Recently, I rented a storage unit from Security Public Storage in Hayward. I had two major issues I want people to watch out for: 1) Communication among staff is poor, so empty promises are made, and 2) the manager of the Hayward branch, Richard "Rich" Espinoza made the experience nothing short of a nightmare.
Originally I reached out to various public storage businesses via Yelp. Security Public Storage got back to me, and the folks were great. I wanted to secure the rate, but Redwood City (where I initially planned on renting) ran out of the space I needed (and the next comparable sizes jumped in price). To secure the $59 rate quoted, I agreed to rent in Hayward. As I was looking to secure a unit I was told they just rented out the last unit of that size. Then the phone rep did a 180, and said they actually did have a unit available, but it was $69. The representative explained despite it being the exact same size, this was a special unit. The rep explained this unit was special because it was on the ground floor, so I did not have to use elevators. As such, I agreed, and paid. The next day I called and explained I didn't have a printer and the documents I needed to sign were not coming up properly on my phone. In response the guy told me it was not a problem, to drive to the Hayward branch and they'll have the paperwork printed out for me. The next day I drove to the Hayward branch and I notice all of the units are ground level, so I am confused why I was charged extra. I call the number, and the representative explained the unit must have been worth more because it might actually be a drive-up unit. Not all units are drive-up, so that would explain the increased fee.
Afterwards I called the Hayward number, hoping to speak to the guy who promised me the printed out papers. Instead I get the manager, Rich Espinoza. When I asked for the papers he flipped and said he was not seeing anyone today, and that he was not going to print the papers. He seemed to have a major issue with the situation, and it felt like he wanted me to problem solve it for him. I explained that I called previously, and that the rep promised the papers were going to be printed. After 10-15 minutes he calls back and says he will drop the papers and a pen outside his door.
He then threatened I'd be taken to court if I did not read the paperwork carefully. It was not what he said, but his tone. It felt combative, which is confusing because we were not in combat. Subsequently I combed through the contracts carefully. At one point I started editing it, and I crossed out that I waive my right to a jury (and a class action suit) and would be forced to do ADR/mediation. There is nothing wrong with ADR/mediation, but being forced to waive my right is unsettling. In law school I learned companies use such tactics (forced ADR/mediation clauses) to avoid accountability and strip consumers of their rights. I finished signing everything (with that edit) and gave him the paperwork back. Although I already paid, I needed to fill out the paperwork, so I could get the entrance code.
A few minutes later Mr. Espinoza calls me in an absolute fury, telling me I can go somewhere else if I do not sign the waiver. Instead of giving me a chance to respond, he lost whatever little restraint he possessed and began endlessly ripping my head off. By this point we've been there for over an hour, it's 90+ degrees, I am exhausted, and worried about my 83 year old grandmother and a friend. I told Mr. Espinoza I was willing to sign the paperwork in its original state. Mr. Espinoza then says he cannot print the contract again because his printer stopped working (he ran out of ink or paper). My friend told me I could try signing on his phone, so Mr. Espinoza agreed to email me a new link with all the paperwork. Literally, within a minute I started signing the four documents. The signed paperwork immediately got back to Mr. Espinoza. After that 10 or so minutes passed, but Mr. Espinoza still did not send the entrance code. My grandmother is begging me to call him and ask what is taking so long.
I eventually call him to ask, and Mr. Espinoza said it is because he now needed to sign it. I explained I had my 83 year old grandmother in the car. He begins shouting again, and explaining if I had a medical emergency then I should go to the hospital (while in the middle of Covid). Mr. Espinoza repeats it over, and over, and over.
Eventually we get into the facility, and Mr. Espinoza calls me to request I move my U-Haul (which I did immediately). He was sweet, and gentle, it surprised me. Then I realized, he was sweet and gentle when he needed something from me, but when I needed help he was annoyed and contentious. My friend and I unloaded the truck in maybe 10 minutes. Oh, and the unit was not a drive-up. According to Mr. Espinoza, no 5x10 units are a drive-up. I paid a few extra bucks for a perk, but there was no perk. Instead there was hostility and humiliation. read more