What do you do when you find a warehouse?

bolex

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So a friend of my neighbor approached me and asked for some help clearing some warehouse space that he has full of arcade parts and a couple dozen games. His father was an operator and has since passed away, but he wants to stop paying the rent on a few of the storage units used to store arcade stuff. I'm going over there later today to check out what he has.

He said that his dad cleared out most of the games about 10 years ago in a large sale but the parts and a few of the rare games he kept. That's what's left in the warehouse units.

From my initial conversations, I think he just wants to understand the value of his items and ideas on the best way to get a return on those items.

Today I'm just running there to get photos and create a spreadsheet and start on an inventory listing with the guy. I'm also just going to get to know the owner a bit better.

So back to my question, what is the best way to clear out a warehouse getting the best return on those items. Anyone ever make a project plan or checklist when tackling a warehouse?
 
First off, a lot of it may not be profitable, but only desirable on a collectible basis.

Second, if you plan on buying anything, have CASH, and make a deal on the spot and be ready to load it up immediately.. no hem and hawing, no think about it and come back later, etc..it's the best way to blow it, and people selling things find that annoying.

Third, anything you're interested in, check for rat crap/piss inside.
 
I have always wondered why there are still so many operators and former operators paying good money to store their old equipment and parts stashes, like they are going to someday start working or become more relevant.

The barn and basement stashes I can at least understand as they probably aren't paying for that space, but the storage units and actual warehouses are a whole different animal. In many cases they probably pay more in storage costs per year than the value of what they are storing.

Some friends of mine had to move in with family and put most of their stuff in a storage unit, ended up staying there longer than expected. By the time they finally retrieved their stuff they had paid over $10,000 to store household goods worth less than $1000,
 
If his goal is to clear it quickly, he should be ready to sell the stuff cheap. I know of myself and a few locals that would be interested in seeing what he has and could assist in getting the stuff out. Lexington is only 90 minutes away or so. The 2 recent warehouse sales in Louisville prove that cheap no hassle sales move games out. Shoot me a PM when you have an idea of what is there. Good luck.
 
Best way to do it is also make an offer on all of it,and tell him he will not have to touch a thing. You will get a better price that way. And I second the idea HAVE CASH with you, and do not waver or mess around telling him you need to see if every thing works.OH and have some friends on speed dial to get the stuff out of there.
 
just tell them you'll take it all for free. and that you want it all to not have any rat crap/piss or anything else in there. and they are to be cleaned spotless. and any and all repairs done before you get there, and to be in good working order. and for them to either ship them to you with white glove service, on their dollar or load them in your truck or vehical. and reimburse you for your time and gas.
 
just tell them you'll take it all for free. and that you want it all to not have any rat crap/piss or anything else in there. and they are to be cleaned spotless. and any and all repairs done before you get there, and to be in good working order. and for them to either ship them to you with white glove service, on their dollar or load them in your truck or vehical. and reimburse you for your time and gas.

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Unless this guy is your pal, you want to be very careful about providing a list/values of everything on hand. Most people will add all these numbers up, and expect to get the total or more from you -- or whoever they sell it to -- without any consideration about the time/expense/effort required to sell all the items for the 'going rate'. If he does have a bunch of stuff for rare games, the guys who want these parts are not going to be local, and it will quickly become a real chore to sell it all.

I would suggest you visit with a camera and as much cash as you can access. Take some pictures and try to get a good idea of what he has. If you have the means, make an offer then and there. If not, buy the game/item that YOU want most then and there. This will at least show him you mean business, and are willing to pay cash. Make an arrangement to come back soon to close a deal on the rest. Then get your local arcade buddies (or some trusted fellow KLOVers) to team up and go back and get the rest, and split it all up.

You want to make it quick and easy for the owner, but don't get too involved in pricing every item or you will be shooting yourself in the foot.
 
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To me, I read it like the seller is pulling you in because he wants to know what he can get for what is in the unit(s). If that is the case, what are you getting out of this? If you have no intentions to buy the stuff, I hope you are receiving some sort of compensation for your assistance.

So what are your intentions here? Are you interested in purchasing the contents, or are you simply looking for advice on how to index all the items for the seller so that he can sell it all off?
 
warehouse...

1. Be really polite and helpful and get in their good graces
2. Offer to work it however they would like:
A. Buy it all and get it out so they don't have to think about it again
B. Buy off some and get it out so they clear some space
C. Help them sell of items & get paid for it (in $$$ and/or in games/parts)

Really it will be about the relationship you create. Also note what they thought was rare might not mean anything so don't get hopes up and you will be happy. Keep a poker face if a grail pops up.

This has worked for me before: "Hey these painted over conversion cabs are worthless but you can 60in1 them and make a bit of money. I'll help you with that in exchange for this game..."
 
Until you go look at the games you have no idea what they have. A collector's version of what is a rare game is probably different than someone else's.
 
I'm personally not looking to gain anything out of this. I was just helping him inventory his stuff. I have no more room for games and really would only want parts for the few games that I'm restoring at the moment.

His only goal that's he's shared with me is wanting to get rid of one of the storage units as fast as possible. What he's actually selling, I'm not sure either.

Here are the pictures I took, so here's a preview of what he has.

http://tinyurl.com/ArcadeLex

I think he's open to a sale and that might be what he does but right now no decision has been made. At the moment, he just wanted to get an inventory on paper. I'll let everyone know as soon as he let's me know.
 
Your inbox is about to explode...I live in Winchester and would like to get a hold of some Joust stuff. Why can't stuff like this fall into my lap?...sigh
 
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