» Self Storage Locations

  • Self Storage Business
    By joel on August 23, 2011 | No Comments  Comments
    Do not believe everything that you see on television. Of course those people who claim they are doing reality television cannot be further from the truth. What seems to be reality to some is not quite reality to others. For the simple fact some of the things that happen on television are not things that would happen in real life. Naturally in order to get ratings, you will see that some storage is embellished just a bit to gain the attention of their viewers. Self storage seems to not have been able to duck the limelight.
    Storage auctions seem to be on the rise with all of the publicity and realty television shows.  Usually the ones purchasing the units are businesses that have a store front that they can sell their items out of. You do not see the individuals who buy the units or how they deal with their newly accumulated items. Many individuals sell items online in an attempt to make money.   If you are like the average person you probably do not have room in your home or garage to store your inventory. A caller I spoke with Saturday rents a self storage unit close to their house so they can keep everything organized. As an item sells on line, they visit their unit; pull the item and then send it to the buyer.
    Many people run their business out of their self storage units. They find that it is a cheap way in order to have a store front without the store front. Typically this kind of business is being run by their selves or with the help of one other employee. This way they can keep their bottom line profit intact. The business owners want to manage their business efficiently to where they are not spending unnecessarily. The better they can advertise, sell and distribute the more efficiently their business will run out of their storage unit. If they grow big enough, people might then consider the idea of having an actual store front so people can browse their inventory in person.

    Do not believe everything that you see on television. Of course those people who claim they are doing reality television cannot be further from the truth. What seems to be reality to some is not quite reality to others. For the simple fact some of the things that happen on television are not things that would happen in real life. Naturally in order to get ratings, you will see that some storage is embellished just a bit to gain the attention of their viewers. Self storage seems to not have been able to duck the limelight.

    Storage auctions seem to be on the rise with all of the publicity and realty television shows.  Usually the ones purchasing the units are businesses that have a store front that they can sell their items out of. You do not see the individuals who buy the units or how they deal with their newly accumulated items. Many individuals sell items online in an attempt to make money.   If you are like the average person you probably do not have room in your home or garage to store your inventory. A caller I spoke with Saturday rents a self storage unit close to their house so they can keep everything organized. As an item sells on line, they visit their unit; pull the item and then send it to the buyer.

    Many people run their business out of their self storage units. They find that it is a cheap way in order to have a store front without the store front. Typically this kind of business is being run by their selves or with the help of one other employee. This way they can keep their bottom line profit intact. The business owners want to manage their business efficiently to where they are not spending unnecessarily. The better they can advertise, sell and distribute the more efficiently their business will run out of their storage unit. If they grow big enough, people might then consider the idea of having an actual store front so people can browse their inventory in person.

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  • Automatic Bill Pay
    By joel on July 28, 2011 | No Comments  Comments
    Why is it that everyone uses auto bill pay these days?  The simple answer is convenience.  In our every day busy lives we want to ensure that we can get every thing done without putting a major kink in our plans. We want to be able to keep everything in our world tight and without any unplanned ripples. There are many people who do live life minute to minute so bill pay might actually help these people are freak them out when they see money withdrawn from their account.
    Even storage facilities use auto bill pay for tenants to pay their storage bills.  This makes bill pay very easy.  Now, the tenant need only make sure the available funds are in his or her account on the billing due date.  No longer do tenants have to come in or call in each month to make the payment.  Plus, we the hectic lifestyles we live, it is easy to forget about a bill.  In the storage industry, if you don’t pay, you lose your things.  However, with bill pay this problem is eliminated.
    Auto bill pay is also great for those people who travel over seas often. You can have money going to one account and make sure that that account has money for you to auto money debit money out of it. This way you don’t have worry about contacting the store or a loved one to try to take care of the bill for you. It will be all taken out of the account you set up before you left. You can then enjoy your vacation or your time overseas and not worry about your self storage unit.

    Why is it that everyone uses auto bill pay these days?  The simple answer is convenience.  In our every day busy lives we want to ensure that we can get every thing done without putting a major kink in our plans. We want to be able to keep everything in our world tight and without any unplanned ripples. There are many people who do live life minute to minute so bill pay might actually help these people are freak them out when they see money withdrawn from their account.

    Even storage facilities use auto bill pay for tenants to pay their storage bills.  This makes bill pay very easy.  Now, the tenant need only make sure the available funds are in his or her account on the billing due date.  No longer do tenants have to come in or call in each month to make the payment.  Plus, we the hectic lifestyles we live, it is easy to forget about a bill.  In the storage industry, if you don’t pay, you lose your things.  However, with bill pay this problem is eliminated.

    Auto bill pay is also great for those people who travel over seas often. You can have money going to one account and make sure that that account has money for you to auto money debit money out of it. This way you don’t have worry about contacting the store or a loved one to try to take care of the bill for you. It will be all taken out of the account you set up before you left. You can then enjoy your vacation or your time overseas and not worry about your self storage unit.

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  • Sound the Alarm
    By joel on July 27, 2011 | No Comments  Comments
    Depending on the facility, you will find that they have many different types of security. Depending on what they have, you might have to choose whether or not that is the facility for you. Some companies go over the top when it comes to security but that means they care about what you are storing. Finding a company that does not have any measure of security except for the lock that goes on it is still common. You have to determine if security is important to you.
    Door alarms are one of the best types of security a storage facility can offer.  In most cases, only high end storage facilities have them.  The door alarm activates if the door is messed with.  The alarm notifies the manger so he can contact the authorities.  While locks are a good way to secure your storage units, they can be cut.  However, with a door alarm, the property manager is immediately contacted, and the situation can be resolved instantly.  That way, you don’t end up coming to your unit, only to find it completely empty!
    Door alarms are very similar to those select few who have security systems on their homes. When they leave, they set the alarm and whoever tries to enter their home an alarm will sound. It is the same way at the self storage facility. As soon as you shut the door and put your lock on it, that is step one. The last step to activate the alarm will be to put your pin code in the gate as you. You are then all set. Your door alarm is activated. Your belongings are safe.

    Depending on the facility, you will find that they have many different types of security. Depending on what they have, you might have to choose whether or not that is the facility for you. Some companies go over the top when it comes to security but that means they care about what you are storing. Finding a company that does not have any measure of security except for the lock that goes on it is still common. You have to determine if security is important to you.

    Door alarms are one of the best types of security a storage facility can offer.  In most cases, only high end storage facilities have them.  The door alarm activates if the door is messed with.  The alarm notifies the manger so he can contact the authorities.  While locks are a good way to secure your storage units, they can be cut.  However, with a door alarm, the property manager is immediately contacted, and the situation can be resolved instantly.  That way, you don’t end up coming to your unit, only to find it completely empty!

    Door alarms are very similar to those select few who have security systems on their homes. When they leave, they set the alarm and whoever tries to enter their home an alarm will sound. It is the same way at the self storage facility. As soon as you shut the door and put your lock on it, that is step one. The last step to activate the alarm will be to put your pin code in the gate as you. You are then all set. Your door alarm is activated. Your belongings are safe.

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  • Price Shopping
    By joel on July 26, 2011 | No Comments  Comments
    Not everyone really knows how to shop for a good price when it comes to self storage. In fact there are a fair number of people who have never used self storage. Since they have not shopped for self storage before how do they know what to look for? Below you will find a couple of things to look for when shopping around.
    Is the location convenient for you to get to?  When it comes to self storage, people do need self storage, but most do not want to go out of their way to visit their belongings if they do not need to. Many people will find a local self storage company that is either close to their work or close to their home. This way the customer can just drop by grab what they need and get back on track. It would seem that almost ninety percent of people choose a facility based on its location.
    Does the facility offer special rates or monthly deals? It would seem these days companies are bidding for the business of the customer. Sometimes customers call into a facility just to see what special they are running and to see who has the lower rate. Of course most companies will already know what their competition is doing price wise. When a customer tells the manager at the facility they found a price cheaper or a better special, the manager will know if they are telling the truth.
    Will the facility have the size to fit your belongings? No matter what else is discussed, this is very important. If the facility does not have the size the customer needs or something equivalent, then there is no reason for the customer to talk to that facility. Now if the customer does not need the space for a while and the facility might get the size needed available, it could then work. Having the right size for the customer is a key element to finding the right facility for you.
    Does the facility offer protection for your things? You have to feel safe knowing that your belongings will be safe. If your belongings are not safe, why are you storing them? You want to store your belongings are your home but you simply do not have the room. So you want to feel as comfortable storing your belongings in a self storage facilitiy of your choice or not store at all.
    Above you were able to read important aspects of finding the right facility for you to store your belongings. You will ultimately make the right decision when it comes to which facility you want to store from. Depending on where you live, you might have many options of which facility you could choose. You might only have one facility and hope that they have all that you need in order to store.

    Not everyone really knows how to shop for a good price when it comes to self storage. In fact there are a fair number of people who have never used self storage. Since they have not shopped for self storage before how do they know what to look for? Below you will find a couple of things to look for when shopping around.

    Is the location convenient for you to get to?  When it comes to self storage, people do need self storage, but most do not want to go out of their way to visit their belongings if they do not need to. Many people will find a local self storage company that is either close to their work or close to their home. This way the customer can just drop by grab what they need and get back on track. It would seem that almost ninety percent of people choose a facility based on its location.

    Does the facility offer special rates or monthly deals? It would seem these days companies are bidding for the business of the customer. Sometimes customers call into a facility just to see what special they are running and to see who has the lower rate. Of course most companies will already know what their competition is doing price wise. When a customer tells the manager at the facility they found a price cheaper or a better special, the manager will know if they are telling the truth.

    Will the facility have the size to fit your belongings? No matter what else is discussed, this is very important. If the facility does not have the size the customer needs or something equivalent, then there is no reason for the customer to talk to that facility. Now if the customer does not need the space for a while and the facility might get the size needed available, it could then work. Having the right size for the customer is a key element to finding the right facility for you.

    Does the facility offer protection for your things? You have to feel safe knowing that your belongings will be safe. If your belongings are not safe, why are you storing them? You want to store your belongings are your home but you simply do not have the room. So you want to feel as comfortable storing your belongings in a self storage facilitiy of your choice or not store at all.

    Above you were able to read important aspects of finding the right facility for you to store your belongings. You will ultimately make the right decision when it comes to which facility you want to store from. Depending on where you live, you might have many options of which facility you could choose. You might only have one facility and hope that they have all that you need in order to store.

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  • Save Time with a Storage Unit
    By jeff on March 14, 2011 | No Comments  Comments

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    Moving. It is just one word, but it can have such a strong meaning. Many people hate the hassle that comes with moving, and Maggie was no different. She hated to pack and unpack. She hated the hassle that came with searching through boxes for something that you find that you need and then realize that you have a need for it again.

    Unfortunately for Maggie she was in the process of moving. She was packing up her two bedroom apartment that she had lived in for the past five years, and she was preparing to move into her first home. After college she had worked hard to find a great job, and had moved into the apartment and began to save every penny that she could to go towards a down payment for her own house. The time had come and house hunting had begun a few months ago. When Maggie saw the cottage style three bedroom house in one of the neighborhoods that she was looking to purchase in she fell in love and put in her offer.

    Now that she was going to be a first time home owner she needed to pack up everything to vacate her apartment. When she talked to her landlord about ending her lease he was nice enough to let her sublet the last three months of her lease and he had a couple that was looking for a two bedroom like hers. The problem came with the dates however. She needed to be out of her apartment on the fifteenth and the closing on her house would not be done until the end of the month. She had to find a solution for her problem.

    Her answer came in the form of a Peru, Ontario self storage unit. She rented one of their larger units and was packing as fast as she could to move all of her furniture and boxes over to the self storage unit. The majority of her stuff would be moved into the Peru self storage unit and she was going to be staying at her sister’s house until the closing was done on her house.

    While normally Maggie hated packing it seemed to go by really fast for her. Maybe it was because she was in hurry to get out of her apartment and into her first house, or maybe it was just the time crunch that she was under. Whatever the reason it seemed to her that one day she was packing her first box, and the next day her stuff was in the Peru self storage unit and she was sleeping in her sisters guest room.

    The self storage unit turned out to be a wonderful thing though in the end. Before she moved all of her stuff into her new house, Maggie took the opportunity of having a clean space to paint the rooms without the hassle of covering or moving all of the stuff in the room to be free of paint. All of her stuff was safely stored away in her Peru storage unit.

    When she finally did move her stuff in it seemed to Maggie that she did not mind unpacking this time. It seemed to go by quickly. Maybe it was because she was a homeowner and knew that she would be staying here for quite a while, or maybe it was jut having the space be her own. Maggie knew that she was going to love being a home owner.

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  • Finding the Best Storage Solution for You
    By jeff on March 4, 2011 | No Comments  Comments

    When you are shopping around for Fontainebleau storage units there are many things that you will need to consider. A lot of shoppers in Ontario do not even know where to start. These are some helpful tips to help you along with the process. The first thing that you need to do is look for storage places to call. You can find a lot of places that sell Fontainebleau storage units in the phonebook or on the internet. It may be tempting to call around as soon as you find a few locations, but you should do a few other things first.

    The first thing that you need to do is find out what you are priorities are when shopping for Fontainebleau storage units so that you find what you need. If you just call around looking for the lowest price in Ontario and that is it, you may find that you end up with a space that you are not very happy with. There are some shoppers that may be shopping on a budget, but you do not want to sacrifice too much quality to find a space that will work for you.

    One of the keys is to find Fontainebleau storage units at a location that is close to you for convenience. You will be able to go to the storage property and easily get anything out when you need to. The next thing is security. If the site is not secure, then there is really no reason to even consider storing there. The customer service that the site offers to customers can also really make a big difference in your overall customer satisfaction. Good companies realize that they will need to satisfy customers in order to have long term success. They may be able to initially attract customers with low prices, but they need to follow through and exceed their expectations in order to retain customers. Retaining customers is one of the most important things that companies need to do to stay around for awhile.

    There is a way to get quality Fontainebleau storage units and not break the bank. The key is to find a good special. You can typically just ask the manager when you call in about what types of specials they are currently running. The absolute best deals are going to be move in specials. This could include getting the first month for free. It also might be something that gets you a discount on the rent for the first few months. You always want to make sure that you are not signing up to a long term contract when you are getting a special. Most sites will allow you to get a special on the units without doing anything like this. You can usually get a good special by signing up for the storage on a month to month basis. Amazingly, you can even move out after the first month without ever paying any rent. You would still have to pay the initial move in costs but those are usually pretty minimal. They would include an admin fee and a few other things, but they do not usually amount to much. You can also get a discount if you are a senior, student or military. They would just give you a discount each month that you store.

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  • Helping Hints for Storage Shoppers
    By jeff on March 3, 2011 | No Comments  Comments

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    Shopping for Dorset Park storage units is an art. If you are brand new to the world of storage, you may be slightly over whelmed at all of the options that Ontario has to offer. There is really no way to tell you exactly what to look for. A lot of the process of shopping for Dorset Park storage units really comes down to what is important to you. You may be concerned with different things than the next person. This article will focus on how to get the unit that you are looking for.

    If you are looking for nice Dorset Park storage units you should note that you will need to spend a little bit extra money to get the nicer ones. If you are shopping for storage in Ontario on a strict budget, you may need to sacrifice a little bit of quality so that you can get what you want. There are a few ways that you can get a storage unit at a price lower than most people will pay. Some facilities will offer a price match program as long as the unit is identical and in the same area. This may allow you to get a higher quality space for less money if you are a careful shopper.

    A great way to get Dorset Park storage units for a great price is to find a great special. It is a lot easier if you are looking to store for a short amount of time. Many companies will offer first month specials without any type of long term commitment. For example, you could get a first month free special where you do not have to pay any rent on the first month and then move out before the second month starts. The only thing that you would have to pay would be the costs associated with the initial move in, and those are usually pretty low most companies. You should be careful because there are some facilities that will require a commitment to get the special.

    The best way to find coupons for Dorset Park storage units is either in the phonebook or online. The phonebook used to be the most popular way to shop for storage, but you may find that the internet is now a more effective way to find deals. You can just do a quick search for storage specials in your area to find out what the best deals are.

    When you call in to talk with the manager about what the prices are, you need to be pleasant to talk with. There are a lot of people that call in for storage and just act very hostile to the person that is trying to help them. This could make the person helping you with prices all of sudden not feel very helpful. If they like you, they are more likely to make a special deal for you. You could get a better deal on the storage space just by being pleasant to talk to. In closing, you should do a little research online for deals in your area and then start calling around to as many store locations as you can. You should not make any final decisions until you have had a chance to visit the site and see if you think the facility meets your standards.

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  • Be Selective When Shopping For Storage
    By jeff on March 1, 2011 | No Comments  Comments

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    It is overwhelming to some shoppers as they search for Burlington storage units in Ontario or anywhere for that matter. If you are not familiar with the storage industry, you may think that all Burlington storage units are the same. This is not the case. Just do an internet search for storage complaints and you can see all of the bad things that can happen if you do not store with a good company. Knowing what to look for is really the key. When you call in, the manager will probably overload you with information so you need to know what to look for in order to conduct a proper storage search.

    The biggest thing for most customers shopping for Burlington storage units is location. The location is important because of the convenience of being able to visit your storage facility when you want to. Driving across town will be inconvenient and costly because of the added travel expense. The location plays a major role in the overall integrity of the security of the site. If you are going to store, you want to make sure that you store at a facility that is safe and secure so that you do not have to worry about your things being stolen or your own personal safety.

    The site should have some basic security features to make sure their Burlington storage units are safe. There are plenty of articles that cover the benefits of such features as a pin access controlled gate, door alarms, video monitoring, and fencing. Most properties in Ontario are safe, but you do not want to end up at one that is not. You should call in and ask the manager what security features they have. You also can get a look for yourself by setting up a site tour with the property manager. They would be happy to show you around their facility. Make sure to set up an appointment as opposed to just stopping by as the manager may not be available if you just stop in at random.

    Any quality Burlington storage units should also come along with great customer service. This is actually something that is pretty hard to find in the storage industry. It just seems that there are not that many companies that will invest the proper amount of money into having a staff that is helpful and always available when you need them. Some companies are set up to where you just leave a voice mail when you call in and then they will get back to you. There are actually times when customers have had to call into a facility dozens of times over the course of several days just to get through to somebody so they can pay their bill. Make sure that you do not store at a location that is run by a company that does this. When you call in to get the info for the storage facility, you should be greeted by someone that is friendly and ready to help you out. If you do not get in touch with someone right away, you may have to leave a message even at a good facility. The key is how long it takes for them to call you back when you leave a message so make note of that.

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  • Everybody Needs Some Storage Sometimes
    By jeff on February 15, 2011 | No Comments  Comments

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    Shawnessy, Alberta is quite the interesting place.  It offers some great fishing at Fish Creek as well as Pine Creek.  Neither is a long drive and they’re each a great way to spend the day.   It is nice to be close to mountains but not too close and close to Calgary for all of the attractions it has to offer.

    When looking for self-storage in the Shawnessy area, the mover must decide what his or her needs are.  Some self storage locations offer outside parking with no heated units and some will offer only heated units and no parking.  It is really up to the consumer to shop around to see who has the service they really need.  One thing to always remember is that shopping for self-storage units is a lot like buying a t-shirt in New York City.  One might say that the self storage options offered by Shawnessy Self Storage are a long way from what goes on in New York.  But take a look at this comparison.  When shopping for a t-shirt in New York, you should shop around to determine if the shirt in question is worth the price or if it could be had cheaper elsewhere.  The shop owner is expecting to negotiate a better price with the consumer and the same holds true for self-storage.  Once a list has been created of locations that offer what the consumer needs, they should then get a quote from each of the locations.  Shawnessy Self Storage is very competitive and has a lot to offer the person in transition.  But be a good consumer. See what kinds of specials area self storage locations are offering and don’t be afraid to mention the special to the self-storage facility managers when shopping.  That could reap big rewards once the facility manager understands that they are dealing with an informed consumer rather that the casual one time shopper.

    One of the biggest misconceptions when shopping for self-storage is the idea that talking to a person about storage needs that may or may not be in another country is a bad idea.  After all, everyone hates to talk on the phone with someone that doesn’t understand them, and whom they don’t understand.  Someone who doesn’t fully comprehend the location consumer verses the guy one can talk to down the street.  In some situations this is true.  But with self-storage the call center is the consumer’s friend.  They have the ability to offer specials not available to the local guys and are more likely to give the consumer the best deal.  They will take the time to make sure the consumer understands what their need are, what size of self-storage units is right for them, find a location that is convenient and has the services they need at a reasonable rate.  They are then able to offer anything from the dollar special for one or two months to maybe a discount on moving and storage supplies if the location is too full to offer and discounts.  The take from this is that just because the person is in another city and\or another country, doesn’t mean they are bad.  That usually means they are part of a bigger organization that understands the consumer’s needs better and are able to serve the consumer better in the end.

    So what should be taken from this?  Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, and don’t be afraid to investigate Shawnessy Self Storage.  Your efforts will be rewarded.

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  • Know What You Want When Shopping for Storage
    By jeff on February 15, 2011 | No Comments  Comments

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    Millrise Self Storage in Millrise, Alberta Canada has may self storage locations to choose from.  There are the multi story locations with climate controlled units from top to bottom and there are locations with rows of non-climate controlled garage doors.  Deciding on where to store your goods for your business or home can be difficult at best.  They all seem to look alike from the outside.  After all, how much can you change a concrete floor with a garage door from one site to another?  The uneducated renter would say not much, but they could not be more wrong.  There are security gates, access hours, on-site managers, climate controlled verses non-climate units, security cameras and many more options to think about.

    The first thing that someone will notice that is when they arrive at a location that doesn’t have any climate controlled or heated units available, they down play the need for such amenities.  Luckily for the people of Millrise, the self storage managers seem to look past this.  They are more interested in helping the consumer get what they need rather than selling the consumer something that they will be unhappy with.  Is this unique to Millrise Self Storage?  Probably not, but the consumer needs to always be aware that the one selling may not have their best interest at hand.  It is easy to say that grandma’s antique dining table and hutch will be safe in a non-heated self storage unit, but in reality the consumer needs to make sure they understand the risk.  A climate controlled or heated only self storage unit is usually drier both on the floor and the humidity levels.  This will keep the antiques or just the things you want to keep nice in the same shape you left them.  It is also a good idea to purchase a few packs of damp rid.  Even though the self storage unit is heated, it is not perfect.  Damp rid will keep the moisture level down and will reduce the chance of mold and mildew.

    The next thing to consider is the location’s hours of operation.  On one hand, you want to be able to access your belongings when you need them.  But this can be a double edged sword.  By keeping the access to normal business hours or closing the doors around 9:00 PM the self storage facility is able to reduce the change of foul play coming to your self storage unit. Check with the folks at Millrise Self Storage to determine their hours of operation. Another thing to consider is facility lighting and the presence of surveillance cameras?  There are too many places out there that less than reputable people choose to prey on the unsuspecting, because they don’t fear being seen or recorded.

    The last thing to consider is convenience.  Convenience can come with a price.  This is true for real estate in any market.  If it is easy to get to and near the people, it is most likely more expensive.  If you are willing to drive a few more blocks and down a few sides streets you may save a buck.  Keep that in mind when looking for a storage location. By being informed the consumers self storage experience may be much more rewarding.  So make sure and educate yourselves before making a decision.

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