Every storage auction excites Rene and Casey Nezhoda about discovery: will it be a dud or a jackpot? Now in their 15th season, stars of A&E’s iconic reality show Storage Wars have established themselves as seasoned treasure seekers.
Their narrative is one of passion, tenacity, and entrepreneurial energy—turning storage treasures into earnings on eBay—outside the TV screen.
The Beginning of a Reselling Professional Life
Rene started his path in the “90s driven by a love of gathering and reselling casino chips. Rene took a risk and advertised his collection when eBay first started up as a fresh internet market in 1995. He was surprised to find checks showing the beginning of a profitable business beginning to show up in the mail.
“I went to swap meetings looking for casino chips but instead came across things like vintage glass and Beanie Babies,” Rene says. For $1 I would purchase a glass and sell it for $17. The excitement of treasure hunting grew compulsive, and finally I left my media company to sell full-time.
Rene chose the thrift stores, yard sales, and auctions over his former employment by the time he was nineteen, totally committed to his new vocation.
The Excite of Original Discoveries
On eBay, Rene and Casey have sold a wide spectrum of goods over the years, ranging from toys to coins, comic books to even historical relics. Among their most noteworthy transactions are goods from storage facilities once held by celebrities including Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, and Farrah Fawcett.
One unusual discovery was a classic Gran Torino fastback automobile they bought for about $100. They discovered its actual value with the help of the eBay community and sold it for an amazing $12,000.
Combing the cast for Storage Wars
Producers asked Rene and Casey for the first season of Storage Wars, but they first turned down, not sure whether the show would be successful. But by season four they resolved to join; the rest is history.
“The show became a huge hit and the first season had six million viewers each episode,” Rene notes. Now seasoned TV stars, the duo is juggling their on-screen duties with their booming reselling company.
Current Travels and Discoveries
The treasure-hunting exploits of the Nezhodas never slowed down. They paid $60,000 for a whole warehouse of bike helmets recently, and it paid off since the inventory went rapidly. Purchasing a hoarder house for $20,000 was another highlight; it produced an estimated $500,000 worth of memorabilia including thousands of vintage comic books and toys spanning decades.
Tips for Future eBay Sellers
For those hoping to flourish in the resale market, Rene’s path provides insightful analysis.
Key is consistency: “During the epidemic, I listed average items on eBay daily for 60 days and earned $95,000,” he says.
Steer clear of wasting all of your cash on one large risk. Always leave space for mistakes.
Accept hard effort; “success takes work”. You will discover chances if you work hard, keep your honesty, and treat others with respect.
The Fire Within That Drives Them
For Rene, the excitement of learning is unparalleled. I really am a treasure seeker. I would choose the big storage facility every time, even if a Hawaiian vacation would be more appealing.
The narrative of the Nezhodas is evidence of the opportunities to make a passion profitable. One storage unit at a time, they still motivate others to follow their ambitions whether on TV or eBay.