Storage Insurance: Do you Need It?

You know, we haven't talked much about storage insurance in these pages.  But with all the off-and-on rainy weather we've had, seems like that would be a TIMELY and prudent thing to do.

Well, unless you rent at a facility that REQUIRES you to carry tenant insurance on the contents of your unit, if you're like most people who are given the OPTION to do so, you'll choose NOT to purchase it.

And in every case when this happens (that I've dealt with), i.e., where the tenant chooses NOT to insure their stuff, it's for one of TWO reasons (usually both): (a), to save money (which undoubtedly it does), and, (b), because they deem the stuff that's being stored in the unit "not worth it" (i.e., paying the premiums).

So ultimately the choice of insuring vs. not insuring is entirely up to YOU. We let you the tenant make that call--that's the way we handle it at all of our ARIZONA STORAGE INNS locations around the Valley. Some self-storage companies DO require you to carry insurance. We're not one of them.

Just remember, regardless of whether you choose to insure your stuff or not, the IRON-CLAD RULE of self-storage is this: STORAGE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

That may sound a little harsh, but it's STANDARD policy in this business; and it's essentially the same as if you were to rent an APARTMENT to live in.  When you the renter choose NOT to insure your furniture, computer, electronics and other PERSONAL PROPERTY against loss or damage, you're choosing to TAKE A CHANCE that nothing bad will happen to your stuff. And, you're also acknowledging that if something DOES happen (barring a few RARE and unique exceptions)--YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN!

Now, if you store your stuff and by the time you take it all out of storage (after MANY, MANY months or years!), nothing "bad" has happened to it, great. But if something DOES happen during that time that causes you to incur a loss or damage to your stuff, and it's a "covered" event that you've purchased insurance against, at least you have the RECOURSE of filing a claim on your TENANT INSURANCE policy and requesting reimbursement for your loss, based on the provisions of your policy (SO PLEASE READ IT!). But without an insurance policy in place, you don't even have that.

(Incidentally, the storage insurance policy we make available to our customers also covers BUSINESS PROPERTY--TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE, ETC.--even MOTOR VEHICLES. Basically, whatever you put inside your storage unit can be insured (with a few exceptions, spelled out in the policy) so long as it is being stored inside a fully-enclosed unit with a lockable door.)

Now, I'll be posting again real soon on this VERY IMPORTANT topic of tenant insurance/storage insurance.

In the meantime, let this be a WORD TO THE WISE: if you don't want the regret and aggravation of having your stuff lost, stolen or damaged while it's in storage--and NO WAY to be COMPENSATED for your loss because you thought you DIDN'T NEED insurance and you decided to TAKE A CHANCE on storing your stuff UNINSURED because you wanted to SAVE SOME MONEY--do yourself a favor, BUY THE INSURANCE!

This has been a public service message from:

Your manager, Paul

St. Patrick's Day Sale? C'mon Now, We're Not THAT Crass & Hyper-Commercialized Here (But That's Not a Bad Idea)!

You know, some businesses just seem to MILK every holiday they can for whatever commercial value it might possess that they can SQUEEZE out of it.

Even the so-called "minor" holidays. Like St. Patrick's Day.

"Come in to our store today and you'll really save some GREEN!"

Yeah, that's original.

Well, here at ARIZONA STORAGE INNS - CHANDLER, we don't resort to such overt and superficial advertising tactics to get you to come in to our store.

No, we prefer to ENTICE you with something a bit more substantial, significant and MEANINGFUL.

Like our WARM, FRIENDLY service! Like our GREAT DEALS on the storage sizes you need. Like our CLEAN, CONVENIENT and SECURE locations all over the Valley. Like our TRUSTED NAME and REPUTATION for integrity and PROFESSIONALISM from our managers, whose only job it is to look out for YOUR best interest (and make money for the company--or else they're gone!).

After all, that's what you REALLY care about, right?

You're not so easily swayed by such obviously SALES-OBSESSED offers like:

"COME IN AND RENT A STORAGE SPACE WITH US TODAY, ST. PATRICK'S DAY--AND IF YOU'RE WEARING ANYTHING GREEN, WE'LL GIVE YOU AN INSTANT REBATE OF $17.00 (for March 17th!)--IN ADDITION TO WHATEVER SPECIAL IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO YOU!"

No, we know that you're BETTER than that, too SMART to fall for such a ploy.

HOWEVER, if you are reading this blog post, and you've just read the above hypothetical offer, I'm a man of my word (even when I'm only kidding!)--if you're wearing something GREEN today, March 17th, and you come in and rent a storage space of any size and MENTION THIS BLOG POST, I'll give you that instant rebate of $17.00!

But only until the close of business today. After that, it goes back to being a HYPOTHETICAL offer that was thrown in strictly for HUMOR and illustration purposes.

There, now that we've satisfied that little calendar-driven MARKETING urge (which has been nagging us all week), I can get back to work and we can move on.

Feel better? I know I do.

"SO COME IN TODAY AND YOU'LL REALLY SAVE SOME GREEN!"

Your Manager (Who Does Not Have On ANYTHING Green Today),

Paul

A Few Helpful Tips About Storage Auctions...

If you're new to the wild and woolly world of self-storage auctions, here's a few helpful hints on what you need to know to PROFITABLY attend and participate in one (or more) of our public sales (i.e., the ones conducted at Arizona Storage Inns on a regular, MONTHLY basis).

They're SEVEN tips in all. Here they are:

1. Bring plenty of CASH (This is Most Important!). Auctions are all cash, all of the time. And since you never know whether a storage unit is going to sell for $5 or $5,000, it's better to come PREPARED--especially if YOU'RE the one the auctioneer looks at after the bidding stops and he takes a brief, calculated pause before announcing in a loud, clear voice (while pointing at you), ... SOLD!

2. Bring an ARIZONA TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX LICENSE (if you have one). If you're the winning bidder and you plan on SELLING the contents of the unit you've just bought, this handy little document will EXEMPT you from paying Arizona sales tax. Just wave it in front of the manager's face when you're back in the office paying for your unit after the sale is over. Otherwise, without a TPT in hand or on file with the facility, you can plan on paying the ubiquitous sales tax on whatever amount your auction purchase was. (Here in Chandler it's 7.8%.)

NOTE: if you have an AZ TPT, but you're purchasing the contents of the unit for yourself, i.e., NOT planning to resell, then you'll pay sales tax on it, just as if you were buying something retail for yourself as an end user (since that's essentially what you're doing). See our dear friends at the Arizona Department of Revenue for further details.

3. Bring a LIGHT. You know, even when it's bright and sunny outside on auction day, it's a good idea to bring along a flashlight. Why? Because the unit you're bidding on might be located down a LONG, DARK HALLWAY. Or else it might be in a SHADY part of the building it's in. Or else maybe it's NOT so bright and sunny out today. Or else there's just so much stuff inside the unit, it's hard to get a GOOD LOOK at it all. And since you're only allowed to GAZE longingly through the open door prior to bidding on the unit, you'll want to be sure and give yourself every advantage to see what's there. So, logically, a nice, bright flashlight will help. (Makes sense, no?)

4. Bring a LOCK. Once you realize that, hey, you just gave the winning bid for this locker of loot not five seconds ago, and now suddenly, through a swift, effectual (and usually peaceable) transferral of ownership of the personal property contained therein, by the power vested in that august personage, the auctioneer, it all BELONGS TO YOU now; and that means you'll need to SECURE the premises immediately against all enemies foreign and domestic (as well as local bandits, thieves and other nefarious types) until you come back later to take delivery of your booty. Of course, the best, most cost-effective way to do this is to PUT A LOCK ON THE DOOR. (Keeps honest people HONEST, you know.)

5. Bring a FRIEND. Two reasons... First, special events like these are better enjoyed when in the company of a friend. So much more memorable. So much more pleasant and FUN. And, second, let's face it, after the thrill of winning the bidding wars has waned, and the adrenaline rush of conquering your competitors has worn off some--and you've forked over the appropriate amount of CASH (see #1) to consummate the deal that officially makes the stuff YOURS--you know that sooner (rather than later) it'll be time to HAUL AWAY all those heavy boxes, bags, books, beds, bins, and other bulky stuff that probably took TWO people to put it in there in the first place, you'll be glad you chose to bring somebody along--someone who, like you, had too much time on their hands (but I digress)--to share in the workload. (Only a joke, people, calm down!)

6. Bring a TRUCK (or TRAILER). Speaking of HAULING (see #5 above), in addition to having another able-bodied person along to help you clear the stuff out, you'll need an appropriate VEHICLE to do that with (naturally). So rent a truck, borrow a truck, bring your pickup or van, bring a trailer, bring a pickup or van AND a trailer, whatever it takes to get that stuff outta there in a TIMELY and orderly fashion.

7. Return the "PERSONAL" ITEMS. Just before the actual sale begins, you'll hear the auctioneer give some instructions to the crowd--basically the "rules of engagement." Among these is an admonition to RETURN ALL PERSONAL ITEMS from any unit(s) that you buy to the manager of the facility. This includes things like LETTERS, PHOTOS, FAMILY MOMENTOS/KEEPSAKES, DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES, DEGREES, KIDS' HOMEWORK/ARTWORK, as well as TAX RECORDS, BUSINESS RECORDS, MEDICAL RECORDS, FINANCIAL RECORDS, and basically any other DOCUMENTS that ordinarily don't have any intrinsic monetary or resale value. Sometimes you can take care of this while you're emptying out the unit; other times you'll have to sort through it later after you've hauled everything away, in order to find these kinds of things and return them to the manager (ASAP). Be sure and ask the manager, or else the auctioneer (before he heads off to his next lucrative public sale!) if you have any questions about this important little STIPULATION.

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Well, that's it. It isn't an EXHAUSTIVE list by any means, but as a "quick-start" guide to Storage Auctions for Fun and Profit, it should help. If not, come see me, since I'm also in charge of our Complaint Department. (Which, coincidentally, is where our office shredder is located. Don't know why that is. All I know is, we aim for TOTAL EFFICIENCY here at Arizona Storage Inns! :)

See you at our next auction. (That's TOMORROW--FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH, 10:30 A.M.!)

Your Manager, Paul

***UPDATE: MARCH 12TH AUCTION CANCELLED! NO UNITS FOR SALE***

OUR NEXT SCHEDULED PUBLIC SALE IS: FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH, 10:30 A.M.

See you then!