Chapter 5 Successful Acquisition (1/2)

Chapter 5: Successful Acquisition

Translator: Vicky_Editor: Vicky_

February first the weather seemed especially gloomy. First thing in the morning, Hans and Li Du took the bus to the Smith Storage Company.

The auction was to start around 9 o'clock, but Hans wanted the two of them to be there earlier to observe their competitors. Knowing that this was Li Du's first time attending such an auction, Hans explained, ”Arriving early will allow us to have time to observe our competitors. We need to gain a better understanding of who we are dealing with so that we can adjust our strategies for the bidding rounds accordingly...”

Most of the bidders seemed to have arrived at around eight thirty. Li Du estimated that there were approximately fifty people there.

He suddenly felt a bit of pressure. ”There are a lot of people here, but only eight storage units?”

”They are all here for the massage chair. Don't worry, at least half of these people won't bid unless they feel a hundred percent certain, while the rest of them are only here hoping to buy something at a low price. Anyway, we're here for only one storage unit, and I've got more than enough money for it.”

”Where did you get the money?” Li Du was confused.

”How did we get here today?” Hans asked.

”We rode the bus…. S*it, don't tell me that you sold your car?” Li Du exclaimed.

”No, I only mortgaged it for three days. After that, I will lose the car. So, can I trust you or not? Do you actually know which storage unit has the massage chair?”

”I didn't come unprepared. I have a general idea which unit it will be in. Once the auction starts, give me a little more time. I will find it for you.”

Ten minutes later, an old man wearing a cowboy hat walked out from the crowd, and started announcing loudly, in a breakneck speed, ”Everyone-line-up-we-are-going-to-start-I'll-skip-the-rules-so-those-who-don't-know-them-can-just-leave...”

Li Du always felt that his English was pretty good, but now he realized that he had been overconfident.

As the unit door was opened, everyone lined up waiting for their turn to check out the contents. Most people had a flashlight, and everyone was allowed one minute to look around the warehouse. The old man wearing the cowboy hat stood outside with a stopwatch. He made sure that everyone stayed outside the regulated area while keeping time to make sure that everyone would get their one minute turn.

One minute per person, with fifty people, it took almost an hour.

Unit 202 didn't look to have anything in particular that seemed high in value. The most promising items were a few household tools and some old-fashioned appliances, but these could all be considered garbage.

Auction hunters were not interested in garbage. They would only buy storage units that they thought would earn them money. If they were not sure about the likelihood of making a profit, they would probably not place a bid.

In most Americans' point of view, manual labor and time were both very costly. Therefore spending them to clean up insignificant storage would only make them lose money.

When it was Hans and Li Du's turn, the two stood by the entrance while Hans swept his flashlight inside as he explained, ”We need to first look for things that are of worth, and this requires experience. Look at this; there's a 'handle with care' label printed on the side, I bet that inside this box are plates and other glassware. And over there is a handle, so I think that is a vacuum...”

Li Du nodded, realizing that he really couldn't look down on professional treasure hunters. Hans's judgment was right. When Li Du checked that area using the little bug, there was truly some beautiful pottery inside the box, and that handle did belong to a vacuum cleaner.

Their one-minute time limit soon passed. As the two left, Hans quietly said, ”The stuff inside is worth around five hundred dollars or so. I'm guessing that someone is willing to spend around three hundred dollars for it.”

As the exhibition period ended, the auction started. The old cowboy raised his hand. ”One hundred! One hundred! One hundred dollars is the starting bid. Is there anyone who's willing to raise it to one hundred fifty dollars, one hundred fifty, one hundred fifty…”

He spoke extremely fast, and Li Du had a hard time following

.

There was someone who immediately nodded his head. The old cowboy pointed to the man before continuing, ”It is now one hundred and fifty dollars, one hundred and fifty, one hundred and fifty. Two hundred, is there anyone who's willing to bid two hundred dollars? Two hundred…”

”Me!” someone shouted.