Learn how online storage unit auctions work, what they really cost, and how to place smarter bids without leaving home.

Every month, thousands of storage units across the United States are left behind by tenants who stop paying rent. Many end up in public auctions, often filled with furniture, tools, and boxes nobody has opened in years.

For a long time, joining these auctions meant driving from one facility to another and standing in a crowd. Today, platforms like Bid13 let you browse units and place bids directly from your phone.

Still, anyone who jumps in without knowing the rules can pay more than expected or lose the purchase entirely. A little preparation makes a big difference.

In this guide, you will see how Bid13 storage auctions work, which costs come with a winning bid, and what to do after the auction ends. Let’s get started!

What Is Bid13 and Why So Many People Use It

Bid13 is an online platform where self storage facilities in the United States and Canada list units that are going to auction. Buyers can follow these auctions and bid from anywhere, without attending in person.

The platform acts as an agent for the storage facility. The sale itself is conducted by the facility, while Bid13 handles the listing, the photos, the video, and the bidding process.

Creating an account is free, and there are no monthly fees. You only pay when you actually win an auction, so you can explore and learn before committing any money.

This format attracts resellers, collectors, small business owners, and curious people looking for affordable furniture or tools. Each of them sees the units differently, which keeps the auctions lively.

Lien Auctions vs. Non-Lien Auctions

Most units on Bid13 are lien auctions. These units were abandoned by the original tenant after unpaid rent and are sold by the facility once the legal process required by state law is complete.

That process can take several months and usually involves certified letters, phone calls, and public notices. Only after these steps can the facility legally sell the contents.

Non-lien auctions work differently. They involve items that belong to the facility itself, such as manager’s specials or charity auctions with donated goods.

Checking which type of auction you are viewing helps set realistic expectations. Facilities are required to classify each unit accurately on the listing.

Advantages of Bidding on Storage Units Online

Traditional storage auctions can be exciting, but they also demand time, travel, and quick decisions under pressure. Online bidding removes much of that friction.

With Bid13, you can compare units from different facilities in the same afternoon and decide calmly. Some of the main advantages include:

• Free registration with no monthly fees
• Photos and video of every unit
• Automatic proxy bidding
• Tamper-proof tags on unit doors
• Email alerts for new auctions nearby

The tamper-proof tags deserve special attention. Facilities apply them after filming, and they cannot be removed without breaking, so the unit stays as it appeared in the listing.

Flexibility is another strong point. You can place your maximum bid in the morning and go about your day, since the system keeps bidding for you up to that limit.

How the Bid13 Bidding System Works

Before placing your first bid, it is worth understanding the rules behind the countdown. They are simple, but they directly affect how much you pay in the end.

Two features stand out on Bid13. Proxy bidding works on your behalf, and the soft close keeps the final minutes fair for everyone.

Max Bids and Proxy Bidding

On Bid13, every bid you place is treated as a maximum bid. The system then bids for you, only as much as needed to keep you in the lead, up to the limit you chose.

New bids must be at least $10 above the current price. When the system places an automatic proxy bid, however, the increase is only $1 over the previous bidder’s maximum.

For example, if your max bid is $100 and the next highest max is $80, you win at $81. You don’t pay your full limit, only what was needed to beat the competition.

This means you don’t need to watch every second of the countdown. Decide how much the unit is worth to you and let the system handle the rest.

The Soft Close Rule

Live storage auctions don’t end at an exact second. The auctioneer keeps going until nobody raises a hand, and Bid13 brings that same idea online.

Once an auction reaches its final five minutes, every new bid adds one extra minute to the timer. The auction stays open while people are still competing.

In practice, this prevents “sniping,” which is placing a bid in the last seconds so others have no time to react. Everyone gets a fair chance to respond.

So if you see time being added to the clock, nothing is wrong. The bidding is simply still active, and the unit will go to whoever is willing to pay the most.

How Much It Really Costs to Win a Storage Unit

The winning bid is only part of the total cost. Several other expenses come into play, and many first-time buyers only discover them after the auction ends.

The table below summarizes the main costs to include in your budget:

Cost	How it works
Winning bid	Paid directly to the storage facility, following its payment policy
Buyer’s premium	15% of the winning bid, non-refundable, charged to your credit card on Bid13 within 4 hours
Sales tax	May be charged by the facility on the unit price, depending on the state and on whether you buy as a business
Cleaning deposit	Paid to the facility and refunded after the unit is empty and clean, usually $200 in cash unless the listing says otherwise
Transportation and disposal	Truck rental, labor, and dumping fees for items you don’t keep

For example, a $50 winning bid adds a $7.50 buyer’s premium. Bid13 doesn’t charge sales tax on its fee for units sold in the United States, but the facility may collect tax on the unit price.

Moving costs are easy to underestimate. Renting a truck, paying helpers, or hauling unwanted items away adds up quickly, so include these numbers before setting your max bid.

How to Evaluate a Unit Before Placing a Bid

The most important rule, shared by Bid13 itself, is simple. Bid based on what you can actually see in the photos and video, not on what might be hidden at the back of the unit.

Look for recognizable brands, solid wood furniture, appliances, tools, and well-packed boxes. Also notice the overall condition, since moisture, dust, or pests can reduce the value of many items.

Next, estimate how much space and labor the unit will require. A unit packed with heavy furniture may need a large truck and several people, which changes how much the purchase is worth to you.

Finally, set your limit before the auction gets competitive. Units are sold “as is,” with no guarantees or refunds, so a calm decision protects your budget far better than a last-minute impulse.

Step-by-Step Guide to Bidding on Bid13

Now that you understand the rules and costs, it’s time for the practical part. The whole process can be done on your phone or computer.

Follow the steps below to join your first Bid13 storage auction.

1. Visit the Official Website

Access the official Bid13 website by clicking the button below. On the home page, you will see storage auctions near you and the options to log in or sign up.

Choose the buyer sign-up option to create your bidder profile. Facility registration is a separate option meant only for storage businesses.

2. Create Your Free Account

Fill in your name, email address, and the other requested details. You must be at least 18 years old, and each person is allowed only one account.

Use accurate information, since the facility will check your photo ID when you collect a unit. Your email address also becomes your username on the platform.

3. Complete the Verification and Add a Credit Card

Follow the verification steps shown after registration. Bidding is only unlocked once this process is complete.

Add a credit card to your account, because the buyer’s premium is charged automatically when you win. If you don’t have one, a prepaid credit card is accepted.

4. Search for Auctions Near You

Use the ZIP code search, the region search, or the storage auction map to find units in your area. Choosing nearby facilities makes pickup much easier.

You can also sign up for email updates about new auctions near you. This way, interesting units don’t slip by unnoticed.

5. Study the Photos and Video

Open each listing and review all the images, the video, and the auction details. Pay attention to facility rules, pickup deadlines, and deposit amounts.

These specific rules are binding, so read them before bidding. They may differ from the platform’s default terms.

6. Place Your Max Bid and Follow the Auction

Enter the highest amount you are willing to pay and confirm. The screen immediately shows whether you are the current highest bidder.

Keep in mind that all bids on Bid13 are final and cannot be revoked. If someone outbids you, you will receive an email notification.

What Happens After You Win an Auction

When the auction ends, the 15% buyer’s premium is charged to your card. Once the payment goes through, you receive an email with a confirmation code.

Next, call the facility to schedule your pickup. Don’t assume you can show up anytime, since you often need to meet the specific manager who handles auctioned units.

At the facility, present your confirmation code and photo ID, then pay the winning bid, applicable taxes, and the cleaning deposit. Unless the listing says otherwise, you have 72 hours to empty the unit.

If you can’t be there, add an “Alternative Pickup Contact” in your account settings. That person’s name is attached to your confirmation number, so the facility knows who to expect.

Common Mistakes That Can Cost Buyers Money

Most problems in storage auctions come from rushing or skipping details. Knowing the most common mistakes makes them much easier to avoid.

Pay special attention to these points:

• Bidding on a unit too far away to collect within the deadline
• Forgetting that every bid is final
• Ignoring the buyer’s premium, taxes, and moving costs
• Gambling on items that don’t appear in the video
• Leaving trash or belongings behind in the unit

Missing the pickup deadline is especially serious. The buyer loses the contents, can be charged the full auction price plus the buyer’s fee, and may be banned from Bid13.

It’s also wise to inspect everything before leaving the facility. The terms place this responsibility on the buyer, including checking for any illegal materials.

Smart Ways to Make the Most of Your Finds

Once the unit is empty and your deposit is back, the next step is organizing what you bought. Sorting items into keep, sell, donate, and discard saves a lot of time.

Furniture, tools, and electronics in good condition can be useful at home or resold online and at garage sales. Results vary from unit to unit, so treat each purchase as a learning experience.

Items with no resale value can go to charities, thrift stores, or recycling centers. This reduces disposal costs and gives many objects a second life.

Personal documents and family photos deserve special care. Many buyers hand them to the facility manager, who may be able to reach the former tenant.

Final Thoughts

Bid13 storage auctions let you explore abandoned units from home, with photos, video, and a bidding system designed to keep things fair.

Before bidding, include the buyer’s premium, taxes, deposit, and moving costs in your budget, and always bid on what you can actually see.

Respecting pickup deadlines and facility rules protects your account and keeps the experience smooth from the first bid to the empty unit.

Want to find other options of storage options? Check our article about StorageAuctions!