Finally Saw the Show Storage Wars

One of the things about going on a golf trip for a week is that I have watched more television in the evenings than I do for 6 months during the year with the exception of football. Not having the obligations of work and picking up kids from practice and activities means several hours of free time in the evenings in a hotel room with nothing to do.

I had heard about the show, Storage Wars, but had never seen it. Despite hearing about it, I really didn't understand what the show was about or grasp the concept behind it. However, I got the opportunity to watch several episodes this week. I am assuming they were reruns since it seemed like they were on for two hours straight.

The concept is fairly simple. Apparently when someone rents a storage locker at a facility and doesn't pay the rent, the facility can auction off most of the contents of that locker. It seems that complete cars are one exception, and I suppose there are others. It is like being evicted from an apartment.

Well, the show follows several individuals who seem to make a living buying these lockers, sorting through the contents, and selling whatever they can find. It would be similar to going to garage sales or flea markets to see if there is anything of value that can be purchased and sold at a higher price. The only catch is that you can't go into the locker or look in any containers. You can only really bid based upon what you can see. The rest of it is a complete mystery and is how the show entertains its viewers.

What I am questioning is how real this reality show is. Would someone who puts away a $3000 diamond bracelet in storage really not pay the $50 monthly rent on a storage locker? How about someone with several thousand dollars in tools or someone with a collection of items worth thousands as well? Are my fellow Americans really that stupid?

I am sure that everyone has heard of eBay by now. I would think that if you couldn't afford to pay the rent for storage that you might want to sell some of your own stuff for cash. Then you might not need the storage and the added expense. You might be able to have some money now to feed your family if you are that hard up.

Or maybe you simply forgot that you had stuff in storage? Really? Again, are my fellow Americans that stupid that they forgot about a 10 foot by 15 foot storage garage with a car in it? Hmm, I wonder where I put that car? Come on, you have to be kidding me!

I can see letting go of a bunch of trash and stuff that I would normally take and donate to a thrift shop. But why even put that in storage in the first place. Again, a really stupid move.

Nevertheless, it is an entertaining show. Not entertaining enough to DVR it, but if it is on I don't have a problem watching it. Some of the items that are found are rare and collectible items which provide for some interesting aspects of history. Of course this makes me suspect that these items are planted. Who would put stuff that could be in a museum in a storage locker in the first place?