Self Storage Mobile Containers vs Storage Units
The self storage industry has increased in size and breadth over the last decade. Many people are surprised to learn that it is a relatively new industry, and that it is growing at a noticeable rate.
One development is the integration of mobile storage containers. Some companies have taken the storage concept “on the road”, and can now deliver metallic storage boxes where you might need them.
Is it Uhaul?
Mobile storage containers are not quite the same thing as Uhaul and other similar companies. While those businesses rent a truck or van with storage capacity, you are obligated to unload all goods in a certain number of hours or days. Ultimately, the process is quick and imperminent.
Mobile storage containers have a longer time span in mind. The unit itself is detachable from the truck it arrives on, and can be reserved for months on end.
What Are the Pros/Cons of Mobile Containers?
The first and most obvious benefit of the mobile container is it’s ability to come to you. The saves some trouble with getting your possessions to a standard storage facility.
Similarly, you can then have that same container delivered to your new location.
On the other hand, the cost-per-size is not as efficient as a normal storage facility. You can get more square footage for less with standard units (assuming the storage facility is running reasonable rates and is not in an expensive urban area).
Another con of mobile containers is the lack of temperature control. Many storage facilities offer particular buildings that are better suited for valuable items.
Furthermore, when using a standard self storage unit, you have constant access to it and are fully aware of your content’s location. Depending on stacking, you might not have easy drive-up access to a mobile unit.
Weighing Your Needs
If mobility is a top concern for you, you can consider a mobile container. However, if space, reliability, and affordability are on your list, you might consider a more standard storage facility.
Who Uses Self Storage? (A Popularity Poll)
Have you ever wondered who exactly is investing in self storage?
We sure have!
I’m betting anyone in this industry has too. After all, part of what we do is provide services for individuals who need us. But if we don’t know who those people are, we can hardly provide tailored service.
Over the years we’ve seen customers from very diverse backgrounds. Some are experiencing down moments, due to divorce or loss of home. Some are in high spirits, starting up a new business or moving to a new location. Some, frankly, we have no clue. They come and go with barely a word of context (which is fine as long as they aren’t storing bomb components).
As a result of these ponderings, we have created two polls in order to give us all a little better insight into the self storage landscape. If you are in the self storage industry, vote on what you see the most in your day-to-day business. If you are customer, tell us a bit about how you got here.
Have fun!
If You’re A Storage Business Owner…
If You’re A Self Storage Customer…
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The more answers we get, the better insight we’ll have! Be sure to share it around (use the floaty bar on the left <<<<
Comcast Cable
One or two times per month I get a letter from Comcast Cable addressed to DAK Self Storage, asking for me to sign up for their Triple play. This is Phone, TV, and Internet for the low price of $99.00. I decided to do some research and found it would in fact be cheaper than my phone bill and DSL Internet combined. Plus I would get Television too. Since we moved the office inside the fence, I no longer have television in the office. We plan on getting security camera’s with a large monitor. I could then switch back and forth between the security view and cable news or the Discovery channel while I am here.
About a year ago, I called the 800 number on the flyer. I told the sales representative that cable was not connected to the property. He asked for the address. I told him it is DAK Self Storage, 25 Peach Street, Leesport, PA 19533. He told me they don’t have cable to my address. Ummm, that’s what I just told him. He told me he could see if they could get us connected. He will send out someone to check it out. He asked if I could meet with the person? I told him yes. A few days later a contractor came to meet with me. I showed him where I wanted to install the Triple play. He took some measurements and told me he was going to see where the nearest hub was. At least I think that was the term he used? He said I would receive an estimate to hook up. I told him Comcast should run the cable here for free. I am, after all going to have to pay them a monthly fee. He said I don’t know what it will cost, someone will get back to me. About a week later the sales representative called me and said he is emailing me the quote. I almost fell off my desk chair, $16,000! I told him “NO WAY”. If you can’t do it for free I can stick with what I have, after all it works just fine. If I really want TV I will buy a Direct TV dish and bring a receiver from home.
I continued getting these letters for the Triple Play and decided to call again. Maybe they will do it for free, since they are sending me the letters. After all they now know Cable does not come to this address. I called and they sent out another guy to look things over. About a week went buy and I get the email with a cost of about $3000. The price came down a lot, but I am still not going to pay to have a monthly bill. I called again and was told that was the best they could do. I will wait awhile and give a call when I get another flyer addressed to the place they know has no cable. Maybe if the stopped wasting postage on me and thousands of others they could do it for free.
Hello… Comcast cable, I want to pay you monthly for your service. You just won’t let me. Call me: DAK Self Storage, 610-926-1310, 25 Peach Street,Leesport,PA 19533
Illegal Dumping
On Friday 05/14/2010, I was down at the picnic area that my HOA owns. I discovered four large trash bags and miscellaneous debris. So I Notified the Bern Township Police Department to have it reported. I disposed of it, filling our two trash cans at home. On Monday 05/17/2010, I was on the trail above the parking area and noticed a Ford Ranger Pickup truck with a blue tarp covering the load. Wondering who it was, I went down to ask who they were and what they were doing here as it is private property. One of them Jason S. told me that they used to fish here with some friends from the area and he was showing his brother from the city the river. He mentioned some people my daughter went to school with. I politely informed him he was on private property and I did not care who he knew. I then proceeded to asked them, what was in the truck and if they were planning to dump it here? He said it was scrap wood they were going to take to a storage facility in Fleetwood. I did not tell him we own DAK Self Storage and I think his story is BS.
We chatted a for a short while. Curious to see what was under the tarp I asked to see. They both walked over with me and said sure. When Jason pulled back the tarp to reveal what was under the tarp, all i saw was a truck load of small scraps of old deck material and “red” I asked why they were going to store scrap at a storage facility. Jason S. told me they use it to build steps and things. I told him that there is no way they could build anything out of this scrap.
I Noticed a Business magnet with the name Blank Blank Enterprises along with a phone number on the tailgate. So I decided to call. Jason told me a guy named Dan would answer. Sure enough Dan answered and I asked what his guys were going to do with the scrap wood on the truck. He told me they were taking it to the “DUMP” and asked me where they were? I told him they were on private property along the Schuylkill River. Dan said oh the place by Crosskeys Bridge, we fish there all the time. (It must be another dump spot for them). At that point I advised Dan, no it looks they were going to dump it here on private property. I am not sure if Dan paid the guys to take to dump and then they would pocket the cash? I then told Jason and his brother to get the “F” off of our property. Jason asked to talk with Dan so I put him on speaker. Jason said “Dan this is the stuff we are supposed to take to the storage place in Fleetwood, You know. ” After a brief pause Dan said oh that stuff. Yeah that is going to storage. I said I did not believe them and persisted they leave. As they were getting in the truck I told them if I see that trash in Bern Township I will report them.
Again I notified Bern Township Police and Officer M. came to get information from me. I gave him the plate #, Phone #, and names. Officer M told me since they did not dump anything yet he will try to charge them with Criminal Trespassing. He said give him until Thursday as he will be off shift until then. The officer told me the illegal dumping is why they chained off the small park next to our property two weeks ago. They can’t dump there anymore so down the dirt road they go.
I went home and decided to glove up and go through the trash left the prior week as my trash does not come until Wednesday. I immediately found some mail addressed to (get this) Christina S. The same last name as Jason, 1032 ________Street, Apt2, Reading, PA 19604. I drove down to the Police station and showed Officer M. the mail. He chuckled and said that is the same address the truck is registered to. I told him I would also like them charged with Illegal Dumping. I told him this is the trash I reported last week. He said he thinks he still may only be able to get them for Trespassing. I do not understand that, but he said he will contact me after he interviews the truck owner and driver on Thursday.
I was told at another time that the defendant could tell the judge they paid someone to dispose of their trash and get off. That is when if I were the Judge Demand to see that persons name and address with a receipt. This is a perfect example of laws that protect the criminal and are no help to a victim
You may not think this a big deal, but had this been the remnants or by-products of a meth lab all of my HOA would be responsible for the cleanup. Which the cost can range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000.
The driver and his brother were cited for Criminal Trespass
