Family’s search for buyer after storage unit sold in secret

Sarah-Jane Elias had her precious memories, children’s toys, and personal documents sold to the highest bidder — and she had no idea.

Sarah-Jane Elias with daughters Ava,8, Ariah, 11, and Alita, 14. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sarah-Jane Elias’s precious memories, family heirlooms and sensitive personal documents were all sold to the highest bidder – and she isn’t even allowed to know their name.

Sarah’s family hired the storage unit while renovating their home, but after her credit card was stolen and dealing with some struggles within the family, Ms Elias accidentally fell behind in her payments.

After an email warning the family had fallen behind by 31 days and would potentially have their belongings sold after 42 days, Sarah-Jane called the storage facility, under the impression someone from head office would call her back to take her late payment.

The call never came, and Sarah-Jane made the awful discovery this week that her belongings had been sold to the highest bidder for $1300.

Sarah-Jane Elias says the familyis heartbroken that they have lost their possessions. Picture: Jonathan Ng

She says she owed less than $1000 in arrears.

“We don’t want to do this person any ill will, we would be willing to pay them so much more … it breaks my heart to think what has even happened to our stuff,” she said

“I’ve kept my whole life in that storage unit, we are just absolutely gutted.”

Sarah-Jane just wants her precious memories back.

Among the items she is desperate to get back are gifts from loved ones who have passed away, birth certificates, passports, her children’s school books, her children’s first dresses and hospital bracelets.

Especially heart wrenching are her young daughters, just eight and 11, crying at night, missing their special toys.

The sale was made June 26 and the family only discovered the sale this week.

“I’ve spoken to police, not to blame anyone, just from a legal perspective they say they can’t do anything,” Ms Elias said.

The communication breakdown between the family and National Storage began when Ms Elias had to cancel her credit card after fraudulent transactions.

She said they had previously not had an issue taking payment over the phone, and Sarah was reluctant to put their card details on file for fear of online scammers.

Sarah said she knows they should have made the trip to the storage company and paid earlier, but private family struggles got in the way and the promise of a return call from head office alleviated her concerns.

Now she just wants to track down this secret buyer.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph through tears Ms Elias said she hopes the anonymous buyer will see this story and return some of her treasured belongings.

“All I want is for him to read the letter and have the opportunity, they might know these are somebody’s precious items. We will pay them good money,” she said.

Sarah-Jane is happy for the buyer to keep any furniture they want, if they can return her family keepsakes.

National Storage did not return our requests for comment.

If you think you may have purchased Sarah-Jane’s storage unit, or may know more, get in touch at [e-mail]