Climate Controlled Self Storage

Climate controlled storage space is one of the most commonly asked for options in the business today. The cost of renting spaces with air conditioning and/or heating is a bit higher than a standard, un-equipped space, but it increases the variety of belongings that can be stored safely. Climate controlled space opens up your storage unit to safely keep things like art work, electronics and around a dozen other items that would typically be at risk for damage or mold/mildew in a humid, un-conditioned counterpart. Many climate controlled units today only allow the storage of non-perishable, non-toxic items. Examples of items commonly stored in these units include automobiles, furniture, clothing, carpets and electronic equipment.

Self Storage Security

Today I'd like to discuss the variety of methods commonly used to ensure that self storage facilities remain secure, 24 hours a day. The security options vary from company to company and facility to facility. Some are simple and others complex, but each of them protect your belongings. If you plan to place more expensive or sentimentally valuable items into storage, asking which security options your potential facility has in place is a great way to help relieve some of the stress involved with entrusting them in the care of a space outside of your home.

- Perimeter Fence and Padlock - This combination is the most common line of security at American self storage facilities. Simple, cheap but mostly, effective.

- Pin Pad or Card Reader Access - This option has become increasingly common in the past ten years. These devices allow storage renters to protect their belongings with a key card or personalized 4 or 5 digit pin number.

- Individually Alarmed Units - This line of defense is often used only for extremely high-value items. The alarms are typically linked to a gate access system. If someone attempts to or succeeds in opening your unit without first entering your pin or access code, an alarm will sound which notifies authorities.

Self Storage and eBay

I came across another article this morning about the growing trend of buying the contents of self storage units to re-sell them on eBay or at garage sales. A few weeks ago, The NY Times ran an article about Americans that recently lost the homes due to the mortgage crisis then losing their belongings in storage because they couldn't keep up payment. Well, South Coast Today ran an article today about the other side of the coin.

The piece goes into depth about the people cruising Fairhaven, Massachusetts for storage spaces auctioning belongings. The principle is the same as in all business, entrepreneurs looking to make some extra cash buy low and then hope to sell high online. Most of the auctions are held blind, that is, without providing the bidders a detailed description of what's actually inside. To read the entire article, follow the link below.

South Coast Today

Advice from The Washington Post on Choosing a Self-Storage Facility

There's a daily column in The Washington Post called "Shop To It," that provides daily shopping tips for buying just about everything under the sun. Today the column's author, Tania Anderson, delves into the world of choosing a self storage facility. According to her, around 11 million Americans are currently renting storage, which is about 65 % more than just ten years ago.

If you're a regular here at the Moishe's Storage Blog, some of her advice will sound pretty familiar, but if you're interested in checking out the article anyway, there's some helpful advice to be absorbed there.

Shop To It's Self Storage Tips

Things to Consider When Renting Storage

Today officially marks the start of a much needed three day weekend. That being said, I'm keeping things simple this afternoon. When you're looking for a self storage space near your home, here is a list of things to consider and questions to ask before deciding which facility is right for you.

- Has the facility owner taken steps to guarantee your belongings safety while in storage?

- Can you access your storage space whenever you want/need to?

- Does the facility offer a space that's not too big or small for the items you need to place in storage?

- Is the facility tidy and well maintained?

- Does the contract include any "hidden" fees you aren't prepared to pay?

- What kind of pest control does the facility employ?

- Does the facility offer climate-controlled storage space?

Wardrobe Boxes for Storage

Self Storage units are a great way to get rid of closet clutter. The idea is simple, during the winter all of your family's summer dresses and tank tops go to the storage space. During the summer all those parkas and heavy jackets rotate out. That being said, one of the most convenient packing items that most people don't know about is the wardrobe box.

Wardrobe boxes are tall, thinner boxes designed with a built in rack to work sort of like a travelling closet. They come in a variety of sizes, so look into which variety seems the best fit for your wardrobe going into storage. The major perk about the wardrobe box is that it keeps your clothing protected from the elements, while the hangers keep them in pristine shape. A clever way to get the most out of each box is that after you've hung up all the clothing, utilize the bottom space to store bulky, light-weight items like comforters or extra pillows.

Storing Furniture

Different household items need to be packed differently for storage, and one of the most difficult categories to handle is furniture. Today I've decided to provide you with a list of helpful tips to consider when packing up your family's furniture to place in self storage.

- First, it's a good idea to apply a coat of furniture wax to any wooden items. Many woods are sensitive to moisture, and the wax will help prevent warping during the humid summer months

- Next, disassemble bed frames and tie them together using twine. Use plastic zip-lock bags to hold all of the screws, nuts and bolts.

- If you plan to stack furniture items, use towels, padding or sheets to place between them. This will prevent scratching and prevent slipping.

- Stand mattresses and sofas on end, placing a large piece of cardboard on the floor underneath them.

- Wrap mattresses in mattress bags or a thick layer of cloth.

- Don't lean any items against the wall.

New York Storage Association

Today's a little light on self storage news. Between the articles published in the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal in the week, maybe self storage is just a little played out in the media for the next few days. Anyway, I decided that today I'd share another self storage website with the Moishe's storage blog readers. The New York Storage Association website offers a lot of helpful information that pertains specifically to renting a storage space in New York state. I've posted a link to the site below. When you follow it, be sure to check out their code of ethics page, as well as the information they've provided on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2004.

http://www.nysssa.org/

Mortgage Crisis Trickles Down to Self Storage

Early last week I posted a link to an article in The Wall Street Journal speculating that the self storage industry may not be as recession proof as people inside the business had hoped. Now, I've come across another article about the effects of the struggling American economy on the self storage industry. The article, this time in The New York Times, focuses on the gradually increasing number of self storage units going up for auction due to the renters inability to pay their monthly dues.

The article begins with a mother and son in a Chicago suburb buying the entire contents of a self storage unit up for auction for $126. Inside they find a television, a fish tank, a sewing machine and a couch, among other household items. The pair planned to sell the nicer items on eBay and attempt to get rid of the unfortunate previous owners possessions at a yard sale. The author, David Streitfeld, goes on to examine the growing number of Americans who placed their belongings into storage after losing their home who are now losing their belongings for not even being able to make their storage rent. It's a depressing look at the state of things currently in the US, but extremely poignant to the storage industry, nevertheless. Follow the link below for the complete article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/business/11storage.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=self+storage&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Self Storage of the Future

A company in Florida broke ground this week on the county's first-ever fully-automated self storage facility. The storage center, near Boca Raton, utilizes technology common in the commercial warehousing sector, but never before applied to consumer storage. All of the storage space is contained within one building and each customers storage will be kept in a removable pod. Upon the start of the lease, customers will be given a key card that allows them to access belongings 24 hours a day. The internal computerized system reads the card, locates the corresponding pod and retrieves it. When the facility is completed, customers will be able to store everything from traditional boxes and furniture to cars and boats. Assuming this flies well in Florida, I'm willing to bet the industry will be seeing quite a few of these popping up in the next few years.

Storage and Inventory

One of the services Moishe's and many other storage companies across the country offer is storage inventory and management. These services assist companies large and small to optimize their supply chain and save time and money. The Moishe's subsidiary that handles storage inventory and management is called Guarantee Asset Management (GAM). From the moment merchandise arrives in port to the second it arrives in your company's hands, GAM is able and prepared to assist every step of the way. For more information, follow the link below:

http://www.guaranteeasset.com/

Wall Street Journal on Self Storage

According to The Wall Street Journal today, the self storage industry might not be as recession-resistant as previously believed. The idea isn't a new one, as the American economy has slowly dipped towards a recession this past year, many experts within the industry have felt that self-storage simply wouldn't be affected. The reason? Well, I suppose it's similar to the idea that they aren't making anymore ocean front property . . . but apparently things aren't looking quite as sunny as expert initially hoped for. The Journal examines the relationship between the housing crisis that's been at the forefront of the news and the self storage business. It's interesting, brief and well worth checking out. If you're interested, follow the link below:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121072071760289933.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

More Storage Tips

Continuing with yesterday's post, I'd like to offer a few more tips for choosing and renting a self storage space. Keeping these things in mind will help you to get the most for your money, and stress out of your life.

- If you aren't going to need to access your stored belongings very often, you only need to rent a space large enough to fit your things. Storage for the average one bedroom apartment usually takes up about 550 square feet of space. Keep that in mind so you don't rent too much space.

- Get your rental fee in writing. This guarantees that you're getting an accurate estimate of how much it's going to cost you and prevents the storage owner from upping your rent after the first few months.

- If you decide to pass on storage insurance (which is a terrible idea, but if you must) take extra precaution to protect your more expensive possessions. Store electronics and valuables near the back of the space and always keep them off the floor. Laying a grid of plywood or bringing a large rug is a good way to to keep things elevated and off the cold concrete floor.

A Few Tips for Renters

Happy Monday everyone! Today I'd like to share a few more tips and considerations for all the storage space renters out there. Keep these three things in mind (not to mention the dozens of other tips and suggestions peppered throughout the blog) and you'll be sure to get everything you need out of a storage space, without paying more than you have to.

1. A lot of storage facilities offer very low starting rates, but quickly begin to periodically raise fees the longer you stay. Be certain that you ask the proprietor how often they raise rates and by what increment.

2. If you can, visit your future storage space the day after a rain storm, this works especially well if you can see the actual unit you'll be renting. Check for standing water and puddles, as well as smaller leaks that could potentially damage your belongings.

3. Most facilities charge a deposit, and others may also require extra cash for an "administration fee." While it might not seem like a lot of money, an extra thirty dollars for filing paperwork can turn out to be a huge dent in your wallet. Be sure to ask if the rates you're given include all services, or if there will be additional charges required.

Wine Storage

One of the more refined branches of the storage world is off-site wine storage. It's an interesting field, considering that most people who have enough money to obtain a large wine collection also have enough money for a wine cellar or in-home storage space. But, in cities like New York or Chicago when space is limited an off-site wine storage facility can be a really helpful thing. A lot of companies offer traditional self storage while also maintaining a specialized arm or branch that handles wine storage. Other companies focus all of their resources on wine. Either way, important factors to consider are climate control and appropriate wine racks. I actually came across an interesting blog that focuses on wine storage. Go check it out if you're into learning more about it.

http://wine-storage.blogspot.com/

A Few Self-Storage Tips

Today I'd like to offer a few more tips to help you get the most out of your storage space and keep everything safe and accesible. Whether you plan to use a self storage space for a lot of your belongings or a few, and to store them for a few days or more than a year, these simple hints will make your life in storage a whole lot better.

- I know I've mentioned variations on this point before, but label every side of your boxes! This ensures that you know what's inside everything, no matter how it ultimately ends up being placed in your storage space.

- Use plywood pallets. Laying down a grid of plywood on the storage space floor is a great way to keep all of your belongings off of the ground. This prevents your boxes from getting wet and/or rotting.

- Don't use newspaper for packing. In the heat of a non air-conditioned storage space, the ink can smudge and stain the items it should be protecting.

RV Storage

One of the most popular summer past times in America is camping, and nothing beats the luxury of camping with a huge RV. Right now the summer camping season is just getting started, but what do you do with the ultimate camping vehicle when Fall starts to turn to Winter? The answer is simple, find an RV storage facility.

Whether you decide to use an independent facility that specializes in RV storage or a more traditional storage company that happens to offer vehicle/RV storage options, there are a few things to consider.

-Security is everything. If you're going to leave an expensive RV in the care of someone else for an entire season, you have to be sure everything inside it is protected. Talk to your potential storage provider about the types of precautions they take to prevent break-ins and damage from the elements.

- Indoor or outdoor? Many storage facilities offer outdoor storage spaces or warehouse parking. Sure RV's are designed for outdoor use, but shelling out some extra cash for an indoor space is a great way to keep it out of harsh winter weather and add a year or two onto it's shelf life.

- Look out for bugs. One of the most common problems with putting an RV into storage is insect infestation. Leaving a few simple roach/insect traps strategically placed inside your vehicle makes sure you avoid the bug problem all together.

Self Storage Talk

One of the greatest ways to learn about a business is to understand how the proprieters think. Self storage talk is a message board where industry professionals post questions and comments about the world of self storage. On the boards, members cover a variety of topics. From website issues and FAQ's to industry trends and legal issues, reading through the major points of conversation here can teach you what to look for and ask when you're thinking about renting a storage space of your own. Follow the link below to check it out.

http://www.selfstoragetalk.com/

Packing Metal Items for Storage

One of the most common items damaged while in storage are bicycles. The most common cause of damage - rust. Storing a bicycle (or any metal item for that matter) is perfectly safe, but you must remember to take a few precautions when doing so. Here are two simple things to keep in mind when preparing to place metal items into storage.

- Be certain to store the bicycle or tools away from other objects. Preventing the metal items from touching other items is the number one way to prevent rust.

- Rub all metal items down with a rag dipped in machine oil or WD-40. This coating prevents rusting in the event humidity and moisture do make their way into your storage space.

Storing your automobile

I've suggested self-storage as a solution for a variety of different moving-related problems. Among them, overseas deployment, preparing for a new baby, or having to move for several months due to a travel-heavy job. One of the self-storage issues that applies directly to many of these situations that I haven't really touched on yet is, what do you do with your car?

Of course, simply selling your vehicle and then buying a new one upon return is always an option. But dealing with change of titles and finding an acceptable replacement when you come back can be a major hassle. Lucky for you, in addition to the more common self-storage units we all know and use, many companies now offer specialized autombile storage. These specialized facilities are located in almost every major city in the country and offer a variety of packages dependant upon what type of vehicle you have and how long you need to store it. Searching online or talking to your self-storage space owner are the easiest ways to find out if there is an automobile storage facility near you.