Choosing the right company for long-term storage can be a long, difficult, and often stressful process. There are often dozens, if not hundreds, of different companies specializing in long-term storage in most cities, making the choice even more difficult. While it may be tempting to just pick a name at random from the storage section of the phone book, this is never a good idea. In order to ensure the safety of your items for long periods of time, a person carefully researches all available options before making serious decisions.
The first thing a person should consider when looking for a long term storage company is the reputation of the company. Reputation should be everything when looking for a company that is ultimately responsible for the safety of your important and personal belongings for years. Always try to get first-hand reviews of a storage company from people who have used them. Ask your co-workers and family about their experiences with the long-term storage company. If you know someone who works for a Moving in Melbourne FL, ask for their advice, as many storage companies have special relationships with moving companies that recommend storage facilities to clients who need to temporarily store their belongings between moves.
If you can't find someone to give you a review, look online to see if anyone has a good or bad thing to say about the company in question. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaint history and see how many complaints are filed and how quickly they are responded to. Be careful when dealing with any long-term rental company that has many unanswered complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau. Any company that ignores contact requests from a large company will likely ignore complaints from the average customer.
Find out if the long-term storage company offers any type of renters insurance. By storing items for a long period of time, people often expect to pay large amounts of money each month or year. To keep customers happy, many companies that specialize in long-term storage offer special insurance policies to renters that are designed to add additional protection in the event of serious damage or loss of property. Although these insurances often require additional fees to be paid, the peace of mind that comes with the policies is worth it.
Has anyone you know ever used the company? Word of mouth is often the best way to choose a good storage rental company. Try to find a friend or family member who has used the business units or knows someone who has used the units. Speaking with someone with first-hand experience dealing with the storage rental company you are considering will help you make a decision that will leave you with some peace of mind.
When your storage unit is assigned to you, try to visit it before signing any binding contracts or documentation. The last thing you want to do is commit to a long-term storage facility that you are not satisfied with. If you have a problem with the location or condition of your storage drive, don't be afraid to voice your complaints. If possible, ask to be assigned a different unit and, if no other units are available and the damage is structural, request that the unit be repaired before moving anything to the unit or signing a contract. Waiting to file a complaint or visit your unit until after you have signed a contract will create a difficult situation from which it will be difficult to escape.
When you have obtained a price quote for your chosen long-term storage unit, you need to find out what the quote includes and how long it is valid for. Don't be surprised by additional fees like access fees, insurance fees, deposits, and taxes. These seemingly small fees can add up to overtime and create financial strain for even the most laid-back person. Also, find out whether or not the quote is valid for the entire term of your contract and make sure you don't have to worry about sudden increases in storage fees. Lastly, find out if you will be charged any cancellation fees for removing your items from storage. Some long-term storage companies charge hefty fees on accounts that close early, while others simply fine the individual for the amount of the deposit.
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