» Self Storage

With summer here, the most popular hunting season is in full swing….it’s bargain hunting.  Every weekend people are getting out of bed early on Saturday morning to see what treasures can be found or deals can be made at the garage sales in their community.

Most people think of garage/yard sales in terms of the stuff they find.  The expression “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is proven over and over again every week.   Most people don’t consider how their own “trash” can be turned into treasure for themselves, but they should because if you do your garage sale right it can be a nice little money maker for you.

The most obvious way to hold a successful garage sale is to have quality stuff people want at prices that are realistic.  But presentation is a real key to a successful yard sale.  Self storage in Scarborough is a great way to maximize your sale’s potential.

With monthly leasing and move-in specials, self storage in Scarborough is both affordable and convenient.  This enables you to devote as much planning to your yard sale as you care to. Why is using self storage in Scarborough so beneficial to a yard sale?  Let us count the ways:

•    You won’t feel “forced” to sell an item.  If your main motivation to hold a garage sale is just to clear out your cluttered home you’re more likely to sell things well below their value just to see them leave. Moving those items out of your removes that desperation and willingness to settle for a lower price than you feel is appropriate.

•    Having a place outside your home to carefully sort your sellable items will enable you to properly evaluate everything and come up with prices that are both fair to your potential customers and you (while still leaving room for the time-honored tradition of haggling).

•    Having everything you want to sell in one place ensures you won’t hold your sale only to find an entire room’s worth of items you had forgotten to put on display.

•    You can actually go out of your way to find things to sell.  Visit other garage sales.  Is someone selling something far below what it’s worth? Maybe they’re feeling that desperation to sell.  Make a few wise purchases and flip them at your own sale for a profit. Trust us, you won’t be the only one doing it.

•    Renting self storage in Scarborough means you can pick and choose your weekend.  Scout out the newspaper ads and Craigslist postings. Does a particular weekend seem to have a lot more sales going on than another? Does someone appear to be selling many items similar to yours?  Stay away from those dates knowing that sitting on all your stuff an extra week won’t hamper your home life in the least.

Garage sales can be a fair amount of work.  Why go to the trouble if you can’t be successful?  Rent self storage in Scarborough for all the reasons listed above and you’ll be well on your way to yard sale success.

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Self storage is a growing industry, and renters have more choices and options than ever as far as the facilities and amenities that they can choose from. Toronto storage facility new renters can sometimes be overwhelmed by so many different options that it can be difficult to find the right unit for their stuff. Here are a few tips when first starting out on the journey of self storage.

•    Before you begin the search for a Toronto storage facility have in mind the items that you will be storing. A close estimate of the number of boxes and the amount of furniture that will need to fit into your self storage unit is important for two reasons. The first is that by knowing how much stuff you need to store you can have a good idea on the size of unit you need. This will help you compare prices. The second reason that having a close estimate of stored items is that you want to avoid wasting space or not having enough space. Why pay for a huge 50 square foot self storage unit when you only really need a 25 square foot space and could be paying too much. Why spend an hour or two moving in boxes only to realize that you don’t have enough storage space for it all. Having a count of boxes and size of furniture will help to prevent such mishaps.

•    When beginning the search for self storage in Toronto remember to compare facilities that are similar. You may be able to find a location that has the cheapest price of them all, but you also have to remember that you get what you pay for. Think about the amenities that you want your self storage facility to include. Benefits such as video surveillance, key pad access to the property, and outdoor lighting are just a few of the amenities when considering where it is best to store your items. While you may find a facility with the lowest price you have to consider the possibility that it may be lacking in the amenities that you need for you to feel your possessions are safe.

•    Ask questions. Self storage may seem like a simple concept, but the industry is growing and evolving. Find a Toronto storage facility that is willing to answer any questions that you have as a first time renter, or even a new renter to that particular location.

Once you find the self storage facility that is the right location, has the right size unit to fit your self storage needs, includes all of the amenities that you want for your belongings then don’t hesitate to rent the space right away. Move your belongings into the  storage unit that you choose as right for you, and you will now be a part of the ever gowning number of people who choose self storage to help them solve their space needs, clutter issues, and home organization issues.

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Some owners would say that they have a turnstile set up in some of their facilities to count the number of property managers coming in and out of the facility. That is to say that sometimes owners have a hard time trying to keep managers employed to run their facilities. Property managers will get hired and then for many different reasons, those managers will quit or get fired for whatever reason. Why does it seem to be a shortage of good self storage property managers?

It is not a shortage of good property managers in one view than in the other view there is. Some owners would say that not a lot of people want to be property owners at a self storage facility where other people say that many would line up at the opportunity. Some would say that managers are gone through due to lack of training, poor job description, or expectations to high. Of course it would definitely depend on who you speak with on why they decided to leave the company they were with. Who’s to say that it wasn’t a conglomerate of different reasons.

Some property managers have it good to where they can live on site, not have to drive to work, have a supporting cast and do very little to maintain their position where others might have to do everything their selves. These managers need to have adequate training in order to do their job so that they know what is expected of them. No one can complain about the manager if their job description is different than what they are actually supposed to do. That would also make the manager uncomfortable. Owners need to be upfront with all the people they are looking at to hire about what the job entails. They will be better in the long run if this is explained.

No matter if you do an extensive hiring process or just draw names out of hat, you could end up with the same result. There have been many owners bamboozled by potential property managers because they talked a good talk. There will be a time in which talk won’t mean anything and the person you hired has to show what they can do. If they just said some phony things to get the job their true colors will show soon. That is not always the fault of the owner, because they had no clue the person would be making up things.

Every now and then you find that manager that just knocks everything out of the park. They are professional, maintain a great facility and they are an asset to the company. You wish you could clone them but you struggle to find someone like them. What made them so great? Then you have to go out and find someone just like them. Sometimes those people could already have a job. Many owners need to broaden their horizon and see what all is out there in terms of property managers. Not everyone will fit the mold of a manager, but you can be surprised where you find the one that turns one of your facilities around.

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It is a tough job trying to handle each person’s problem as they walk through the door as a property manager in self storage. Sometimes you are part business owner, counselor and super sales person all wrapped into one neat package. It is true though those customers just want their situation handled without caring that you just got yelled at right before they walked in. It is a hard time trying to keep your composure as you know people can and will be upset if they are not handled appropriately.

Always treat eat customer with respect and take the time to listen to their problem. You never know what will say. What they say can give you the information that you need in order to help them out. Sometimes you will have to hear a story about their lives and what is going on in order for them to tell you what they need in terms of self storage. You just have to remember, they are there because they need storage.

So take as many deep breaths as you need to take and make sure you are giving them your undivided attention. This customer truly needs you to take care of their storage needs regardless of how you feel and how the customer in front of them felt. There will be plenty of times in which your patience will be tested to the maximum capacity. Just remember, you have what they need. They need you. That should bring a smile to your face, right?

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As a property manager, what do you like most about your job? Who likes to be asked that question? Well that is not a question that is an issue for many but for some people they will have to think carefully about that question. For those that love their job, they are able to rattle off many things they love about their job. You can see it in their eyes and they can not hide the excitement. You don’t want them to stop them from going down the list, but you must. Some property managers could go on for hours. It seems to be a big difference when you ask the person who does not as interested in the great things about work as those that are not. Flip the question around and you get a free flow of what they do not like about company.

In this scenario one manager did not have much to say about the topic of liking their job. But when it came time to talk about why they do not like their job, they were all about telling someone why. That is because they found something they were willing to talk about. The same thing goes for the customers. Do not go into every conversation that you have with the customer the same way you would for every customer you deal with. Every customer is different. Along with that, sometimes a different question will open up the lines of communication. If you ask the right question it will be as if the customer is laying down on a couch opening up their life to you. Then all you have to do is listen and pick out things that could really help you to help them.

It feels as if asking questions is a lost art when it comes to self storage. There are managers that believe they can ask a couple of questions and then they can throw a price out there to rent to the customers. That is way off base. Sometimes the customers already know what the price is when they come down to the facility. The customer already feels they can afford the amount of money that is being asked for in order to rent the facility. They are coming in because they have other concerns about renting and they want your help with them. Can you help them figure that out? So understand that tidbit of information before you help the next customer.

Customers are not dumb by any means. Since the creation of the internet, customers are way more knowledgeable than they used to be. They now know many things about storage before they even come to your door. Give them the credit they deserve and ensure that you help their needs accordingly. Before you are able to help them and their needs ask questions that could get them to open up. If they can open up to you, they have showed you that they can trust you. You do not need to write down every single thing that they are saying. All it takes is a couple of thoughts here and there to figure out what the customer’s need really is. Take the time to figure out what those needs are and take care of them. The customer will release the floodgate of information if you ask the right question.

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Should a manager ask what a customer is storing? This has been an idea that has been tossed around many times. There are managers that will not ask because they have come across customers that have been mean in their response back to them. There have also been times in which the customer was pleased that the manager asked so they could find the right space for them. Some customers feel that what they are storing is their business, not the managers. This is some crazy thinking.

It is true, that what you are storing is your business. Another truth is that a self storage manager has to manage the property and ensure nothing is stored that can be harmful to others. Would you rather a property manger give you a list of things you can not store and then ask you if anything you are storing is on this list? Of course not, some people might take offense to that. It is not uncommon for a manager not to be able to please everyone that comes through their door. If they thought they could do that, they would drive their selves crazy. It is hard for you to be able to make everyone happy that you meet. In fact it is impossible. For this reason, rules are in place.

Facility mangers have to find out what size the customer needs. Of course if a customer just says something like I am just storing household goods does not help the manager find the correct space for the customer. The customer can be as stingy with information as they want, but they will end up paying for a space they were not wanting to pay for. The manager could get them into a space that is a great price for what they need instead of a large space that will be more than what they need. Sometimes keeping things to yourself because you do not want anyone else in your business can cost you money.

Property managers are not asking what you are storing to be annoying, nosy or even to covet your things. The manager actually has your best interest in mind so that is why they are asking what you are storing. Do you part and just answer the question. You do not have to go over the complete list of what you are storing, but you can give them an idea. Typically you can go over the largest pieces you are storing and leave the smaller things off the question answer inquiry. The manager always knows that you will most likely store some smaller things along with the bigger items.

Sometimes a customer will be moving across country, city, or state and they are moving everything. Going into a self storage facility and telling them that you are storing a three bedroom house with appliances is all you need to say. Then the manager can tell you exactly what you will need in terms of a self storage space. They have been in the business for a long time. They are there to make sure that you do not pay more for a space you do not need. Believe it or not, the managers do not get paid by knowing what you are storing. They get paid off the satisfaction of their customers.

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What is in a name? Introducing yourself to the person that you are talking to seems to be a lost art in sales. Now when you are involved in some other kind of negotiations, for some reason people seem to introduce their selves. When you are trying to sell a customer a storage space or other answers to their needs, the introduction seems to be not there. How much easier would it be to sell to your friend than a complete stranger? Isn’t it less rude to call a person hey you, or even sir or ma’am. Many people are comfortable with those types of greetings. On the flip side not everyone is.

When a customer walks into a self storage facility and the property manager does not acknowledge they are there, what impression does that give for the customer? That does not make the customer feel they are important or that the manager wants to do business with them. What changes when a property manager goes out of their way to say hello and greet them properly? Everything changes. The demeanor of the presentation changes, the customer is a little more receptive of the manager, and the possibility of building rapport is there. What do you think would change if we added the introduction of names?

It is very common for a customer to call a self storage location or any type of business and the rep on the other end answers with their name. Since the customer now knows your name, why don’t you know there name? It just makes sense right? Unfortunately it goes deeper than that. It is felt sometimes rude or people are scared to ask someone for their first name. They rather resort to just calling them ma’am or sir. That is formal and sometimes respectful, but what happens if you call the wrong person sir or madame? That could lead to an uncomfortable situation.

You will not always deal with a person face to face. You might only talk to them if they are over the phone. This might be your one and only shot to get them into the store. You can easily say something like, hi my name is so and so, what is your name? The customer should open up and tell you their name. If they do not, then there is another issue and you will have to make them comfortable enough to gain access to their name. Otherwise when you get their name, you should use it through out the conversation. Don’t say it over and over again like a broken record, just say it enough to where the customer sees that you are making an effort to be friendly.

When it comes time to close the sale, using their name is very important. At t his point you are on a first name basis so you can use their name to ask for the reservation or the rental. For example you can say, James, it looks like we have the best unit for you. Let’s go ahead and get you set up. You can begin moving in right away. That is a lot friendlier than using sir or just asking for the sale. It makes it more personal. Gain the customer’s name and make sure that you use it. This personal touch could mean the difference between you getting sales and not. Every little bit helps.

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There is not an exact science to moving, but there are many property managers who will give you a couple of ideas. Don’t shy away from asking the property manager about different things that you can do in order to store. The important thing that you need to keep in mind is that you need to get your belongings there safely. Since you are going to be putting your belongings into storage, wouldn’t you want to make sure that your belongings stay safe?

Make sure you ware the right clothing for your move, warm for winter, cool for summer, and dry for raining season. Most times when you move you will not have time to change your clothes when you are moving. You want to get done with your move as soon as you can so you can get back to your normal day. Of course you still have to put your new home together before you can really relax.

To keep things dry and free from dust in your boxes, put plastic bag in first and tape shut when done. No one really knows when they put things into storage, how long it is going to be there. In fact many plan to only store for a month or so, while select others believe they will be storing for an indefinite amount of time. If you do not move around your belongings are store them properly dust could really be a problem in the future.

Put car Air fresheners in your boxes to help keep things smelling nice.  They are really not that expensive. It most people would rather smell a great smell of an air freshener than other smells that could be around the self storage facility. Not many property managers or owners will suggest it, but it’s a nice touch.

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Technology has grown over the years and has made things much easier for us. Previously in order to pay a bill you would have to walk into a store where your payment was due and pay in person. Oh my how we’ve grown. Now there are downloadable applications for your mobile phone to make things simple like paying for your storage unit.

A renter I spoke with had no idea that the store they rented at offered this. She was ecstatic to find out how easy the application worked and wanted to immediately find out where she needed to go to download the program. In this technology day and age, we can do just about anything. Everything should be very simple and easy. Paying your bill and renting a storage unit should be just that easy.

Property managers, if your company offers an online app that could make your customers’ lives a little easier, make sure that you offer it. Many companies do not think such technology is important. That can’t be further from the truth. Some customers do not even go with a company because they don’t have website or have an application to use. Always put your best foot forward.

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There have been some calls from people that need to rent a storage space for their house hold goods. This would be a daily occurrence, but their only problem is they are out of state. So they will not be able to be at the store before it closes nor will they be there to sign the lease. These customers still want to rent a store space so they ask us whether they are able to do all the paperwork over the phone or by fax. That is of course up to the facility manager.

Naturally as a representative of the company, we tell them we can help with that. We still go through the naturally steps of finding out what they are storing so we can get them in the right size. We get all their personal information and an email address so that we can send them the lease and all other paper work. We then tell them we need a major credit card so that she can pay for it now and it will be waiting for her when she gets here. They will either after that point, have to send someone else in to sign the lease or paperwork or rent when they are in town. The customers are happy with the idea that they could do everything over the phone and could just bring in their paperwork. Unfortunately we can’t give them a lock over the phone but they can pick one up at the store from the property manager.

The customer was very happy that they could do it all before they even got to the store. It was a good idea that the manager of the facility gave the caller a follow up call to ensure that every thing went well with the initial conversation. The manager also will want to ensure the customer will be there when agreed they would be there. The manager wants to be there when the customer is actually able to walk into the facility.

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