DO NOT RENT FROM PUBLIC STORAGE!!!
Unbelievably bad experience - complete debacle.
When I called to make the reservation I was give one week. Good so far, because weighing the cost of doing a storage facility versus just storing stuff in my garage and extra room.
Planned on moving into locker on a Sunday, but was told by the facility manager, Cameron, that it would be best to come in a day or so earlier to get the paperwork done so moving in on Sunday is easy. Seemed reasonable enough...was quoted $216 per month for a 10" x 10" space with 1/2 off for first month plus some admin fee for paperwork start up. OK, seems like this is doable.
My reservation was guaranteed to Sunday at 4:00 p.m. With Cameron's recommendation and frankly stern urging, I went in at Saturday at 4:00 p.m to do all this "important paperwork". When I get into the facility to meet Cameron, turns out they FORCE YOU TO BUY INSURANCE for your locker or they won't sign you up - this is anywhere from $11 to $15 per month - this was NEVER told to me talking to Cameron on the phone or the (800) number service company.
Then another bomb dropped....they want $19.99 for a LOCK they feel is the right lock for the unit as it "cannot be cut off." This company touts it's security and cameras and the fact they have such responsible managers, yet I was being strong armed into a $19.99 lock. I told them I had a lock already and again with the rhetoric of that they're lock was better and that I could not take any possession of the locker until their lock was off and the lock I preferred (and was already my own) was on the locker.
I told Cameron at that time I was not buying their lock and that I would be at the facility to have them remove their lock on the unit the following morning before noon. Important here.....I DID NOT TAKE POSSESSION OF THIS UNIT yet. I was charged $143.00 immediately on my credit card but did not have possession of the unit because the lock I wanted to use, and NOT THEIRS was not actually on the unit I was renting. But they charged me anyway, at their urging I come in a day before my reservation would actually expire, and charge me insurance and strong efforts for me to get one of their locks.
As soon as I left this establishment at 4:30 on Saturday, I had a sick feeling in my stomach as if I had just been "had". This feeling stayed with me all night and woke up Sunday morning thinking, "I just can't do this!" I call all the (800) number to cancel my locker, the one I hadn't really taken possession of yet, and asked for a refund of the $143 already charged. That number said I signed and no refund would be submitted. AGAIN, I NEVER TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS UNIT AND IT WAS ONLY 15 HOURS SINCE I WAS IN THE OFFICE, STILL A FULL 8 HOURS BEFORE MY ACTUAL RESERVATION WOULD HAVE EXPIRED!!!
So I say to the woman, Rachel, on the phone..."so because I went in on a Saturday afternoon at Cameron's urging, I will not get a refund, but had I waited until 4:00 on Sunday afternoon without notice or anything, I wouldn't have been charged?????" She said, "yes that is correct" and "I am sorry."
Phone-person Rachel says she will put my complaint into the District Manager, Jonathan, and to expect a phone call from him within 48 hours. I called Cameron at the actual Topanga Canyon location directly to let him know, with courtesy, that I will not be taking possession and notified him I already called the (800) number to cancel my reservation. And, this dude, starts to ramble off that there will be no refund, that I signed paperwork with him, and by their contract, had officially taken possession of the unit. CAMERON, I NEVER TOOK POSSESSION OF THE UNIT!!!!!
UNBELIEVEABLE....
1. Urged strongly to come in early to get paperwork signed even though reservation guaranteed me my spot until the following day at 4:00
2. Found out while I am there, extra charges (insurance and lock) are demanded and recommended.
3. Don't take possession of unit because I have no lock with me but they charge my credit card for the discounted first month, admin charges and the forced insurance to the tune of $143 anyway.
4. Cancel unit within 16 hours, never moving one item into a unit, because remember I don't have possession because their lock is still on the storage unit!
5. Find out no refund.
I have since callled around to a few other lesser known storage companies....PUBLIC STORAGE ARE CROOKS AND USE MAFIA-LIKE TACTICS TO GET YOU INTO THEIR PROGRAM WITHOUT ANY CLIENT SERVICE. STAY AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE!!!! read more