by: Josh Parker
A survey I read recently said that 41% of the self-storage renters they polled were renting because they were in the process of moving. The survey was from 2019, and I suspect that now that number is even higher. I recently moved myself, and I still have a 5x5 unit of stuff to pick up and bring to the new house. I’m hopeful I’ll have some time to do that next week, but like many tenants, I’d say it’s a good chance I’ll be there longer than anticipated.
Here are some reason’s someone might
store during a move:
1. Downsizing
2. Consolidating multiple households
3. Staging a home for sale
4. A closing date was pushed back
5. Short term or transient work situation
6. Storing fragile or expensive items until after they are settled in the new home
For me, as is often the case for people in transition, the reason I was storing was to reduce my stress. But if the manager asked me, I wouldn’t say that! I’d say because I have some stuff I want to store until after the move.
The job then of the manager is to recognize that a customer might say any number of reasons, but often, the real reason they need storage is to reduce stress.
I was relieved to be able to store a few large tools and a few fragile items that were hard to pack into a box. It meant that I didn’t have to worry about the movers breaking the fragile glass sculpture, or the large bulky tools scratching up my furniture on the truck.
Here are 5 ways to help customer’s reduce stress when storing:
1. Greet them at the door or on the phone with compassion and kindness
2. Recommend they to go on autopay
3. Take them on a tour of a show unit and highlight the features like cameras, lights, gates, etc.
4. Highlight some positive reviews- you should have some posted on your counter for them to read
5. Tell them about our guarantee
Bonus: if you’ve made community partners, offer them the community envelope. Happily recommend the local coffee shop down the road, or a good reputable moving company.
If you want to learn more about a Storage Authority Franchise you can request it here www.storageauthorityfranchise.com/opportunity4 or give me a call.
Josh Parker is VP of Technology and Development at Storage Authority. A tech guru with a background in large facility operations and team leadership, Josh is passionate about helping individuals and teams achieve success! He can be reached at josh@storageauthority.com, by phone at (942) 275-1340, and can also often be seen visiting local coffee shops across Central Connecticut.