There are forty to fifty thousand self-storage facilities (with sometimes hundreds of individual lockers in each facility) in the United States filled with unused belongings. Sometimes we just keep our off-season clothing, Christmas decorations, lawn and garden equipment and bicycles stored, but more often than not it’s just stuff we can’t bear to part with: old furniture, family heirlooms, books, baby stuff saved for the next bundle of joy, redundant household goods from previous marriages, the contents of grandma’s house after she has moved into a nursing home. All stuff that probably should have been donated to the thrift shop.

Many renters just get tired of paying every month to keep stuff they don’t really need and abandon the unit. Some renters can’t keep up with the monthly payment and the unit gets foreclosed by the owner of the self-storage facility. These units are often sold auction-style, and the winning bidder becomes the new owner of all the possessions the locker contains.

You never know what treasures you might find. An owner of a self-storage facility told me of a friend of his who bought a locker and found ten thousand dollars in cash inside!

If you plan to buy the contents to resell them, as I do, then you need to bid low enough to make a profit. It’s tricky, because you usually can’t see everything in there. Lots of stuff is in boxes or bags so it becomes a guessing game. You have to estimate what you might get for what you can see, and bid accordingly. Don’t get so caught up in the bidding that you lose your potential profit! If you are buying for your own use then you might go a little higher if there’s something there you really want.

It’s easy to find self-storage units that are up for auction. Just call any facility in your area and chances are that they hold auctions several times a year. If you love to make money with flea markets or yard sales, this is the best way to find a variety of merchandise to add to your inventory.

Article Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/221464/buying_abandoned_selfstorage_units.html?cat=24

Regardless of why you may need to rent a self storage unit, it’s very likely that you have no experience with what to look for when choosing a facility. The intention of this article is to help you find the self storage facility that meets your specific needs. Here is a checklist of the important items to consider while searching for your perfect self storage facility.

LOCATION – Most people prefer to store their valuables somewhere close to where they live or work. This provides a feeling of comfort and security knowing that your items are close by and accessible. If you do not think you will be accessing your storage unit very often, then this may be less of a factor in your decision. You should also think about how easy it is to get to the storage facility. For instance, is it located off a highway or major road, or tucked away on a back country road? Obviously you want you to make sure that the facility is in a safe, clean area where crime is not a problem.

SECURITY – Modern self storage facilities will have all the basics covered when it comes to security features. At a minimum these should include a bright, well lit property in case you need to be there when it’s dark; a security fence around the entire facility; a computerized, pass-code protected access gate; some kind of closed circuit TV (CCTV) or video camera monitoring of the facility. After all, you do expect your valuables to be there when you need them, right?

UNIT SIZES – You will find that there is a large variety in the sizes of self storage units available today. The smallest units are often 5×5, 5 feet wide by 5 feet deep. And they increase gradually up to 10′x30′, or even larger depending on the facility. This will give you many options in choosing the right size for your needs. If you have not used storage before then you may not know what size unit you will need. This is where a knowledgeable property manager will be of assistance. The property manager should be able to recommend a unit size to you based on the items you plan to store. It’s a good idea to have the manager show you the actual storage unit as well. Seeing the space will help you get a better idea of how your things will fit into the unit, being that it is the correct size for your needs.

PRICE – While price is certainly a major consideration when choosing self storage it’s probably not at the top of the list. It’s a fact that people will gladly pay a little more for a facility as long as it meets a person’s needs and has the features important to them. The old saying, “You get what you pay for,” is true in self storage also. Often times the cheapest facility is not usually the best. There is probably a reason why it costs less. Maybe it doesn’t have video cameras or a pass-code protected gate and, therefore, is less secure. It could be that the facility is older and the property is in disrepair and has not been well maintained. Most people would not feel comfortable storing their valuables in a dirty, rundown property. Be wary of a storage facility whose rates are much lower than their competitors. Always visit the facilities you are considering before making your final decision. Be sure to inquire about any special rates or promotions the facility may be offering at the time. In today’s tough economy discounting is common and self storage is no exception.

OTHER AMENITIES – Today’s self storage facilities offer a wide variety of additional features and services which may also factor in to your decision making process. A major one is climate controlled storage. Climate controlled storage protects items from extreme variations in temperature and humidity. If you’re storing important documents, antique furniture, paintings or other artwork, or high end electronics then you may need a climate controlled space. Access hours are something you will want to know about. Many facilities allow for 24/7 access, conveniently allowing you to access your storage unit anytime you need to.

This would be helpful if you work odd hours and may need to get things outside of normal business hours. What about paying for your storage unit? Does the facility allow for automatic payment with a credit card? Or better yet, can you pay online through the company’s website? These options offer you convenience and make it easy to do business with the storage facility. How will you get your stuff into the storage space? More and more facilities are offering the FREE use of their own moving truck to entice customers their way. If a facility does not have their own moving truck, they will often rent moving trucks through other vendors, such as U-HAUL.

Choosing which self storage facility to store your valuables with is not a difficult task. Although there are probably several storage facilities in your area, not all self storage is created equally. By using this guideline, knowing what features are most important to you and asking the right questions, you will have no problem picking the self storage facility that is just right for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Weaver

The benefit of using a temporary storage space when you are selling your house is that you don’t need to get tied down to a long-term contract, because you can’t predict how quickly or how long it will take to sell your home. Hopefully you will sell your home in a few weeks, but realistically it may take a few months or even longer, depending on the real estate market. While you’re waiting, your belongings can stay in a self-storage spot which you can rent for a long or short period of time. The flexibility here is a great advantage.

Another advantage to a self-storage space is that you can access your belongings whenever you need to. In the process of de-cluttering and staging your home you will end up having to move items out of your home that you may need to use occasionally. However, if you choose a self-storage location that is close to your home you can conveniently access your belongings when you need them. Let’s face it selling your home can be inconvenient. It’s hard to maintain a regular schedule because you don’t know when a viewing may take place and open houses can be a pain. Why add to your frustration by placing your belongings in a friend’s basement where you will feel like you are intruding every time you need to get something. With self-storage, you can access your belongings on your schedule, whenever you need to without the hassle.

Many people are surprised to discover that staging their home may require them to move a number of their belongings and pieces of furniture out of the way. However, this is an important part of the staging process. Staging your home is about creating illusions. You want your home to look bigger, brighter, cleaner and warmer so that it makes buyers want to buy it. In addition to de-cluttering, a professional stager may recommend that you move your own items out of the home so that they can bring in specially chosen items that will draw attention to certain features or help highlight the best parts of your home.

Stagers will bring in and use a number of items to help you sell your home, including: * Mirrors * Plants and silk flowers * Floor and table lamps * Area and throw rugs * Small love seats * Ottomans * Afghans and throw blankets * Pillows * Inflatable queen-size beds * Baskets * Large bowls of fruit * Colourful and fun cookbooks * Towels, tied with ribbons * Scented soaps * Creamy lotions It may seem frustrating to have to move your items out of your home only to have other items brought in for staging purposes, but professional stagers are experts at creating the perfect look for your home to make it more attractive to potential buyers. Temporary storage can be a great solution to help you survive the process of staging and selling your home.

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=3539021

There are plenty of ways to make a business premises more environmentally friendly. They include recycling all re-usable waste, like paper and glass, using biodegradable packaging, having staff bring in cups or mugs for tea or coffee rather than using plastic throw-away cups, trying to cut down on paper use by not printing out unessential documents and by communicating as much as possible by email, remembering to switch off lights and computers when not in use and perhaps encouraging employees to car share.

But there is another way to cut down on energy use and reduce the carbon footprint that perhaps some businesses have not considered.

If you have a business that needs to keep paper records of customer and client information, which can be a legal requirement for organisations such as health authorities, residential homes, solicitors, will writers and accountants, the question is how and where are they being stored?

It is not always possible to convert all paper records to a digital version. It could eat up hours of staff time that might be better focused on the day’s business activity. It may also not be practical to do it for older, historic records that have a legal validity only in their original form or may not conform to modern standardised paper sizes.

However, it is worth considering how much floor space is being used within the business premises because it is additional space that has to be lit and perhaps also heated. As businesses are now required to record their energy and emission use it could cut the energy use by consolidating it all and storing it off site in a centralised self-store facility.

Business archiving is not the only thing that can be centrally stored to reduce the carbon footprint.

We know of an e-business in Ipswich, UK, that sells all its products online and keeps its stock in a self-store facility. Its owner says it means using less space, and therefore less energy, keeping its carbon footprint to a minimum.

Similarly, a children’s centre in the town has a vast collection of donated toys for both indoor and outdoor use. Keeping the surplus in a self-store facility means that outdoor play equipment can be protected in the winter, prolonging its useful life, and indoor play equipment can be rotated to allow for repairs and cleaning and also to ensure that there are regularly new ranges of toys to keep the children stimulated.

There are other advantages to centralising storage. It helps to declutter the office and it is possible to install shelving or racking for stock and equipment, or filing systems for archiving, in a self store unit to make it easy for the business to access anything it needs quickly.

Self-store facilities themselves contribute to energy efficiency because most of them have heat or motion-sensitive lighting indoors and for outdoor security.

Using a centraliserd self-store unit can therefore give a business not only environmental but financial benefits.

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=3419322

One reason why people choose the option of self storage is that they’re facing a move to a smaller living space. For example, perhaps a person is moving from a large fully furnished house to a small apartment. Naturally, not all of the furnishings in the house will be able to fit into the new space. A self storage unit is helpful in this scenario because an individual can safely store their items until they are able to accommodate them again. Furthermore, the self storage option may be a person’s alternative to selling the excess, beloved furniture.

Secondly, a person may want to take advantage of a self storage unit if they are planning an extended trip. If the person is not keeping an apartment while they are away, they’ll likely need a place to store furniture, appliances, extra clothing, and more. In addition, while they are away, the person will be assured that their possessions are safe and protected.

The next reason that people opt for self storage has to do with inheritances from relatives. For example, people who inherit furniture from family members or relatives often find that they don’t have the space for the extra items in their home. Consequently, they need a clean, well-kept place to store the furniture temporarily. Self storage can be the solution for a person in search a secure place to keep furniture until the pieces can be moved home.

Storage units can be extremely helpful to a person with a basement or attic that is either full of items or unsuitable for storage purposes. For example, a basement may be damp or prone to flooding. Valuable antique furniture cannot be safely stored in a basement that has a tendency to flood. Furthermore, an attic may not be suitable for storage due to lack of easy access or perhaps it’s already overloaded with items. In short, secure, clean, self storage can prove useful to anyone whose own storage capacities are questionable.

Along with the practical benefits of storage units, there are other reasons why they are so appealing to many individuals. Some people enjoy the easy access and convenience of a place where they know their items will be protected. Other individuals appreciate storage units for the clean, well-kept environment they offer. In short, self storage is a simple option for a person who cares enough about the condition of their possessions to find a place where they will be safely tucked away.

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=3419713

Putting guitars, pianos, cellos and other stringed wood instruments into self-storage SAFELY can be tricky. There are many environmental factors that can warp or cause more subtle negative changes to your wood instruments tone and playability, especially when out-of-sight in a storage unit, but following some simple guidelines you should be able to store your instrument while preserving your investment.

Guitars and other ‘hand-held’ Musical Instrument Storage:

The most serious threat to safely storing your guitars, cellos etc. is humidity and temperature change.

First let’s look at temperature. If you have traveled by plane with a stringed instrument such as a guitar may have been advised to detune your strings until they are somewhat slack. The primary reason for this is temperature change during flight. The strings will contract and then expand due to the cold during flight, warping the neck.

Ideally, you want your storage unit around 72-77 degrees fahrenheit (22-25 degrees celsius), for ‘hand held’ stringed instruments such as violins or contrabasses.

More important then the actual temperature of your storage unit is the temperature fluctuation. The long term effects of daily temperature change between day and night in an non climate controlled storage unit can damage wood instruments.

There are some unusual exceptions to this. Plywood instruments, such as cheap guitars, are much more resilient to temperature and moisture in a self storage environment then their solid wood counterparts.

New high-tech carbon composite instruments, most often electric violins and electric (and acoustic!) guitars, are even more robust against moisture and temperature changes as they contain little or no actual wood.

Returning to humidity. Ideally you want a consistent humidity of 45-55%. Most self storage facilities that offer climate and humidity control should be able to tell you their humidity options.

Piano Storage

Dust, while generally not an issue for hand-held stringed instruments, can be a serious issue for self storage of pianos. Since in long-term storage dust accretions is, unfortunately, an ever present issue in self storage lockers, make sure you carefully wrap your piano and accessories in cloth.

Be sure when moving your piano into storage that you have a qualified, bonded and insured mover who specifically knows how to handle pianos, do the work. Piano moving can be dangerous for both the mover and the piano and can be more complicated then it seems. Fox example many casters on pianos are for decoration only, rolling around a piano on them can break the casters and damage the floor.

The same climate conditions for pianos in self-storage. Often people are surprised that after moving their piano to a new location it ‘suddenly’ goes out of tune. Often people will blame the jarring of an inconsiderate mover when this may, in fact, be due to the change in humidity. There are climate controlled storage facilities in most areas of the country now.

In some areas of the country piano restoration and repair facilities will offer storage. These facilities will often have moving resources and will know how to care and wrap you piano.

If you follow these guidelines I am confident you will be able to store your guitar, piano, violin or other stringed wood instrument in a self-storage unit with peace of mind that your investment will be secure.

Businesses basically have two major goals – to get more customers and to earn profits. The first is the most important objective because without people to buy from them, these entrepreneurs will not earn anything.

In the self storage industry, customers are also an important part of the business. As a matter of fact, they’re the life of these highly valuable facilities and for this very reason, storage providers should take it upon themselves to attend to their clients in the best way they can.

Private individuals and organizations that utilize self storage or any service for that matter normally give priority to the way businesses support their clients. They gauge the reputation and success of a facility based on various factors and one of them is a quality customer service. People prefer to work with an organization or company that they know will meet their needs and look after them as well as the items they own. They would also usually choose a provider that offers a variety of choices to meet their requirements.

For self storage facilities, there are different aspects of customer service that owners and operators should take into consideration. When these are provided, there’s a good chance that the business will attract more customers and retain existing clients moving forward.

Friendly staff. Having employees who are friendly is a big plus. Potential clients normally feel comfortable when during their first meeting, the front desk staff of the self storage facility are easy to approach and are friendly. These people are always ready to talk to customers with a smile and get along with them with ease.

Knowledgeable staff. More than just being friendly, the staff should also be well trained. In other words, they should be knowledgeable about the sizes and types of rental units available, the rates per month or per year, the payment method, security system, pest control, deposit required, insurance coverage if any as well as other terms and conditions. As customers will always have questions before making a decision, the front desk staff should know how to answer them properly.

Manner of communication. The way a self storage employee talks to customers is essential. As facilities need clients to be successful in their business, the staff should be trained to improve their communication skills. They should learn not to be emotional when dealing with customers regardless of the attitude being shown to them. Any instance that an employee shows a negative reaction to a potential client such as being sarcastic in answering queries, he or she risks discouraging that person to avail of their service.

Information on policies. The frontliners of a self storage facility must also be responsible for informing clients of the company’s policies. However, this should not be limited to just giving them a flyer or brochure with the policies in there. Employees must also be able to explain further to customers should they find it hard to understand certain terms and conditions. Sometimes, the clients’ knowledge of a facility’s policies also depends on how well the staff were able to expound on them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar

We know that storage units can help individuals or families during a move or downsize, but how can self-storage units become an asset to a business owner? Below are some recommendations for business owners and how they can effectively use a storage facility to their advantage and save money.

• Many times businesses grow, downsize, redecorate or remodel and self-storage units provide easy access to your company’s belongings during these times.
• If you own a building and are staging the location in order to sell, a storage unit will host your belongings during this process.
• While you move to a new office or facility, a storage unit located conveniently around your new or old location will provide in a smooth transition.
• Many offices or buildings like to create an atmosphere that agrees with the seasonal furnishings. Decorations during this time as well as appropriate office supplies are an important part of keeping your business a friendly work environment.
• Trade shows and conventions are a popular part of business and it is especially important that you look your best whether its having the appropriate table for the event as well as marketing pieces to help attract business to your booth. Once you have finished with your supplies, don’t throw the out! Save them for another event.
• If you own a business where you sell seasonal items for Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc… don’t throw out those items. The colors and themes do not change year to year with the major holidays. Save them in a storage unit and dust them off to be sold again the following year for a discounted price- or mark them up as a rare find!

As you can see, the possibility for utilizing a storage unit to contribute to your business is multifaceted. There are so many options and there is sure to be a location in your region. If you are interested in learning more about a self-storage unit, please go online to a search engine and type in “self-storage:” followed by your particular city or the location you most desire to conveniently hold your belongings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amit_Kothiyaal

Storage Missoula

For all your Missoula storage needs.

Storage space -or rather, the lack thereof- is an issue for many people. Families with children often find that, as the years go on, they accumulate more and more possessions. Single people and couples commonly live in relatively small apartments or homes, which limit the amount of room in which they have to store their belongings. Even offices and workplaces have difficulty with storage space at times, such as when a business has grown too big for its current location or when a company has to find room for cases of old (but still necessary) files.

In all of these instances, self storage units can solve the problem of a lack of storage space. And actually, there are many advantages of using self storage units for personal or for business purposes. Below are some of the main benefits of utilizing this type of storage for any type of property (other than flammable, toxic, and hazardous substances, of course).

- You choose the type of storage you need. There are many different varieties of self storage units available; therefore, anyone can find one that will best suit his needs. Most units are part of a ground-level building, though some storage may be found in multi-story buildings. There are also mobile storage units that can be filled at one location and then stored at another.

- You choose the size of storage you need. Larger storage units will obviously cost more than smaller units (and, of course, prices vary from one self storage location to another). But, you get to select the exact size of unit that will serve your needs best. This way, you will only pay for the storage that you need and are using.

- Self storage units are quite affordable. Because there are so many self storage companies vying for your business, prices are very competitive. Many companies even offer special coupon rates or deals.

- Only you can access the contents of your storage unit. Employees of the self storage unit company will not be able to access your storage unit unless you default from your agreement (by not paying your bill, for example). In fact, most companies have you get your own lock to use on your storage unit- the company will not even have a key.

- You have access to your unit at any time, day or night. Companies know that you may need to access your stored items at various times; therefore, they provide the means for you to be able to do so.

- Your belongings will be completely safe. The owners of the self storage company are responsible for the security of the units. Most use state-of-the-art security cameras and alarms around the clock to guard the facility. Many also have security guards. In addition, your property is safe from damage, as the units are guaranteed to be waterproof.

- You can rent the storage unit for a week, a month, or longer-your choice. Only you know how long you need the storage space; therefore, only you can decide the length of time you want to rent it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt

The concept of self storage has so deeply penetrated our society that it’s difficult to do without it. Whether it’s a household or a business, almost everybody faces the need for storage space. Therefore, it’s no surprise to find storage facilities in every nook and corner of the cities, providing a safe place for belongings you don’t want to part with but also can’t accommodate them at home.

Why Climate Control Storage Is Stealing The Limelight

Units that have a regulated humidity and temperature conditions are ideal for storage of antiques, leather goods, oil paintings, electronics, photo albums and old books, art pieces, jewelry, warm clothes, fabric furniture, musical instruments, and other delicate items that are affected by heat and moisture.

A climate controlled self storage facility is designed to maintain a steady temperature ranging from 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This varies with the geographical area and its weather. There is no better place than a self storage unit to store your fragile goods. Garage and attics fail to provide such safety from weather elements.

Solution For Large Inventory

Businesses have, at last, found the perfect solution for storing their surplus stock and other office equipment in self storage warehouses. Some of the reputed facilities feature wide spaces in which you can easily park your truck or van for unloading items. The units are equipped with advanced security systems, besides the regular fencing and presence of armed guards.

Whether you’re moving office or renovating, you can get a suitable place to store your items. Most of the moving storage services offer competitive prices for professional work that leaves you awestruck, thanks to their sheer efficiency and flawless style of working.

Boat Storage

How can the idea of self storage leave behind the boats and yachts? There is no dearth of water sports lovers, divers, cruisers, and people working at the ports. This means that there is a substantial need for self storage buildings specifically designed for boat and yacht storage.

Every boat or yacht owner needs a place to park his water vehicle. This place should be secure with no worries about thefts or damage to the boat. Only a self storage building with proper security gadgets in position can provide such a place.

Moving and storage are quite common in the US. With the changing economy and climatic conditions, a large number of people are moving to favorable locations. For this, they need transportation as well as storage ways that can take the worry of safety of their belongings out of their minds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wakanda_Aaron