When a couple goes through a divorce, there are usually squabbles over who gets what.  I don’t believe one person should be able to take what belongs to someone else, even if they are married.  You often hear stories of wives getting a large chunk of her former spouse’s things.  Most people are not fully thinking when they are getting a divorce while others believe they should completely take everything that belongs to them.  Unfortunately there are many divorces that do not end with both sides seeing eye to eye. There seems to be one side of the equation that wants noting to do with the other side and wants everything to be over and done with soon.

You will find that there are many people who are going through a divorce that actually do hide their belongings from one other. They will place their belongings at a friend’s house or even use self storage. I would personally use self storage because of the security and the property manager can not give information on who rents there. So you will be able to keep your belongings away from your significant other.

Once the judge makes their ruling, then you will be obligated by going with what they said in terms of dividing up the belongings. So the self storage unit will come in handy when you are going through a nasty division of property. Finding a quality self storage facility will aid you in your endeavor of closing that chapter in your life.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Who does not think a good prank is priceless? There is a couple of things that make a prank good and to be remembered. The planning and the execution of the prank have to on point or the whole thing could fall apart. What are you hoping to accomplish from this prank? Do you want comedy, shock value or just simply you are bored and have nothing else to do. There have been great pranks that have gone down in history and that can never be replicated.

If you are ever the victim of a good practical joke or a prank, just laugh it off. Of course this is if the prank did not cause you bodily harm or you losing anything important to you. The prank is supposed to be out of the blue for the person that is receiving it. Now self storage is not off the hook for a good prank. Most of the good pranks in self storage typically occur over the phone. Sometimes you have no idea you are being pranked until it is too late. In self storage you have to realize that you are attempting to sell someone an empty space for them to fill with their belongings. Did you really think that no one would think of good pranks based of that simple fact?

So people will call these different self storage facilities and start with the basics of the call answering all the facility manager’s questions. Of course one of the first questions a manager would ask is, what will you be storing. One prank that recently came about is when a customer told a local storage manager that they want to throw parties in the facility. Now of course most facilities are fenced and locked down with some security measure. It is not sure how you can have a party in a storage unit and invite your friends. At some point during the call, the property manager has to know they are being pranked.

Many managers feel they can laugh at such nonsense, but others feel their time is being wasted. If you know you are being the victim of a prank, it is ok to hang up. Realize though that you could hang up on a person that has a serious inquiry about storage if you are not careful. Make sure you are fully aware of what is going on before you react. You do not want sacrifice the quality of your store and your customer service if you guessed wrong.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Walking into any retail environment could be dangerous. For the well trained shoppers, they know how to avoid the aggressive sales agents and to focus on what they want. There will be a point in which they will have to speak to someone from the store in order to make a purchase. Oh wait, I guess they have self check out at some stores now. So you can totally avoid human contact if you desire it. Why do people avoid sales people?

Many believe that sales people will try to overpromise them something and not deliver. There sometimes is a gap between what a self storage manager promises a customer and what they actually can give them. Just like any other retail environment self storage is very competitive. There are self storage facilities all over the place. They are battling each day for the business of a customer. Unfortunately there times in which the manager says something that they are not able to come through on. Then they end up losing the customer in the long run. Believe it or not, people actually want they are promised.

There are property managers that say that they are not lying to the customer when they know they are not able to come through on a promise. There are those that feel they will just deal with the problem if one actually comes. Many retail companies that decide to falsify their information hope to never get caught and the customer just continues on like all is ok.  As soon as that customer or customers find out what is going on, they will have to decide on their next move. The customer could decide to make a big deal about it and confront the retail environment about going back on their promise, just go with the flow and take the loss, or just go to their competitor. No matter which choice is made, the self storage facility or retail company will hear a complaint. Those complaints add up and could eventually hurt your business.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Customers will try to find out as much about the self storage facility from different sources. They will go online, ask a friend and even call around. Of course some facilities will do their best to put their best feet forward to impress their potential customers. Since not every customer knows what separates a good storage facility from a bad one, we have listed a couple of things to look for below.

Is the location is a safe area? This is a question that a lot of new customers do think about. When they are looking around for the best quality self storage facility, it is important to really know where the facility is located. If you are not sure by looking online or in the yellow pages, do searches on a map or you can call the storage facility to ask them. Then you can usually look on a map or find some information about that area. It is even a great idea to take time to drive by the location. Take a look at the block the facility is on, the block before and the block after the facility. You can get a good idea of the area the location is in.

Doe the store take care of doors, fences, ect? As you are driving by or deciding to visit the facility, you can observe the facility itself. How do they take care of their property? Are the doors worn? Does the facility look like it could use a paint job? Does the facility look like someone has been there in the last couple of years? Sometimes the environment can overwhelm the storage facility if someone is not taking care of it.

Is the location clean? When you go down a visit the facility or drive by does the facility look like someone actually cares about the appearance of the facility? Is there a lot of debris just blowing around the facility? When you walk into the facility can you tell the last time the carpet has been vacuumed? There are many more questions to ask yourself as you visiting facilities. The reason you are thinking about these things is to determine whether or not the facility will take care of whatever you need. If the storage managers take care of the facility and insure the quality of their facility, they will take your requests seriously as well. There will be facility managers who try to shine even though their facility is not pleasant. Unfortunately the appearance and condition of the facility, might attract some unwanted visitors such as bugs, rats and other things.

What kind of security technology is at the store? We are not saying that a facility has to be completely locked down to the point where there is an armed guard standing out front, but typically a quality facility will invest in some security technology. Facilities will actually brag about their technology if they have some. They will tell you about their access control gate, where only those people that have pin number allowed access. They will tell about their motion sensors that will have the lights turn on when you enter that portion of the storage facility. That’s the company thinking about saving money and not have their lights on all the time wasting money, which in turn makes your rental costs go up.

Does the staff back up the store? What does the staff really think about the facility they are working for? Do they think this facility is good to rent from? Even if the facility manager does not think so but they still decided to say yes, you will be able to tell. Then you have to decide if you want to rent from a facility that decides to lie. If the facility manager says that the quality of this facility is not great at all and they go on for a time telling you what’s wrong, then you have to decide if you want to rent from a facility who’s manager does not like it there. You have many things to think about.

How full is the facility? That will definitely tell you some things. If the facility is full that could tell you that people like to rent there for some reason. Is it the location, the price, friendly staff or something else? If you time it just right, you might be able to bump into a person that already rents there. You might be able to ask them a couple of questions to find out what made this facility the one they wanted to rent from.

As you see, there are many different things that make one self storage facility better quality than another one. Not all facilities are created equal. In fact, the basics of self storage are the same, but every facility tries to put their spin on it. After all this information, finding the right facility for you could be as simple as having an honest conversation with the property manager. Sometimes the facilities that do not have a lot of flash, get the most customers due to their honesty.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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If you ask around, you will find that many people are still a little skeptical about using their credit card over the phone. Of course there are countless people who have used their credit cards over the phone or on the internet that have gotten their information stolen. This has led to them having their identities stolen which have affected their lives not for the positive. What people have been doing is still trying to do business over the phone or on the internet, but deal with trusted sites or companies. It is very important these days as well as very convenient to use their cards over the phone.

Many self storage facilities have taken precautions and the time to ensure their security is top notch so that customers feel safe giving their credit cards over the phone or on the internet. When customers call into the self storage facilities looking to rent a space, managers will ask them to reserve over the phone. Customers can feel comfortable knowing that they know where the facility is, who they are talking to and also that they are calling the store for information. They are not being solicited to have their credit card taken.  So when the manager asks you to reserve a space, know it is in your best interest and you can feel comfortable.

If you are driving and cannot get to your card to reserve, you should pull over to get your card so that you do not miss out on the space. The reason you are calling the facility is to get a space. If the manager at the facility tells you that they are limited on what they have, then you should use your card to reserve the space. Typically there is always somewhere you pull over that you can pull over in order to get the space you need reserved.

There are a lot of reasons to reserve, but the most important one is that the unit will actually be there when you go to get it. There is no good feeling to be felt knowing that your storage unit is gone because you did not step out on faith and reserve the space. The managers at the facility want your business so they will for the most part not lie to you and try to take your credit card information for their own personal use. Reserve the space and feel good knowing you can cross that off your to do list.

If you reserve a storage unit, then the price and specials that you were quoted will be locked in. If you do not, then the quote may change. Many people try to be mad at the facility for changing their price when the manager told them it could change. Just grab your credit card reserve the space. A quality self storage facility will ensure they have the procedures in place to protect your identity and also take care of your storage needs.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Every team needs a goal to go after each day. If a team or even an individual does not have a goal to go after daily they will be just working aimlessly. It is a great idea for a person to have a goal so they are able to work towards accomplishing something for the day. If the whole work place has a goal to work towards, then the person in charge has to find a way to make the goal for each person attainable, but at the same time hard to get so they have to work for it. Why has a goal for your work place? You should have a goal for the simple fact your employees are asking for one.

Having a goal does not put added stress on your associates, it actually will make them try harder in making every customer count as well as every call they take. Employees do not want to be told they are not hitting their goals and they are partially responsible for the team not achieving their goals. In fact there are some companies that will display the results of each representative so that everyone sees how well they are doing. Not every representative will think that is a great idea, but there is a motive behind that for the employer.

The motives for displaying the representative’s results could be for a couple of different reasons. The management team wants everyone to see how their peers are doing so if someone is struggling in one particular area, the associate can go to the rep that is doing well can help the one not doing so well. The management team also knows that no one likes to be at the bottom of any report or any reporting board. So when a representative sees their name at the bottom, they will most likely seek help to improve.

If you look at and ask any business that is considered a top notch company, you will see that they have goals. Whether the company is retail, self storage or what not, they will have a daily goal or a yearly goal. Owners are always looking at ways to improve their bottom lines but they know they have to push their associates to do better. Give your associated daily goals and they might surprise you.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The great thing about self storage is that all the information that you are looking for is up front. There isn’t any confusion on anything. Pretty much what you see is what you get. When you are looking around for storage you simply have to figure out where you want to rent, why you want to rent there, what size you need, how long you want to rent, figure out how you will get everything there and also determine the needs of the extra fees on the lease. As you can see, it is pretty up front and less confusing as people say. This can not be more than true if there were one self storage facility in your area.

What you see people do when they are looking around for self storage is that they do not need to do any type of research before. They feel they can just walk in find what they need and then walk out with a lock, key and a storage unit. This can be true in some situations, but not all situations are the same.  What you need to do is to ensure that you know what you are looking for in a storage facility. No one wants to pay more for something they are not using. In the self storage world many facilities offer similar amenities and features. Before you decide to rent, you have to buckle down and determine what types of amenities or features are important to you.

Self storage does not need to be as confusing as many other things in life. Find a location that is convenient for you to get to, that does not charge you more than you want to pay for a storage space, and has a management style that will take care of your needs. That is simple enough.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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A business would be committing local suicide if it was asking the locals to put their money into their business and the business not gives back to the community. Sometimes it takes more than just contributions to some local charities. People in the area would like to see you getting out and serving in the community. There are sure to be local blood drives, food drives and all sorts of things for a company to help out. It would still depend on what is available for that area, but the more a business decides to contribute the better.

Maybe a company will want to help the community when they have a big event coming to town or help with the local elections. They can choose to help with a financial contribution or to have some of their team members volunteer to help out in the event. Usually different companies will offer to sponsor such events where other companies will get their hands dirty and help to get everything set up. Whatever the case, showing the community that that you are willing to help is very beneficial to your company. This shows the community that you are valuable to their area.

Nowadays Fairfield storage facilities plan a certain amount of money and also a certain amount of manpower in order to ensure they can help out in the community. Not every business is willing to do this or put it in their plans, but it usually will help out with the success of your business. It makes sense to help out those people that you are trying to bring in to purchase things from you. Others try to rely on just their marketing and their promotions to draw business. Yes that does work, but when a customer is in need of Fairfield storage, they would go with the company that they see out in the community. When faced with many different Fairfield storage facilities to choose from, people will want to put their money into a company that wants to give back.

It is very true that some people in California live to help others and some people do what they need to in order to survive. Whatever your reason is, know that you are making a difference to someone and your community. A community cannot survive if everyone is looking to go outside the area in order to make their purchases and to live. A community survives when everyone contributes and spends their money in town. Helping out in the area can really help a company survive and thrive. It is one thing to get people to shop with you, but to rent at your Fairfield storage facility for a long period of time is what you are really looking for.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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First of all, you are going to want to be sure that you rent a moving truck.  True, you may think that you can get by using your friends trailer or truck, but this is not the method that you should prefer.  When you use a smaller, standard truck, you are going to have to make tons and tons of trips back and forth, and your move is going to end up taking a lot more time.  Needless to say, you might also end up spending a lot of money on gas when you are making all of those trips.  Of course, by renting a large moving truck, you are not going to have to worry about dealing with any of these problems.  You will, at the end of the day, be able to load ALL of your belongings into one giant load, meaning that you are not going to have to worry about wasting your time and money.  Oh, and most obviously, using a large truck is actually going to be safer than using a standard vehicle, as it is not going to require you to stack your belongings too badly.

Moving on, here, you are also going to want to be sure that you are using a moving service if you have enough money left over.  I mean, the thing that really stresses people out when it comes to moving is carrying all of that heavy furniture.  It is hard, backbreaking work, and just about everyone wants to avoid it if they can.  That, after all, is why you always find it so difficult to come up with friends who are willing to give you a hand.  Of course, by renting a moving service, though, you are not going to have to worry about doing all of your own heavy lifting.  All that you will have to do, here, is sit back and relax as a team of professional heavy lifters sort through your belongings for you.  Typically speaking, they will be able to load your truck up quickly and get things moving for you, and you will not have even broken a sweat.  Truly, it is the age of convenience.

At the end of the day, there is really, truly no reason to worry about moving from one house to another.  All that you have to do is make sure that you are taking advantage of the services that surround you, and you are going to find that you do not have to worry about wasting your time and money.  Of course, if you are looking for any additional information on any of the subjects covered in this article, then you can feel free to search a self storage article directory for further information.  There are plenty of them on the web, and they are absolutely full of helpful information.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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No matter how many times you have cleared out and organized this room or space, it ends up right back into a cluttered pile that makes you want to run and hide.

Take this guide to organizing your clutter as your last ditch effort and give it one more shot. We promise you won’t be disappointed with the end result.

First of all, resist your urge to start organizing your room after a long day of work or late at night. While you may have the motivation and desire to start, if you have been working all day long or it is already late in the evening, you will tire from the task. And giving up mid-cleanup can leave you more frustrated and overwhelmed.

So, plan ahead and set aside a day for organizing your room. If your family members will be helping, let them know ahead of time as well so you don’t spring it on them at the last minute.

Before organizing day, it’s a good idea to shop around your local self storage facilities and get a few price quotes. If you rent a small space to put the items you want to keep, but don’t need taking up the square footage in you home, then sorting through your piles of clutter and turning them into organized treasures will be a smooth process.

When you rent your storage unit ahead of time, the office will also offer boxes, bubble wrap and packing tape for sale. It is typically cheap and definitely convenient to pick all the items you’ll need to organize right at the storage facility.

When the time comes to get to cleaning, be prepared to throw broken or unwanted items away.

To begin, sort items into piles of what you want to keep in your home, what you want to put into your storage unit, what items you want to sell, the things you want to donate and go ahead and throw the trash right into a trash bag.

If you have prepared for the day and already picked up packing supplies from the storage unit, then after you have sorted items into piles, begin packing away the items you want to move to storage. Keep in mind that when you place the items in storage, you will want to take advantage of all the vertical space in the unit.

So pack fragile items in a box and clearly mark fragile so that you can make sure to take extra care when moving the box and keep it at the top of any stacks when it goes to the storage unit. Likewise, it’s a good idea to label the outside of the box with a general idea of its contents so you can quickly find it again.

All the items that you’ve decided to keep in your home should be boxed or placed in plastic totes in much the same way. Make sure to label items and wrap and label any fragile items.

If you are organizing your home office, using a filing cabinet and labeling system will also help you keep paperwork off your desk. And it’s quick and easy for you to buy a basket or box to place on top of your desk to throw the mail or bills into.

Hopefully, this has refreshed you and sparked your readiness to clean out the place in your home where clutter keeps growing.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Many of these self storage areas allow you to put an additional lock on the unit. You can buy this extra lock and keep the keys with you. This ensures double protection to the stored articles, as nobody other than you can enter inside the unit. Also, a variety of sizes of storing units are available in these places. You can estimate the approximate size of the items to be stored and book accordingly. Many of these facilities have a space calculator system. Giving the number and description of items, this calculator will calculate the exact size of the storing unit which will fit these items perfectly.

Other than these, another major advantage at these community self storage areas is the security. This type of security system is very much protective to the entire warehouse. Particularly, the computerized gate entry system will stop any body, not having a proper authentication. Only the customer himself or one or two authorized persons will be allowed to enter the facility. Thus, you can ensure that no unwanted person is entering inside the complex. On top of this, well lit compound and corridors and onsite security personnel make the security issue much stronger. Many places have installed various security gadgets to enhance their security system.

Most of these self storage organizations have truck rental service availability. You can rent the truck for shifting purpose. The rent rate is different in different days of the week. It is lower at the mid of the week, whereas it increases over the weekend. To save money, you can plan your shifting during the weekdays. You have to complete your shifting procedure within the time limit. If you return back the truck, after the time limit, then you might have to pay a penalty. You can also rent hand truck and furniture pads additionally. Once, you rent the truck, it is totally your responsibility to use the vehicle safely and carefully.

You will also get packing supplies at these self storage places. Many of the storing companies maintain an online store to sell these packaging materials. When you are 2 to 3 months away from your shifting, you can place orders to buy these materials according to your requirement at the website. You can use any major credit or debit cards to buy these items, and merchandise will be shipped to you by courier. Different types of packing materials, starting from packing boxes to tapes, adhesives etc., everything is available in the store. If you want to refund any of the items, you should check with their refund policy.

To pay your monthly bill, you can avail several innovative options. Many of these centers have an auto pay program, which automatically deducts the monthly charge from your credit or debit account. You can also use the online payment option to pay your bill using major credit or debit card.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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To start with the security issue first comes the entry point for the self storage place. The facility property manager should keep constant watch to check that, who is entering inside the building. Firstly, there should be a system of authorization. Only the renter or his authorized person will be able to enter inside. Anyone without proper authorization must be stopped at the gate from entering. This way, the storing facility can prevent any unwanted person to enter. Additionally, if the center provides a computerized gate entry, then any unwanted or unauthorized person will automatically be prevented from entering the site.

The second point of security is obviously the protection of the self storage establishment itself. Any burglar or unwanted person with any awful intention can enter inside the premises, if the boundary of the storing facility is kept open. Then there will be no use of maintaining a computerized entry point. So, the boundary should be properly protected with high concrete walls. It will be far better if the top of the wall is protected with fencing wires. The whole storing facility should have only one point of entry, which will be also used for exit purpose. This system is will ensure better security for the stored items.

The next point for consideration is the security system of the interior of the self storage establishment. The corridors and the units should be well lightened, so that everything can be properly visible and identifiable. People with unlawful intention can use the corridor or the unit for illegal activity, if there is less light. So, 24 hours lighting arrangement is a must for the protection issue. Other than this, the corridors and units should be connected by CCTV connection. Thus, any happenings at the corridors or inside the units will be noticeable by the security people. Sometimes, people do uses the units for illegal activities, which can be prevented by using CCTV facility.

Finally, the self storage place should maintain a security force to take care of any unwanted situation. The security staffs should stay on the premises for 24 hours 7 days a week. There should not be any lapse from their part, as they will be solely responsible for conducting the above mentioned methods. They should also keep an eye allover the storing building using the CCTV connection to check that what is happening where. Even after all these arrangements, if any unwanted situation occurs, then the security people can take care of that incident then and there.

A totally secured storing facility will definitely ensure the clients on the security issue of their stored articles. This way, clients can remain free of tension and the facility can enhance their reputation in the industry.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The secret shopping evaluator is aware that this technique is very true with selling self storage. When a customer calls to inquire about it, the telephone rep only has a few minutes to sell the facility and help the customer realize that renting a unit at this particular location is exactly what they are looking for. The best way to accomplish this task is with the Five Agreements.

All secret shopping evaluators know that location is the number one reason people choose a self storage facility, so this is the First Agreement that the sales rep needs to get. After describing the directions and nearby landmarks, the sales rep needs to say, this is a convenient location for you, right? 

Next the telephone rep wants to determine what size of a unit the caller will need. This is done fairly early in the call so the salesperson can determine what is available that will work for the customer. Giving the caller a choice of units is the best way to achieve this Second Agreement. The salesperson should say, do you think the 5×10 or the 10×10 will work the best for you? Since the customer is choosing the size, they are obviously in agreement.

For the Third Agreement, the secret shopping evaluator wants to hear the sales rep get the caller to agree to a timeframe as to when the unit will be needed. This can be used to the advantage of the salesperson in many different ways. If the caller says they will need the self storage unit in a week, then the phone rep will emphasize that a unit needs to be reserved now to insure that it will be available in seven days. If the caller says they will need it in a month, then the salesperson can recommend the unit be rented now so the customer can take advantage of the current special, and start moving into the self storage unit at a leisurely pace. 

The Fourth Agreement is about the importance of all of the security and amenities that this location provides. By getting the caller to agree that video cameras and monthly pest control and an onsite management team are essential features, the phone rep is also putting into the back of the mind of the customer that maybe the competitors do not offer these things.

And of course the Fifth Agreement is the price. By first going over the other four agreements, the salesperson is letting the caller know what all they are getting included with their rental rate. If the phone rep cannot get this fifth agreement, if the customer thinks the price is too high, then all a good salesperson has to do is to go back over the other four agreements and see what the problem is.
 
The salesperson should remind the caller and reemphasize the first four agreements. We are a convenient location for you, correct? And you will need our last available 10×10 unit this Saturday? And you agree that our great security and amenities are important when you are paying for self storage, right? And you know we have a great value for this area, right? So we need to go ahead and reserve that unit for you for this Saturday. Which credit card would you like to use?

All secret shopping evaluators know that being a good salesperson is not about trickery or deception. Being a good salesperson is about letting customers sell themselves on the product or service. This is how secret shopping can help your self storage business.

Self Storage Location

New Mexico Self Storage

Franklin Park Storage

June 2007 Secret Shopping Blog Archive

Craft Storage

Self Storage Article Directory – Self Storage

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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This is really tricky, because if you do not know how to do it gracefully, it can be a disaster. It can be done, however. When answering the phone and the caller says that they have already talked to you about that 5×10 self storage unit, is it really necessary or even a good idea to bypass your normal presentation? This is where your skills will show your true colors on these specific calls. If on every other call you have mastered the skill of the typical property management and self storage call by helping a caller through the storage shopping experience, then it is time to up your game. If you are good at reading your callers, then you may be able to side step certain information and then call back to it. Do not by leave anything out, but there may be a need to reroute your call. Hi, that 5×10 self storage unit, is it still available? For this call you can side step it. For some this will be a new dance. Maneuvering around the callers inquiry does take finesse.

Great, did you already speak to someone about it?

Yes. 

Do you remember whom you spoke to?

And this location on Smith Street is the correct one, yes? 

And was it the climate controlled unit or the standard unit that you are interested in?

What was the price they quoted you? 

When you get the information you need to verify that yes they have spoken to someone already and that the property management unit at you self storage facility matches what they previously discussed, then it is time to get their name and number and start the reservation process. This caller is giving the green signal. The go if you will. So instead of the possibility of sticking your foot in your mouth, get the callers information first and reserve it. You can go back and cover everything in the wrap up of your call to confirm that they are aware of the gate hours, the great security and office hours as well as any additional fees and so on. If you were to treat this property management call as a normal first time rental inquiry, it could mean the loss of the reservation. So, learn the different steps and sometimes it does take learning a new dance.  But practice will make you more fluid and more confident when learning and practicing these new steps for your property management business.

Columbia Self Storage

Louisiana Self Storage

Brooklyn Storage

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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• But every year January does bring an eclectic group of customers to self storage and property management.  Often people make Getting Organized one of their New Year’s resolutions.  And since Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday is a three day weekend for most workers this is a great time for these folks work on that resolution.  
• Many people storing this time of year have just finished taking down all of their holiday items and realize that they have accumulated too much stuff.  There is not longer room for all of those decorations in that small space in the basement, or they do not feel like crawling around in the attic with all of the spiders.  A small storage unit lets these people keep all of their holiday decs without giving up any space in their home. This is the basis for owner property management. 
• Another group of people needing storage in January are the travelers.  Snowbirds generally leave the cold weather around November and return in late March.  The travelers usually go to Mexico or on a cruise for a few weeks during January to avoid the cold weather.  They need a secure self storage unit to store some valuables while they are away from home.
• Cars are a huge part of our everyday lives, and a large reason for people needing self storage because their property management company does not allow parking.  Many people need to store that fun car that they own, the one that does not drive well on the ice and does not start well when it’s cold.  These are often convertibles, or vintage autos, or small sport cars.  These tenants usually want a larger unit, around a 10×15 or 10×20.  Others need to clean out the garage so they can put the family van indoors for the cold winter months. Some property management businesses offer parking at residences.  They need a smaller unit to put the lawn mower, patio chairs, bicycles, etc.

Many people plan on putting their houses on the market with the help of property management in the spring, so in January they begin the arduous task of de-cluttering.  De-cluttering is a favorite word amongst real estate agents that means just what it sounds like. This is a great property management tip for sellers.  These homeowners begin cleaning out closets, sorting through the kid’s toys, and organizing the basement a couple of months early.   It helps the owner’s house to look larger and to show better for potential buyers come springtime.  The self storage users realize it is far easier to get the house ready a little at a time than it is with a real estate agent breathing done their necks, looking for the best property management.

Nebraska Storage Units

Parker Real Estate Management

Downtown Nashville, 1615 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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There are many resources for finding a self storage unit for car storage. The traditional way is the phone book, but the best way is the internet. Through the internet you can view each company’s web page and get a better understanding of what that company offers than you can with the phone book. A web page offers more information than an address and phone number. You can learn about your options like storage unit size and climate control. If you are not sure where a storage company is located, map it and get directions. Reading up on storage will help you in the reservation process.

Here are some options in storage that you need to consider when shopping around for car storage. First you want to make sure that the location is convenient for you. Traveling far away to a storage facility to save money will end up costing more in the long run. Next, make sure that the facility allows car storage in a storage unit. Not all properties permit this. The property manager will ask what you plan to store, but if not, tell the property manager that you want to store your car. He will be able to find the right unit size for your vehicle. Also, there is a chance that you may want to use the storage unit for more reasons than car storage. Again, a property manager can accommodate appropriately. 

If you are storing a classic car or luxury car, you might want to consider a climate control self storage unit. Most likely you are storing your vehicle to protect your car from extreme weather elements. A normal storage unit puts a roof over your car’s hood, but it is still vulnerable to freezing temperatures. However, a climate control storage unit will keep your car comfortable at room temperature.

Lastly, you want to make sure wherever you use car storage that it is a safe and secure facility. The optimal self storage business should have video surveillance, fenced in property, access control gate, and bright lighting. Some facilities have an onsite management team posing as an extra security guard.

Once you find out about all of the amenities each self storage facility offers, such as location and security, then you can talk about money. Everyone wants the best deal, but remember a lot goes into that deal.

Written by Kurt Schellenberger

Storage Concierge is your premier Storage, Storage Unit, Car Storage, RV Storage, Furniture Storage, Boat Storage, Yacht Storage and Self Storage Finder.

Maryland Storage Units

Storage

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Word of mouth is the best form of advertising available, and the cheapest. If your customers feel like you care and that you keep a good property they will probably encourage their friends and relatives to rent from you. Some self storage facilities offer referral bonuses to current tenants who refer a potential customer who ends up renting. What did that cost you? Hardly anything and now you have another self storage renter.
 
People tend to be more honest and open with you if they do not feel threatened by you. If they are having a difficult time and will not be able to pay their rent by the due date they will be more likely to come to you about it and make arrangements, as opposed to avoiding you and your phone calls. You do not have to give away the shop, just be open to your customer needs and plights and you will save time in the long run with any possible legal matters that might arise.
 
Customers can be your eyes and ears when you are not around. They can report to you if the gate is broken, or the tenant next to them is acting suspiciously, or if the elevator is making odd noises. Strangers will simply ignore the situation and hope somebody else takes care of the problem. If the customer has some investment in the self storage property then they will do their best to keep the site clean and safe for all that use it.
 
Most members of a property management team tend to be outgoing. Encouraging them to use their bubbly personality with the customers is a great way of doing business. Good, positive vibes will come back to you as you give them. Treat your customers well and your customers will treat you well.

Knowing a few things about your customers will help your self storage business a little easier to manage. If you know that Mr. Smith likes to pay his bill in person on the 8th of the month, then you know not to call him on the 5th to remind him to pay his self storage bill. If you know that Ms. White likes to go through her self storage unit in the spring and clean out some unwanted items, you will know to have the dumpster on the property emptied. If you know that Mr. Doe likes to rent a boat storage unit every winter along with his regular self storage, then you can keep one aside. Remembering your customer’s names and little habits will help you give your best customer service. Go that extra distance for your customers and they will go the extra distance for you.

Storage Concierge is your premier Storage, Storage Unit, Car Storage, RV Storage, Furniture Storage, Boat Storage, Yacht Storage, Self Storage finder.

Colorado Storage Units

Storage Units

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Many folks also took to their self storage unit to open it up and take a peek at the interiors they have not seen in awhile. Many states that have self storage like Missouri, Minnesota and New York, experience winter weather and snow and ice, often have stretches of time that people do not want to come to their self storage units. Self storage managers clear the lots and driveways but that does not mean people will stop by their self storage units. It becomes a sort of hibernation thing where as people just lock their self storage units and wait for nice weather to come back and check on them.

It does not matter which state you have self storage in, there will always be times of the year that you do not want to go to the self storage facility to check on your unit. That is also where the property manager and the security features come into play. Your stored items should not need to be checked on very often if you have a great property manager and security features at your self storage facility.

Written by Natalie Thomas, TQAS agent.

Alabama Storage Units or Alaska Storage Units

Self Storage Article Directory. Visit our Car Storage section. 
 

Storage Unit Locations 

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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If you are not familiar with The University Of Missouri, it is located in Columbia, Missouri, which is almost half way between St. Louis and Kansas City. Columbia is a great town and it is also the town that is home to PhoneSmart and the corporate offices for StorageMart. StorageMart is a leader in the self storage industry and PhoneSmart runs an inbound call center for self storage and property management businesses. If you would like information about how PhoneSmart can help turn your missed calls into profit, then call 866-639-1715 today. It will not cost you anything to call, so what are you waiting on? Go Tigers, what a great 12-2 season.

Written by Natalie Thomas, TQAS agent.

Storage Unit 

Self Storage Article Directory  Visit our Wine Storage Section  

Secret Shopping 

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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A customer called and was desperately in need of storage.  The first thing I did was verify that our location on Hwy 54 was going to be convenient for them.  After she concurred, I continued with the rest of my spiel.  The Problem?  Eventually we both discovered that she needed a unit at our facility that was forty miles away from the location that I was telling her about.  It seems both are located on Hwy 54, just in different cities that have Florida self storage.

A customer called and said he needed something fifteen feet long.  I confirmed that we had a convenient location, explained our great amenities, verified he needed it next day, and gave him the price.  I got agreements on all of my five agreements, as I have always been trained.  The Problem?  He needed a rental truck, and I was discussing a storage unit.

A woman called and asked if we sprayed for bugs.  I explained that we have a regular, diligent pest control routine to stop any problems before they even have a chance to start.  The Problem?  It seems she has severe allergies, and is allergic to all fumigants.  She was looking for a property that never uses any pesticides.

Written by Ann Sheehan, PhoneSmart Call Center Representative.

Self Storage 

Self Storage Article Directory 

Property Management   

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Lorenzo Lawson and I met several years ago when we were both phone reps at the PhoneSmart Call Center.  He was a dear friend to me as my mother passed away, and he has since moved on with his ministry skills to help others in need.  Bishop Lawson is involved in many different projects, one being the Youth Empowerment Zone, better known as YEZ.  PhoneSmart self storage call center is proud to be corporate sponsor of YEZ. 

YEZ is inspired by the Harlem Children’s Zone, which has been around since the mid 1980’s and has had a great deal of success.  The goal for both organizations is to assist troubled youth into becoming accomplished adults.  Here are just a few of the core principles put into place by YEZ, as quoted in a local newspaper.

•  We believe every young person has unique talents and abilities.
•  We believe that if provided with adequate resources and tools, every young    person  can create a successful future.
•  We believe life-management skills are necessary for success.
•  We believe positive relationships with adult role models positively influence youth.
•  We believe a person’s current situation or economic status is not indicative of his or her potential or ability.

Obviously, YEZ is looking to the community and people of all walks of life to assist in this project.  As a proud partner of this worthy organization, PhoneSmart has hired several of their youth and we have provided job mentors.  During our slow winter season these next several months some of our self storage employees will be working with Lorenzo and the Youth Empowerment Zone in many different capacities.  Remember, It takes a village to raise a child.

Check out the article about the Harlem’s Children’s Zone on the self storage blog website.

Written by Ann Sheehan, PhoneSmart Call center Representative

Self Storage 

Self Storage Article Directory 

Property Management   

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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1. Make sure garden hoses are unhooked and outside faucets are winterized
2. If you have an older home you might want to put clear plastic coverings over the windows to prevent cold air from leaking in
3. Keep patios empty so that snow and ice removal will be easier
4. Rent a self storage unit to store away those grills, bikes, patio furniture to keep them out of the weather
5. Check you dryer vent to make sure it is in good repair and clear of any lint buildup
6. Check trees on your property to make sure they are not close to any power lines
7.  Use your garage to park cars (garage- park cars, that’s a great idea)
8. Keep you walkways and sidewalks clean of snow and ice
9. Be a good neighbor and help out someone in need

These are just a few tips on how to make your home, yard and garage survive the winter a little better. A self storage unit is a great way to get some of those extra garage items out of the way so your vehicle will fit. Call your local self storage business for information.

Written by Natalie Thomas, TQAS executive.

Self Storage 

Self Storage Article Directory 

Secret Shopping Blog

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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We’ve actually made a large dent in the mountain of shops we have. I guess it just makes me nervous when things are left until the last minute before they are done. We always seem to have the same few shops that take all month to get and slip in just under the deadline.

One thing I really appreciate is when clients give us a schedule of the self storage managers we are to shop, or at least a guideline of when they’ll be working. It really helps our shoppers work more efficiently and keeps us from chasing our tails. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to reach one more manager all month, only to find out he or she hasn’t worked there for several weeks.

Whether you use PhoneSmart, another secret shopping provider or any vendor at all, keep them in the loop about the goings-on of your self storage business that may have an effect on the service they provide you.

Written by Sarah Little, TQA Director

Total Quality Assurance Services is brought to you by PhoneSmart – A quality assurance firm .

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The armoire is a great option for a homeowner that needs an area to house snacks. Children often have great difficulty getting their own snacks from cabinets and can even get hurt trying to climb up a counter to reach a snack. With an armoire, you can simply show them how to open the large doors and they will be able to easily access snacks. In addition, a snack armoire will look great in any kitchen and will keep your home trendy and fresh.
 
Another option for food storage is to purchase a book shelf to place in your kitchen. Use the shelf for boxes like cereal or other things that are used often by those in your home. If you keep the shelf nice and organized, you’ll find it can be an inexpensive and trendy way to store your food. Your kids will also be able to access these items readily if the shelving unit is not too tall.
 
As you can see, there are many simple food storage business options that are easy to implement and can make your life a lot simpler. Just be creative and use what works for you and your family!

Submitted by our Guest Blogger.

Total quality Assurance Services is brought to you by PhoneSmart – A quality assurance firm.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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For this reason, various boat storage facilities have sprung up which offer to store your boat during the off season. Yet consider carefully to whom you will entrust your investment! Some are little more than glorified parking lots surrounded by a wall of fence, where your boat, and hundreds others, are placed on blocks and exposed to the elements while awaiting your return.

A better solution is the self storage facility, which will have a unit big enough for your boat and the supplies that go with it. Since this boat storage solution is enclosed and the facility monitored and secured, you know that your property is safe. Furthermore, since most self storage facilities are climate controlled, you will not have to worry about any liquids clouding or going bad while still in the inner workings of your boat’s engine. In addition to the foregoing, this kind of storage for your boat will also permit you to safely keep any accessories and other water sports paraphernalia you may have. 

Total Quality Assurance Services is brought to you by PhoneSmart – A quality assurance firm .

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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No Garage

One of the most popular reasons people check into car storage is because they don’t have a garage or they have no room in their garage for their additional vehicle. Many people with collector cars or motorcycles often seek out car storage because they own cars they don’t use on a daily basis. In fact, some of them would rather their prized autos be in a secure location where there was no chance they would be hit with bicycles or other toys by their family members.
    
College Freshmen

Many colleges across the country do not allow freshmen to bring their autos to campus. This is for several reasons. Most often, they prohibit students to bring cars in their first year because they don’t have the extra space for them to park their vehicles. However, some smaller colleges also agree the students stay more focused when they are more campus-bound their first year. So, if you are a college freshman who’d like to have a car near school your first year but your college doesn’t permit you to have one on campus, you may want to think about car storage somewhere close to your school. That way if you need to go home during the holidays, you can just take a cab to the storage facility and be on your way.

Traveling For Extended Periods

Anyone who travels a lot knows that leaving your car motionless in your driveway for months is not a great idea when you aren’t home to keep your house secure. However, leaving it at the long term airport parking is also quite terrifying. So, if you are planning to travel for an extended period of time, consider looking into car storage.

Total Quality Assurance Services is brought to you by PhoneSmart – A quality assurance firm .

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Those yacht owners who live in areas that do have cold winters will have to look elsewhere for boat storage. They may want to consider indoor yacht storage. Basically this consists of storing your boat for the winter in a large climate controlled warehouse. This will prevent any molding or weather damage on your boat. It is an ideal way to keep your investment secure even when the weather is less than ideal for boating.
As you can see, there are several options you can choose from when it comes to yacht storage and the decisions often lie in where you live. Although most people who own yachts live in warm climates, there is no reason to think you couldn’t own one in a colder climate when there are many storage options.

Total Quality Assurance Services is brought to you by PhoneSmart – A quality assurance firm .

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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I was listening to some managers present their storage solutions to some customers yesterday and one manager in particular stood out. After he blew the customer away with the great amenities he had, the phenomenal price and his helpful and friendly demeanor, he adapted his location to the upcoming holiday. He was having a Halloween party for all the clients and invited potential clients to come down and join in the festivities. I thought that was a great idea. He can have new tenants come down and meet him, walk around the facility and show how down to earth and friendly he is. He was developing a mini self storage community within his facility. This was a nice selling point for me along with the rest of his presentation. 

We are here to sell and manage our self storage options to potential customers, but we need to step outside of the box. It is fun to be creative and see what else you can do to drive customers into your parking lot to rent. Whether it is a Halloween party or just being decorative out front of your facility, changing with the holiday season and giving a great experience will help your business.

Joel Little, Experienced Manager

Thanks for reading our property management blog, an inside view at the property management and self storage industry.

64155 Wine Storage

Rent storage at 1138 Highway 96 Franklin, TN  37067

Are you moving to St. Paul, Minnesota? Visit our partners at St. Paul, Minnesota moving information center.

Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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When I am secret shopping some self storage managers, I can tell those managers who have lost the desire. I have listened to managers that have been around for 4+ years and still have awesome presentations. They are passionate and willing to do what they can to take care of their customers. So what do we do for those who pick up the phone, give the price of the space and get off the phone? Are they not as passionate or are they just burned out?

Every manager needs to evaluate himself or herself and see if self storage is what they want to do. With the industry being as it is, many companies are making every effort to impress to go above and beyond for the caller. If we as property managers cannot show a differentiated storage experience for our customers, then maybe we should find something else to do. Without passion and drive, we are just an automated message, and the caller will go somewhere else to do business. So in short, ask yourself, Where is my passion?

If you find you need to refresh or find your passion again, your self storage owner can give you sales training and quality assurance tools that will bring your sales and customer service up to par and your passion through the roof. It’s all up to you, and your decision to better yourself.

Joel Little, Experienced Manager.

Thanks for reading our property management blog. We offer call center, sales training and quality assurance to the self storage industry.

07093 Wine Storage

Rent storage at 1200 Baltimore Blvd, Westminster, MD 21157

Are you moving to Miami, Florida? Visit our partners at Miami, Florida moving informatino center. 

Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

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Now there are also concerns that people bring up when they’re looking to rent a storage unit. The third part of the structure is dealing with concerns. The typical ones are: I’m still shopping around, That’s more than I’m looking to spend, I need to get permission from somebody else before I can actually do this.

So let’s first talk about building agreement with our prospect. I maintain there are only five issues you need agreement on before you can ask some one to rent from you. Let’s look at the five agreements. Here’s how they go – and you can do this on your hand by ticking off each finger. The first agreement is timeframe. If you can’t agree with that caller that they need the unit pretty soon, you can’t put one on hold for them. So, the first qualifying question you ask is, How soon are you going to need to store with us? or How soon are you going to need something? How soon? is the first question. If it’s not until next year Christmas, your call is going to go quite differently than if they say, I need it tomorrow.

The time frame agreement goes on your thumb, because if someone needs a unit right away, you’ve got a thumbs up. If someone needs a unit very soon, they will have tolerance for all kinds of other things. They will have tolerance for price and be willing to pay a little more. They will have tolerance for location and e willing to travel a little further. They will have tolerance for features and amenities and accept pretty much whatever you have to offer. They will also have tolerance for size. They will accept a unit that is perhaps not exactly right for them, because they do not have time to mess around. They need to get their stuff in storage soon.

The next agreement is the convenience of your location. Do you know where we’re located? Have you ever been by here? Do you know where we are on 5th Street? That’s a very important question to ask because if the caller or the prospect knows where you’re located and says, Yes, it’s a convenient location, you’re halfway home. All of the studies that everyone has ever done tell you that the reason people store someplace is because it’s convenient for them to get there and use. Location is the number one reason people rent. So, agreement number two is the convenience of the location.

Location goes on your index finger, because it is the number one reason people select a storage place. If your location is convenient for your prospect, that prospect will have tolerance for any and every thing else.

Size is the next thing you have to agree on, and most self storage owners or people who’ve been in the storage business for more than a few minutes are great at helping people figure size, but here are a couple of things to consider: It’s not important what size you think they should fit it; it’s important what size the callers think they should fit in. And it doesn’t matter what you agree on as long as it’s close. If that person really needs a 10×15 but they agree they need a 10×10, you’re going to show them a 10×10 and a 10×15 when they come down anyway. Now if they need a 5×5 and you agree they need a 10×20, well, that’s a different story. But as long as you’re close, it doesn’t matter. I once made a secret shop to a storage facility where the manager argued with me for five minutes over what size I needed. What a waste. Mr. Caller, it sounds like you might fit in a 10×10 or maybe a 10×15. If you can visualize your belongings in one of those sizes, which one do you think might work best for you? The caller says, Hmm, probably the 10×15. Great! Hold a 10×15. Show a couple of other sizes when the person come down just to make sure they have what they need.

Agreement on size is the third agreement and it goes on your middle finger. It goes on your middle finger because size does matter, but only in helping you build the alternate choice question. It also goes on your middle finger, because if you give size too much focus and let it be the main thing you focus on, it is like sticking your middle finger up all by itself and that could get you into all kinds of trouble. So don’t focus too much on size. Just use it to offer a good alternate choice close on the size agreement.

Agreement number four is your amenities or your features. The other reason people store places is because they like the security and the convenience features. So find the best features of your property that have to do with security and convenience and build some phrasing and some questions that will allow you to get agreement on amenities. Well, what’s great about our store is we’ve got an access-control gate so only tenants can come and go with their PIN code, and we’re well fenced and well lit. So you can tell we take security very serious here, and after all, isn’t that what you’re looking for in storage? Plus, our store is really convenient to use because one of the great things we have is a covered loading and unloading dock so you can pull in out of the sun and out of the rain and unload and load your belongings. What’s neater than that? And the caller says, That is really neat. Well, you’ve got an agreement on convenience and security features.

Your features and your amenities are what build value into your offering. Most people think one storage place is pretty much like the next and that all they are renting is dead air to fill up. But that is not all they are getting. They are getting the peace of mind of knowing their goods are safe and secure. They are paying for the conveniences you offer. They are paying for the security and the perceived security. They are paying for great customer service. They are paying for a lot of things that hey wouldn’t even know about if you did not tell them. When people agree that you have built a good offering with good features and amenities, it is easier for them to justify paying the rent.

Price is the fifth agreement. They’ve got to agree that that price is reasonable, that it’s an okay price, that they’re prepared to pay that price. They don’t have to agree that they like the price. Now, most times a caller has no idea what storage is all about, and they think that price is the most important consideration. Price is not the most important consideration. Everyone wants to know their money is well spent, but convenience and value are the things that people really are concerned about. So until you’ve had a chance to get some agreement on the convenience of the location and the amenities of security and convenience, that caller doesn’t know what your unit is worth. You’ve got to make sure they know that value. A 10×10 is worth $100 because you have this amenity and that amenity and the other amenity. . . So, price is the fifth agreement.

Price goes on your pinky finger, because even though you might think it is the most important consideration, it is much smaller of an issue than you think.

Now, how do you get through the first four agreements before giving the price? Let’s look at the concept of the price stall for a mi

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The truth is that customers ask for the price because they don’t know what else to ask. They don’t know the verbiage we in the self storage industry use such as climate controlled storage, access controlled gate, on-site manager, etc. Therefore, it is up to us to teach our consumers exactly what it is they get with a storage unit.

Self storage customers aren’t just paying for an empty space, they’re paying for amenities, security, peace of mind. They pay for convenience and location.

When you’re talking to a customer about renting self storage, make sure you paint a picture of all the amenities and advantages your facility offers. Once you’ve done that, your customers will value your service even more.

Written by Sarah Little

Thanks for reading our secret shopping blog. We offer sales training and secret shopping to the self storage industry.

33012 Self Storage

Rent storage at 9265 Berger Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Are you moving to Chicago, Illinois? Visit our partners at Chicago, Illinois moving information center.

Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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This young lady on the other end of the line went into a deep explanation of how she had a climate controlled storage unit and she was behind on the bill.   She went on to explain that her and her husband had just purchased an apartment and how they did not have any furniture in the apartment at all yet as everything was in her self storage unit.  

She wasn’t shy to ask me if it was o.k. for her to pay for half of the amount due, so that her and her husband could come to the property and take out half of the furniture in the unit so they could at least put some furniture into their brand new apartment.  Of course, I had to give her my two cents, and maybe I shouldn’t have.  But I warned her that storage doesn’t work that like that.  She would have to pay her full amount due before they would allow her access to her unit.  Of course I urged her to leave a message for the self storage owner or manager to get the final word, but she made me scratch my head that day.

Written by Robin Turner, Call Center Manager

Thanks for reading our business blog; an inside view of the self storage and property management industry.

30622 Self Storage

Rent storage at 1900 Emerton Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015

Are you moving to Miami, Florida? Visit our partners at Miami, Florida moving information center.

Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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What are people buying when they rent from you?

They’re buying time.

They are buying time to decide what to do with their stuff. They’re buying time because they don’t really want to take care of their situation now. That’s especially true if they’re moving or they have a death in the family or they’ve got some favorite items that they should just don’t have room for now, or they’ve got four lawnmowers when they really only need two. They’re buying time to figure out what to do with their stuff. Isn’t that a wonderful way to look at that? And they’re obviously buying a lot of time if half of them are staying more than a year. Be aware that these thresholds of decision happen, and people stop and examine what they’re doing and decide to move forward or not.

Written by Tron Jordheim, Director of PhoneSmart.

Thanks for visiting our TQAS blog, a blog about customer service, training, yacht storage and secret shopping.

33062 Self Storage

Planning a move to Pompano Beach, Florida? Visit our partners at the Pompano Beach, Florida moving information center.

Self Storage Owner — Where Self Storage Owners meet Self Storage Customers
 

Self storage available at 375 N. Grand St, Cobleskill, NY 12043

Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The acronym A.B.C. is a great way to get your employees in a close-the-sale mind frame.

 Always
 Be
 Closing

 To Always Be Closing means that you set out and purpose the order and flow of your conversation, from the beginning, to lead up to the close. It’s like building a house; you can’t build the roof before laying the foundation and building the walls. Gaining the customers’ trust by determining what they need, showing them why your store is the best and building rapport with them will build a strong relationship that will open the opportunity to close the sale.

Unlike retail stores where the customer enters the store and intends to leave with a product, self storage customers may not be familiar enough with the industry to know they can reserve a unit over the phone. So how do you get customers to reserve? Simple, Ask them to reserve.

 Of course some selling techniques come into play when preparing and practicing your close. You should avoid just saying, Do you want to reserve that? This leaves the door wide open for the customer to simply say, No. Try using a phrase that leads them towards the yes. Something like, With only a few of these 10×10 climate controlled storage units left, the best way to check this off your to-do list is to reserve it. What day should I reserve this for? This phrase accomplishes three things:

1. It creates urgency which helps motivate the customer
2. You’re presenting the reservation as a convenience to them
3. The questions ends by asking for a date (not a yes or no)

Focusing on asking each customer for the sale and practicing a well thought-out closing phrase will guarantee an increase in your closing ratio. Take some time to sit down with your team and focus on the self storage A.B.C’s.

Let us never negotiate out of fear.
But let us never fear to negotiate.
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)
35th president of the United States

Written by Sarah Little, TQA Account Executive

Thanks for reading our secret shopping blog. We offer sales training and mystery shopping to the self storage industry.

64155 Self Storage

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Rent a storage unit at 750 Winchester Rd, Lexington, KY 40505

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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You may want to add this to your storage diary so you can be prepared for it in the future.  This young lady was behind on her bill and her and her husband just got a new apartment.  They didn’t have any furniture in their as of yet and her request was if she could pay half of her rent so that she could get half of her furniture out of the climate controlled storage unit.  Instead of just forwarding her to the manager’s voicemail I explained to her that the store wouldn’t allow her to do that as they require her to pay for her unit in full.  I still offered to place her into the stores voicemail so the manager could call her back, but I hoped that I prepared her for what the manager was about to say to her. Since our call center answers for over 500 store locations in the United States and Canada, we get a wide variety of situations that callers are dealing with.  We not only offer to rent or reserve a unit to callers, but we also try to help the store managers in situations like this, so they don’t have to.

Written by Robin Turner, Call Center Manager

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Rent storage at 5979 Butterfield Rd, Hillside, IL 60162   

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78232 Self Storage

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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• Secret Shopping TQAS still does mystery shops for PhoneSmart, but now they also have over 400 outside shops each month.
• Sales Role-Play Helpline Clients are able to call a toll-free number and role play with one of PhoneSmart’s own call center representatives. Our reps take almost 120 calls per day, each; they know their stuff!  This service allows callers to discuss problem areas they are encountering or situations that make them uncomfortable.
• Training Packet TQAS has put together a variety of training packages that companies are able to purchase to help employees improve their telephone skills. TQAS teaches sales techniques specific to building a self storage quote and closing the sale over the telephone.
• Sales Team Management PhoneSmart has developed services to personally customize training and monitoring your staff so that their sales skills increase your bottom line.

PhoneSmart’s Secret Shopping department now encompasses TOTAL quality assurance, not just secret shopping; thus the name change.  Sarah Little and Natalie Thomas will be present at the SAA Fall Conference in Las Vegas this September.  Check them out, and see how they can help improve telephone skills for your employees!

Written by Ann Sheehan

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the self storage and property management industry.

Are you moving to San Antonio, Texas? Visit our partners at San Antonio, Texas moving information center.

Rent storage at 449 S Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Here are a few things should be considered when you are placing an ad:

1. A catchy phrase or word that will capture the reader’s interested to continue throughout the ad.
2. The answer to the five W’s (who what, when, where, and why)
3. The contact number and then to summarize it up with another catchy phrase or word that will get the reader to act on the advertised product.

Here are some things to consider when capturing a reader’s eye:

1. Color- Bright colors are difficult to ignore
2. Word usage-Small or short, choppy wording is easy and quick to read
3. Type of words-Big and bold lettering

Whether the advertised product is in the self storage industry, or advertising for property in the property management industry, or just advertising another product in a different industry; consider the above suggestions and the ad will pay for itself as the reader’s will not only read, but call and purchase the advertised product.

Written by Angela Perry, business blog writer.

Thanks for reading our property management blog, a blog about the property management industry. 

Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

Visit our Self Storage Pod cast

We have storage in, 3006 Druid Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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How many vendor decisions were swayed one way or the other by a word-of-mouth experience you heard from some one else? Most businesses look at the integrity of a vendor and even their tenants before signing the dotted line.

So how do you overcome bad publicity, or bad word-of-mouth? You stop it before it starts. If your client, tenants or even vendor has a bad experience with you, do what you can to rectify the situation. It’s my belief that when your customer is unhappy and you go out of your way to make them happy, they’ll value your service all the more. To a reasonable extent, we all know things don’t go as planned, so some error is understandable. Owning up to it, apologizing and then fixing the problem is the best way to ensure you maintain a positive image.

Written by: Sarah Little

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the self storage and property management industries.

Rent a storage unit at 5950 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188

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Find your next car storage, boat storage or self storage at your StorageConcierge – Your premier national and local self storage search engine and free quote provider.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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I went to the pharmacy today to pick up some prescriptions for my wife. Usually what happens is that they check our insurance and then give me the drugs I need. Well this time, for some reason my insurance had not been recorded right in the pharmacy’s system. When we actually got it figured out, they told me that the prescriptions are a total of $100. I was like whoa and said, That can’t be right.  The pharmacist told me that was right and my insurance has some sort of deductible to meet. I had never had to pay a deductible in the past so I was wondering why now. I figured these drugs were needed so I paid the $100 and drove off, intending to call my insurance company and make things right. Boy was I wrong.

It was a big ordeal trying to get the insurance company to understand that my coverage says just co-pays, no deductible and my deductible was met and that I shouldn’t need to pay anything but the co-pay. They told me that I was incorrect and that I had to pay for the whole amount. So, now I have some drugs that I overpaid for and I just found out that when you leave the pharmacy with the drugs you can not return them. After some calling to the pharmacist, they told me that they could return it this time. Whew!!! That was close.  

Almost every self storage facility requires some sort of insurance to cover the belongings of the customer. The managers or facility workers should ensure that they do a good job explaining what type of coverage the customer has if they get insurance through the storage company. It is up to the self storage manager to discuss insurance coverage, whether recommending they use their homeowner’s policy or purchase the self storage facility’s insurance.

Written by: Joel Little

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the self storage and property management industry.

Rent storage at 11506 E. Indiana, Spokane, WA 99206

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Another issue, well really it’s more of an inconvenience, is that I haven’t transferred all of my contacts to my laptop. Yesterday I went to Best Buy and looked at some PDA or cell phone options that might help me keep my schedule and contacts more organized. They were all more expensive than I had hoped, so I left the store empty-handed.

I didn’t want to extend my current cell phone contract another two years just to save some money and I didn’t want to fork out the retail price of the phone either. The PDA options were pretty bleak. There were only 3 choices. The cheapest one looked like just that, the cheapest one. And the other two were more expensive than the cell phone/ organizer combination. So that threw those options out the door too.

Really, I could just take the time to transfer them all to my new email account, but I have more important work to do.

Convenience really is what drives us, isn’t it? I’m sure I’ll break down and make one of those purchases. Hopefully I can hold out until there’s a sale. Perhaps I’ll camp outside again for the day after Thanksgiving sales. Convenience does have a price and most consumers will end up willing to pay for it.

Written by Sarah Little

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the self storage industry.

PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

Want to be our next guest blogger? Send your 200-400 word entry for consideration to Sarah Little.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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People in these situations usually do not know anything about self storage.  They are confused, upset, and very stressed out.  The last thing they want are more hassles!  This is when the PhoneSmart Call Center comes in handy.  Our qualified staff is excellent at assisting customers over the telephone.  Many of us have taken thousands of calls, and several of us have had personal experiences with needing self storage ourselves.  We know how to be empathetic with the customer, while at the same time not getting too personally involved.  (We are not psychiatrists, we are storage professionals!)

We quickly ascertain what the customer needs, sell the store with its features and benefits, and reserve a unit for the caller – all in a matter of minutes!  This gives your new customers the peace of mind of having a storage space reserved for them, making that one more chore they can cross off of their list!

Written by: Ann Sheehan

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the self storage property management industry.

PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

Rent self storage at 11333 Owings Mills Blvd, Owings Mills, MD 21117

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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I get a mixture of reactions.  Some ask why they would even need it.  Others ask how much more a month they will have to pay to get it.  Some are not even interested in it.

But there is always a need for insurance.  The concept that anything can happen at any time, anywhere, to anyone, and no one can do anything to stop it is a powerful thing.  I have also learned through my experiences that nature is powerful too.  I always recommend the site insurance unless their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers off site storage.

As unpredictable as the weather, anyone can benefit from insurance.  It is a small amount that can cover up to a couple hundred dollars worth of one’s belongings.  Why not have your belongings insured when they are stored because the self storage industry is no match for a natural disaster.

Do yourself a favor and put a replacement value on your belongings.  Insure them whenever you store because no one knows what can happen, and sometimes it can’t be helped.

Written by Marie Batchen

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the property management industry.

PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

Rent storage at 17705 W. Washington, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Written by Natalie Thomas, TQAS executive and business blog writer, and previous self storage renter. 

Thanks for visiting our self storage blog, a blog that covers everything from the business of self storage to the personal side of storage.

PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

Rent self storage at 14211 Gallant Fox Ln, Bowie, MD 20715

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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For those who don’t know, we’re in Columbia, Missouri. It is home to two colleges and a big 12 university. So come March, the race is on to get the last storage unit. Now obviously, not much fits in a dorm room, so the first units to go are the smaller units.

Timmy Freshman: Hi I need to store my mini fridge and 4 boxes.

Me: The smallest unit I have available is a 10×10

Timmy: That’s a hundred square feet! I only need like five.

Me. Are you a Freshman?

Timmy: Ya?

Me: You’re upper classmates started getting storage about a month ago. They learned their lessen last year.

Timmy: Fine. I’ll take it. The other place I called only had 10×20’s left.

Comparing last year to this year, our first store in town sold out around mid May. This year, our first two stores sold out in April.

The college kids are catching on. Have we as a storage industry?

Written by: Julio Montes

Thanks for reading our property management blog. We give you an inside look at the self storage and property management industry.

PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

Rent self storage at 7233 Windsor Mill Rd, Baltimore, MD 21244

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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As usual, I ordered my number two value meal (for some reason it keeps getting more expensive each time I go) and then I pulled around to the first window to pay. The gentleman asked for my money, I slid him my debit card, and he said thank you (so far no big deal). As I waited for him to give me back my card, I was bopping my head to the cool tunes I had in my car. As he gave me back my card he uttered words I had never heard from a McDonalds associate- Thank you sir. You enjoy the rest of your day and come see us again. I was like whoa!!!

I shouldn’t be surprised because the fact of the matter is McDonald’s is in the customer service field just like any other business. But usually they just hand me my card and say thanks or nothing at all. 

I mentioned my experience to a few other people and they knew exactly which store location I was talking about. They had been impressed by the same service.

As a self storage managers, you should want to ensure that you are giving great service all the time so the customer expects it and wants more of the same. You want to be known for your assistance vs. your short comings. Wow the customers each time and you will continue to have a flow of customers.

Written by: Joel Little

Thanks for reading our property management blog and inside view of the customer service industry.

PhoneSmart is your offsite self storage sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

Rent a storage space at 7401 Old Pimilico Rd, Baltimore, MD 21209

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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