Streamlining the Online Self-Storage Auction Process

Like many industries, self-storage is increasingly adopting automation to boost operational efficiency and cut costs, which has fueled an increase in the number of unmanned facilities. Kiosks, cloud-based access and call centers are common features to adopt when implementing a remote-management strategy, but the potential extends even further. Now, there are also ways to streamline your lien sales using technology.

Despite its widespread use in areas like access control and customer service, automation hasn’t been widely applied to online auctions. Fully eliminating human involvement from the process isn’t yet possible, but the self-storage industry is steadily moving in that direction. By following the steps below, you can ensure smooth and successful lien sales while preparing for the eventuality of full automation.

Integrate Your Management Software With an Online-Auction Platform

Most self-storage management software integrates seamlessly with well-known online-auction platforms, which can extract tenant and unit details directly from the program. Once the lien-sale drafts are imported, the facility operator only needs to complete a few data fields and upload photos. This approach saves time, minimizes errors and reduces the need for onsite staff, as those final steps can easily be handled remotely.

API (application programming interface) technology continues to evolve. Soon, all you’ll need to do is input the necessary information into your self-storage management software, and the auction website’s API will handle the entire posting process. This type of advanced integration will also enable automated reporting to provide real-time lien-sale updates and detailed statistics.

Enable Credit Card Payments

Many self-storage operators are hesitant to accept credit cards for auction payments, but this practice is becoming more widespread. Credit cards offer several advantages over cash, with one of the biggest being the ability to process payments over the phone, which is essential in a remote-management model.

The only challenge in accepting credit cards relates to the cleaning deposit, which the auction winner pays as a safeguard against leaving unwanted items in the unit. While this can be charged to a credit card, refunds may take three to five business days to process. Bidders have adapted to these procedures, but it’s crucial to work with your self-storage software provider to ensure there’s a system in place for tracking deposits and maintaining accurate records of collected and refunded amounts.

Fine-Tune Your Auction-Close Procedures

A common frustration for online-auction winners is not being properly informed of when, how and where to pay for their self-storage unit and retrieve their items. It’s imperative to clearly outline your close procedures in your listings, particularly if your facility is unmanned. Consider the following:

Will the payment be made online, over the phone or in person? If online, when and how will you provide the payment link? If by phone, what number should they call? If in person, where will you meet to make the transaction?
What should the winner do if they have a sales-tax resale certificate?

How will the winner access the unit? Will they meet a team member at the site, or will you use electronic entry at the facility gate and the unit?
What days/times can the unit be accessed?
Who should the winner contact if they experience issues with the unit, for example, they arrive and discover a break-in?
How will the winner inform you when the unit has been emptied? Will they text or email photos? Will they meet a team member at the location?

Ask your self-storage auction provider how to distribute these details to bidders. Many devote a section of each listing to “additional information,” where you can post your facility rules and regulations.

Consider Supportive Services

While fully automated auction procedures aren’t yet a reality in self-storage, there are plenty of tools to help you manage lien sales with minimal team effort. For example, the platform my company provides allows you to upload lien files for review to ensure they meet legal requirements. There are also companies in the industry that’ll handle the entire lien-sale process for you. Additionally, services like Simple Certified and RPost.com can send notices on your behalf, whether by mail or email.

Many operators are already using these offerings and seeing great results. These solutions make it easier than ever to conduct successful lien sales, even at remotely managed self-storage locations, ensuring efficiency and bidder satisfaction.

As technology continues to evolve, the industry is likely to embrace even more automation tools, paving the way for a future in which self-storage lien sales can be managed seamlessly without staff involvement. By adopting these strategies now, you can stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for long-term success in an increasingly automated environment.

Cheli Rosa has been in the self-storage industry for 16 years. As a licensed auctioneer, she’s conducted hundreds of live auctions. Cheli founded an online-auction company and became a strategic account manager at StorageTreasures.com in 2018. She often presents at state and national self-storage conferences and writes for industry publications. To reach her, email [email protected].

About the Author

Cheli Rosa

Account Manager, StorageTreasures.com

See more from Cheli Rosa

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