Storage Wars-Anyone watching?

[Adam West]

New reality show Wednesday evenings on A&E. Basic concept is to follow 4 bidders who bid on storage units full of items and find out if they bought a bunch of junk or hit paydirt. They are given 5 minutes to look inside the unit but can't step in or open any boxes.

I watched it for the first time last night and not sure I like it. I realize this show is running off the success of "Pawn Stars" and "American Pickers" but this show seems to be a bit seedier in my opinion. I guess one could say the same is true of "Pawn Stars" but there at least is some educational value to it.

None of the 4 bidders come across as likeable people. They all seem like scavenging jerks who will run the price up on units just to run the price up (even if they aren't interested). I also feel bad for the person on the other side of the fence (sight unseen), who has had their possessions sold for failure to pay storage costs. Personally, I don't think this show will have any legs because it really has no educational value at all and none of the 4 bidders come across well on tv.

[Sideshow Spock]

None of the 4 bidders come across as likeable people. They all seem like scavenging jerks

Saw it for the first time last nite, and I agree. There's definitely a dirt-baggy thing going on with these folks that's a turn-off. It's not in the same league as Pawn Stars.

Interesting blog post:

Living Stingy: The Great American SELF-STORAGE LOCKER

I've talked with owners and workers at these storage locker places and I've asked them what people store in these things. "Crap, mostly" they say. When the renter doesn't pay his storage fees, the things they pull out of there are pretty pathetic. Most of it ends up in the dumpster. Yes, it is true, people pay money to store their garbage.

They must have to go thru a lot of lockers to find enuff for a show.. jewelry! Coins! New stereos! Rare sports collectibles!

[Hector]

I also feel bad for the person on the other side of the fence (sight unseen), who has had their possessions sold for failure to pay storage costs.

I don't...you fail to pay for storage...you should forfeit your stuff...the storage places are businesses...not a charity case.

[Hector]

I really fail to see why these people are seen as seedy...they are not stealing anything, they are buying stuff.

You think pawns shops are benevolent business? Nothing but vultures...and that includes the Pawn Stars crew.

American Pickers are in the same boat.

They are all no different.

[theressa]

I've only seen the initial preview.
IMO, these kind of shows shouldn't be on. Why? They encourage thievery!
As a victim of a shed break in, I freaked when this show come on.
What a way to give ppl ideas in this economy.

All I can say, is you have a shed, make sure you get insurance on the contents.

[Hector]

I still watch all those types of shows...

[theressa]

This one I can't.

[Sideshow Spock]

I really fail to see why these people are seen as seedy...they are not stealing anything, they are buying stuff.

Becuz they're seedy people buying stuff?

Sure, the Pawn Stars guys are seedy too; but they're also highly amusing and charismatic, which goes a long way. And of course the (educational) structure of the show completes the picture and makes it a real winner.

Storage Wars has the curiosity factor going for it, but none of the main players bring anything to the table to compensate for their innate dirt-baggyness..

I've said before that the American Pickers guys were a couple of duds, and the show is less for it. But it's still watchable, as I expect Storage Wars to sometimes be.

[Mikey]

I didn't see it but it sounds almost like a police auction except you can't see what you're buying.

In a case like that i'd pass

At least when you pick the zonk behind door number-2 on Let's Make A Deal you don't have to pay for it with your own money.

[generic]

I heard so much about these shows that I watched one once (the one that's about the pawn shop in Las Vegas - is that one Pawn Stars?). I didn't like it at all. It was very uncomfortable for me to watch it. I guess I just don't like reality shows in general. They're just so fake, but they don't even fake it well.

One of my friends was asked to be on a reality show and they actually told her what her 'character' would be like and what she would be doing on the show! I knew they weren't really real, but I couldn't believe that they actually give you a character to play and a loose script to act out. They actually told her before they even finished casting that in episode # whatever, she was going to get into a fight with another girl on the show who they hadn't even cast yet!?!? What a bunch of crap.

I was asked to be on one a few years ago, but I declined before they gave me many of the details. I kind of wish I'd done it now just because I found out later that I would have gotten to meet some musicians that I really admire. Oh well.

[Adam West]

I don't...you fail to pay for storage...you should forfeit your stuff...the storage places are businesses...not a charity case.

That's true but it's just in bad taste. At least I can watch Pawn Stars or American Pickers because the sellers are willing to part with their goods. In the case of a storage facility; they will withhold access to your items if you miss one payment.

I just don't want to see the next reality show of people who have had the houses foreclosed on...watching an auction take place and the buyer flipping the house at a profit. I realize it's all business but not good tv watching.

[kryptosmaster]

Glad it wasn't just me. I think those Storage Wars guys are the most unlikable people from all these new similar genre shows. What a bunch of cut-throat dicks. "I'm gonna bid that one up so the other guy spends more money on it". And that one guy who owns a big store waving his 10 G's in the other guy's faces and saying he's going to outbid them on everything. I already dumped this show from my DVR list.
At least on Pickers and Pawns Stars they have SOME likable folks (like Chumlee for example) and they show you some really cool finds. Those SW guys are dirtbags.
Rich

[Hector]

I'm not saying Storage Wars is more fun than either Pawn Stars or American pickers...because it's obviously not.

But I just don't think it's seedy...just not as interesting.

I really like that auction one though...that one is fun...and it also features likable characters like that female manager.

[Adam West]

It kind of reminds me of my neighbor from 15 years ago who had the largest Starting Lineup collection I have ever seen. He hoarded multiples like a dealer and was never williing to sell or trade anything for reasonable prices or straight up trades.

The worst part about it is that we have a local collectibles shop (mostly coins, stamps, and sports cards) that holds a bi-weekly auction. Back when Starting Lineups were hot, he used to walk in right as the auctions were ending and bid up the prices on figures with no intent on wanting to purchase them because he already owned 20 copies of that figure. He just wasn't going to let anyone else grab anything without paying top dollar for it. I'm sure he had over $50K into his collection and it has been over 12 years since we have moved and have spoken to him but have always wanted to see him again and ask if he still has his collection. Kharma has a way of biting you in the rear end.