Storage Wars

10 Best Episodes of Storage Wars - Season 1

When rent is not paid on a storage locker for three months in California, the contents can be sold by an auctioneer as a single lot of items in the form of a cash-only auction. The show follows professional buyers who purchase the contents based only on a five-minute inspection of what they can see from the door when it is open. The goal is to turn a profit on the merchandise.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 12, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Storage Wars - S1E6

#15 - All Guns to Port (Season 1 - Episode 6)

Since the Port of Long Beach, California, boasts high-end imports but low-income housing, the buyers know they can either go boom or bust today. When the storage units finally swing open, they reveal surfing and cowboy items, maintenance equipment, and even some flare guns. The tension mounts as the buyers bid for stuff that might make 'em or break 'em.

The episode was rated 7.59 from 112 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E16

#14 - High End Heist (Season 1 - Episode 16)

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The buyers head to Dave Hester's old stomping grounds in Santa Ana, California. Though the units look trashy, their low rent suggests a secret gold mine filled with goods placed by wise consumers. Jarrod and Brandi find the ultimate guy's unit, Darrell and Dave duke it out for an antique worth three thousand bucks, and Barry is just hoping to find a flashlight for the auctions! From kayaks to golf clubs, the buyers break the bank in this tough town.

The episode was rated 7.65 from 78 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E13

#13 - Makings of a Mogul (Season 1 - Episode 13)

Perris, California is SoCal's adventure capital. Our buyers' strategy: search high and low for hiking, camping, and skydiving gear. Jarrod and Barry vie for a unit filled with power tools and high end potential. Darrell Sheets sends a message by bringing a fleet of trucks. And Dave Hester reveals his trade secret to storage auction success. After buying in high volume, will Darrell find the "wow" factor or will he be stuck with a truckload of garbage?

The episode was rated 7.67 from 89 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E5

#12 - The Old Spanish Standoff (Season 1 - Episode 5)

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When the locks are blasted off the storage doors in a California town rich in historic Spanish-American culture, our intrepid buyers discover an unusual mannequin phone, a bootlegger's moonshine still, and some enticing office equipment. Nice stuff—but is it worth anything?

The episode was rated 7.70 from 126 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E10

#11 - School House Lock (Season 1 - Episode 10)

In the college town of Fullerton, California the buyers search for textbooks and rare university artifacts. Dave and Darrell compete in a mano-a-mano showdown. Barry Weiss takes a stab at some antique vinyl, while Jarrod and Brandi fight the other buyers (and each other) for a unit to keep their store afloat. Who will find frat house junk and who will find the professor's treasury?

The episode was rated 7.73 from 105 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E19

#10 - Live and Let Bid (Season 1 - Episode 19)

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In the hippie-town of Encinitas, the buyers comb for seventies memorabilia. When Darrell declares this facility his "home turf", the other bidders are forced to fight for their claim of the treasure. Barry finds a relic from his past. Darrell Sheets stumbles upon a lucrative medical device and Dave Hester teaches his son about the family business. But it's a unit selling for an unprecedented $5500 that ensures no peace for these storage warriors.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 81 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E9

#9 - Collector's Last Stand (Season 1 - Episode 9)

Norwalk, California—a Los Angeles suburb with a small town feel. Stashed away in these lockers is the potential for collectables, heirlooms, and other forgotten jewels. Barry Weiss looks for a piece to add to his collection of oddities. Brandi and Jarrod find common ground in a heated battle against Dave Hester. And Darrell Sheets uncovers a rare bonus in a hidden compartment. This small town is full of small wonders.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 104 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E7

#8 - Senior Center Showdown (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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When the auction action goes to Homeland, California, an upscale retirement community, the bidders start to dream of scoring big. Darrell lands a locker filled with furniture, and Jarrod gambles on a safe. Have they bought treasure—or trash?

The episode was rated 7.83 from 109 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E15

#7 - Chairman of the Hoard (Season 1 - Episode 15)

Rumors run wild in Orange, California when 6 lockers--owned by one tenant--go up for auction. Dave and Darrell vie for a unit with a 12 grand payday. Barry Weiss stumbles across a vintage magazine. One buyer nearly breaks a hip. And Jarrod is forced to ask Dave Hester for an appraisal. The question remains, who was this previous tenant? An antique dealer? A local business owner? Or perhaps something worse?

The episode was rated 7.84 from 77 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E8

#6 - Midnight in the Gardena Good and Evil (Season 1 - Episode 8)

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Welcome to the eerie side of storage. When Barry hires two psychics to "see" inside the units at Gardena, Calif., they say they've got a "dark" feeling about the place. But that doesn't spook Jarrod and Brandi, who decide to roll the dice on a unit that could save their store. It's a creepy, pressure-packed look at the storage business.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 99 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E12

#5 - Auction Royale (Season 1 - Episode 12)

Secret locker; sign from the 40s; rare bonus in a hidden compartment.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 93 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E14

#4 - Trouble the Oil (Season 1 - Episode 14)

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In the LBC, there are two ways to strike it rich--imports and oil. The buyers dig deep in search of antiques and industrial merchandise. Jarrod and Brandi uncover what appears to be an antique wine rack. Dave Hester and Barry Weiss test each other's knowledge of oddities, while Darrell Sheets is just looking to make some gas money. Will the Mogul's vast resources prove too much for the Collector? The drill is on in the search for the storage motherload.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 79 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E17

#3 - Young with the Gun (Season 1 - Episode 17)

In Riverside, Jarrod and Barry are greeted by a mob of eager newbies. With their financial futures at stake, the buyers must choose to fight or befriend the crowd. Barry Weiss buys a "mystery trunk." Jarrod and Brandi battle for a unit filled with household goods and classic signs. And Darrell Sheets finds a box of turn-of-the-century books. If these books are valuable Darrell could make thousands. If they're not, he'll be just another victim of the mob.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 64 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E11

#2 - Gambler's Last Resort (Season 1 - Episode 11)

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The buyers go to Las Vegas to attend auctions.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 91 votes.

Storage Wars - S1E18

#1 - Skullduggery (Season 1 - Episode 18)

Tempers flare! The buyers attack! In Yucaipa, California Darrell Sheets crosses the line with a stab at Dave Hester's Newport Consignment Store. Brandi and Jarrod argue over the worth of a bizarre looking horse head. Barry Weiss bids on a locker littered with antique furniture. And Dave Hester makes his strangest discovery ever! But when all is said and done, will Darrell get the better of Dave? Or will the Mogul overcome the Gambler's antics?

The episode was rated 8.05 from 73 votes.

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