The first step in finding self storage is usually phone shopping. Look on the internet or the yellow pages for locations that are convenient for you. You may know of one that you want to call just because you know where it is or you’ve stored there before. If you’re looking on the internet, type in self storage or mini storage and the name of the city. The search engines are efficient at bringing the best websites to the top of your list. In the yellow pages you will be looking under the heading of “Storage, Household and Commercial”. While in the yellow pages, look for a facility which has an ad rather than just a simple line listing in the yellow pages. The self storage operator who doesn’t put an ad in the yellow pages is not very serious about your business. You will be treated with more care and respect by someone who is serious enough about wanting you at their facility to spend money on advertising to get you to call.

Customer Service and Self Storage

Quality of customer service is one of the top characteristics to look for in the self storage business and, for that matter, in any business if you will have a continuing relationship. There are a lot of clues you can pick up about customer service from the initial phone call. If the phone rings more than three times when calling a facility, I would be uncomfortable. It would be my first hint that something may not be completely right. Facility’s operators do have to eat lunch, they do go out and show units to customers, and sometimes they cannot be in the office. It’s absolutely appropriate to leave a message if an answering machine comes on. If you don’t get a call back within an hour and a half, assuming you’re calling during business hours, it might be a clue that you may not get the highest quality of customer service.

When speaking with a self storage facility manager on the phone, you should get an intuitive feeling that the person you are talking to is focused on you. There may be a distraction if a customer walks into their office while they are talking to you, but you should still feel like you are focused on. You should feel comfortable with the quality of communication. Can you clearly understand what they have to offer? Are they able to answer your questions in a straight forward manner? Do they give you helpful advice? Did they ask your name and did they use it? Using your name is one of the key signs of good customer focus and service. Finally, did you feel comfortable with the person you spoke with?

12 Questions to Ask

(plus 3 money saving bonus questions)

Here are the most important questions you can ask to get the best information about any storage property:

1. Describe what you have to store and ask what size storage room they think you will need. The facility operator has to answer this type of question many times per week and is probably an expert at judging storage needs. Also look at our self storage space estimator on our storage tips page.
2. Ask the storage operator to tell you about the storage facility.
3. What hours can you get into your storage unit?  What hours is the office open?
4. What security measures do they have in place? Do they have a gate? Do they have security cameras? Do they have lights at night?
5. When you move out, how do you get your deposit back? Will they pro-rate rent back to you? (Many storage facilities do not, but it’s worth asking)
6. When is your payment going to be due each month?
7. What are the payment options? Do they accept credit cards, checks and cash?
8. What are the move in fees? Is there a deposit? Is there an administration fee? Will they pro-rate the first months rent?
9. What happens if you are late? What is the late fee? When does it start? Will the self storage facility auto draft your credit card or checking account so you’ll avoid a late fee?
10. If you are late, do they send out notices or call to remind you?
11. Do they sell locks or boxes?  Do they offer a move-in truck?
12. Ask for directions to the storage property and any landmarks you should look for.

Three Bonus Questions to Save You Money

1. Does the self storage facility have a website?  Check it for discount coupons.
2. Ask about the price of the size unit you need and ask about any move in specials.
3. If you know you’ll need storage for a while, ask if there are any advantages or discounts for paying for six months or twelve months in advance?

 

Where to Go from Here

7 Key Things to Look For covers the things you want to watch for when you go to look at a self storage facility.  Site Contents gives you an overview of the site and a quick summary of each page.