Know your Self Storage

Human beings are considered to be among the most emotionally attached species on the planet. An overwhelming majority of us have stocked up on things that we think we need, but never do. Yet, thinking that we might need them some day, we continue to hold on to them. And this is notwithstanding hoarders who take this habit to the extreme. Thankfully, there are many storage solutions out there that are willing to take the load off you. But before you go on to rent one, here are a few things that you should know:

• Gone are the days when storage units were scarce and one had to pay the asking price in-order to rent one. If you are in a major market, chances are that there will be more than one storage facility to cater to demand. So, do negotiate on the pricing before you sign the dotted line


• Storage companies have been getting quite innovative in their service offerings. They have realized that there is no longer a need for long-term binding contracts. Today, one can even rent their storage unit for a short period, like a week or a month, for example


• There is nothing illegal about renting a storage unit. It is a legitimate business that caters to legitimate customers. Instances reporting unfair usage of storage units may have been found earlier, but the modern day storage industry has all but done away with such practices


• Every reputed storage operator has their own list of do’s and don’ts for storage unit renters. These range from the type of items that can be stored, to the fair usage policies governing their units. Hence, do check with the concerned operator before renting a unit.


• Storage operators are known to take reasonable care of your belongings while being stored with them. However, it is not possible for them to guarantee their safety. A comprehensive insurance policy is usually the preferred solution for protection against Murphy’s Law and consequent eventualities. Some operators even have tie-ups with insurance companies that offer solutions that have been custom-designed for the specific type of usage


• Each storage service operator offers their own particular range of benefits. Similarly, they also have their own unique improvement areas. Narrowing down upon a particular storage operator should be done on the suitability of the product and services, and not upon the cost benefits on offer


• Keep a lookout for offers that sound too good to be true. In most instances, they are too good to be true. Designed merely to lure the unsuspecting renter, their true intentions are revealed later on into the contract, when it is much too difficult to break free.

In business as in personal life, reputation is everything. This is particularly true for the self storage industry as it involves the safekeeping of personal belongings and valuables. So, do conduct a thorough reputation check before signing the dotted line. Leverage the power of social media and crowd sourcing platforms to get a first hand insight on the performance of the operator of choice. In the end, it is your personal belongings being stored and they deserve the best solution you can get.