» self storage rentals

Very few people enjoy the act of shopping around for a service.  When it comes to buying things that they want, like clothes, people are very willing to spend hours and hours of their time pouring over their options.  When it comes to people who are shopping for something that they need, and do not necessarily want, their willingness to pour over their options goes right out the proverbial window.  Know, though, that by ignoring your local self storage options, you are only going to end up doing yourself a tremendous disservice.  Indeed, in order to make sure that you are not wasting your time and your money, you are going to have to be sure that you are giving all of your local self storage companies the fair consideration that they deserve.  This, of course, is not to say that you are going to have to swing by all of your local self storage properties in person.  Quite to the contrary, you are going to be able to take care of most of your research on the internet.

The first thing that you are going to want to do, here, is see if you can gather some basic quotes from the websites of the companies that are in your area.  While many of the smaller companies are not going to offer online price quotes, they are usually going to offer some kind of form for you to submit, such that their sales representatives can give you a call back.  The larger companies, on the other hand, are going to be able to offer quotes on their corporate websites, so you are going to want to be sure that you are making use of this information before you begin to call around.  After all, the last thing that you are going to want to do, here, is call around blindly.  By getting a feel for how your local prices work, you are going to be able to tell when you are talking to a facility that is not charging a fair rate for its unit.

Moving on, here, you are also going to want to use the internet to take virtual tours of your local properties.  While you are not going to be able to do this for every property in your local area, you are certainly going to want to be sure that you are doing it for the properties that offer it.  By taking virtual tours of your local properties on the internet, you are going to be able to make a quick judgment call as to which ones are going to meet your standards for cleanliness and security.  If you should notice that a particular property does not look like it is quite up to your standards for cleanliness, then you can simply cross it off of your list of options.  Thereafter, you are not going to have to worry about wasting your time calling it or taking an onsite tour.

Granted that you are willing to explore the internet for all of the tools that are out there, you are going to find that your self storage situation is entirely manageable.  You are not going to have to worry about pouring tons upon tons of hours into searching for the right unit, because the aforementioned tools are going to make your search fast and easy.  Just be sure, here, that you are being thorough as you are shopping around, and that you are not passing up any self storage providers before you have given them fair consideration.  You truly never know when you are going to find one of those diamonds in the rough, reader.

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While booking a storing space or a place for safekeeping, it is very important to be fully aware of the facilities offered by the rental services. Most of the people who avail these storing services are not aware of the common facilities that they are entitled to at these cargo space units.

What Are The Services Provided By A Warehouse Rental

If you wish to get something worth your money then ensure that the service you select for self storage rental provides the following facilities.

• The rental service should have a truck renting facility attached to their primary business. This is a must as shifting the belongings from one place to another required one to have transportation arrangements in place. So if the storing service does not have transportation arrangements, do not hire them. Instead look for a service company that offers free of cost relocating facility. Even a company that charges for the service is better than having no transportation service at all.
• Another important service of a cargo space rental is to arrange for the protection of the stored goods. The good should not only be in safe custody, they should also be protected from natural disasters like fire and flood. Also make sure that the rental service provides climate controlled units inside the warehouse. This would ensure that your delicate and perishable items inside the rental unit are maintained and safe. The climate control feature would protect the items from rust, mold, pests, mildew and insects by providing uniform temperature and humidity levels inside the warehouse.
• The rental also has provisions to support their clients with their packing needs. They have their stocks of packing supplies and provide the same to their customers for stuffing purposes. This facility is especially helpful for clients as they can pick their packing supplies from a central location instead of picking individual items from several hardware stores.
• The storeroom service should also have adequate arrangement for storing commercial items. If they do, then they become even more useful for small or large businesses that need to store important files, furniture and other equipment.

Apart from the above, look for services that let you pay your monthly bill electronically. This will ensure that you do not get confused with the payment dates and can save on late payment fee. However, for this you would need to share your credit card and bank details with the company. So ensure that the company is reliable and trustworthy.

Also look for special offers while selecting your self storing service. There are several discount offers like free locks or a month of free storing offered by reputable services. This facility would make your storing experience easier and less expensive.

How To Store More In Less Space

Here are some essential packing tips that would help you store better

• Keep the items that will be required often in front of the self storage rental .
• Maintain a uniform size box for easy stacking. Stack the heavier boxes at the bottom and the lighter ones on top.
• Fill each box tightly. Fill up all empty spaces with packing paper.
• Leave some space between the wall and the boxes. This would protect the boxes from damp and cold and they would be easier to pick whenever required.

Use the above mentioned tips to get the most out of your rental.

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Self storage rentals can be hired for storing different types of items of which artwork is a prime category. In the past, these storehouses were used only for storing household furniture but now they are being used for storing delicate items such as artwork too. These storehouses are designed after a very new concept and they are equipped with all the latest facilities. They are equipped with the latest security gadgetry available in the market and environmental regulation features. These storehouses are specifically built for preserving the quality of the artwork kept in them. They seem to be better than top class art galleries and institutions for maintaining the artwork.

The self storage rentals come with a lot of beneficial features. The first feature is of temperature control. A constant temperature of 70 degrees with a five degree variation is generally maintained in these units. Similarly there is a humidity control feature too that regulates the amount of atmospheric moisture present in the storehouse. The temperature and humidity are regulated as these factors adversely affect many of the items kept in the storehouses. For example, high temperatures may make the material of the items expand if it is made of a metal. High humidity might rust the items kept in the storehouse, especially if they are made of iron and no protective coating of paint is applied on them.

The self storage rentals that are designed for storing artwork are different from those that are meant for storing general items. People would like to view artwork. Hence it cannot be dumped like all the other items in a cellar and forgotten about.  The storehouses are designed for displaying the artwork while they are preserved carefully. The storerooms are spacious and the artworks are arranged neatly in them. The works to be displayed are arranged in galleries. There are private rooms for viewing the artwork where art lovers can view the paintings and appreciate it. These sophisticated storerooms are customized to meet the requirements of the artwork.

Large self storage rentals consist of a number of rooms that are arranged in a number of storeys. Modern structures consist of over sized freight elevators to carry the artworks to be stored from the ground floor to the top floors. The tenant need not take the pains to carry the items by hand to the top floors if they are allotted chambers in the top floor. These elevators are dedicated for the purpose of transporting a large number of items from the ground floor to the upper floors.

The storerooms in which the artworks are kept consist of extremely high ceilings and wide hallways that are designed to transport huge artworks seamlessly from one place to another.

Quite a number of self storage rentals for storing artwork have been constructed in the present times. They can be found in major locations of cities that are well connected to the major transportation arteries of the city. The storehouses can be accessed twenty fours hours a day. There are large parking areas where one can park his private vehicle or truck carrying the artwork and offload the delicate piece carefully and conveniently. These storehouses are provided with state of the art security systems with remote controlling mechanism. Many firms provide quality assurance storing amenities for the artworks so that these precious items can be stored for years together in a good condition.

Self Storage Software

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Computerized self storage rental applications are being widely used these days by many operators to make their work fast and more efficient. These applications can be used for performing a lot of routine tasks that the operators have to undertake to manage the storehouses. These tasks can be arranged in modules such as managing tenants, managing reports, managing properties, managing the system on the whole and the billing process. The subtasks are categorized as below.

• Managing tenants itself is a module that involves a lot of complicated and time taking subtasks. The computerized application provides a number of ways to locate the accounts of tenants. It automatically assigns multiple tenancy schemes to each account. It tracks multiple contact numbers of each person hiring the storehouse. It gives the operator a number of options for the actions he can take when the tenants give late fees or default payments. Special self storage rental transactions are provided. The property managers can manually perform these operations using the computerized application.

The application can be used for making the processing of the entry and exit of the tenants very easy and fast. It can be used for tracking deposits.

• The computerized application provides a lot of powerful features for producing accurate reports fast. The grouping and sort options are customizable. Accurate monthly statements can be generated. Completely customizable late notices can be made. It is possible to generate a locked out report. This software can be used to show the listings of hundreds of tenants. A report on the accounts receivable with aging can also be calculated. Posts that serve as reminders for clients can be made and sent to the individual clients. The self storage rental applications can be used for making mailing labels and the unit status report. The software can be used to generate the list of features that are available for each and every storehouse of the firm.

A dynamic occupancy chart can be displayed at all times of the day to make the booking process accurate, easy and fast. Accurate vacancy listings can be generated within seconds. Detailed reports about the features and the status of each and every storehouse can be generated very fast. The computerized application can be used to generate and compare accurate sales tax reports and deposits reports. A precise monthly revenue statistics report can be obtained by using the computerized application within a matter of seconds. The self storage rental software can be used to generate receipts with remarkable detailing.

• The computerized software can be used to manage properties. It can be used to manage not only the storehouse businesses but also other businesses simultaneously. The operator can customize his tasks in each and every situation. The use of software makes adding on new functionalities very easy.

• The software can be used for performing billing operations very efficiently. It can be used for batch processing functions like making monthly statements and payments. It provides easy roll back options. It does batch processing for late lock outs and late fees.

• The self storage rental software can be used to manage the system functions efficiently. By using this computerized application new storehouses of different types and sizes can be easily set up. The data can be easily backed up. Many of the operations can be customized.

Self Storage Industry

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Welcome to PhoneSmart, you’re off site sales force call center in Columbia, Missouri.
Our self storage blog explores self storage trends in the self storage industry.

Written by Natalie Thomas, TQAS executive and business blog writer.

Back to the buzz.

Your local self storage unit provider in 819 N. Eola Rd. Aurora, IL. 60504

Total Quality Assurance Services has a customer care divison.

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Written By Ronald Smith, PhoneSmart call center reservations specialist.

Welcome to the PhoneSmart call center blog an insider diary self storage industry.

Your local self storage unit provider in 449 S. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL. 33062

Total Quality Assurance Services offers advanced Telecommunication hardware and software.

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Welcome to the self storage blog, where self storage insiders come to read about self storage trends. Today’s self storage blog is from Ann, who is one of our great sales people.

January/February is a rather slow time in the storage industry. Families are thinking about moving in a few months, college students are thinking about summer vacation, homemakers are thinking about spring-cleaning, etc. And it is the perfect time for PhoneSmart to be thinking about how to improve upon what we already do well!

Here are just a few examples:

 We have hired several new phone reps. They are all English/Spanish speakers, expanding the services PhoneSmart can provide. Now is a great time to teach them the ropes so they will feel very comfortable helping customers and renting storage units during the upcoming rush.

 We are having a re-training program for the veteran employees. Now is a great time for everyone to get back to the basics; break any bad habits that might have crept up during the past year. It is also when we experiment with new ways of saying the same old thing. For example, Tron is running a contest for different ways to say the catch-phrase, “How may I help you?”

 Admin is busy updating store information. Now is a great time to make sure the store screens are correct and easy to read. Cleaning up computer screens and making sure everything is accurate makes things easier for phone reps and store managers alike!

And how can our clients help PhoneSmart during our winter makeover? Please take a minute to look at your store screen and let us know if everything is accurate…
 Are your prices and specials correct?
 Is the number of your vacancies right?
 Has anything changed, like the manager name, office hours, truck stipulations, etc.?
 Do you have any suggestions on how PhoneSmart can assist you in renting more units, or ideas on how to facilitate the process?

FEEL FREE TO SEND US A
FAX @ 886-639-1716 OR GIVE US A CALL @ 866-639-1715
WE WELCOME ALL INPUT!

HAPPY RENTING!

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Welcome to the self storage blog, our diary of the self storage business. One of our client’s store managers asked us how many credit card reservations our reps typically average. He was trying to compare our results with rental inquiries with what he is doing at his store.

Our call center manager, Robin sent him this response, which you might find of interest.

You may want to take a few thing into consideration when trying to get an overall picture of reservations per day. Certain circumstances will affect those numbers.

Personally, I like to look at a goal of credit card reservations per number of calls taken instead of per hour, simply because everything depends on the number of calls you take in an hour. Your results will also depend on what time of day or time of week you are working. Ideally, I go for 1 reservation out of every 10 calls. This number also includes wrong number call-ins, current customer calls, truck rental inquiries, etc.

Circumstances to consider: During the 1st and last week of the month, as well as Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, during the morning/afternoon shifts, and the summer or holiday season you’re more likely to have a greater number of reservations.

Other considerations: some stores might be sold out and we can’t take a reservation for them. This year’s natural disasters have also played a part this year in the number of reservations. For example, we answer for the Lake Charles StorageMart. While the store was without power and when its computer was down, we couldn’t take any reservations at all for a period of time.

Depending on how long you can hold the unit will also be a factor. For example, store managers may be able to hold units longer since they know exactly how many units they have left, where as we may only have a general idea.

Just recently we made a slight change to our hold time on units, expanding the time frame from the max hold time of 2 weeks, up to a 4 week hold. This will also start to affect our numbers.

Unfortunately the winter season is fast approaching and rental inquiry calls will decline. Right now our numbers are still fairly good. Many reps are averaging 1 credit card an hour or better. Not too shabby!
Robin

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Welcome to the self storage blog, where we keep a diary of our experiences in self storage.

Today’s blog entry is form one of our sales rep Joseph. He wanted to share a story.

“I had a woman call that was very ill and she needed two 10×12.She couldn’t physically come and get the units right away and the store screen showed that there were only two left.

I let her know that I couldn’t promise that these would be available when she needed them, but I would do the best I could.

I took the time to contact the manager after making a reservation for her, only to find out that he sold one of the units already. I was happy at least to know that I got her one of the units she needed. The manager said he would help her get into another unit that he had coming available that hadn’t yet shown up on our screens. He usually goes in to the PhoneSmart website every afternoon to update us on his pricing in and availability.

It makes us as sales reps feel good when we go the extra mile to make sure we get the customers complete satisfaction. And it feels good to know that we tried the best we could. Even if things don’t end
up as planned all the time, the customers know you did at least take the time to care.”

-Joeseph

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How long is the decision cycle for self storage renters? I believe we sometimes think the decision cycle is immediate and end up missing out on rentals. We sometimes assume if a caller or visitor doesn’t decide to store right away, that they are not going to store. Our experience with callers is that 20% of inquiry callers are prepared to make a reservation on their first contact. That is one out of 5. That is quite a few people who are immediate buyers. Of the people who won’t make a reservation, some need a unit right away and others don’t. We have been watching conversion rates and follow-up systems for these Hot Leads. We are seeing a 30% close rate over about a four week period. During our follow-up calls, we see many people’s schedules slow. By this I mean if they were hoping to move the end of April, sometimes they won’t get it all together and move until the end of May. Many times people put the storage unit to the back of their minds. Then when it is time to get the storage unit, they may have out you to the back of their minds, too, and they start the whole process all over again. If you are out of their minds, they may not call you or visit you this time. This leads us to believe that the sales cycle on self storage is often two months. So don’t be too quick to write off a prospect, because they did not rent immediately. Keep following up with new information, sweeter offers and helpful suggestions. A significant number of your leads will rent from you.

Tune in Wednesday of this week to read an entry form Mike Scanlon of the Self Storage Association.

Bye for now, Tron

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