Public Storage Consumer Reviews - Page 7

HAZELCREST, ILLINOIS -- I just don't know what else to do in order to get closure. It seems I'll never get over losing EVERYTHING I WORKED FOR ALL MY LIFE. I fell on hard times, became homeless and was living in a shelter 200 miles away from my storage. I had managed to get enough money together (barely) each month for almost a year. When I was finally approved for SSDI, the very same day they sold my unit. I begged them to give my name to the buyer so that I could at least retrieve my important papers and my family pictures. I am having a very hard time dealing with this.

I cannot imagine doing this to anyone and I would have contacted someone if I had bought a unit to make sure the person could at least get personal pictures back. My pictures are gone forever. Lost and my life still is in shambles. Don't ever get sick - you loose your things and your life at the same time. If anyone happens to read this who may have purchased a storage with a LARGE doll collection, teal colored sofa/loveseat and tons of beautiful things, I will gladly buy the pictures - may help me heal because I have yet to recover.

I rented a space for just over a month and was forced to leave my stuff there for an extra month while bombing my unit (4503) to kill roaches that had taken over the entire storage facility. I complained to the manager who offered me an apology as if that was going to make the roaches disappear. I called 2 managers - Greg ** and Steve **. Greg ** returned the call 4 days later and Steve ** 3 1/2 weeks later. Greg assured me I would get a refund based on the fact that they were responsible for the infestation of roaches and the fact that I was prepared to vacate but couldn't do so based on the severity of the roaches.

It's been almost a month and still no check. I took matters into my own hand and called their home office in Glendale, California only to find out there is nothing in the system stating that I am receiving a check. I know I will get my check - I also know that I will never rent from Public Storage (Howell Mill, Atlanta, GA) or any other Public Storage for that matter!

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- I was charged $50.00 for renting a storage facility for 4 days. They told me to vacate before 4/15/2010 which I did. They called me twice between then and the first of the month (4/1/2010) giving me a "courtesy call" telling me I need to vacate by 4/15/2010. I vacated on 4/12/2010 at 8:30 p.m. I am new to renting and didn't know that I had to take the cylinder lock, I only took the padlock. I told them that I would vacate and they never called me on 4/15/2010 and say anything. They call me on 4/19/2010 and tell me I owe them $50.00 for four days. Huh?

The consequence is that I am out of fifty dollars and they didn't extend a customer courtesy to me as a new client. I feel they were already trying to rip me off because they told me if I didn't vacate on 4/15/2010 and stayed until 5/1/2010 I would owe $90.00. Huh?? I think they are ripping people off. These prices are quick ridiculous.

TACOMA, WASHINGTON -- On Oct. 30 I drove from Yakima (in my car) to Tacoma to get my things out of storage. I arrived at 5:30, paid my bill and was escorted by an employee so I could get into my unit. They had put the big lock on it. I knew the office closed at 6pm and the units at 9pm. After loading my stuff, I drove to the gate and punched in my code at about 9:10pm. It wouldn't open. I rang the mgr's button. Nothing. I tried every code imaginable.

I drove around to find another way out. I have rented from other companies and I never needed a code to get OUT! I spent the next 10 hrs in a raging storm, no manager, no food, no water, no BATHROOM, locked in their facility. There was no sign warning about the gate closure and the employee who escorted me to my unit never mentioned it. You would think that someone would check to make sure all customers were safely out of the area before deactivating the gate codes.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA -- It's typical & simply stated: Public Storage has the worst Customer Service they could organize. Evidently Public Storage doesn't want to hear from you about your problems. I can't even find out my account number from them. Maybe when the account gets a late fine I'll hear from them. The location & contact info published in my area is consistently incorrect. But if the national telephone contact number is any indication, it's useless anyway.

The national telephone contact number is only intermittently answered and then all you get is a voice-mail menu - and a very limited one at that. There's no way to reach a person at Public so God help you if you get locked inside... Your phone won't save you.

VIRGINIA -- I had storage units there. At one point they were going to sell my stuff without even telling me. And I found out they made a mistake in their computer. Another time I found lizard and mice and other insects in their storage facilities. Another time I saw people's storage units were broken into and I doubt, maybe the manager was involved in it. Another time I saw a Public Storage manager was stealing some stuff. Another time I saw he was using people's private information for his own benefit of joy. It is a trashy place to store.

Their 1st month one dollar is nothing but a scam. They will charge you other fees. Their security is almost like a joke. People who work there are not educated. Not even high school diploma. I saw the manager drunk so many times. And maybe on drugs too. In fact the district manager was alcoholic. That I was really shocked. Most of employees are desperate for money, so they work there, just to get by.

There are so many break-ins. And I have been in several of their location. It does not get any better. All very much alike. Also they charge you extra after you leave the place. They always try to charge you a month extra. And harass you with their collection agency and ruin your credit.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA -- Let this be your warning!!! Do not rent a storage unit at Public Storage in Greenville SC, Pine Knoll Road. The Property Manager is extremely rude and she does not like you asking questions. I was told in order to obtain a storage unit I had to purchase $8.00 insurance ($2,000 worth) even if the items to be stored was not worth that much money.

I was also informed that if my private insurance covered self storage I would have to provide them with a copy of it and then they would remove the charge for the following month's rent. I was given all of these forms to fill out including the insurance form which by the way was through a third-party. Public Storage makes you get this insurance which they bill you for however they are not responsible for anything but adding the charge to your account.

I started the rental process, my credit card was charged $45.52. But the person @ the desk was so rude and uneducated I ripped up the agreement, never moved in and told her that I decided in my best interest not to do business with the. She told me that I had to wait 6-8 weeks for a refund and I could deal with the property manager on Monday. Please let this be your WARNING, do not deal with them!

SOUTH HAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA -- I rented a space at Public Storage. When it came time to remove the contents of my unit there was water damage to several of my belongings. I asked the person who was working that day to come out and watch me pull out my leather couches so he could be witness to any damage. There was not any damage to the couches but several other items were damaged. He witnessed damage to a painting and said he would put a report on file. He never did. I called the insurance to file a claim.

I was told to take pictures of my stuff as well as the unit they were stored in. When I returned to Public Storage I was greeted with hostility. I was told that I was not allowed to take photos and also was no longer allowed on the property. The insurance representative told me that the property manager denied any water had leaked into the unit. I have witnesses but the insurance company said they were biased. I probably will not get compensation for my stuff and I am outraged.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- I haven't received any letters from Public Storage whatsoever, so I could not object. I also haven't received any correspondence at all. The only letter I got was after the sale was made called "The Statement of account after sale". I had birth certificates, University Diploma, transcripts, all TAX documents in the last 11 years, personal photos of my family and child, personal video tapes, graduation video, family & childhood pictures, letters, 2 diaries, professional portfolio, all credit card and financial statements, cd's, jewelry, furniture, filers, lamps, sofas, tables, entire library, children toys, designer clothes, art, professional camera equipment, everything. Storage unit 10X10.

They sold it for $15. Only one piece of jewelry was $70. And photos and documents are priceless. Please advise is there anything I can do, can you help me? I have called Police to make report over the phone for documents in the case someone abuses it, and pictures. The police officer told me she won't do reports on 'sold items'. If any of you is attorney or investigator in IL please leave your email in response section or contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank YOU!

I would NEVER rent from Public Storage simply because of the procedure they use over the phone. They ask so many ridiculous questions that just to get pricing information takes over 15 minutes. They want your name, telephone number, etc., etc. just to give information on pricing. This is ridiculous. Then they want to know why you want storage? Hellooooo. Do you get asked why you want a pair of shoes when you are buying them. Does the shoe store want your background information before you purchase shoes. I can understand wanting this info when you sign the lease, but not before. They are very rude and very stupid and need a lesson in customer service.