Self Storage Owner » storage facilities

Needing the Right Manager

joel — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:31:22 +0000

It takes a particular kind of person to work in the self storage business. Every day there are managers of self storage facilities that deal with the issues of the customers that they serve and attempt to find a solution for them. Sometimes you have to handle multiple issues in a day and that can be very taxing on an individual then they would need someone to help them with their stress. What are some qualities that self storage owners look for when they are trying to select the type of management they need for their store locations. They do not have the easiest task ahead of them.

In some retail environments the owner will just hire warm bodies that can smile and greet anyone that comes into their store or location. Then those warm bodies will hopefully keep the person interested enough until someone can come by to actually offer them some assistance. In some retail environments the responsibility of the manager is just to ensure that everyone entering the store has a person to help them. Well in a self storage environment, the manager could be the only one that is in the store that can help each person coming in. The self storage managers have to wear different hats in order to help their customers.

A self storage manager has to be patient and a good listener. They have to be able to get through stressful situations to find a solution for the customers. Being able to multitask as a self storage manager is a must. Sometimes you will have to find a way to walk a customer to their unit to ensure it’s ready to move and also try to get to phone when it rings. You have to ensure that the facility is clean while making sure that everyone is greeted. No one wants to shake your hand when you have trash juice all over it. A manager has to be able to treat each customer as they have spoken to them before and they are an old friend. Customers want to feel welcome and fell as if the manager is able to assist them.

The self storage manager will have many different things they need to do and not everyone has the skill set in order to do this. Self storage owners need to ensure they ask the right questions and seek individuals with the right background that can help the company move toward achieving their goals. Selecting the wrong kind of person could set that facility which will in turn set back the company.

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A Secure Facility

joel — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:49:41 +0000

Why are you deciding to store you belongings? Most of the time you will hear that the answer is that they want to keep those particular items but they do not want to get rid of but do not have room in their house for. Since this is the reason you need storage, don’t you want to make sure that you keep your belonging safe. Is keeping your belongings out on the curb and not in your house keeping them safe? The answer should be no. Since no is the answer then why do you find storage facilities that do not have any sort of security features?

You will find that there are some facilities that will not have anything in terms of security features. They are almost inviting people to come in and to take your belongings. Do you really believe that a lock can keep your things safe from someone who really wants to break in? It will not take much for a person to cut your lock and to start hauling away your stuff. The problem is that not a lot of people know what to look for or ask for when they are asking is the facility safe. Being in a safe neighborhood is not the only thing you need to think about when it comes to safety. You need to ask for security features.

What are good security features to look for when getting a storage unit? I often suggest the facility be in a good location. Also, it helps if the property manager lives on site, and/or there are video cameras throughout. Good properties have strong doors, door alarms, gates, and motion sensor lighting. While not all of these things are necessary, they do play a big part in making sure you belongings are safe while you’re paying for storage.

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Are Storage Facilities The Secret To Financial Freedom – Part Three

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:19:50 +0000

Do you have the space that would benefit 20 or more people Do the calculations of your space run between 30 and 100 dollars a month. Let us say your units are large and in a city where space is a rarity and you can easily get 100 dollars a month for a unit if you reach capacity that is an extra 2,000 dollars a month for doing absolutely nothing at all.

If you are looking for a way to pay your bills or have some extra cash, renting out a storage facility is perfect. After the advertising is done and the unit is filled, the rest is up to your new tenets. You just sit back and collect the checks.

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Are Storage Facilities The Secret To Financial Freedom – Part Two

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:17:26 +0000

Storage facilities are a must for several groups of people. Let us start with the college kids. They want nothing more than to be independent and prove that they have what it takes to succeed on their own. They are too happy to get away from mom and dad, and take extra cargo room with a low monthly payment that will save them from the embarrassment of telling their parents that they need help. This is just the beginning of the large spectrum of people that can truly use the advantages that storage facilities have to offer.

Think about the bachelor that is getting married to the love of his live. Clearly, the young couple has spent everyday up until the wedding living their own lives, collecting their own things. Now that they are married they will be living together. What happens when two people try to cram two entire lifetimes of things into one little apartment or starter home it fails miserably. They will have to compromise, throw things away. No matter how much in love they are with those things, they are going to feel resentful that they have to throw away things that mattered most to them. Storage facilities seriously have the power to prevent these feelings from beginning.

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Are Storage Facilities The Secret To Financial Freedom – Part One

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:14:50 +0000

Storage facilities are becoming more and more sought after in all parts of the US and even other parts of the world. People are realizing how valuable extra space in their house is. The demand for cargo room spaces on rent is growing bigger and bigger. If you are thinking about making a profit out of your vacant landed property or space, this may be one of the least expensive startup ventures that you can think of today. All you need to start a storeroom on rent venture is the space and the dedication to advertise the space that you have opened.

Advertising has never been easier than it is today. Home printers and design software have saved people millions in the advertisement department. Another great form of advertising is word of mouth. Have a friend, family, or client tell everyone that they know about your Storage facilities . If they tell, for example, ten friends, and half of these friends realize just how valuable of a service you are providing, it implies five new customers thanks to one. The Internet age gives you the freedom to advertise with no money at all. Social media sites have opened the door to a whole new generation of potential clients. The people that have taken advantage of these social media sites are the ones whose businesses soar about and beyond the other new business.

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Use A Climate Controlled Storage Facility

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:22:13 +0000

In recent years, using a weather insulated storage facility has become quite popular. When it comes to storing delicate or climate sensitive items, weather-controlled units are preferred over regular storing units.

Temperature-controlled units are more expensive than regular storeroom units. And that is why, it important to ensure whether or not the items you are storing do really require climate-controlled units. Some people do make the mistake of storing items that do not require a climate-controlled storing unit.

Electronic

Items that can be stored in such units are electronic items like, computers, stereos, telephones, printers, and other such items are good candidates for a weather-proof storage facility . These storing units ensure that the electronic items are not damaged due to moisture build-up.

Fabrics And Upholstery

Fabrics and upholstery also require climate-controlled storing units. Delicate clothing items like, silk, linen, satin and cotton can be damaged if stored in a hot and humid environment. Temperature-controlled storing units ensure that the climate inside the unit is dry and warm.

Furniture
Furniture also requires being stored in weather-proof storing environment. Storing the furniture in a regular storeroom can lead to the fabric getting damaged due to molds and mildews. The wooden part of the furniture can develop cracks due to heat inside the cargo space unit. Leather furniture is especially prone to damage from extreme weather conditions.

Antiques And Paperwork
Antiques and paperwork should also be stored in a climate-controlled unit. These items are prone to damages from moisture and mold. Since these items are usually very expensive and cannot be replaced, it is best to store them in a temperature-controlled storing unit. Climate controlled units ensure that the belongings stored remain in the condition when they were stored.

Wine also requires climate-controlled storerooms. Proper temperature ensures that the wine is not damaged. It also ensures that the wine ages as it should.

Tips To Keep The Costs Down
Since a weather-proof storage facility provides optimum storing environment for your valuables, it is going to cost you more. However, if you negotiate with the owner you can always bring down the rent. It is never written that the storeroom prices are fixed. Moreover, every owner is willing to offer a great deal to his or her customers. Since the competition is very tough, customers can easily bargain for an affordable storing unit.

Another way to save on your storeroom rent is by renting the unit for a longer duration. Moreover, if you pay a large deposit, you can get attractive discounts, and this will further bring down your overall rental charges.

The cost of renting a facility can be kept down if one takes care to rent one with features that one really needs. For instance, many people rent units with high-tech security measures for storing basic household belongings. The question to ask is do you really need these high-tech security features.

One should always take care to choose a storeroom unit with features that one really needs. In other words, you should go for the weather-controlled units only if you are going to be storing items that require one. You should carefully examine the features and services offered by the facility before you sign the contract.

It is obvious that storing units that are located in the city will cost you more. If you are going to be accessing your storing unit only once in a while, it is better to opt for a storing unit that is located outside the city. This will help bring down the rent.

Following these simple tips, one can find an affordable storing unit for all types of storing needs.

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Chemicals and Storage Facilities

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:05:03 +0000

Storage facilities include storehouses with amenities. They are used for storing a variety of items that include household, office and laboratory materials. Certain materials need to be stored with a lot of restrictions as they might prove to be hazardous for the storehouse rooms and for the people working in the area. These materials include chemicals, and one needs to be very careful and follow specific guidelines while storing them. The people who want to store these items in a paid storehouse should be licensed drug and chemical dealers because some criminals consider paid storehouses for storing highly lethal explosives and other harmful chemicals. Therefore a lot of care needs to be taken before allowing people to store chemicals in paid storehouses.

Storage facilities are being used increasingly for storing fertilizers and other chemicals that are used in agriculture. Many criminals are taking advantage of this. They are posing as genuine pharmacists or drug suppliers and are storing illegal and potentially lethal chemicals in paid storehouses. The agricultural department, therefore, has come up with a set of rules that are to be followed to check illegal activity in the storehouse premises. It has asked the storehouse authorities to keep a strict watch over those people who transport chemicals to the storehouse premises, hire storehouses and move the items there. They are asking the vigilance department to be constantly on the alert and watch out for any suspicious activity.

The vigilant staff of the storage facilities is instructed to be proactive in its security activities and keep itself prepared for fraudulent or criminal activity in and around the storehouses. Dangerous chemicals can cost human beings their lives and one cannot afford to compromise with the security of human lives owing to any malpractices. Chemicals can also cause significant damage to the physical storehouse structure. This might turn out to be a very costly affair for the storehouse authorities because the parts that are damaged can only be replaced by making huge investments in its renovation. The security staff of the storehouse should try in the best possible ways they can to prevent or stop corrupt activities in the storehouse premises. The criminal activities in the storage facilities should be thwarted or made very difficult to carry on.

The government has come up with a set of recommendations for the storehouse security department to follow. In places where fire codes are permitted the storehouses containing agricultural chemicals should be secured and locked. It is always recommended to keep oneself updated about the chemicals inventory in the storehouses. For this one might have to visit the storehouse where he has kept chemicals very frequently and check the items present there. Missing or extra chemicals than those noted in the previous day inventory list should serve as sufficient reason for raising any suspicion.

If the storage facilities are used for storing pesticides or chemicals that have restricted usage, any sale of these items should be documented immediately after the transactions. This is considered to be quite important for future reference. The tenant should provide the inventory reports to the storehouse authorities if they wish to have a look at them at any moment without any fuss or delay. The storehouse authorities have the right to ask for reports or explanations whenever they want to about the chemicals that are stored in their storehouses.

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Various Methods of Storage

admin — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:24:38 +0000

While you are planning to store your items for few days, then you have different types of storage facilities available to try with. Depending upon your storing requirement, you can choose from a variety of storing options. However, you must be assured about the safety and security issue before storing your items in any particular storing system. You can store your items within your house, or take professional help for that purpose. If you already have adequate storing space at your house, then you might just rearrange the items to find out unused space for storing your current items. To manage this extra space you might be required to throw away certain unused materials.

You can also plan to build up storage facilities in your backyard. There are many companies available in the market, who will take the responsibility of constructing a backyard storing place. This way, you can get a big and large storing space for your additional items. Here you can specify different areas within the construction for different type of items. For delicate or fragile items, you might maintain a designated place, so that nothing can disturb those articles. You can place various types of hangers, racks or hooks, for placing various things. These items could be your garden instruments, or lawn instruments, or hardware for household purpose or any seasonal items.

To keep your things at any external storing place, you will find plenty of professional storage facilities at your fingertips. These places are quite safe and secured, and they offer total protection to your articles. There are various methods of storing available from these professional centers. You can keep your items for short term or long term duration. For your sensitive, delicate items, you can rent specific climate controlled place. This will guarantee you against any type of damage related to the weather condition. These storing facilities have different rates, depending upon their location and service to the customer. But, most of them offer various profitable deals for their clients.

You can also have temporary storage facilities available at your doorstep. There are specific companies to serve you with this facility. These companies will offer you to lease a container, which can be placed in front of your house temporarily. You can fill up those containers at your convenience. Once you are done with stuffing the container, you can call up the company. They will take charge of moving the containers to their safe and secured warehouse for storing purpose. These containers are available in various sizes. You can easily put articles of 2 to 3 bedrooms inside these containers.

Whatever be your storing requirement, you will find something suitable for that. To select the suitable storage facilities you can check the local newspapers, fliers, yellow pages, cable channels etc. Before finalizing, visit the storing place personally to check their facility and service. If you feel that the company is going to offer safe and secured environment for your articles, only then select the company. Otherwise, there are quite a large number of alternative storing places to choose from. Price is also another important factor for choosing the right place. Mostly these storing companies offer various deals or discounts. You can compare the price and then select the one having the cheapest price. However, to get a best deal never compromise on the security of your valuable articles.

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Also : If you liked this entry , you might enjoy reading some of our other articles such as Miramar Self Storage and Miramar Self Storage (Cont.)

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Tips for Storage Space Selection

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:24:11 +0000

Many firms offer storage facilities for storing household items. The owner of the items must select storing spaces that are the most appropriate for his needs. The prime purpose of a storing space is to preserve the articles kept in it in the best condition possible. It is always better for one to visit some firms offering the spaces and personally select the enclosures that are best suited for storing his articles. There are certain factors that one needs to look for while selecting storing spaces. They are

There is adequate security for the items stored in storing spaces provided by firms. The storing containers should be provided with a good locking mechanism and the rooms in which the enclosures are kept should be under constant vigilance of security personnel.

The storage facilities should be accessible to the tenant whenever he wishes to access them. It is better to opt for firms that are flexible with their timings of access rather than to opt for those firms that are rigid with their timings.

The storing enclosure chosen should be of a size that is most appropriate for fitting in all the items that are to be stored. The owner of the articles should have a good idea of the size of the storing spaces that are most suited for his purpose. Usually people end up choosing spaces that are too large or too small for their needs. It is better to go for storing spaces that are flexible with the dimensions i.e. the ones that can be reduced in size when fewer items are stored and increased in size when more items are stored.

The storage facilities chosen should have the features that are most suited to storing the concerned items. For example, if one wants to store jewelry, then a storing unit with opaque walls to conceal the contents is most suited for his purpose. Similarly if one wants to store food items then he should go for containers that are equipped with temperature and humidity control facilities. Storing units with humidity control are required for storing upholstery, leather goods, and paper documents that get spoilt when exposed to moisture.

The storage facilities should be neatly maintained. They should be kept free of dust and polluting agents. They should be cleaned on a regular basis. The stored articles should be protected from pests and rodents. Apart from the above mentioned factors, while selecting storing facilities the owner should always try to understand the implications of the agreement that he has to sign before using the storing areas. The agreement will have a lot of terms and conditions. Some of them that involve some bindings or monetary expenses will be written in fine print. These clauses are usually overlooked due to which many owners get into some trouble after signing the agreements and using the areas.

Many firms that provide storage facilities offer packing services also. One needs to contact these firms when packaging is to be done. The firm sends its staff for packaging the items and also for transporting them to the storing spaces. There are a lot of firms that do not offer packaging and transportation facilities in which case one has to individually arrange for these or hire the services by specifically paying for them.

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Pet Care Storage

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:44:17 +0000

You may be one of the many people who love their pet almost as another person. If this is so, you know all the things you do for your pet, the foods and furniture and toys and even clothes, that can go into your pets care and expenses. These things also take up a lot of space in your house, and depending on the size of the place you live in, pet furniture, toys, etc. can end up taking up more room than you bargain for.

Storage facilities can help you to move some of this excess of pet things, or otherwise, out of your home and into a place specifically for it. There are many different types of storage facilities and buildings. Some storage facilities you can rent out, go to them, store your stuff, and then return anytime you wish to pick up or store more things. Most storage facilities come in a wide range of sizes and accommodations. This allows you to pick and choose what will be best for your particular need. If it is for pet care and accessories, most likely your choice of storage facilities will be fairly simple, as you will not need much space likely, or anything excessive such as climate control.

If your pet is an indoor pet, there is obviously much more planning and problems that go into the process than otherwise. Indoor pets bring with them different concerns. For instance, if you have a dog that goes outside once in a while, but lives mainly inside, there is the added concern for its care of making sure that it does not bring inside with it bugs, mud, fleas, etc. You do not want your house flea infested, or with stained and muddy carpets. If your dog or cat simply cannot handle house training, learning to use the yard or a litter box, you should probably consider switching your pet to a strictly outdoor animal, that is, unless you are willing to put forth the extra effort yourself in cleaning up and maintenance of your home.

For indoor pets, though, there are things you can do to make life simpler. Baby gates are one idea that many pet owners use. If you only wish your pet to remain in a certain part of the house, these inexpensive blockades help restrict them to only some rooms. Also pet doors that can be fairly easily inserted into doors are helpful, as most of them come with a lock that allows you to keep the door shut if you do not want an animal inside or outside at a particular time.

There are also specific cleaning products and items that are made for pets and pet care. Anything from the elementary hair combs and flea combs to custom vacuum cleaners made specifically to pick up animal hair from furniture and carpets. And then there are the toys. As stated before, if you have too many of these type of things, considering storing at least part of them is a good option unless you have plenty of room to spare in your house. Otherwise, with mega pet stores and companies dedicated specifically to this type of thing, you have your choice of a long list of fun toys and constructions to chew on, chase after, run through, sit or sleep on.

Pet care and ownership is usually a very fun and meaningful thing, but everyone should be prepared with certain adjustments that are necessary to make when you own a pet of any kind.

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What NOT To Keep In Your Storage Unit

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:36:06 +0000

Owing to lack of space in their residential and commercial premises people are resorting to storage facilities to preserve their property in safe and working condition. A firm providing storing services can design and use the storing enclosures only for renting or leasing them out. The renting and the leasing out can be done under specific conditions compatible with the legal norms and regulations of the land. The renters of the storing enclosures have the right to access the storing enclosures only for storing and removing property. The owner of the storing enclosure may not issue any receipt or any written acknowledgement for the items stored in the enclosure. However this depends on the terms and clauses laid out in the agreement.

There can be a large number of storage facilities offered by a single firm. Usually there are around a hundred to two hundred enclosures provided by a reasonably large firm. The storing premises provided by the firms may not include a garage for parking personal vehicles. Hence it becomes important for one to get prior information about the parking amenities provided by the firm before bringing any belongings for storing in personal vehicles. If one does not follow this then there is a risk of finding himself in a difficult situation while unloading and carrying the items to the storing units provided by the firm.

The storing enclosures provided by the firms may not be used by any banks to store valuable items of their customers. The storage facilities should not be used as safety vaults, safe deposit cabinets and lockers by the banks for storing precious possessions and cash belonging to their clients. The storing units should be used by individuals to store residential or commercial property. The agreement for renting the storing enclosure between the owner and the renter should be made in the form of written statements. Both the firm and the renter are expected to strictly abide by the clauses laid out in the agreement and any deviation should be handled appropriately either by correction or termination of the agreement. The term personal property includes every tangible and intangible item including money that can be owned. However there are some property legal constraints that define ownership considerations.

When renters of storage facilities fail to pay the rent by the due date a late fee is imposed on them. If a renter takes a debt from the firm, the late fee does not include the interest that has to be paid on this debt. It also does not include the money expended in the collection of unpaid debt. It also does not include any other expenditure incurred as a part of renting the enclosures. In case of the renter being a defaulter, the owner acts as a lien to the property that the renter stored.

The renter should not use the storing enclosures for residential purposes, however big it may be. He should also not use it for any commercial purpose. The renting out of storage facilities is governed by a lot of legal clauses including elaborate rules for lien and late fee issues. A property that is abandoned or for which there is no renter activity for a specified period of time is put out for auction along with the storing cabinet. The persons interested in buying the auctioned cabinet might be interested in buying it with the property or disposing it of.

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Storage Dream or Storage Nightmare

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:21:50 +0000

Once upon a time in a little town called Funnytown, an associate by the name of Craig walked out of the 5-story, very busy, storing facility and to his car. Today was the longest day of his young life. Today he was the only associate at the store and it was only his second week at his new job. He had worked at other storage facilities in the past, but none as large as this. Immediately after opening the store he had 23 online and in person rentals, and about 300 upset and frantic customers wanting to pay their bills five days after the due date. Of course they were all attempting to get the late fee waived and unfortunately the only person that could authorize waiving the fee was the manager, and he was on a trip in the Bahamas. Lucky him, he said as he walked slowly to his green PT Cruiser. All he could think about was getting home and relaxing in his comfortable, oversized bed. No more storage facilities for me today, he said while driving up the six blocks to his 1 bedroom apartment. At this point in his life he was reevaluating his job, his girlfriend, and his school choices. He was tired of just working as an associate for different storage facilities already and wanted some stability. While climbing up the four flights of stairs to get to his apartment his company cell phone rang. What now, he exclaimed while frantically searching in his book bag for his phone? This is Craig with The best Storage Facilities how can I help you, he said solemnly. It was the call center that answered for them and there was a customer stuck inside the gate. Man! He had just walked in the door, and screamed while turning around to walk down the stairs to return the storage facilities . Suddenly Craig tripped on his book bag and tumbled down the flight of stairs hitting his head and knocking him unconscious.

Craig! Craig! Wake up! He heard his boss calling his name. As he opened his heavy eyes the color blue filled the room in which he was laying. There were sky blue clouds scattered all over navy blue walls. Where am I, he asked. Well, you are in the Bahamas silly boy. Do you not remember you coming down here with me to run our two new storage facilities , asked his boss? I will tell you, he continues, Young people are just so forgetful these days. Come on and help me with this dolly. Craig got up from the floor of the blue room confused and dazed. He wondered what he was doing in the Bahamas? The Last thing that he remembered was walking up to the apartment.

He soon realizes that he is no longer Kansas anymore. Everything around Craig looked as if he was in a cartoon. Although in one of their storage facilities , everything was colorful in shades of blue, red, and green. The shapes of the doors were circular and the carpets were orange. Where am I, he thought to himself? Craig! Come and help these tenants, says his boss. Walking up to the front desk he realized the tenants are all very small people that only wore the color green. After talking to the first customer ten more customers walked up to the desk. Wow! Is this facility busy, he thought to himself. Just then about 15 more small people scurried up to the desk yelling that they needed a unit, over and over. Craig became frantic with the small peoples scary repetition and ran down the hall to find his boss. He yelled for help. Just then Craig slipped in a puddle of water next to a 10×20 unit and hit his head again on the roll up door.

Craig! Craig! Wake up, said a sweet voice. After opening his eyes for the second time he was relieved to see his girlfriend standing over him in his own normal apartment. You do not know what kind of dream I was having and how relieved I am to see you, he told her. Maybe you need some time off, she said. No, he responded, I think I will apply for a position as a manager. I need to gain some control in my life. And that he did.

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