The Self-storage business is an ideal solution for more and more valuables that are simply too important to discard. It is frequently stated that we spend the first 50 years of our lives acquiring and the next 30 years purging. The storage industry is an ideal transition spot for goods that we want to pass on to our children or house until markets or our needs change.
The biggest question for baby boomers is finding the optimum space. Here are a few of the decision factors that should be considered.
Location – Location – Location
This is likely the most important factor in identifying a suitable storage facility for your valuables. The storage place should be near either to your house or office or easily accessible from major traffic corridors in your community. This will make your valuables easily accessible when you need them.
Security
Your valuables are important to you or others, so paying a minimal storage fee to keep them makes sense. It’s important to ensure that the storage facility you select is safe, well lit and includes cameras, security access codes and on-site management, if possible. Check to ensure that a storage facility has cameras, and security personnel or measures for protection against burglaries to ensure that the property is safe.
Price
Pricing is important and with our economy, making every dollar count is not only prudent, but necessary. At times, storage facilities offer special rates for the first month. Take a look at those, but also evaluate what rates are in place for the following months. If you pay $1 to move in, but rates for the following months are higher than other storage facilities in the market, it may be good to evaluate pricing on an annual basis – or over an extended period, rather than on the basis of the move-in special.
Understand that climate controlled space (for antiques, electronics or goods that could be damaged with exposure to heat or cold) is priced a little higher, but will have more value in the long run, for protecting your goods.
Other considerations
Special discounts are offered by some facilities, depending on location. For storage facilities near a military base, a military discount is typically offered. You should also consider the management team. Interview them over the phone and listen for attitude. Is this just a job or are they truly concerned with meeting your needs. You should especially watch for questions on their part to ensure they understand the best space suitable for what you have to store.
Finally, look at ownership. Is this a local company, committed to the community? With local ownership comes a network of other service providers you could tap in order to address other needs you may have in addition to storage.
There are different extra services that you might consider. One of them is the different access times for clients. Will the facility be available 24/7 or just for a specified time in the day? If not 24/7, then you have less accessibility to your items.
Free use of a moving truck to move your goods into storage is one benefit granted by some facilities. Know if your chosen one provides for this amenity. This will be very helpful to you if your items are bulky or big which can not fit in your car compartment.
Hiring a self-storage facility may not be easy. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the best space for storing your personal assets. Hopefully, the above information is helpful with your self storage decision.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Certified . . .
Certified Public Accountant; Certified Pre-Owned; Certified Nursing Assistant, etc.
As consumers, we like this word. If I am going to have my taxes done and I have to choose between a Certified Public Accountant and an uncertified tax preparer, I'll likely choose the CPA, all other things being equal.
As business owners, we like this word as well. Certified provides us with the confidence that the product or the professional has been subject to some rigorous testing, rigorous standards and has passed the test.
So, regarding storage, what can we certify?
At American Storage and in connection with the Self Storage Association, the national trade association for the industry, we require our managers to be 'certified', subject to the minimum requirements to understand the business, the legalities, the risks and how to run things. The SSA started the certification process years back and have continued to refine the certification (The Certified Self Storage Manager - CSSM) with input from industry experts in law, business software, marketing, underwriting, financial reporting and business management. The CSSM is a step up in the process for the Self Storage Association. Having this in place allows all business partners to understand that the industry has set minimum requirements and put standards and testing in place to assure our partners that we do certify good, great managers.
For our customers, the CSSM certification provides evidence that the business is run by individuals who understand the industry best practices along with the legal environment for this warehouse relationship. Our manager will walk through all risks and clearly outline the business relationship so that prospects understand in clear terms what we provide at American Storage and our responsibilities as well as our customer's responsibilities.
Certified . . . a valuable service offered by American Storage.
As consumers, we like this word. If I am going to have my taxes done and I have to choose between a Certified Public Accountant and an uncertified tax preparer, I'll likely choose the CPA, all other things being equal.
As business owners, we like this word as well. Certified provides us with the confidence that the product or the professional has been subject to some rigorous testing, rigorous standards and has passed the test.
So, regarding storage, what can we certify?
At American Storage and in connection with the Self Storage Association, the national trade association for the industry, we require our managers to be 'certified', subject to the minimum requirements to understand the business, the legalities, the risks and how to run things. The SSA started the certification process years back and have continued to refine the certification (The Certified Self Storage Manager - CSSM) with input from industry experts in law, business software, marketing, underwriting, financial reporting and business management. The CSSM is a step up in the process for the Self Storage Association. Having this in place allows all business partners to understand that the industry has set minimum requirements and put standards and testing in place to assure our partners that we do certify good, great managers.
For our customers, the CSSM certification provides evidence that the business is run by individuals who understand the industry best practices along with the legal environment for this warehouse relationship. Our manager will walk through all risks and clearly outline the business relationship so that prospects understand in clear terms what we provide at American Storage and our responsibilities as well as our customer's responsibilities.
Certified . . . a valuable service offered by American Storage.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Almost a Free Lunch
We don't know about you, but, we're ready to end this crazy weather, get out the grills and start the summer.
At American Storage, we are continuing to make it easier and easier for Colorado Springs to get a great deal on Propane refills for your grilling season. It's about time someone did, right?
So, in addition to filling your barbecue tank to the top and ensuring that you have a full tank when you leave, we've added a discount for loyal customers.
While the propane exchange locations provide you with a quick, somewhat convenient way to get the tank exchanged, you're not always getting the best deal. In newspaper headlines nearly a year ago, we learned of the practice of some to try to keep the prices stabilized for these services. That is, the tanks aren't completely full. Some have indicated that while the prices might be competitive, the tanks are less than 80% full when you hook up your newly exchanged tank.
At American Storage, we invite you to watch us refill your tank (at a safe distance) and watch the overflow valve begin to leak excess propane - proof positive that your tank is full.
Now, on to the discount!! We love our customers and want to provide a reward for their returned business. So, April 1, 2010 we instituted a program for a free refill once you have completed five refills. As a result, your average refill price is right at $15 - well below the normal price and well below the tank exchange prices you will find around town.
American Storage is locally owned and operated. We live here, shop here and spend our paychecks in the Colorado Springs community. We invite you to stop by and sign up for the free refill program. You'll find our friendly staff helpful and very willing to take care of your propane refill needs and your storage needs.
Call us today @ (719) 265-9999 or visit our website: http://www.american-storage.net/. We would love to be your first choice for propane services in Colorado Springs.
At American Storage, we are continuing to make it easier and easier for Colorado Springs to get a great deal on Propane refills for your grilling season. It's about time someone did, right?
So, in addition to filling your barbecue tank to the top and ensuring that you have a full tank when you leave, we've added a discount for loyal customers.
While the propane exchange locations provide you with a quick, somewhat convenient way to get the tank exchanged, you're not always getting the best deal. In newspaper headlines nearly a year ago, we learned of the practice of some to try to keep the prices stabilized for these services. That is, the tanks aren't completely full. Some have indicated that while the prices might be competitive, the tanks are less than 80% full when you hook up your newly exchanged tank.
At American Storage, we invite you to watch us refill your tank (at a safe distance) and watch the overflow valve begin to leak excess propane - proof positive that your tank is full.
Now, on to the discount!! We love our customers and want to provide a reward for their returned business. So, April 1, 2010 we instituted a program for a free refill once you have completed five refills. As a result, your average refill price is right at $15 - well below the normal price and well below the tank exchange prices you will find around town.
American Storage is locally owned and operated. We live here, shop here and spend our paychecks in the Colorado Springs community. We invite you to stop by and sign up for the free refill program. You'll find our friendly staff helpful and very willing to take care of your propane refill needs and your storage needs.
Call us today @ (719) 265-9999 or visit our website: http://www.american-storage.net/. We would love to be your first choice for propane services in Colorado Springs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
