking on the article below!
