Storage Hunters: Open World Auctions

Bid zones, locker previews, and max-bid planning with the sell calculator.

By Bloxron Editorial Team · Last updated July 24, 2026

Stand in the bid zone when a locker opens, watch the preview, and raise your offer against NPCs and other players. Previews show base values only — run the calculator for a max bid and pick a yard on areas that fits your net worth, cash buffer, and truck size.

Bidding by yard

Permanent yards unlock in order — Junk Yard → Back Alley → Farmyard → Shipyard → Lucky Bay. Unlock gates, loot tiers, and when to move on are on the areas page.

Junk Yard — Learn the bid zone — previews stay cheap, so bankroll and sell speed matter more than truck size.
Back Alley — Set a max bid before NPCs chase the preview — thin margins punish emotional raises.
Farmyard — Preview machinery weight before you commit — one heavy piece can block a starter truck.
Shipyard — High preview ceilings — need a heavy hauler, shelf space, and grading time in your cap.
Lucky Bay — Shipyard-tier previews or higher — run the calculator and check cargo before emotional raises on industrial hauls.

Cargo Ship event

Not a permanent yard. The ship docks at the Shipyard on a rotating timer — Server event — the ship docks on a rotating timer (often about every 1–3 hours for ~15 minutes). Watch for the in-game banner that Cargo Ship auctions are live.

Unlock: about $7,000 net worth before the gates open
Location: Shipyard dock
Board through the ship gates once your net worth clears the gate, then bid on deck containers. Exclusive Cargo Ship Collection Book items do not appear in normal yard lockers.

Bidding loop

Enter an auction area and stand inside the bid zone when a locker opens.
Watch the brief preview — base values only, not mutation payouts.
Press the interact key to raise your offer against NPC and player bidders.
Win the locker, load items and any safes before leaving — partial hauls waste bids.
Grade and list at the shop; mutations stack additively on the counter.

Know your max bid

Decide your top offer before the bidding heats up. A shiny roll on cheap clutter still loses money if you overpay — the preview cannot show mutation payout. Factor in safe weight and cargo limits in your cap so a win you cannot haul is not a win.

Grade high-base exclusives mentally at preview time — run the calculator on anything close.
Subtract expected grading and shelf time if you are still on starter selling space.
Grow net worth toward the next yard gate before you chase its entry costs — see areas.

Common overbid mistakes

Chasing preview totals without grading or mutation math.
Ignoring locker weight when your hauler is still starter-tier.
Bidding in a new area before the net-worth unlock clears.
Leaving high-base exclusives behind to grab low-value filler.
Opening safes on-site instead of hauling them — burns keys without shop prep.
Treating Cargo Ship as a permanent zone you can return to anytime.

After you win

Open safes with the matching keys at your shop, load the good stuff first, then head back to grade. Grab collectibles between runs for Collection Book progress and extra sell value.

FAQ

Does the locker preview show mutation value?

No — previews list base values only. Mutations apply at the shop counter. Use the calculator when you expect a roll.

What happens if I win but cannot load everything?

Left-behind loot is lost profit on your winning bid. Check cargo weight and carry limit before you commit to a max offer.

Do I need to stand in a bid zone?

Yes — stay inside the marked bid zone when a locker opens or your raises may not register against NPC and player bidders.

Can cash alone unlock the next yard?

No — permanent yards gate mainly on net worth (Back Alley ~$750, Farmyard ~$10,000, Shipyard ~$125,000). Unspent bid cash does not skip the unlock UI.

What is the Cargo Ship event?

A timed auction that docks at the Shipyard. You need about $7,000 net worth to board. It is not a permanent fifth yard between Back Alley and Farmyard — catch the live banner, bid on deck containers, then leave when the ship sails.

When should I stop bidding on a locker?

When your max bid exceeds graded shelf payout minus a margin you are willing to risk on mutations. Preview totals alone are not enough.

Is there a limited-time auction rotation?

Yes at times — Absolute Zero! layers temporary locker loot onto the normal bid loop. Limited pieces leave the pool when the window ends; there is no reliable public end date on every banner, so bid while the event is live and confirm in-game.