Parents' Guide to

Auction Hunters

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Entrepreneurs find buried treasure in fun reality show.

TV Spike Reality TV 2010
Auction Hunters Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

enviousdominous
enviousdominous Adult
November 5, 2011
age 10+

Fun and entertaining

While it has several reality tv show cliches that some may find annoying, the one cliche it thankfully does not have is people behaving in extreme ways to boost ratings. The show is mainly about the unique items which are found, the mannerisms of Allen and Ton are secondary. If people are being paid off to act a certain way when the camera is on, rest assured it isn't in the same manner as the cast of Jersey Shore.
Wolfman63
Wolfman63 Adult
August 17, 2011
age 18+

Auction "Punters"

Sorry, this is a fabricated show. Even if it wasn't, they don't tell you everything. Auctions cost money. Buyer’s premium is never less than 20% at these auctions. So the money they “make”? Add to the amount they spent then see what they "made". Also, read the very tiny print, these are stories that they decided to tell and are not an accurate account. Yes I have found a thing or two in the 30+ years I dealt with this stuff, but no one ever finds what they “find” and as often as they “find it”. Premise is false, language is iffy. The guys that write this show write for several others including “Pawn Stars”. Yes there are bottom feeders out there, but we always made it a point to find the owners and return photos, bibles, medals, etc. So did most of the guys I knew. Real life this “ain’t”. This show is not for kids.
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What's the Story?

Allen Haff and Clinton Jones are AUCTION HUNTERS, who make their living buying the contents of abandoned storage lockers. Their mission? To determine if these cluttered closets are full of junk, or if something valuable is hiding behind a pile of broken toys or within a sealed box. The guys won't know until they pay cash up front for the contents, hoping to uncover the ultimate bounty -- a hidden gem.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Auction Hunters is very much a product of our era, where shopping has become sport. But with unemployment, bankruptcy, and foreclosure the dominant themes of the economy, there's no telling what series regulars Haff and Jones might find in these lockers. That element of surprise is what makes it possible for them to make a living at this, and it's also the key to this surprisingly enjoyable reality show.

Voyeurism, of course, is one reason it appeals. Witnessing all the stuff that's been amassed is at once fascinating and horrifying. (The stuff, the stuff!) The men are an unlikely, but interesting, pairing. Haff is boyish and clean-cut; Jones is burly, covered in tattoos and intimidating. But they make a good team, sussing out the potential value stashed in the lockers after just a brief peek inside, and then trying to sell off the goods. Haff in particular is fun to watch as he explains his strategies for evaluating rival bidders and negotiating with prospective buyers. At a time when much of the country is struggling, it's exciting to see people who have managed to turn misfortune into a successful business. But it's a sobering reminder of what consumerism has wrought.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the economy. The men on this show make their living buying abandoned storage lockers that might contain valuable objects. Why are so many storage lockers abandoned? Why do you think the original owners have left their possessions behind?

  • Talk about the value of kind of work. Does it seem opportunistic? Or is it solid entrepreneurship? Or both?

  • How does this show compare to other reality shows about people with unusual jobs?

TV Details

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