"To COOL or Not to COOL?" That is the Question. (It's Also Self-Storage Shopping Tip #2)

Okay, class, it’s time for our next self-storage shopping tip.

This one has to do with the HOT topic of CLIMATE CONTROL.

So the tip is, decide whether or not you need climate control for what you’re storing.

That’s it!

Now did you catch the all-important word in there?—“NEED”!

As in, decide whether you really NEED—not just “want”—climate control. Or do you only THINK you need it?

You see, lots of people WANT climate control. Lots of people THINK they need climate control. But (can YOU handle the truth?) not everyone who WANTS or THINKS they need it actually does.

It’s all a matter of preconceived notions about non-climate-controlled storage units and the perceived "necessity" for air conditioning or cooling of some kind IN ALL CASES when the weather is warm. (“Warm”? Did he just use the word warm on a day when the temperature outside was 188 degrees Fahrenheit, in the shade?!)

Well, since I am in the business of dispatching and dispensing with preconceived notions, here goes…

WHO actually NEEDS climate control?

How about a nice, helpful answer to that question: it depends on what you’re storing and for how long. (Yes, that’s why they pay me the big bucks as a storage consultant--NOT!)

I’ve posted previously on this subject. (Feel free to use the handy “Search” tool in the sidebar to retrieve the relevant rantings.) It’s an area that seems to polarize people who are looking for storage into one of two camps:

Camp A: the Gotta-Have-Climate-Control-No-Matter-Whatters
Camp B: the Don’t-Really-Need-Climate-Control-So-Don’t-Wanna-Pay-for-Itters

So which one are YOU?

Here’s how you should answer that: (with another question, of course!) Am I going to be storing for a long, LONG time (like years)? Or am I just going to store for a few months?

If it’s just a few months, you know what? You don’t really need it.

Unless you’re storing perishable items like food, or extremely valuable artwork or very expensive furniture, you can manage just fine with traditional, “standard” storage.

But I don’t want to mislead you or twist your arm into getting something you don’t want or feel comfortable with. You know me, I’m Mr. Easy to Get Along With (as long as we do things MY way!).

If you honestly, truly believe in your heart of hearts that you NEED climate control for what you’re storing, well, I’m not here to browbeat you or cajole you into changing your mind. Because, after all…

IT’S YOUR MONEY!!

And if you want to spend it on foolish extravagances like climate control—that’s up to you!

I’ll not stand in your way. (Anyway it’s too hot to do that.)

Only kidding! I’ll gladly refer you to a nearby storage facility that has some of that new-fangled, fancy-schmancy air-conditioning you so desperately crave and think you need. (I just won’t tell you they have RATS and ROACHES in their ductwork. Ha!)

So let's review what we've got so far. Tip One, figure out, as best you can, HOW MUCH SPACE you'll need based on your largest items that you need to store. Tip Two, do a little math and price comparison and figure out whether you're willing (and able) to pay the additional rent costs for CLIMATE CONTROL for your stuff.

Tip Three will have to wait until I have both the time and the INSPIRATION (and the motivation) to publish another post on this burning subject of shopping for a storage space. (It is of utmost importance and crucial to our economic recovery, I know.)

This has been your manager, once again, giving you spot-on advice to help you navigate the uncertain, unpredictable waters on the sea of self-storage as your make your way through the currents of life.

Happy Storing! (Is it just me or is it WARM in here?)

Paul