A few years back, we had the opportunity to assist a client in White Center, Seattle, with a significant decluttering project. Her brother was transitioning to assisted living, and our client needed help clearing out three storage lockers that were costing him a substantial amount in monthly storage fees.
Upon meeting the client, it became clear she was frustrated about the money her brother had spent over the years to store what she considered “junk.” She estimated that he had paid over $20,000 for storage, which could have been better utilized for his assisted living expenses. Understandably, she wanted “everything out” of the storage lockers without concern for how we accomplished the task. It’s a common situation we encounter with clients facing similar challenges.
We started with the two smaller lockers first. The first locker revealed a treasure trove of family heirlooms, including Civil War collectibles, vintage family photos, and various pieces of ephemera. The second locker contained similar items, featuring antique furniture and artwork. After sorting through the first two lockers, we determined that donation wasn’t the best option, so we discussed hosting an online auction for the valuable items we discovered. Our client was enthusiastic about this approach, preferring to see the items find new homes rather than simply donating them.
With excitement building, we moved on to the third and largest locker. However, upon opening the doors, we were met with disappointment. The client, a professional painter, had stored old work equipment there, including cans of paint, tarps, brushes, and rollers. Much of the equipment was well-used and primarily needed to be disposed of.
As we sorted through the locker, we stumbled upon a pile of white PVC pipes. I attempted to lift several pipes, each about 1.5 inches in diameter and three feet long, and was surprised by their weight. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the pipes had screw-off caps. Curious, I removed a cap and discovered the pipes were filled with silver dollar coins from the 1980s, all in excellent condition. I immediately contacted our client, who was astonished. Her brother had never mentioned the coins or indicated any intention to search for them during the clearing process.
We connected the client with a reputable dealer who specializes in buying silver. Thanks to this unexpected find, the client was able to sell the coins for an impressive $16,000! Combined with the sales from the other two lockers, the family not only covered our service costs but also recouped a significant portion of the money spent on storage over the years.
This experience reinforced our belief that while we may not be experts in every field, curiosity can lead to incredible discoveries. Those heavy pipes certainly warranted a closer look, and we are grateful we took the time to investigate further.