The cable show Storage Wars, on A&E, has made a huge name for the self storage industry. The pop culture event of finding your treasure through another man's trash can be both mysterious and intriguing. However, what takes place leading up to that moment is not as exciting. The sad story is this, our economy is suffering and there are people who, yes, walk away from everything and never look back. Sometimes we will hear from them and they say they really don't need it because it's just junk anyway. It makes one wonder: why would someone pay thousands of dollars per year to store junk that is worthless to them? Then, there are those who have lost everything: job, home and more. Some are in shelters and some are in hotels. Sometimes it is because of job loss but other times because nature hasn't been quite so kind to them. Yes, the Joplin tornado which struck 140 miles to our South has even affected some of our customers. There are also others who have had medical, personal and/or economic tragedy strike. The tragic death of a spouse, a sick child or a spouse walking out on their family because the loss of a job along with the responsibility of a family was too much for them to bear.
So, auction day is a very bittersweet time for us. We work with our customers until the day before the auction, if they will work with us. I call, beg, offer them the deal of the century whenever possible. When we can work out a deal, it's a win/win for everyone involved. They can remove their belongings and not lose them and we have a freed space to rent again. The owners of public storage facilities do not gain wealth of any sort from an auction. According to law, we cannot make a profit on an auction. We apply what is made from the auction to the defaulted account and if there is anything leftover, it goes back to the client whose unit was auctioned. We watch belongings walk away that were once someone's prized treasures. Children's toys, beds, heirlooms which belonged to someone's Grandmother at one time, appliances from a home once filled with joy. You know from my previous blogs that I am a firm believer that every person has a story. I see a story in every filled unit as well. History that was once alive.
However there is always an upside to the auction process. We have bidders who come from all walks of life as well. We have those who are starting over and they come in to bid on items with which they can fill their new home. Some of our attendees are non-profit groups who help those getting back on their feet again by bidding and winning units filled with clothing and furniture. Some have made this into a business which has helped them to survive the economic crisis and they do very well. So, although we see some casualties of our economy during the auction process, the survivors are those who have avoided the backlash of the economy. These people are making new memories for someone. A single Mom with little children who have been sharing a mattress on a floor somewhere may get a new bed. A couple who lost their home to a fire may end up with a washer and dryer to put in their new home. Someone who has been praying for a car for a long time, walking to work daily through searing heat and bitter cold may end up with a car. This is where the sadness in my heart for the losses becomes a new spark of joy for those who benefit.
So, you see, auctions are an emotional thing for those in the storage business. It takes weeks of preparation and is a most time-consuming factor in our business. It's not something I can say we enjoy, ever. We would much rather be spending our time marketing and selling. But, it has to be done. My sentiments echo those of Larry Reeves who said, "Anyone, who truly wants to go to war, has never truly been there before!" Amen.
Michelle Armstrong
Manager
Star Storage
816-765-7300
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