There's a new American industry brewing: Turning other people's trash into treasure is growing into more than a hobby.
There are lines of people who wait to take a gamble and bid on abandoned storage units. After the deal is closed, though, is when the hassle can begin.
"The spiders, the mice, the dirt and filth of years that things have been in storage for people," said Tim Sebert with Consignment Universe in Indian Trial.
Some people would like to bypass the hassle and the gamble. They want to know where they can get their hands on the items found in those storage units without having to take the risk and do all of the heavy lifting themselves.
We have learned where all of those items end up.
They are in local flea markets, consignment shops, and auction houses.
"People who buy at storage auctions aren't just Craigslisting," Sebert added.
Guys like Luis Castro back their trucks up to auction houses like Sebert's every week, unloading what they found so people can buy it, cheap.
"People who just want to buy one piece this is better. Instead of having to buy the whole locker. Plus for us, it's an easy way to get rid of it quick and start to make our money back," Castro said.
"Watch our Walmart or Target because this is a new industry we're starting to see blossom," Sebert said.
It's all a part of the "Storage Wars", the "Auction Hunters" and the "American Pickers". These reality TV phenomena are making their way into everyone's every day.
Copyright 2012 America Now. All rights reserved.
