Service Snitch: Storage Facilities: Your Loss Is Their Gain

Site Information

Affiliates

Storage Facilities: Your Loss Is Their Gain

Thousands of years ago, mankind had no need for storage facilities. None of us had anything more to carry than a hunk of flint and the spare loincloth, after all, and so we got along just fine on our own. Today, we're born into more than we can ever carry, and we don't stop buying, receiving, inheriting, and accumulating until we die. Since we have limited alternatives when our possessions outgrow our living space, and since throwing away or selling our belongings may not always be desirable, storage providers have scrambled to fill the void…and maybe make a few million dollars while they're at it.

With sky-high demand and almost no overhead after space, the storage business is a booming one, but because storage providers don't really do anything except rent out a few cubic feet of air, there is virtually no government oversight of the industry. Any business high on demand and low on regulations is bound to attract a formidable crop of shady dealers, and if you run into a negligent, incompetent, or downright swindling storage provider, you not only stand to lose thousands of dollars in cash, but all the property you trusted to him. Mold, mildew, vermin infestation, and theft have cost thousands of storage holders possessions that were important enough to them that they'd shell out hundreds of dollars a year just to keep them somewhere safe—or so they thought. So how do you tell a legitimate business from a store-by-night operation? How can you be sure your stuff will be safe and still lock up a fair deal?

What It Costs:

Storage facilities charge you by the month, and your rate will cover the space, utilities (such as lighting), and insurance. If you opt for a space with special amenities, like climate control, this will raise the rate. Even more so than with other services, your bottom line will also depend on what part of the country you live in. Because demand for space is much higher in the cities, urban storage facilities will charge much more than their suburban and rural counterparts. Even within the same city, however, the rates will vary widely; a facility in the safe part of town will command much higher fees than its competitor across the tracks. Ultimately, of course, the most important consideration is just how much space you want. $30 a month may get you enough space to stack a few boxes, but that same facility may also rent out spaces twice the size of your apartment for $3,000 a month; the storage industry caters not only to individual customers but to corporate clients, too, and corporations generally have both more to store and more money at their disposal than consumers do.

The Storage Manager Says:

"I know how important my clients' possessions are to them, and my staff and I will make sure that any item you leave with my facility is stored safely and securely. We will always keep an eye out for anything that may threaten the condition of your property, but should the unthinkable happen and your goods are damaged and stolen, you will be covered by the insurance policy included in your monthly fee. Above all, we provide our customers with the best service in the industry, and all for a fair, equitable cost."

The Snitch Says:

"Storage managers will always tell you the same thing, but the only thing most of them ever intend to keep an eye on is your wallet. With thousands of clients to serve in a sprawling mega-facility, no storage manager is going to care about you or your property, shut away in some distant, mold-ravaged, roach-infested corner of the warehouse, especially since he has corporate clients to satisfy. After all, you're just some piddly little consumer netting his outfit "only" $50 a month, what does he care? All he's doing is renting out air…and making a killing on it.

While hidden costs are not the sole preserve of the storage industry, they are the one thing facility managers have safely under lock and key. A classic ploy of the unscrupulous facility manager is to bait you with the offer of a free driver before you sign on, then blindside you with unannounced labor fees and extortionate overages once your security deposit is in his pocket. The storage facility manager may charge you labor fees whenever you move something in or out, even something you can carry yourself, or he may levy a charge for every access you make to locker, even if it's just to check up on your belongings, because, after all, no one else will.

Although basic insurance is included in your storage contract, the standard $0.30 per pound indemnity will spot you about $30 if your plasma TV gets stolen. The storage facility operator may offer you additional coverage, but while your policy may cover earthquakes, tornadoes, and missile strikes, far more commonplace perils of storage, such as mold, mildew, and vermin, are often left out of the terms altogether, but no one will bother to tell you that until it's too late.

The storage operator loves to splurge on expensive-looking security gadgets to doll up the outside of his facility, but he won't tell you that the real danger is on the inside. With thousands of other clients on his roster, the chances of a couple dozen of them being crooks are virtually inevitable, and if the manager blows all his security expenses on a showy storefront, any one of them can waltz up to your locker, clip off the three-dollar padlock, and help himself to your valuables, heirlooms, and private records."

Protecting Yourself:

As with any service, the best way to avoid getting ripped off is to bypass the service altogether. What you can't keep at your place, consider lending to friend or relative, or, better yet, donating to charity. Not only do you have the chance to contribute to your community, but many donations are tax-deductible. Unfortunately, not all charities will accept a box of Village People memorabilia, so sometimes, you'll have to enter the sellers' market. Ever-popular online auctioneers eBay will give your castaways exposure to millions of people across the country. If you're trying to unload six-foot chiffonier, however, the shipping charges may prove prohibitive, so try a community-based alternative like craigslist. There's nothing wrong with old-fashioned classified ads, yard sales, and second-hand shops, either.

Alas, sometimes you just can't bear to say good-bye to that pea-green shag divan. If you have no choice but to entrust your property to a storage provider, you must, as always, shop around. The storage racket is a very lucrative business, so you're sure to find hearty competition in even the most isolated parts of the country. Once you've compiled the names of every storage facility in your area, the first thing you'll want to do is check with your local Better Business Bureau for any complaints against them. You should always consult with your local BBB whenever you make a serious investment of any sort, regardless of the service, but never let a clean record alone sway you; while untold thousands of people in America are ripped off, gypped, or conned in one way or another every day, only a tiny minority actually bother to report it.

When considering a storage facility, pay a personal visit to the center. Look for a clean, professional appearance, especially on the interior of the facility. Ask the manager about the security technology they use, both on the outside and on the inside. If the facility does use video cameras, ask how often they replace the tapes. Some storage centers may offer cameras as extra security but will in fact re-record over tapes every 30-60 days. While most facilities dress themselves up in high-tech gadgetry to scare off potential thieves (and impress potential clients), many still rely on simple padlocks for individual storage spaces. Remember, no matter how legitimate the operation may be, you have no guarantees about the clientele. Indeed, storage facilities are a time-honored haunt of the criminal element, not only as a drop-off spot for stolen property, but, at the same time, a target to pick up even more. Although the prices will be lower in padlock alleys, restrict your search to businesses that have installed digital keycodes throughout the facility. A few facilities even maintain alarm systems for each storage unit; these are worthy of particular consideration.

As with any industry, different providers will present different advantages and disadvantages. Some will be open for access 24 hours a day, others will close before you have a chance to get there after work. Some will send a driver to transport your belongings free of charge, others will leave you to rent a truck, load it, haul it, and unload it for yourself. You have to consider your needs and demands first, then look for a storage provider that fulfills them as best as possible. Even after you've narrowed your search down, however, you'll still have choices to make. Some facilities will offer climate control as an option but tack on a hefty surcharge for it. Again, you'll want to consider your own situation; if all you want to store is a few boxes of files, climate control is not something you'll need—or want—to spend an extra $15 a month on.

The contract will specify your monthly fee; most facilities will give you a binding figure, but some may only have an estimate. By law, however, you cannot be charged 10% over your estimate. Review the contract carefully before you sign, and be on the look-out for hidden costs. Unfortunately, the contract may not include every charge you stand to incur. Labor fees, for example, are often excluded from storage contracts, so be sure to ask the provider if you'll be charged for these separately. Ask about all charges the facility imposes beyond the terms of the contract for depositing, visiting, or retrieving items. Most storage facilities will require a security deposit, but this should be refundable. You'll want to check the contract carefully for the terms of the refund; they will often be buried deep in the fine print. Before signing the contract, ask the manager about the conditions of the refund. If he seems evasive, or if what he says does not jibe with what's written in his contract, or if his conditions seem unduly stringent, you are not dealing with an honest operation.

Storage facilities all offer basic insurance as part of contract, but you must purchase supplemental coverage, whether from the facility or elsewhere. Fortunately, your homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover items while you leave them in storage. Talk with your insurance provider, and ask specifically about what the stipulations are for dropping off and picking up your property; insurers typically have strict regulations that must be followed precisely, or else you'll risk voiding your coverage. Some facilities require you to choose their premium policy as part of your contract; typically, that coverage will still be hopelessly inadequate, so you'd still have to take out insurance somewhere else, meaning you'd be better off bypassing that provider and his quote-unquote "premium" policy altogether. On the other hand, many storage facilities buy plans from third parties in bulk, and they can offer you a comprehensive policy from a reputable institution at a discounted rate. Whatever policy you decide to get and whomever you decide to get it from, however, be sure you know just where you are—and aren't—covered. Common scourges of storage facilities like mold, mildew, and vermin, all of which can irreparably damage your belongings, are often left off of storage insurance policies, especially those offered by the facilities themselves. You'll want a policy that covers all foreseeable problems, not just fire and theft, so ask the insurer about where you're protected and where you're not. Before you sign your name anywhere, read everything carefully (twice) and be sure you understand every detail.

When you're ready to lock your things away, make sure you take a detailed inventory of every item you deposit. To protect themselves from fraudulent claims, most storage facilities will perform an inventory with you, but if they don't, be sure to draw one up for yourself anyway. You'll also want to take a picture of your belongings just before you commit them to storage, so you have photographic proof of what you're storing and what condition it's in.

Finally, even if you're convinced you're trusting your belongings to the safest, cleanest, most upstanding storage company in America, never drop your off your stuff, pocket the key, and forget all about it. Whether you plan to keep your items in storage for weeks or for years, you must check your space periodically. First of all, you'll be able to catch and report any developing mold or mildew problems before your property sustains any lasting damage. Just as importantly, however, should the worst happen and someone break into your locker, you'll want to know as soon as possible; in your subsequent conferences with the facility, the insurer, and the police, things will be much easier for you if you know your things were stolen sometime in the last month rather than sometime in the last year.

Just Because You Were Curious:

Think storage seekers are just a niche market? According to the Self Storage Association, the industry's premier trade group, Americans are renting out two billion square feet of storage space, or more than three times the area of Manhattan Island. That's 6.86 square feet of storage space for every person in America, meaning there's enough room for every one of us just in those storage lockers we're renting out. The lesson here is if you're at all unsure about a place, don't just shrug your shoulders and ask where you sign. No matter what part of the country you live in, with demand this pervasive, you'll find several competitors within a reasonable distance. And while you should never get too complacent about what you leave in storage, you're sure to find a facility where, whenever you lock the door to your belongings, you can actually feel secure.

Posted by admin on 12/29 at 05:53 PM

Sponsors

Search

Categories

Site Information

Affiliates

Archives

Meta

Friday, December 29, 2006

Storage Facilities: Your Loss Is Their Gain

Post a Comment