Private Seller Rules

By posting an auction on StorageTreasures, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and are in compliance with these Private Seller Rules.

These Rules are in effect as of May 1, 2020. All Private Seller auctions posted on and after that date will be audited for compliance with these Rules.
 

AGE REQUIREMENT
A Private Seller must be at least 18 years old to post auctions on StorageTreasures.

PROHIBITED FACILITIES
Not all Storage Operators allow Private Seller auctions to be conducted at their facilities. This is due to the liability of having a non-tenant or ‘guest’ (Buyer) on their facility grounds to complete a business transaction with a tenant (Private Seller). If you rent a unit at one of the storage facilities listed on our Prohibited Facilities list, you are PROHIBITED from posting a private seller auction on StorageTreasures at that facility.  

FACILITY APPROVAL
A Private Seller MUST have approval from the facility manager or staff in order to post a Private Seller auction on StorageTreasures. The facility MUST be an allowed facility, and not on the Prohibited Facilities list. The facility manager or staff should be informed that a non-tenant buyer will be allowed access onto the property to pick up the storage unit contents.  

In addition, the Private Seller must confirm that the lease agreement does not contain a provision that prohibits business transactions from occurring at the storage unit.

StorageTreasures may contact the storage facility to confirm that they were informed by the Private Seller (their tenant) that an auction for the sale of their unit contents will be conducted on the property, and that they approve of any such sale.

FACILITY INVOLVEMENT
The storage facility is NOT to be involved in any aspect of a Private Seller auction held on their property. They should NOT communicate with the Buyer on behalf of the Private Seller, be involved in accepting sale proceeds or in any other capacity.

LOCATION OF UNIT
Private Seller auctions MUST be held in a rented unit located at an allowed storage facility. The unit must be locked at the time the auction is posted and MUST not be opened until the Buyer arrives to claim the unit.

You CANNOT post auctions on residential property, including in a garage, shed, POD/storage container, or inside a residence. We do not allow auctions in warehouses. Vehicles or watercraft MUST be located on storage facility grounds.

The address where the auction unit is located MUST be the address stated on the facility account. Private Sellers CANNOT contact the Buyer after the auction has ended and tell them to meet at a different address.      

CREDIT CARD ON FILE
Required:   Private Sellers are required to have a valid credit card on file with StorageTreasures.com BEFORE posting an auction. The card will be used for any cancellation fees that may be incurred.
Call Customer Support at 480-397-6503 to add a credit card to your account profile.

DO NOT email or chat Customer Support with your credit card information.

ITEMS TO SELL
All items MUST be sellable merchandise in working condition. Before posting an auction, review the PROHIBITED ITEMS list (below).

All items in the unit MUST be sold in their entirety. A storage unit cannot be sectioned off and items sold in separate, multiple auctions.

VEHICLES, RVs, ATVs, MOTORCYCLES OR WATERCRAFT
Vehicles, RVs, ATVs, motorcycles, mopeds or watercraft MUST be located at an allowed storage facility. The required list below MUST be stated in the auction posting in the description field (Unit Appears to Contain). The recommended list is not mandatory but will help boost sale prices if listed.

The following is Required:

1. Clear title and keys
2. VIN/HIN number, year, make and model 
3. Any visible or known damage
4. In working or running order, or any limitations disclosed

The following is Recommended:

1. Mileage or hours
2. Carfax report

LIQUIDATION, STORE RETURNS OR BULK SALES
Liquidation, store returns, or bulk sales may be sold in a Private Seller auction. However, all items MUST be tested and in working condition. Liquidation or store returns MUST be declared on the auction posting, with the statement that the ‘items have been tested and are in working order.’

PROHIBITED ITEMS  
These items are prohibited and CANNOT be sold in Private Seller auctions on StorageTreasures:

• Food
• Perishable items
• Over-the-counter, illegal or prescription drugs
• Drug paraphernalia
• Alcohol
• Hazardous materials or containers
• Expired products
• Counterfeit branded items
• Other illegal items
• Trash
• Damaged or broken items
• Defective store returns
• Stolen items
• Documents containing personal information of previous tenants or others
• Empty boxes, totes, containers
• Firearms, ammunition, bump stocks 
• Pokemon cards 

FIREARMS
We no longer allow the sale of firearms, ammunition or bump stocks in private seller auctions. We will cancel auctions with any of these items for the safety of our bidders, without notice.

EXCLUSIONS
Only the following items can be excluded from Private Seller auctions:

1. Tables, shelving or stands (used to showcase items).
2. Any other exclusions must be approved by Customer Support.
3. Exclusions MUST be stated (in caps) in the 'Unit Appears to Contain' field.
   Example: TABLES ARE NOT INCLUDED in the sale.

FACILITY NAME
There are two types of Private Seller accounts. When creating a new account, the facility name MUST be in one of these two formats:

1. INDIVIDUAL

Facility Name must be:

• Private Seller - First Name, Last Name
• Private Seller - First Initial, Last Name
• Private Seller - First Name, Last Initial

Note:  Valid ID in the Seller’s name must be made available to the Buyer, upon request.

      2. RESALE BUSINESS

      Facility Name must be:  

• Private Seller - Business Name

The business name must be registered with the state. A business license (and/or a permit to collect and remit sales tax) MUST be emailed to support@storagetreasures.com for verification.  If you fail to provide a business license, then your facility name will be changed to individual status.

Note: Your facility name cannot be changed without approval by ST Staff. Email name change request to support@storagetreasures.com.

SALES TAX
Individual Private Sellers CANNOT charge sales tax. Set Default Auction Settings to ‘0.0.’

Resale Business Private Sellers can charge sales tax ONLY if the following is provided:

A permit to collect and remit sales tax in the Private Seller’s business name MUST be emailed to support@storagetreasures.com PRIOR to posting an auction. If a valid permit is not provided before the auction is posted, sales tax will be removed from the auction. We will also change your Facility Name to individual status until verification is provided. 

See How to Set up a Private Seller Account for instructions.

MULTIPLE FACILITIES
Private Sellers can post auctions from multiple storage facilities on StorageTreasures.com under one user account. Confirm each facility is allowed and not on the Prohibited Facilities list. To add additional facilities to a Private Seller user account, call or email Customer Support for assistance.

AUCTION FEES
SELLER'S PREMIUM 
We charge a 10% seller's premium (of the sales price), which is referred to as 'Purchase Deposit' on the Invoice. This fee is collected from the winning buyer upfront by StorageTreasures.com, so there is no need to invoice you after the auction to collect this amount. In other words, the Buyer will pay you 90% of the sales price.

CANCELLATION FEE
We charge a $20 cancellation fee to the credit card on file for each cancelled auction.

AUCTION TYPE
Private Seller auctions MUST be posted as a Non-Lien Unit/Manager Special as the Auction Type.
Lien Auctions must be pre-approved by Customer Support staff.

ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHOD
Individual Private Seller auctions can be paid via Cash, credit/debit, or other electronic payment methods (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, etc..). Cash is the recommended payment method by StorageTreasures.

Before payment is collected by the Buyer, the Private Seller must allow Buyer access to the unit to compare unit contents to the auction photos. Then, the Private Seller may collect the sale proceeds and cleaning deposit and then escort the Buyer to pick up the unit contents.

 

NON-TENANT ON PROPERTY
The Buyer is the Private Seller’s “guest” on the storage facility property and must be accompanied by the Private Seller at all times. We recommend permitting the Buyer and one adult helper to clean out the unit.

GATE CODE
A Private Seller CANNOT provide a gate code to the Buyer. If the Buyer has to leave and return in order to finish cleaning out a unit, then the Private Seller must provide Buyer re-access onto the property until the Buyer empties the unit.

FACILITY DUMPSTER
The storage facility dumpsters are NOT to be used by the Buyer.

SHILL BIDDING
Shill bidding is strictly PROHIBITED. This is the illegal practice of a Private Seller or a Private Seller's acquaintances placing bids on the auction in order to drive up the price.  

If ST determines that shill bidding has occurred, the auction will be cancelled without notice, and the Private Seller, as well as the Bidder, could have their account privileges permanently revoked.

NO RESERVE AUCTIONS
StorageTreasures does not provide an option to set reserves or minimums so that bidding can start at a certain amount.  Due to the large number of bidders that participate in ST auctions, the bidders set the market price.

If you need to sell an auction for a certain price and the bids are below the desired amount, you can cancel the auction before it ends. You will be charged a $20 cancellation fee.  We do not allow cancelling auctions after they have sold.

Keep in mind that auctions that have been reposted that were previously cancelled often do not sell as well, since the bidders may question why it was cancelled in the first place. Refer to Private Seller Best Practices for recommendations to improve auction results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTENT (RULES FOR BUYERS)
Additional Information is a section found on the Auction Details Page, that is used to provide instructions and rules for bidders, if needed. This content would appear below the auction photos and bidding area.

Private Sellers MUST include the following sentences in the Additional Information field. This can be set up in Default Auction Settings to be auto-populated to the posting form, so it does not have to be entered every time an auction is posted.

Required: The following sentences MUST be added to the Additional Information field:        

This is a Private Sale. Please contact the Private Seller directly to schedule an appointment to pick up the unit. DO NOT contact the storage facility.

Optional:  A list of approved sample Buyer Rules is available in How to Set Up a Private Seller Account/Optional Additional Information Content. Feel free to add any of these Rules to the Additional Information verbiage below the required verbiage shown above.

COMPLETE THE SALE
READY FOR PICKUP (Paid Invoice)
Once the auction closes, ST will automatically charge fees to the winning Buyer’s credit card on file with StorageTreasures. If successful, both the Private Seller and the Buyer will receive an email with a PDF of READY FOR PICKUP (Paid) Invoice. The Paid Invoice will include both parties’ contact information, the auction details, and the ‘Total Due at Facility’ amount. The invoice can also be found in “My Account” under the “Invoices” tab. Print the Paid Invoice. You MUST have a Paid Invoice to complete the sale. See Declined Invoice (NOT READY FOR PICKUP) explained below.

1. Contact the Buyer
   • Call the Buyer immediately to schedule an appointment to meet you at the facility. 
     (You do not want the buyer contacting the storage facility)
   • Ask the Buyer what vehicle they will be driving.
   • Remind the Buyer to bring cash only in the exact amount for the Total Due at Facility and the additional cleaning deposit (if applicable).

2. Collect Payment
   • You MUST meet the buyer OUTSIDE of the facility gate/property.
   • Ask for the Buyer’s photo ID to verify the name matches what is on the Invoice.
   • Tell the Buyer that the cleaning deposit will be immediately refunded once the unit is completely emptied and is in broom swept condition.

3. Open the Unit
   • Escort the buyer to the storage unit and open the unit in Buyer’s presence.
   • You MUST remain with the Buyer while the unit is being emptied. Do NOT leave the Buyer alone on the facility grounds for any reason.
   • If the Buyer has to make several trips to empty the unit, you will need to escort the Buyer back onto the property when they return.
   • Do NOT provide the Buyer with a gate code.
   • You are the tenant and are responsible for your storage unit and the actions of all ‘guests’ you bring on the storage facility property.
     
     
4. Refund the Cleaning Deposit
   • Once the Buyer has emptied the unit and it is broom swept, refund the cleaning deposit immediately in cash.

5. Escort the Buyer off the facility grounds. 

DECLINED INVOICE (NOT READY FOR PICKUP)
If a Buyer’s credit card declines for StorageTreasures fees, the Private Seller and Buyer will receive an Unpaid Invoice. Go to “My Account,” click the “Invoices” tab. The status of the invoice will be ‘Declined.” This invoice clearly states NOT READY FOR PICKUP (in red). ST fees MUST be paid by the Buyer to StorageTreasures in order to generate a Paid Invoice. A Paid Invoice is required to complete the sale with the Buyer at the storage facility.

24 HOUR CREDIT CARD DECLINE POLICY
If the Buyer fails to pay the StorageTreasures fees and 24 hours has expired since the auction ended, a Private Seller can request to sell the unit to the next highest bidder at that time without having to wait the full clean-out time. Private Seller should refresh the Invoices tab to confirm the Invoice is still Declined. If so, Private Seller can contact Customer Support to request a backup bidder (BUB) case be started.

If you do not want to sell to a backup bidder, you can repost the auction once the clean-out time has expired.

CANCELLATIONS
If you need to cancel your Active Auction, it must be cancelled before the auction ends. You will need to select a cancellation reason. See How to Cancel a Private Seller Auction.

Note: All bidders that placed bids on the auction will receive an email with the cancellation reason. Choose the reason carefully, especially if you will be reposting the unit at a later date.

Select one

• Auction Post Incorrect
• Other:   Type a reason for the cancellation
  • Examples: Missing or wrong photos, reposting at later date, etc.

Do NOT choose one of these reasons

• Account Settled with Tenant
• Error in Lien Process or Timeline

We do not recommend stating the reason was due to low bid amounts. When you repost the auction, the bidders may remember the auction and why it was previously cancelled. They may not want to bid again, for fear it may be cancelled again for the same reason.

CANCEL AFTER SOLD
Private Seller auctions MUST be cancelled BEFORE the auction ends, while it is Active. We do NOT allow auctions to be cancelled after sold. If we see that you are cancelling auctions after they have sold, your account will be automatically flagged for review.

ISSUES WITH THE SALE
If a Buyer has an issue with a sale, such as the photos do not match what is in the unit, items are missing or moved, items are broken or incomplete, or Buyer feels that the description or photos are misleading, you MUST attempt to resolve any issues with the Buyer. The sale is between you and the Buyer. In some situations, you may have to settle with the Buyer by refunding a portion or all of the sale proceeds in exchange for the refused or disputed items. If that occurs, please inform Customer Support so we can adjust ST fees for the Buyer, and more importantly, add notes to both user accounts.   

If you and the Buyer have exhausted all efforts to come to a resolution of the issues, then both parties can contact Customer Support to mediate if needed.  StorageTreasures is merely the auction platform and cannot guarantee a resolution. We will note the complaint in both the Private Seller’s and Buyer’s account.

NO SHOW BUYER
If the required clean-out period has expired and you are unsuccessful in contacting the winning Buyer, the Buyer is considered a ‘No Show.’  You will need to:

1. Contact Customer Support and provide the Auction ID or Invoice Number.
2. Explain your attempts to contact the Buyer, so the Buyer’s account can be noted.
   • The Buyer’s bidding privileges will be revoked.
3. Ask Customer Support to solicit backup bidders to attempt to sell the unit to a backup bidder at their highest bid amount.
   • Advise Customer Support of the lowest amount you will accept for the unit.
   • Once a backup bidder is secured, you will receive a new Paid Invoice.
   • The original winning buyer will no longer be able to pick up the unit. The original invoice will be marked “Defaulted.”

MULTIPLE AUCTION WEBSITES
A Private Seller is prohibited from selling the same auction on a competitor’s website at the same time.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
A Private Seller MUST conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner when meeting with Buyers. Both the Private Seller and Buyer must attempt to work out any issues amicably. Yelling, cursing or physical altercations are NOT tolerated and could be grounds for account suspension. 

AUCTION REVIEWS
We have a dedicated team that reviews all Private Seller accounts and auctions posted on StorageTreasures for compliance. If we suspect an issue, we will contact the Private Seller by email. A Private Seller has 24 hours to respond. If we do not receive a response, the auction may be cancelled and the Private Seller’s account could be suspended until the issue has been resolved.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By posting an auction on StorageTreasures, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and are in compliance with these Private Seller Rules. Interactions with Buyers should be professional. Any attempt to defraud or deceive a Buyer or StorageTreasures, including shill bidding, will NOT be tolerated. We reserve the right to cancel auctions or suspend Private Seller accounts, for any reason, at our discretion.

Contact Customer Support at 480.397.6503 or email support@storagetreasures.com with questions.

Other Private Seller Resources
What is a Private Seller?
Private Seller Prohibited Facilities
Private Seller How-To Guides
Private Seller Best Practices
Private Seller FAQs

Private Seller Rules v1.2 – Effective May 2020