By Katie Blumenberg, Multi Site Manager for Leader Storage 

“Thank you for calling Leader Storage, my name is Katie.  How may I help you?” –Manager

 What is the price for your largest unit?” –Potential Customer

As a facility manager, I have come across many consumer questions as they call around shopping for a storage facility.  Many potential customers number one concern and rightfully so, is cost. There certainly are some other things I would strongly consider consumers to research about the facility as well that I will list down below, but for the sake of this post, let’s focus on cost. 

There are many ways that storage facilities look to boost their revenue, but the number one way is through the storage rental itself.  Many owners, operators and management companies know that the most important thing for them to do is to get potential customers to rent units with them as opposed to competitors.  They achieve this by offering the unit at a price that is almost too good to be true and at a price that most certainly beats the rental rate of their competitors. What happens next is what consumers really need to be aware of. 

After the facility has gotten customers to rent from them by offering them a deal that could not be passed up, they start dramatically increasing the rental rate – usually as soon as three months into the rental agreement to make up for that too good to be true deal offered in the beginning. Typically there is a section in the lease agreement that indicates that the facility operator may increase the rent at anytime and there are no specifics surrounding the amount or percentage of the increase.  If you try asking a manager or operator at a facility about how the handle rent increases and you receive a vague answer, they are likely using a practice that does increase tenants’ rents dramatically. 

What is especially harmful about this tactic is that while it makes the facility more money and secures more customers over their competitors, it does not take the customer into consideration.  Let’s face it – if you are using or are considering using a storage unit, it is likely you have a lot on your plate, you have already spent a lot on moving expenses and your budget may be a little tight.  So to learn after a couple of months that your storage rent is going up by for example, $50 per month, wouldn’t that add extra stress?  What about if two months later, your rent is going up another $50 per month and you still need storage for at least 6 more months? Are you going to consider moving to another storage facility? What about the time and expenses of moving to another facility? 

Some storage owners and operators who use this tactic do it because they too have considered all of these factors.  Get ahead of them by asking about their rental increase procedures and you remember, if you get a vague answer – that is your answer.  Consider using locally owned and operated storage facilities (like Leader Storage facilities,) which care about their impact on their community as opposed to big name, corporately ran storage brands.  

Other factors to consider other than price and rental increase strategies can include: 

Security – are there cameras?  Are the facility operators/managers taking proactive measures such as conducting lock checks or routinely visiting the facility? Does the facility have a gate and perimeter fencing? 

Accessibility – Does the facility offer 24/7 access or limit their access to certain days and times? Is everything all on the ground level or are there multiple stories?

Cleanliness – Is the facility well maintained?  Do they treat for pests? 

Customer Service – Are the people you interact with from the facility friendly?  

It may be important as the consumer to select a facility that is more in align with your values and needs.  Use the information found in this post and our other post to avoid renting with a business that isn’t aligned with you.