The Case against Public Storage
Introduction
I plan to lay out a clear and convincing case against Public Storage, their preying on elderly, false advertisement, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, bait and switch tactics, and over all bad members of the business community.
Dec. 2013
When I decided to move from San Francisco and live with my family for the campaign, I didn't want to sell my furniture but thought I storage would be the best option. I checked a few of the facilities and prices in the Long Beach area, and found that Public Storage was the most competitive.
I saw one facility near my parents' house had a half priced sale for "Winter Holiday" for "new customers" (screen shot included). I called to inquire more, and was told another facility in Long Beach had the same sale but at better prices. I called before the Christmas holiday, and I said I was not going to be in Long Beach until around Christmas. Since the sale would still be going, this wouldn't be a problem. But I asked if I could still send my parents to check out the size just so they can see it.
Upon arriving at the Public Storage facility on Cherry, my parents were told that they had to both sign a contract on the spot and leave a deposit or I'd lose the space. My parents, 65 and 70, felt pressured to do so or risk loosing me the space and the price. This was in direct conflict with what I was told on the phone.
I called to complain about this situation, and I was simply told by both a manger and regional manager that is simply the way Public Storage does business. That I could not reserve a unit over the phone, contrary to what I was told when I first called. No apology for this was ever given. Each conversation I had with management on the phone was unproductive and impolite. It was truly the WORST costumer service experience I've ever had.
Current Situation
I should have known after all the problems I had to begin with that further problems were down the road. I of course set up payment ($63 after tax and insurance) on a monthly auto-pay months ago. Several payments were processed that way until May, when my card expired. I went online after, changed the expiration date and made the late payment. However, I was never told that auto-pay was deactivated after this.
Because I knew I had updated my card, and had a very busy schedule as Deputy Campaign Manager for the Long Beach Mayor's race, then a very busy interview/job hunt schedule, it was not brought to my attention until beginning of August that something was wrong.
Auto-Pay deactivated without notice
I spoke last week with customer service and found out when my card did not process in May after the expiration date passed, Public Storage turned off auto-pay but failed to make any effort to inform me it was off. A prime example of Public Storage trying to take advantage of customers, Public Storage did not try to reach out to me at all to inform me of this. I assumed I had done my job by correcting the card issue, and assumed Public Storage had handled their contractual obligations to process my card.
I received a call and a letter notifying me that a lien was being placed on my belongings. This outrageous theft of my possessions was a purposeful act to scare me into paying whatever charges I was assessed. Having ones belongs being threatened to be taken away causes great stress when it's valuable personal belongings. This stress caused me to lose sleep and I suffered a great deal.
Bait and Switch and Breach of Contract
I entered into contract to pay the $63 a month, and there was no time frame or expiration on that monthly fee. However, when I spoke to someone on the phone at Public Storage, she informed me that my rent was only a 6 month deal. This was NEVER put into writing in either advertisements or in contract. To change my rent based on "a 6 month deal" constitutes a breach of contract. To do so contrary to advertisement is further false advertisement, and constitutes a bait and switch maneuver that is further illegal.
The terms of the contract stated the amount to be paid, and never stated a specific time frame for that amount to expire. It does however state that 30 day notice would be given for any "adjustment" to the rent. There was no 30 day notice, and the fact that the person at Public Storage stated there was a 6 month deal, clearly calls out a planned expiration. To raise rent without notice is a material breach of contract.
To advertise a sale, and to be told on the phone a price for rent, and not to be told there was an expiration is false advertisement if there is in fact an expiration. Not to advertise that a price for rent expires is to advertise a false price.
It is clear that Public Storage has made many mistakes, including tortuous ones that have caused me injury. They should be held accountable for their actions. read more