Z is for

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Wow this A to Z challenge has worn me out!  Hope you enjoyed it, please feel free to leave comments and let me know your thoughts!

Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!
facebook.com/visalia.storage
facebook.com/mayfairselfstorage

Y is for Yard Sale!

Yard Sale!

This tradition started many years ago when we heard a consistent need from our customers.  They needed to get rid of some items in their storage units, but did not want to move it all home to sell.  We also heard many of our customers say they lived in areas where yard sales were not allowed.  So we began an annual Yard Sale!

The idea is that customers can rent a "parking spot" in our parking lot and move any of their items to this spot.  The storage then invites the community, runs the ads and spreads the word to potential buyers.  The public comes to one giant yard sale that is organized into many small yard sales!  Each tenant runs their own sale, and it is a fun time!

Mayfair Self Storage Fresno Ca- Yard Sale information-  559-233-0033
Security Self Storage Visalia Ca- Yard Sale Information- 559-625-1015

X is for......Donate!

X is for Donate.

Well not really, but I would like to talk about the important role that storage facilities have to help local charities.  We hear all the time that our customers are storing items they no longer need or want.  Yet they do not want to deal with getting rid of the items.  We work very hard to connect local charities  that need donations with our customers who have items to get rid of.  Another method we use to assist our customers is our annual Yard Sale, which will be covered tomorrow in "Y is for Yard Sale"

The traditional thought from storage managers, was they did not want to help customers get rid of items, because they may no longer need storage. However, although we love successful
 businesses, we need to put the customers needs first, and if they need help and we have the resources or contacts, that is what we like to do.  In addition helping our local charities is a high priority and a wonderful feeling!

W is for........

What are you thinking???

So when I began this blog in the beginning of the month, I let my friends at the storage facilities know about my quest.  To blog for 26 days in a row about storage, one letter a day!  I shared with them the letters I was most concerned about.  A few days letter I received these pictures with the caption "W is for What are you Thinking!"  Thanks for the help with the letter W!

These are both pictures of how NOT to lock your unit!

Message here is, please use sturdy locks!  Please, please, please lock your units! 

V is for .....

V is for Value.........

Often times customers will call around, find the storage facility with the cheapest price, go there and be done with it.  I strongly encourage potential customers to seek for value added benefits.  For example,"T is for...."  I discussed briefly the value of a free truck rental.  On moving day using a truck at the storage facility will make your life much easier and is a value added benefit.

Other values you should be on the look out for are....

• Easy payment methods, "K is for Kiosk", Website, convenient office hours and many other ways will help you each month when your bill is due.
• Long gate hours.  Being able to access your items when you need them are very important especially if you are storing an RV or BOAT
• Cookies are always a good thing, that add amazing Value! (Ok that's just me, but I think  any place that serves fresh cookies is worth a visit!)

U is for........

In this A to Z challenge we are beginning to get into the challenging letters!


U is for...........Units-  That's an easy one!

Units need to be:

• Neat and clean- A reliable staff is key to keeping the facility beautiful
• Carefully watched by management in walk through  to be sure if someone moves out the management is aware. 
• Locked appropriately (See W is for...What are you thinking!)
• Store only appropriate items.  We love this VIDEO  by Uncle Bob's Storage...."Top Ten Things NOT to put in a Storage Unit"  
• 10. Ice Sculptures
• 9. Sticky Things
• 8. Stolen Artwork
• 7. Moths or other insects
• 6. Plants
• 5. Stacks of Cash
• 4. Chemicals
• 3. Perashibles 
• 2. Stolen Cars
• 1. Cats!

T is for

T is for Transition....(and Truck!)

Ok, my favorite part about the storage industry is getting to know the customers!.  Each customer that comes into a storage facility to rent a unit is going through some sort of transition in their life.  Some examples of these transitions are a new child is on the way, or a child is going away to college, marriage, divorce, building a new home, downsizing, child coming home from college or someone joining the military.  The best part of renting a unit is the time on the golf cart giving a tour of the facility.  It is a great opportunity to chat with the potential customer about their situation.  This helps the professional storage counselor to assist the customer in renting the right unit.

And after you have the opportunity to get to know the customer, it is great to work at a facility that allows you to let them use your moving TRUCK for free!  

S is for.......

Security

When managing a storage facility, security should always come first.  You want you customers items to be safe, after all they are entrusting their belongings to you!

Security can look different for different people and is unique to each facility.  Accidents happen, but when a storage facility has done everything they can to offer a secure and safe facility the customers will be more understanding than if say a gate was broken, or the cameras were not functioning properly.  But when a manager focuses on security, the customers will have more trust and understanding for the situation.

Because accidents happen, insurance is a necessity in storage.  If you are renting a storage and you have not insured your items, call your facility TODAY and ask about storage insurance! (Just trust me on this one, it's worth it!)

Realistic expectations

R is for..........

I can not believe we have made it to R already!

R is for real.

The first 17 posts in this atozchallenge has been about what to look for when you are in need of a place to store your items.  Many of the readers have been storage facility owners.  Owners and managers want to know what other facilities are doing to recruit and retain customers.  Yet sometimes we need to focus on the fact that we are real people, living on a real budget, serving REAL customers.

Not every facility is perfect, but every facility is full of real people who make real successes and sometimes make real mistakes.  As an employee of a facility, I have many times been faced with situations that quick decisions need to be made.  My hope is that I always make the best decisions for the customer and the facility!   Sometimes it is tough to remember the customer on the other side of the counter is going through some type of transition (see T is for.....) and may be having a rough day.  We need to have realistic expectations of ourselves and our customers.  

To the outsider storage looks like an easy professions.  But the reality is, it is a tough job, full of many unexpected surprises and fun challenges! We LOVE the Storage Facility Profession!

Q is for.........

Q is for Quality

Yep it's that easy.  When you are running a storage facility you should always be reaching for high quality.  Your staff should be high quality, your facility should be of the highest quality, and if it's not....FIX IT!

When you are looking for a facility to place your treasured items in, if you don't see quality....walk away!  That's it....Q is for quality.

P is for...........

P is for Pinterest!!!

http://pinterest.com/vandfstorage/ <-------------click there to find us on Pinterest!  We re-pinned this Ecard on Pinterest.------------------------->

Ok Pinterest has nothing to do with storage really.
However, social media is an important part of any business these days and our facilities have chosen to invest time in networking with our customers, local businesses and other storage facilities around the world.  Pinterest is one way that we are able to share ideas, learn new things and share our passion about storage with the world.

Want to find us??   Click the links below!  See you on the web!

Facebook
www.facebook.com/visalia.storage
www.facebook.com/mayfairselfstorage

Twitter
Mayfair_SS
VisaliaStorage

Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/vandfstorage/

O is for...............

O is for Outstanding Office!

Ok I know, I know that is two O's but every storage has an office, but we are looking for an Outstanding Office!  You know the offices that do not smell funny or have an inch of dust on top of the merchandise they are selling.  We are talking about crisp, clean, smelling fresh and decorated office.  The kind that you want to walk into every month to pay your bill!  If I were renting a unit, I would love an office that offered a nice cup of coffee and a cookie!

N is for.............

N is for Networking

Welcome to day 14!  As we discussed on day 10 under "J for Jobs" most storage facilities are locally owned and operated.  Did you know that storage facilities are usually more than willing to help other local businesses? Networking with other businesses is a great practice in any industry.  Knowing your local neighbors is a great practice to grow your business and to grow relationships in the community.

Do you provide a service that storage customers would benefit from?  Ask your local storage if they are willing to give your business cards out.   Our storage facilities invested in these great business card holders to help promote other local businesses!

Day 13...we are half way there!!!

M is for Moving Supplies!!!

Are you moving?  Did you collect boxes from all your friends and you still have 3 bedrooms to pack??  Many storage facilities have moving supplies.  It is very helpful to have everything in one location when you are moving. One mistake we try and stop people from making is buying the largest boxes possible to pile as much stuff in as they can!  We do not want to see you hurt yourself.  We recommend buying large boxes for light items such as blankets.  And the small or medium for most household items.  Our storage professionals are here to help.  We even have a link below where you can reserve your items and we will have them ready to go for you when you come to our office, how convenient is that!

Security Self Storage Visalia 559-625-1015
Moving Supplies


Mayfair Self Storage Fresno 559-233-0033
http://mayfaircenterselfstorage.com/moving-supplies.php

Day 12....going, going, GONE!

L is for Lien Sale

Lien sale is the legal term used for Storage Auctions.  All storage facilities in California (and most other states) are required to hold Lien Sales when a person fails to pay their rent.  If you have never been to a storage auction, I highly recommend that you do!  You do not have to buy anything, but the experience alone is worth it.  Although that it is sad a person is losing their items, the items will soon find a new home.  Storage facilities want the items to sell so that the unit can be re-rented to a tenant that will begin paying for the space.

If you are interested in going to an auction, all you have to do is check your local news papers or call your local facilities and ask when the next auction is being held. Often times the facility will put you on an email or call list and will call you to let you know when the next auction is being held.  Each facility has slightly different rules, policies and procedure so be sure to ask when you call!

Our facilities will also list auctions on our Facebook Pages.  Be sure to follow us at the links below to see when our upcoming Lien Sales will be held.

Fresno-Mayfair Self Storage
www.facebook.com/mayfairstorage

Visalia-Security Self Storage
facebook.com/visalia.storage

Day 11 of the self storage blogging challenge!

K is for.....Kiosk!

You may have thought K would be a tough one for me, but guess what!  Both of our facilities have Kiosks out front to make your monthly payment even easier and more convenient.  Do you work odd hours?  Renting at a facility with a Kiosk will help you tremendously.  They accept payments even when the office is closed.  These types of conveniences will help you in the future and are worth thinking about when you are ready to rent a storage unit.

Toughest day so far....J is for...........????

J is for.....Jobs (Storage Jobs that is!)

Ok this one was tough!  But I settled on Jobs because Self Storage plays a very important role in our local economy.  Many storage's are locally owned and operated.  When you rent a unit you are helping a family maintain a business and help support your local economy.  In addition storage facilities contract with many other local businesses including pest control, landscaping and help keep those organizations busy too!  So if you have extra stuff in your house, help your local economy and rent a storage unit!

Day 9

I is for...... Instruments

Have you ever needed to store something unique such as instruments?  Art work?  Antiques? Candles?  Many self storage facilities have something called Climate Controlled units.  Although you will pay a bit more for these units, some items require a more stable temperature  to preserve them.  Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions about the temperature, security cameras and any other concerns you may have. Sometimes climate control is difficult to find, yet can be well worth it for certain items.

Day 8 of the 26 day challenge

H is for Holidays!

So celebrating holidays is not a requirement, but hey isn't it fun to see the storage facility office decorated differently each month you stop by to pay?  This letter also gives me a chance to show off some of the holiday decorations at Mayfair Self Storage and Security Self Storage.  They work super hard to decorate each month!

G is for......GATES!

Whew!  I felt like I was going to have a difficult time with G and then I remembered one of the most important items at a storage facility is the gates.  Security Self Storage in Visalia and Mayfair Self Storage in Fresno both have gates that require a code to enter AND exit the facility.  Many people may feel this is a burden to have to enter the code to exit.  I would like to remind you how important that coding out is.  Facilities have a computer program that track the codes, it is important that the facility can tell when a person comes and to be sure they do leave.   If a person has a small unit and spends hours every day, that can be a sign that something unusual is going on.  A good manager uses the gate logs to track any unusual activities.

So when looking for a great facility to rent at, be sure you pay attention to the gates!

F is for.....

F is for Friendly

Yes you may think this is the same as customer service.  But it's is not!  A good storage manager understands that anyone who is in need of storage is experiencing some sort of transition in their life.  Maybe a child is growing up, a child is about to be born, a child is moving back from college, divorce, marriage,  they are moving to a smaller home, someone is going to jail, someone is coming home from the military, the list can go on and on and on!  There is nothing better than being greeted by a friendly person with a friendly smile when you are going through a transition.  And as your life moves past the transition and you are visiting the storage monthly to pay your bill, you always know a friendly person (and cookies hopefully)  will be there to greet you!


F can also be for funny!  There are some very funny Storage Ads out there, we like this one from Budget Truck Rental! But be sure to follow us on Pinterest to see more of funny adds.  http://pinterest.com/vandfstorage/


G is for.....your guess is as good as mine at this point!

Day five!

E.....now that is a hard one, so I choose two!

Email-  If you are email savvy, it is a great idea to rent with a storage facility that utilizes email to let you know when your bill is due, if you forgot to pay, and  if you are getting close to lien.  Email is an easy and free way to communicate, and very helpful in storage.

Excellence-  When shopping for storage, look for the little things that show excellence.  Our two storage facilities always have fresh baked cookies and coffee ready for you at anytime you stop by.  Those are two small things that set a storage apart from the rest!


Day six.....F....Wonder what word will come to my mind!

D is for Dirt.

Yes Dirt!  Do you see any when you look around a facility?  Facilities should be tidy, clean and missing dust and dirt.  A dirty facility is a sign that the managers are not diligently maintaining the facility like they should be.  Of course if a storm blew through yesterday, show them some grace!  However on a normal daily basis a facility should be free from trash, dirt and should look generally very clean.

E is tomorrow!

Day three in the 26 day challenge

C is for Customer Service

I am a strong believe that you should only rent from a facility that shows EXCELLENT customer service.  You are trusting these people with your valuables, they need to be nice to you!  Not just nice, but they should show genuine caring and respect for you as a customer.  If they don't, walk out.

I think that's all I have to say about that!   Honestly, if you do not feel comfortable at a facility, it is not the right facility for you.

Day four is tomorrow!  The letter D.

Day two of the 26 day challenge!

B is for Boat Storage!

Need to store a boat?  There are many options to choose from, inside storage, outside storage, covered, uncovered, on pavement or on dirt.  The best thing to do is call around, and see what options are available in your area.  If you are an early morning fishermen be sure to check about access.  Do you need to access your boat at 3am?  Do the gates function at that time?   Another tip I always ask prospective renters when I show a boat space is about their parking skills.  Are you comfortable you can back your boat into the spot they are trying to rent to you?  Be sure that there are not obstacles  in the way, I'm sure you do not want to dent your boat!

Tune in tomorrow for the letter C.....Hmmmm, C this will take some thinking!

Day one of a 26 day challenge!

A-Z Blogging Challenge

A friend of mine (Dana Martin Writing) is participating in blogging challenge this month called "A-Z Blogging Challenge" Each day, you blog about a word starting with the next letter in the Alphabet.  I am going to make mine storage themed so wish me luck, this will be tricky!

A is for Access.

So you throw all your valuable belongings into a unit, then what happens when you need to visit your items?? When choosing a storage facility, it is important that you ask questions about access to the facility.   Most facilities have set hours for all tenants.  However, many managers will allow extended access to businesses, or even to a person with an RV or Boat.  Extended access can be very beneficial you never know when you will find the energy to dig out your holiday decorations!

See you tomorrow for Day 2....B!