The reality show in which buyers compete in auctions for abandoned storage units is 'Storage Wars'.
When storage renters fail to pay, facilities may sell the contents of units at auction under applicable local rules. On the show, buyers inspect the unit from the entrance without opening boxes or entering before bidding. They then hope the contents can be resold for more than the purchase price.
The US series premiered on A&E in 2010. Its cast has included professional buyers such as Dave Hester, Darrell Sheets, and Jarrod Schulz. Episodes focus on bidding strategy, valuation, resale, and the possibility of discovering unusual or valuable objects.
Storage auctions can differ by jurisdiction, and reality programs may compress or shape events for television. The title refers to the storage-unit auction business rather than ordinary household moving or garage sales.