You’ve seen them on your screen for years—the guy with the thick German accent and the wife with the sharp eye for jewelry who always seems to keep him in check. Rene Nezhoda and Casey Lloyd (widely known as Casey Nezhoda) didn’t just join Storage Wars; they basically reinvented how we look at thrift store owners.
They weren't just characters. They were real-deal business owners long before A&E cameras started rolling.
The Bargain Hunters are still at it
Rene and Casey joined the cast in Season 4, and honestly, they were a breath of fresh air. While some of the other bidders felt like they were just there for the TV drama, Rene was the guy who had been buying storage units since he was eleven.
That’s not a typo. Eleven.
By the time they hit the big leagues, they were running a massive 7,000-square-foot operation called Bargain Hunters Thrift Store in Poway, California. It was the kind of place where you could find anything from a vintage comic book to high-end medical equipment. But things changed around 2021. The world got a little weird, and the brick-and-mortar store eventually closed its physical doors.
Why they didn't just "disappear"
A lot of fans think that when the store closed, the couple walked away from the business.
Nope.
👉 See also: Kate Moss Family Guy: What Most People Get Wrong About That Cutaway
They just shifted gears. Rene is a master of the pivot. He realized early on that the future wasn't just in foot traffic—it was in the digital space.
They moved the bulk of their operation to eBay and YouTube. If you check out their channel, "Bargainhuntersthrift," they’re still unboxing lockers, but now they’re doing it for a global audience. They’ve even branched out into "breaking" sports cards and high-end collectibles. It’s a different vibe than the old show, but the hustle is exactly the same.
The Poker Side Hustle
Here is something most people don't realize about Rene: the man is a shark at the poker table.
- In 2022, he took home over $70,000 at a major tournament in Uruguay.
- Casey isn't just sitting on the sidelines either; she’s been competing in Ladies Events at the same high-stakes level.
- They are official ambassadors for Americas Cardroom.
It makes sense if you think about it. Bidding on a locked storage unit is basically a high-stakes bluff. You’re looking at a pile of trash and betting that there’s a royal flush hidden under a dusty tarp.
Is Storage Wars Season 16 actually happening?
Yes. Despite the rumors that the show was dead, Storage Wars has shown more lives than a cat. Season 16 premiered in mid-2025, and the Nezhodas returned to the front lines.
✨ Don't miss: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
The dynamic has shifted a bit. Rene often shows up solo or with his father, Gunter, but Casey remains the backbone of the operation. She’s the one managing the inventory and making sure Rene doesn't spend the entire profit on a single "hunch."
Their daughter, Tatiana, has even made occasional appearances. It’s a family business in every sense of the word. They’ve managed to stay married for nearly two decades in an industry—and a TV genre—that usually eats relationships for breakfast. Just look at Brandi and Jarrod. Their split was a massive shock to the fanbase, but Rene and Casey seem to have figured out the secret sauce to working and living together without losing their minds.
Dealing with the dark side of fame
It hasn't all been vintage toys and big wins. Back in 2019, their store was robbed. It was a mess—smashed glass, stolen coins, and a lot of property damage.
Rene didn't hold back on social media. He was vocal about being armed and protecting his livelihood. It was a reminder that while the show looks like fun and games, these people are carrying around thousands of dollars in cash in some pretty sketchy industrial areas.
Then there’s the "celebrity locker" curse. They’ve bought units belonging to Farrah Fawcett, Lamar Odom, and even Kobe Bryant. While these usually result in huge headlines, Rene has been honest about the fact that they aren't always gold mines. Sometimes you lose money. Sometimes the families of the celebrities get involved, and it gets legally complicated.
🔗 Read more: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
The takeaway for the rest of us
If you’re looking to get into the storage game because of Rene and Casey, take a page out of their book.
Don't just look for the big ticket items. Rene’s wealth didn't come from one lucky locker; it came from twenty-five years of selling $10 items for $50 on eBay. He knows the value of a 1970s toy as well as he knows the value of a silver coin.
Diversify everything. The Nezhodas aren't just "the people from that show." They are YouTubers, eBay PowerSellers, poker players, and card breakers. When one stream of income dried up (like the physical store), they had four others ready to go.
Keep an eye on their social media—specifically Casey's Instagram—for the real behind-the-scenes look at their life in 2026. They’re still hunting, still bidding, and definitely still the "Bargain Hunters" of San Diego.
To see how they handle their current hauls, your best bet is to follow their YouTube live streams where they do Q&A sessions on Sundays. It’s the most direct way to see if they’ve actually found that "pull of the year" they’re always chasing.
Monitor their eBay store, sdpavilion, to see what they’re currently sourcing from their latest auctions. If you're serious about reselling, watching their unboxing videos is essentially a free masterclass in identifying "junk" that’s actually worth its weight in gold.