Storage Wars- Behind the Scenes Drama that Fueled the Hit Series

The beauty of reality television is that almost none of it is actually “reality.” Rather, it’s a loosely scripted series featuring high-profile celebs, some well-known and others… not so much, and placing them into one neutral environment. How they decide to interact with their environment and fellow cast is clearly up to them. But remember, the juicier and more chaotic the day-to-day interactions become, the higher the paycheck. Therefore, we’re proud to take a second with one of our favorite reality tv series: Storage Wars. 

Since 2010, Storage Wars has become a household name, exploring the “high-stakes” bidding on forgotten and unpaid storage lockers reselling business. What appears to be authentic may not be so truthful as you had initially hoped for. We hate to break it to you, but Storage Wars knows enough about its audience to create a show just believable enough to continue its decade-long run. What appears on-screen isn’t always what is is off-screen.

Heated Bidding

In the midst of a 2015 bidding taping, all production was immediately halted when Dave, Laura, and Dan got into a heated argument, ultimately leading to physical assault. Supposedly, Dan was unable to notice Mary Padian’s bid, making the ending of the bid war incorrect. Dan bothered Dan and Laura for calling out this error. One thing led to another and production was immediately stopped. Dan and Dave were shoving each other, leaving Laura to stretch Hester’s face. The remaining part of the day was spent treating Hester’s cuts.

Overexposed

On and off production, robberies are still a threat to Storage Wars cast members. With outspoken bids, claims of wealth, lax security, and a physical store to hold all wins, Rene and Casey Nezhoda have been the victims of robbery at their Bargain Hunters Thrift Store. Items of rare and collectible value were stolen, teaching the pair to re-evaluate their thrifting process.

Attacking From All Angles

Rene and Casey weren’t the only ones to suffer the face of scrupulous individuals. However, when it came to the Dotsons, the crimes were a bit more brutal. Through a cyber attack, hackers were able to retrieve banking and credit card information, alongside precious personal info. Luckily, the perpetrators must have been beginners as their soppy work led to all the cards being automatically frozen.

A Questionable Past

Even the most beloved celebrities have skeletons in their closets. Take Jarrod Schulz, for example. In 1997, Schulz was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance, DUI, and narcotics transportation. Two years later, he was arraigned for comparable crimes, lucky enough to only be given a parole violation. Still, at the end of the issues, he ended up serving 16 months in a state prison.

The Sad Truth Behind Lockers

On one hand, the taped bidding and opening of storage lockers is an extremely entertaining gig. However, the methods in which these lockers are deemed ripe for sale can be depressing. For some, owners become unable to pay rent for their lockers, essentially forfeiting their items. Others are left lockers by deceased relatives but arrive too late to claim any of the items.

A Bit Creepy

During a drive around town, Darrell Sheets noticed Kimber Wuerfel, a real estate agent at the time, in her car. After a quick glance and connection, he drove behind her for miles, ending up with him sitting next to her in traffic, with his phone number scribbled on a piece of paper. She called and the rest is history. Despite the breakups and reunions, the pair seem to be doing well right now.

Falsifying Finds

In 2012, a mysterious sources revealed that “There are invoices, checks, and other documentation where the production company actually compensated cast members for supplying items that got planted in lockers and then discovered on camera”. The sourced added that taping would halt so that a bidder could place more valuable items in their locker before taping continued, allowing for a more monumental find.

Dave Hester

During a 2012 lawsuit, Dave Hester claimed that the show was fake and that he was wrongfully terminated, suffered a breach of contract, and suffered unfair business practices. He believed A&E was becoming irritated with his continued issues with fake storylines. At the start, the judge thought these claims were too generic. Hester refiled in 2014, and Hester received an undisclosed amount, alongside rejoining the show.

$$$ Per Episode

With aggressively low bids, fans and viewers alike might think these cast members aren’t that well off. Quite the contrary. Dave Hester revealed he’s paid $25,000 per episode, with an additional $25,000 signing bonus, and then a further $124,500 expense account for the season. He was guaranteed a minimum of 26 episodes.

An Auctioneer Love Story

Attracted to Dan’s high energy and fast-moving lips, the pair were a solid couple from the very start. The auctioneers met in 1996, with Laura revealing, “When I saw him auctioneering all over the place, I thought to myself, I’m going to marry that man.” In the coming years, Laura got pregnant and Dan suffered a double brain aneurysm. With only a max 20% chance of survival, Dan miraculously survived. Having Laura next to him during his entire hospital stay must have made the difference.

Not So Truthful

As allegations against the show began to grow, Thom Beers, an executive producer, came out to defend the authenticity of the program. In front of a live panel discussion, he mentioned, “I can honestly tell you that the stuff found in those containers are found in storage containers.” However, he later recanted, noting that items from several lockers may be combined into one.

A Second Chance

It’s almost surprising that A&E brought back Dave Hester to the show after he publicly denounced it. However, it’s believed that he was given a new contract to avoid further defamation. As a surprise, Hester’s lawsuit mentioned, “The defendants would like the public to believe that the series presents an accurate portrayal of the auction process. The truth is that every aspect of the series is fake.”

Second Chances

Upon serving his 16 month-long state prison sentence, Jarrod sought out family to help him pick up the pieces. His aunt gave him some life-changing experience when she was showing him around a public storage facility she managed. He and his partner, Brandi Passante, not long after opened their second-hand store, Now and Then. Ironically, he met producers for the show during its early development while looking for pieces to buy for his store.

Freedom Of Speech

During Hester’s lawsuit, A&E alleged that the First Amendment right allows the show to escape accusations from falsified storytelling. The judge in the case agreed with the show, categorizing the show as “expressive free speech,” allowing producers to get away with inauthentic story lines.

Leveling The Playing Field

Much was revealed in Dave’s 2012 lawsuit. During the bidding process, the stars of the show were expected to purchase the rights to lockers with their own money whereas smaller, less-experienced bidders would often receive help from the network. This helped all parties maintain a relatively equal playing field.

Hunter Moore

Similarly in 2012, Brandi Passante had to deal with her own lawsuit, albeit, unrelated to the show. An “X-rated” online video vender had claimed he had a personal and private video of the now reality tv star.Not long after, Passante was able to make her case, having the video removed. She was also awarded $750 in damages while Hunter Moore, the perpetrator, was later sentenced to two years in prison for comparable offenses.

Writers?

During the same live panel discussion, Thom Beers also mentioned that writers occasionally assist cast members during one-on-one interviews for narration. These writers will provide cues to help out these members tell their “stories.”

All For Show

Hester must have taken everything in the Storage Wars locker because he knows it all. “While on location filming an auction, Defendants also film footage of the cast members and the public bidding when no actual auction is taking place.” Additional scenes can bee filmed, despite the lack of a real bidding war, to add in post to make the show seem even more intense than it actually is.

More Sex Appeal?

One of the more damning pieces of information to come out of Dave’s disastrous  lawsuit is that the network paid for plastic surgery for Brandi Passante. They desired more sex appeal for the show that was almost entirely composed of male bidders.

YUUUP

Rapper Trey Songz has used Hester’s famous “YUUUP!” sound-bite into his songs for years. Because of the popularity of the phrase, he and Dave Hester went to court over the catchphrase. At the end, neither party won out. They both dropped the argument, accepting that they can both use it.

The Ladies Man

Proclaimed “Ladies Man” Barry Weiss wasn’t much of a bidder. He really didn’t need the money either, selling his father’s vegetable and fruit distribution company for millions. Rather, he wanted in on the show to connect with his female fans, establish further fame, and exude a real love of antiques. These days, he’s the spokesperson for Sherwood Valley Casino.

Troubled Kevin Pew

Miami, New York, Texas, and even Canada – Storage Wars production has come to each of these cities. Sadly, the 2015 season of the Miami series was cut after a mere 10 episodes. The son of Kevin Pew shot an acquaintance during a viewing party for his father’s show. His son was convicted for first degree murder and the series was immediately dismantled.

Thrifting Changing Lives

After a 2005 DUI arrest, Dave Hester was forced to serve community service hours at his local goodwill. He took in donated items, prepared and arranged them for sale, and well, sold them! Upon completing his hours, he switched his retail store from selling furniture to one of antique thrifting.

Antiques Roadshow

“Storage Wars is merely an entertainment show that adds more interest in Antiques Roadshows‘ more honest appraisal process” mentioned the latter’s executive producer, Marsha Bemko. “Is it really reasonable to think that someone on ‘Storage Locker Wars’ is going to find a $100,000 item that somebody left in a storage locker?” Expect Antiques Roadshow to be more honest as appraisers don’t have an incentive to buy or sell items brought to them.

Just One Part

It may appear as though bidding on storage lockers is the only part of the auctioneering process. However, Mike Braiotta, star of Storage Wars- New York, has much more to add. Not only are you buying and selling, its sales because you need to know the right people. “Otherwise, you’re going to buy a bunch of stuff and have to sit on it. You have to really, truly be a buyer and a seller. It takes a lot of losing to finally learn how to do that. And I still lose. As long as I’ve been doing it, it’s still a gamble.”