“We are the Lien Sale Experts!” Every month our company conducts live auctions at several hundred self storage facilities, throughout Florida. We follow the same principles at all auctions; although a few details may change between locations, to account for local conditions. We will always make a verbal announcement about the auction rules before we begin an auction.
If you are a new buyer, please read the principles below, so that you understand what to expect at our auctions. If you are a self storage facility owner, please contact us for information about the more detailed processes which we will use with your staff – one of our auctioneers will then arrange to meet you at your facility, to discuss these with you.
Storage Protection Auction Services acts as agents for the Landlords of Self Storage facilities. Our auctions are conducted in accordance with the Florida Self Storage Facility Act - the tenants of auctioned storage units are in default of rent for their units. No employee of Storage Protection Auction Services, the storage facility, their family members, or friends, is allowed to bid at any of our auctions.
We auction each storage unit individually, in front of that unit. We usually sell the entire contents of a unit as a single lot. At the sole discretion of the Auctioneer, we may decide to sell some or all items separately. Each time we reach a unit which is to be auctioned, the auctioneer raises the door of the unit, so that all bidders can look at the contents from OUTSIDE the unit. Bidders are not permitted to enter the unit or to reach in and touch anything in the unit.
All items are sold AS IS - WHERE IS. The Auctioneer neither makes nor implies any warranties or guarantees of any kind. All sales are final - NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON!
You are bidding on ALL items within each lot, and the winning bidder is responsible for removing EVERYTHING in that lot from the storage facility, within 48 hours. You may not use the dumpsters or otherwise dispose of any garbage at the storage facilities. If you fail to remove any item within 7 days, it will be considered abandoned and immediately becomes the sole property of the Storage Facility, who may dispose of it in any manner that they choose. If the disposal costs money, then the buyer will be responsible for these costs.
Winning bidders pay a 10% Buyer’s Premium on top of their wining bid. All items are subject to Florida Sales Tax, unless otherwise described. Tax Exempt buyers must present their current Florida Resale Certificate, or they will be required to pay Sales Tax.
Buyers may be charged a Cleaning Deposit of $50 or $100, at the discretion of the Facility Manager. Deposits will be returned to the buyer after the storage unit has been handed back to the Facility Manager in a “broom clean” condition.
The Auctioneer reserves the right to cancel any bids, for any reason. Bids are taken in $10.00 minimum increments, unless otherwise announced by the Auctioneer. The Auctioneer will always clearly say what the bid price is and, “Going Once …. Going Twice …. Going Three Times …. Sold,” when selling each item, so that everyone has plenty of time to bid. Our auctions are NOT the fast-talking type, where only the “regulars” know what the price is and what is going on!
Immediately following the auction, you must go directly to the storage facility office, to make FULL PAYMENT for all your items, with CASH. We do not accept credit cards, checks, etc. You must have the cash with you before the auction – there will not be an opportunity to go to a bank or ATM to obtain money after the auction. If you do not have the full amount of your bid in cash immediately, the auctioneer may cancel your bid and sell the unit to the under-bidder. The auctioneer will give you a receipt, which you must show to the facility staff when removing items.
Nothing may be removed from any storage unit until after full payment has been made. Bidders agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Auctioneer and the Landlord for any damages or injury resulting from attendance at any auction and the removal of property from any auction. Upon acceptance of a bid by the Auctioneer, the risk of loss to the property shifts to the Winning Bidder.
If you purchase a vehicle, boat, or any other item which should be registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), then we guarantee that you will be able to get a clear title for that item. You will be given the necessary paperwork for this transaction by the Storage Facility. It will be your responsibility to take this paperwork to your local DMV office, to obtain the title. You will have to pay sales tax for the item, at the DMV. It may take several days before the DMV issues your title, depending upon the DMV workload and the previous history of the item (they may have to conduct record searches).
If you find any “personal items,” including family pictures, personal paperwork or business records, then you must hand them to the Storage Facility Manager, who will attempt to return them to the tenant. The Facility retains the right to request that certain items or a complete lot be purchased back by the Facility, in order to prevent any court action with the tenant.
We will not tolerate any foul language or inappropriate behavior of any kind. Smokers: Please do not smoke inside buildings or while bidding. If bidders do not abide by our rules and regulations, or do not act in a respectful manner, the Auctioneer and the Storage Facility Manager have the right to tell you to leave the property and you may be banned from all future auctions. Additional rules may apply if verbally announced by the Auctioneer.
New bidders must sign our auction contract before participating in an auction. This contract covers your participation at all of our auctions – it only needs to be completed once. If you are new, please download our contract, fill it out and bring it with you.
We use these auction procedures to ensure that all bidders are treated equally, and that they have ample opportunity to bid on all lots. Our auctions are all conducted by experienced and specially trained Florida Licensed auctioneers, who have detailed knowledge of all the applicable laws, and will ensure that they are obeyed. This protects both the bidders and the storage facilities. Please do not hesitate to ask, if you are unsure about why we use any particular procedure.
We have by far the most experienced staff in this business. We are committed to ensuring that our auctions meet or exceed all aspects of relevant laws, while also ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable experience. We look forward to seeing you at one of our auctions.