Andrew Del Greco-News 4

Some area storage businesses say they are seeing an increase in abandoned units as the economy continues to falter.

As the owner of Interstate Storage, Randy Witt, by law, must auction off people's belongings if they can't afford to pay their bill.

Randy Witt, owner, says he feels bad for those that lose their belongings in such auctions.
"How can you not?" he said. "When you see these units filled with children's toys and know kids have lost their toys."

According to a number of storage businesses, abandoned units are up. And so are the number of people who make a living off these live auctions. It's a gamble, really. You can't go inside the unit, but you can carry a flashlight -- and a hunch -- for what's inside.

William Helsey, a storage auction bidder says the economy could be driving more bidders to the above average showing at a Tuesday auction at Interstate U-Stor in Reno.
People like Rufus Martin, who sells his discoveries, and who on Tuesday was the winning bid on one of four unit auctions on site.
"It's unfortunate they lose their stuff, but it's fortunate for me because I don't have job, Martin said.
Most storage facilities you should remember that if you put your belongings in storage, and fall on tough times, you have 60 days to pay a delinquent bill, then there's no guarantee your stuff will still be there.
Martin claims that one woman at a storage facility auction found a baseball card worth $1 million, and he's looking for the same sort of luck.
If you're looking to find deals by bidding at these storage auctions, the businesses typically advertise the auctions in area newspapers, two weeks in advance.