A reputable self storage regional manager contacted me today asking why the competition was outselling him per square foot every month.

I quickly completed a price comparison for him and discovered that the competitor had him beat by $30-40 per unit, cheaper that is.

The appalling thing was that the competition scored an 11% on a standard customer service and sales form for self storage managers.

Likewise, I conducted a secret shop on this regional manager's own property manager, and he scored a 92% and did an excellent job!

The market/economy use to be that Convenience of Location was first priority on a self storage customer's list. Next was security/ amenities and somewhere down the list was price.

Do you think that price is making a rise to the top as the biggest determining factor for a self storage tenant?

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PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and sales management team

I needed a place to keep my stuff for a few weeks. I found cheap Chicago storage and did the "Dollar Dump" where I got a whole month for a buck.

It was great! and I was out of there the next month.

Not sure how they stay in business that way.

I know I will use storage a lot more in the future - I relocate often. If I were storing more than a few weeks, I would pay a little extra for safety and convenience. Not sure if I'd pay $50 more though...

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searching local self storage

That's an interesting quote. It shows us in the storage biz that people evaluate the level of service and even the security they need based on how long they are staying.

Of course, we know they usually stay longer than that first month.

If you are in the self storage business, what are some ways you have overcome the "Dollar Dump" around the corner?

(That is a witty and catchy phrase. I don't think CO'Neil meant anything unkind, but let's do try to be respectful)

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PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and sales management team

Our managers give all new prospects a ride around the storage facility on a golf cart! Many people have never ridden one and get a kick out of it, especially if they bring the kids along. (A bucket of candy is also fun)

Making a "Fun" experience goes a long way!

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Real Estate Investment, Property Management, Rental Properties

We use the PhoneSmart call center. They do a great job reserving our empty storage spaces.

The "Fun" factor with PhoneSmart is their "Knock-Knock" jokes playing while a customer holds.

The sad thing is that I can hardly hear the end of the joke before one of their reps answer the phone... It makes me want to call back just to hear the end of the joke.

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Self Storage Experts

Thanks SamStor!

We love the knock knock jokes and always appreciate a good testimony about our self storage call center.

What about the rest of you? Do you have any "Fun" ideas that make your storage site stand out in the minds of your customers?

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PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and sales management team

I manage a smalltown, local storage property. We do offer our tenants a Dollar Move-In special (plus the $15 admin fee). Eventhough we get some tenants who just use the first month, most stay for 4 to 5 months.

Even if they move out, they return a few months later and remember our friendly smile.

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Your Friendly Local Self Storage

Ya, the Dollar Move In, or any special is important. Especially in the market today, when one dollar barely gets you anywhere.

I think it's important to have a sale or something to draw a customer in, whether it's 2nd month half off or one month for a buck.

and you're right, most tenants stay long past the 1st month.

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Real Estate Management and Investment

The golf cart is my favorite "fun-tactic", besides fresh baked cookies.

Another Fund way to sell storage is to give customers a gift card for a local place - even a $5 card to the coffee shop is enough to relax after moving your stuff into a storage unit.

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PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and sales management team

You could also sponsor a coupon book for other local services that a storage tenant might need.

Like a discount on boxes (even from your own store if you sell them). A discount on professional movers, etc.

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PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and sales management team