Public Storage
Mandatory Padlock and Insurance

On August 31 I reserved online a 10' by 25' storage unit at a nearby Public Storage center to fill with furniture and boxes coming out of a beach house I'm selling. I printed out the reservation and drove over to the Public Storage center. At the PS center, the clerk Kyesha confirmed my reservation, confirmed my price ($55 first month, $19 one time admin. Charge, 5% off for 3 months or more) and took me to look at the storage unit.

The storage unit had a large garage door opening secured by two pin hasps with places for two padlocks; Kyesha told me two padlocks were required for security, even though this unit was secured by just one regular padlock. I told Kyesha I had two keyed padlocks in my truck (bought earlier for the storage unit, although I only thought I would need one); Kyesha seemed suprised by this. On the way back to the office, I noticed not every unit had two padlocks, and most of the padlocks were of a average size (more on this in a moment). Back at the office, I began to complete the rental application. Kyesha brought out two HUGE padlocks (5" x 5") telling me these were the "recommended" padlocks, only $19.99 each. I reminded Kyesha I had two padlocks already; another sales clerk behind the desk asked to see my padlocks. I responded I would need to get them out of my truck; this sales clerk stated they must "inspect" my padlocks to determine if the were up to standard - this was starting to look like some kind of scam, but I played along for now.

I retrieved the two Master keyed padlocks, brand new in the package, from my truck and presented them to Kyesha. The sales clerk told Kyesha the padlocks were unacceptable. I asked what the problem was; I was told by this sales clerk the padlocks I brought were "too small", mind you these padlocks were of normal (3" x 3") size and actually a little larger than the padlock that was on the unit I looked at and certainly equivalent to many of the padlocks I had seen on other units. After a terse "discussion" with the sales clerk, where I pointed out these facts, my padlocks were "approved". Kyesha now informed me I needed insurance; I asked insurance for what? Kyesha told me insurance was mandatory for the contents of the storage unit. I responded that I had homeowners insurance which would cover the items to be stored. Kyesha asked to see my insurance; I clarified that see wanted to see my homeowners insurance policy.in an incredulous voice, I told Kyesha that no mention or notice of these "requirements" was made on the website or the rental application. At this time, a man I assume was a manager of some type came out of an back office and told me I must present a copy of my homeowners policy that clearly shows coverage and amount of coverage for property off premises. I reiterated my frustration at these previously unstated "requirements", for which I was not fully prepared. The manager again stated we could not proceed unless I bought their insurance or provided them the afore mention copy of my policy. Genuinely pissed off now, I left the foolishness of Public Storage which had wasted 40 minutes of my time and returned home to find an alternative storage unit. Clearly, Public Storage is about high-pressure sales of padlocks and insurance (with high profit margins), and could care less about customer service; avoid their unfair business practices.

Company: Public Storage
Country: USA
State: Texas
City: Houston
Address: 2850 Rogerdale

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