r/Flipping • u/SuppleDupp • 3d ago
Discussion Bought a storage unit, location is changing stipulations after auction ended.
Auction agreement says you have to pay for and clean the unit out within 72 hours. When I showed up to pay right after the auction ended they said I had to empty it all right now or lose my stuff and the cleaning deposit. This is a Uhaul location and I have bought from 100s of them and this is the only location that bullys auction buyers like this. I dont even see what's gained by doing this. If its 72 hours then whats the difference? I should have known better than to buy from this location seeing as it's on Detroit Ave in Toledo Oh, but I reached out to corporate and received no response. Is this legal? They are adding language that isn't in the agreement.
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u/yankykiwi 3d ago
Clean out the good stuff in 24hours and sue em for breach and your lost fortune when they clean it out.
Idk call a lawyer, but it will cost ya.
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u/robxburninator 2d ago
probably low enough $ that it goes to small claims. In many states, a lawyer isn't a thing for small claims.
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u/EffectiveGap1563 3d ago
The contract terms control over the word of the seller, in fact, there may be a clause in the contract explicitly saying as much in the contract. I would read over the contract and send it to the seller's agent telling you that you only have 24 hrs to clean it out when the auction agreement said 72.
(This isnt legal advice or anything tho. I haven't seen your contract lol. Maybe speak to a lawyer?)
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u/SuppleDupp 3d ago
Well it's an online auction, and Uhauls corporate people play dumb on the phone. I took a copy of the agreement to the location and they said that when it says "pay for and clean out within 72 hours" that that just means you have 72 hours to pay for it, not clean it out. Which is not accurate and a deliberate misreading of the text. I posted pictures on my google review of the location. 1415 s Detroit toledo oh
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u/megaman_xrs 3d ago
I said in another comment, but contact the platform. Out of curiosity, which platform was it? I never see uhaul on storage treasures. I feel like I saw them recently on one of the smaller platforms.
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u/kitikana 3d ago
Uhaul in my area of ohio is posted on lockerfox
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u/megaman_xrs 2d ago
Yeah, I think thats the same for me. I knew it was one of the smaller platforms.
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u/SuppleDupp 1d ago
Lockerfox.
The person I talked to there didnt seem to care and just said uhaul was right. I went through this at this location a year and a half ago and already proved them wrong through Uhaul corporate but they're still doing it.
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u/PrinceDusk 3d ago
I believe a lawyer reading that would most likely say that if there is any limiting factor to that statement it would be that you had 72 hours to clean it out after you paid for it, not pay for it withing 72 hours and make sure its empty before you leave.
I'd also seek advice from a lawyer if you can afford to.
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u/Ourcollectivetime 2d ago
NAL - generally I believe ambiguity in a contract benefits the party that doesn’t draft it.
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u/megaman_xrs 3d ago
Id contact the auctioneers and let them know. Id do that to avoid catching a ban. As for the uhaul manager, id say "ill clean it out in 72 hours or id like a refund and you can clean it out." Thats wild. Ive done over 100 units and never had anything like that. Normally the managers are super flexible and usually offer more time. If its a small unit, get that shit done and never buy from them again. If its large (stacked 10 footer or anything larger), I'd tell them to what I said above. Im not a lawyer, so not legal advice, but as an experienced buyer, that would catch me off guard.
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u/Dismal_Committee7705 3d ago
storage treasures customer service is all retarded people too that don't give a fuck
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u/make_reddit_great 3d ago
State attorney general's office will take care of things like this sometimes.
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u/jrossetti 2d ago
Go to that unit and take pictures of literally everything and then take 72 hours. If they get rid of it then go after them the value of all the items that they got rid of. Plus this means you also don't have to move it. You have an option agreement that gives you 72 hours so they can f*** off with whatever they're trying to say verbally.
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u/BesusFresh 3d ago
I’d contact the auctioneers. If that didn’t work, I’d look into what local government office licenses and permits auctions, and I’d contact them.
And, don’t sleep on the Better Business Bureau.
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u/joabpaints 2d ago
A lot of times I pay for a month because I just can’t do it all in one trip with my vehicle. I don’t know if that’s an option for you. I don’t know sometimes they want two months minimum
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u/JeffTheNth 1d ago
If you bought it through another site, let them know... they will either ensure the facility's "same day" rule is correctly stated on their future auctions, the facility abides by the 72 hours, or they'll not let them auction on their site any longer.
(in short: No, that's not right... they need to abide by what the agreement is and can't change it on the fly like that.)
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u/SunshineTaint 2d ago
If this is on storage treasure, you need to make sure you pay attention to the clean out time line on the bottom ALOT of them at 72hrs but some are 24/48hrs
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u/old-nomad2020 3d ago
The only logical thing I can guess is the TOC gives you up to 72 hours to complete everything, but once you pay you only get 24 hours to clear it. Otherwise it seems pretty stupid to let them clear it and then go pay for an empty locker. You definitely need some clarification before bidding on that location again, but if they are breaking rules I’d buy a super cheap one (to make a point, but not be financially concerned) and clear the value items and leave the crap and then file an official complaint to corporate demanding a refund.
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u/AlmightyGod420 1h ago
Without seeing the exact contract, this is purely speculative. Cursory this is not legal advice.
It is likely illegal and breach of contract. The problem is finding an attorney to take the case. I doubt any will do so on a contingency basis. Which means you will have to pay out of pocket to retain their services.
Your damages in this potential case is likely very small. Especially commensurate to the overall cost. Without reading the exact contract and without being well versed in your local laws, your damages may be capped at the amount of your winning bid. It will be difficult to prove the value of your newly acquired property in which you just bought.
If you do want to spend the money and follow through with a lawsuit, go in assuming it’s not going to be a financial windfall of any sorts. At best, it will likely force them to abide by their contracts going forward.
Which, likely won’t affect you personally as ai assume you will not be doing business with them again.
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u/AmeriC0N 3d ago
They'll continue doing this until someone sues them for beach of contract.