Airs: Tuesdays, 10pm
Network: Spike
Featuring Clinton "Ton" Jones, Allen Haff
What’s It All About? This unscripted series explores the cutthroat world of storage-unit auctions. Every day in America, there are over ten thousand abandoned storage units that are put up for public auction. Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.
Amidst a struggling economy, the business of auction hunting has emerged as a thriving trade for many Americans. Auction Hunters follows two of the best prospectors in the business, Clinton “Ton” Jones and Allen Haff, in their quest to win auctions, acquire abandoned treasure and sell it for a profit. The series offers viewers a rare look into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash.
Allowed only a brief glimpse inside the units before each fast-paced auction begins, skill and strategy are paramount as the hunters have only seconds to estimate the value of the unit and determine how high they’re willing to bid to beat out the competition. Once an auction is won, the story and true monetary worth of the unit emerges as Haff, a second generation antiques dealer and Jones, a gun, knife, sword and military paraphernalia expert, begin “the dig,” a process by which they literally dig into the contents of the unit and assess every single item within. Sometimes, they find nothing but at other times, they score big, bringing home a trove of items for which prospective buyers around the country will pay top dollar.
“Auction Hunters” also follows the prospectors during “the sell” as they consult experts, establish value and ultimately scour the antique and collectible markets in search of buyers. The show will focus mainly on items with great historical and cultural significance such as America’s first black powder revolver and a depression-era slot machine.
