Self Storage Article Directory

US Storage Search: History

US Storage Search is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska and began in 2005 with the intent of connecting self storage customers to self storage providers. The company’s goal is to be a comprehensive source for renting a storage unit anywhere in the nation. They aim to make finding self storage, wine storage, vehicle storage, and more recently, mobile storage as easy as possible.

Michael Kucera, President and CEO of USstoragesearch.com, has extensive experience in commercial real estate and self storage management. Mr. Kucera knew how well real estate and the internet go hand in hand and knew that self storage was a likely match for the internet too.

Mr. Kucera brought on Megan Eckert to help him realize the vision of USstoragesearch.com. Ms. Eckert is a graduate of MIS and marketing from the Peter Kiewit Institute of Technology.

For consumers, USstoragesearch should be an ideal place to locate self storage. And for the most part, it is, barring that there are US Storage Search members in your area. Customers should keep in mind that the comprehensive list USstoragesearch.com claims to have really translates to a list of storage providers who pay the monthly fee to be on the self storage search engine. If no results are found for your search, that does not mean there is not self storage available in your area, it could simply mean the storage providers in the local area do not use USstoragesearch.com services.

US Storage Search says they will find the exact unit you need by allowing you to perform an advanced search for specific unit sizes including 5x5, 5x10, 10x10, 10x15, 10x20 and 10x30. The company also allows users to filter searches to gain desirable amenities such as twenty-four hour access, boat storage and RV storage, climate controlled units, drive up access, mobile storage, vehicle storage and wine storage.

The idea of entering the guidelines for specialty storage and gathering relevant results is appealing to consumers in need of it. The trouble is, the search for these things also brings up storage facilities that do not offer the specialized storage the consumer was looking for.

At first glance, it seems that this service is the answer to the prayers of consumers shopping around for self storage, except when no prices are listed directly on the USstoragesearch.com page. If you have located the right self storage, automobile storage, mobile storage or wine storage facility, you still must call the facility, visit the web page of the storage facility you’re thinking of renting from or fill out a form and submit it to US Storage Search. It seems that USstoragesearch.com is like the local telephone directory; users still have to call somebody to get information or “leave a message” for someone to return their call. The only way to get a price right away, with no phone call, is if that self storage company provides unit rates on their direct web page.

There is no privacy statement that protects the information consumers submit from being shared or sold as leads to other vendors or businesses. However, there is a lengthy security statement that protects the information of its members. With many members outside the self storage industry such as travel agencies, hotels, real estate agencies, truck rental businesses and car rental companies, moving companies and even fencing businesses, it begs one to ask if these members are privy to your self storage inquiry and your personal contact information.

US Storage Search also suggest storage tips to would-be renters and advice on the do’s and don’ts of using self storage. Some of their suggestions are:

• Use similar sized boxed for easier stacking
• Leave room for airflow in the unit by stacking things away from the wall
• Keep boxes and items off the floor by using pallets (sometimes provided by the storage facility for free or at additional costs)
• Label boxes on all sides and top
• Leave a walkway or room to access the back of the unit
• Take apart items that collapse or dis-assemble.
• Clean out appliances and keep door slightly ajar to prevent mildew
• Cover furniture to prevent scratching

USstoragesearch.com also provides consumers looking for self storage with a storage estimator to help them gauge what size unit will work best for them. The estimator lists popular unit sizes, beginning with a 5x5 and going up to a 10x30. Under each size listed are a description of what items typically fit into that sized unit and compares each size to a familiar space, such as a walk-in closet or one-car garage. On the right of the description is a clip art picture of the items described so that online viewers can get a picture of what the space holds. The storage estimator is not provided for mobile storage, wine storage or vehicle storage.

The storage advice and storage estimator help customers make using self storage more efficient and can give them the confidence to commit to the right sized unit.

USstoragesearch.com has been a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since October 2006 and has a satisfactory record with the BBB. A satisfactory record requires that a company has been in business for at least one year, has voluntarily provided the BBB with all information requested about the business, does not have excessive amounts of complaints when considered with the volume of the company’s business transactions. The BBB also considers the nature of the complaint and if it is to be expected for the specific nature of the company. In order to maintain a satisfactory record with the BBB, a company must not have recent legal action against them concerning transactions with consumers and/ or the public. There are additional requirements a business must make such as satisfactory advertising practices and activity in a legitimate industry.

No complaints have been filed against USstoragesearch.com. This may be due to the fact that consumers locating a self storage unit who later experience a problem will rightfully place a complaint against the storage facility itself and not US Storage Search. To the credit of US Storage Search, no former or current members have placed complaints with the BBB against the USstoragesearch.com service.

Members of USstoragesearch.com are promised ranking on the first page of major search engines within 24 hours of becoming a premium member. With monthly membership, US Storage Search includes a property listing displaying a phone number, map, and option for virtual tour on the USstoragesearch.com website. Each member will have the opportunity to display the property’s unit sizes, features, access hours, specials and contact information; the service also includes a hyperlink to the member’s web page.

Usstoragesearch.com provides members access to their listing through the membership login. The member company also receives monthly reports. The company has also been known to advertise discounts to the California Self Storage Association members. USstoragesearch.com’s main advertisement campaign slogan is that one rental from their site pays for a member’s entire year of advertising.

US Storage Search reports that more than 70% of households look online for products and services. Of that percentage, 62% result in an online purchase. US Storage Search also claims to have over 67,000 clicks per month.

These are promising numbers that almost seem too good to be true. US Storage Centers has been in business for just over two years. They now have over 5,000 members and the high hopes of continued growth. Perhaps US Storage Search’s presence, with their online version of the Yellow Pages, will become the shadowing force that drives the final stake into the effectiveness and relevance of the phone book.

Sarah Little

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