Lien auctions
Lockerfox
Lockerfox runs self-storage lien auctions online. Storage facilities post overdue units for bidding, buyers bid remotely from photographs and descriptions, and the winner collects at the facility. Bidder signup is free, with no monthly plan, recurring subscription or membership tiers.
For buyers, the platform charges a buyer's premium of 15% of the winning bid subject to a $10.00 minimum, taken from the card on file; the bid itself, plus any sales tax or cleaning deposit set by the facility, is paid directly to the facility at pickup. Buyers have up to 72 hours from the end of bidding, and 48 hours or less in some auctions, to pay and remove the contents. A unit is not final until it is collected, because some facilities let an overdue tenant settle after bidding closes, and listings showing a closed blue door are units not yet open for bidding, often waiting on the first public notice in a local paper. Lockerfox says it does not release bidder information to former tenants.
For facilities there are three plans, all on a 10% seller commission with no setup or membership fee, no long-term commitment and no charge for units that do not sell. Basic covers unlimited unit postings, one facility and user, up to two annex locations, weekly email blast promotion, the mobile app, cleanout deposit management, basic reporting and printable buyer receipts, with a $10 cancellation fee when a tenant pays after an auction opens. Pro adds management software integrations, including SiteLink, storEDGE, SSM, WebSelfStorage, Hummingbird, Late2Lien and Yardi Breeze, AI keyword generation, up to 25 annex locations, role-based access, regions and region policies and a public notice generation tool, at a $20 cancellation fee. Enterprise adds custom quality checks and workflow approvals, unlimited annex locations, online public notices, an auction reporting API and a dedicated account manager, at $25. Cleanout deposits carry a 1.5% charge on the deposit amount each time the feature is used.
Support is US-based on (704) 251-0644, Monday to Friday 9:00 to 5:30 ET and Saturday 9:00 to 5:00 ET. The site publishes a lien law reference and newspaper ad requirement pages, and lists auction licences MS1658, GAAU003129, PAAU006170 and SCAUC4852. Lien compliance itself remains the facility's responsibility, and sales tax treatment is decided facility by facility.
Best for
Storage operators who want lien sales posted and bid online with integrations into their management software, and buyers who would rather bid remotely than drive to live auctions.
What they do
- Online storage lien auctions
- Facility auction posting and management
- Bidder platform and mobile app
- Integrations with storage management software
- Public notice generation
- Cleanout deposit management
- Auction reporting API
- Weekly email blast promotion to bidders
Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Licenses | MS1658, GAAU003129, PAAU006170, SCAUC4852 |
| How they charge | Buyers pay a 15% premium ($10.00 minimum). Facilities pay a 10% seller commission with no setup or membership fee and nothing for units that do not sell. |
What stands out
- Buyer's premium is 15% of the winning bid, subject to a $10.00 minimum.
- Facility plans run on a 10% seller commission, with no setup or membership fee and no charge for unsold units.
- Buyers have up to 72 hours from the end of bidding, and 48 hours or less in some auctions, to pay and collect.
- Cancellation fees of $10, $20 and $25 apply on the three facility plans when a tenant pays after bidding opens.
- Lists auction licences MS1658, GAAU003129, PAAU006170 and SCAUC4852.
Common questions
- How much does Lockerfox cost a bidder?
- The fee is 15% of the winning bid, subject to a $10.00 minimum, charged to the bidder's card. The winning bid itself, plus any sales tax and cleaning deposit, is paid directly to the storage facility under that facility's payment rules.
- How long does a winner have to pay and pick up?
- Up to 72 hours from the end of bidding, and 48 hours or less in some auctions. Lockerfox advises calling the facility to confirm the unit is still available before travelling, because some facilities allow an overdue tenant to pay after the auction closes.
- Is the unit the buyer's once the auction closes?
- No. The purchase is completed at the storage facility, and the buyer must go there to conduct it. Time matters, because the tenant may still settle the account in some cases.
- Can a former tenant get the buyer's contact information?
- No. Lockerfox says it does not give out personal information about its bidders and will not pass a former tenant's information to an auction winner.
- Why do some listings show a closed blue door?
- Those auctions are not yet open for bidding. In many cases photos are withheld and bidding is blocked until the first public notice appears in a local paper.