Public Storage

I moved in this morning and Eddie at the desk was super helpful. He was able to move my unit from a higher floor to the ground level and answer all my questions. Thanks again for the smooth move in.

I have been a customer here for over 2.5 years and the only reason I don’t move is because. Renting a U-​Haul and doing it all over would be insane. (I think this is the reason this PS takes advantage and does nothing about their crappy establishment).
Pros: Location is ok and parking is not as horrible as the rest of the city.
Cons: Where do I start…
— This is basically a monthly hotel for homeless people
— My Unit is an upper unit where I need a latter to access it and there is never one available (b/​c the homeless tenants are always using it)
— It smells like a sewer
— Did I mention it smells like a sewer
— The light in the hallway has been out for 1.5 years and every time I’ve requested for them to change it they say they have to wait for the manager, 1.5 years later guess manager hasn’t stopped by.
— Oh yea it smells like SHIT
— People who work there are stuck to their phones and are no help
— It is dirty, not clean, filthy, stinky
If you have the capacity to look else where ANYWHERE else you will be better off… Or at least check it out before moving your stuff in for your own good,

My husband and I rented a smaller unit for the last 3+ years. We decided to upgrade to a larger unit and the customer service in response was terrible. First, they did not offer any discounted promotions to continued customers. Second, the upgraded unit had to stay locked until we transferred our stuff there which we couldn’t do until the next morning. When I asked if we could borrow a lock, the customer service rep offered a solution to leave the unit unlocked over night. I did not ask her to do it. She offered. Then when we got there this morning around 7 am to make the transfer, the unit was locked. The office wouldn’t open until 9:30 am. We had to wait 2 ½ hours to move our stuff into the new unit. When we told them what happened, she said it was because I didn’t want to get a new lock. I only asked if could we borrow one and the woman’s response was that she would leave the unit unlocked over night. Why was «that» the solution? If she knew it was a risk why did she offer it? Her response was that their District Manager came in later yesterday and wanted the unit locked. I would have been more than happy to buy the darn lock if I had any idea that the unit could remain locked. The least she could do was send me an email to let me know what happened as a courtesy to warn me. All she had to say about it was I forgot. That is terrible customer service which is why I rate this place a one. A huge disappointment. Plus the place smells bad and is full of homeless people practically living there.

First thing to realize: this place is a homeless encampment. People are basically living in these lockers. Yes, they are forced to leave at night, but at 6AM there is a steady stream of homeless coming, opening up their lockers, to hang for the day. Some are stringing long extension cords through the halls to power radios, tvs, and even a game console. The odor of urine and body sweat can be overpowering.
We plan to move out in a month. It’s not worth a bedbug infestation.
Additionally, the service is awful.
We’ve been in one of the small, high units for a few years, just to get some odds and ends and camping stuff out of the apartment. No problems, although they do regularly raise the rent. Credit card auto-​bill works, and they email when the card expires. So that part is fine, but it’s table stakes.
We recently had to move more stuff into storage, and decided to move into a larger unit. Found one online, reserved, came in the day before we needed to move to do the paperwork (apparently this is broken online), and when offering to buy a second lock and take possession of the new unit a day early so we could move in at 6AM the following morning (the office only opens at 9:30), we were told that they’d leave the lock off the unit, so we could switch lockers without needing a second lock. When we arrived, our new locker was locked, forcing us to wait a few hours to move in.
Also, they wouldn’t give us the online special pricing, since we already have a locker.
And yes, the experience was bad enough to create a Unilocal account just to write this review.

* I apologize in advance for the following novel. Certain parts of the following novel may seem vague or unimportant to some, but they are summarized and edited to suit me and my review.
Background:
— Moving out of Potrero about 5 months ago, I needed storage. Fast! Public Storage is SO close — only 5 minutes down the street! Yay!
— $ 1 rent for the 1^st month? Yay!
— The process of moving: S U C K S.
Move in:
I was literally buried in boxes (at least four units were blocked with MY stuff. On both sides), in the midst of labeling, prioritizing, and moving every single thing I own. Theresa comes by to let me know they will be closing — in 15 minutes. Honestly, I took one look at my crap, then looked at her and I LOST IT. Theresa handled my complete shit-​fit so well that I realized then and there, she must endure the whines and attitudes of people like me all of the time. As time went on, it does seem as though the employees at Public Storage ARE pretty much put through the ringer. All day, everyday. I’m so glad Theresa has been as cool as can be with so many units and tenants issues to match!
Fast forward to today:
— I live in Novato. 45 minutes away. Without a car.
— I finally realize I’d left the dogs ear medication at storage.
— (Of course) I’m broke, late paying my rent for the month, need that medication, so I go. and quickly found out my access to the building gets suspended when things like this happen. Go figure.
— Luckily, Theresa allowed me to be escorted to my unit to retrieve the medicine. Yay!
— Found it right away, and was on my way in less than 10.
TODO:
— Figure out how to properly thank Theresa: Solution: Unilocal!Yay!
— Pay rent. Boo.
Thank you Theresa! I don’t know what I would’ve done if I couldn’t get in.
You’re my hero!

This is a review of the customer service issues we experienced in connection with renting a unit. This is not a review about the storage facility or ongoing rental issues.
We called a few days ahead to reserve a storage unit and were assured that we had a reservation for a unit on the bottom floor for the size we desired. When we arrived, we were informed that the unit we reserved was not available and that the agent that had taken our reservation was no longer with the company.
0 stars for the agent that departed.
However, Teresa saved the day. Despite the situation, she came through with a suitable solution and was very helpful and professional. She even made me smile a bit on a very stressful day. If you need to rent a storage unit at this location ask for Teresa!
5 stars for Teresa.

This is my first time renting storage. The 2 employees who were working there when I went in (Israel & Nicole) were friendly and have a good sense of humor. Mainly, it was Israel who was helping me. He explained really clearly how the entire process worked, and made sure that I can get a good promotion online even though I was physically standing in their office. The original storage that I got didn’t work for me because it was a 2^nd story locker. Israel knew that it might be troublesome for me, so he helped me look for another option that was also within my budget and fit my needs. He answered all my questions really professionally, and offered me cheaper options for packing some of my belongings, instead of trying to upsell on the more expensive options.

Too bad service yesterday. I have a storage over there for a couple months. There has a worker named Lyndon said like «go away» and «leave here a long“etc bad words to me and try to fighting me at yesterday afternoon. Because I want pay the fee of my storage for next month yesterday evening. But that Asian guy said too late just left a couple mins the storage will be closed and then destory me .So I try to talk to Boss today but I can’t find boss. That worker can refuse service to customer but can’t desecrated any customers. I think that guy’s service is to much bad.
But there still have a white man and a black woman’s service are very good.

Danielle was a great help. She was fast and efficient. Great experience!

All of a sudden, they increased my storage rate by about 25%. Nor did they send me notification. They claim to have sent mea letter, but upon investigating. I find that they have misspeled my address. They now say i have not updated my address.

Make sure that you read all the fine print if signing a contract… Public Storage are rip off artists… over 18 months they have increased my rental from 130.00 to 185.00!!!
Wish my income reflected the same increase each month… how can they get away with this? It appears all one can do is look for alternative space and of course reduce one’s treasured belongings…

The sign on the door said they were open until 6pm. I went by today at 5:55 and found the doors locked and a guy inside told me to go away because they were closed.

RIP OFF — BAIT AND SWITCH
I first called the call center about a small 5×5 unit and couldn’t reserve it at $ 47 per month because it was more than 7 days in advance of my being physically present at the facility to complete the paperwork. Called back 7 days before I would be on site and was told only 2 units were left so the price had gone up to $ 62. I was also told that it was a lower unit. The facility phoned almost immediately to verify that they had my reservation. At this time they told me they had only an upper unit. When I complained that I had been told it was going to be a lower, I was told the call center didn’t know what they were doing. On site finally, checked out the unit — corner upper — impossible to get into. Asked about an alternative and was told I could have a lower 5×5 for $ 131 a month. Since that was what the call center told me I was getting, we had been scammed into showing up for something they couldn’t deliver.

Soon after being forced to empty my room due to bedbug infestation, I found that other renters often did work in their rooms which required the sole ladder. This work was art-​related and, when the ladder finally became available, it needed to be cleaned due to spillage of chemicals. When ownership of the facility changed hands, I found myself once again in the clutches of PS who, some years earlier, had sold off many of my valuables after tarnishing my reputation through many confused calls to my employer. Despite an insurance policy held with Metro Storage, PS was able to «sell» everything to itself again, at my expense. They like to raise rents and penalties beyond what they sense is your limit. While I was still able to pay monthly, an employee informed me that rents were still forty-​per-​month below the rate they were currently aiming for.

The staff is excellent! The guy that showed the unit was cool and super honest and very helpful. Their system crashed while I was registering and he had all my info ready to go when I came back later, plus held some boxes that I purchased. Super friendly and the best prices that I found in the city for the size. So far a great experience… Haven’t moved my stuff in yet, the only thing that I wish was different is that they had longer hours — but you can’t have it all.

Update — While I still say Public Storage is quite below the mark, there is a fantastic place called Attic Self Storage off 16^th and Bryant that is fantastic! They have great customer service, clean lockers and affordable prices.
Horrible service. They just don’t care. They will also try to cheat you. I obviously signed up for the $ 1 special. They did a bait and switch. Very dishonest and if I there was another storage facility closer, I would have moved my things. Ownership has changed hands several times.

The assistant manager who rented me the unit was excellent. He said he works only on the days the manager is off. I wish I could remember his name. He is by far the best person who works there
The other office staff who while not rude are dry and stoic. They give information like a machine. But they are efficient if anything.
The unit I rented is accessible only with a moving ladder. It is difficult to maneuver the ladder in tight aisles. It is not easy to climb up to put my things in the locker. They don’t allow you to climb inside to stack your things. The space is good. There is plenty of Tom for my stuff.
The price is great. But beware the one dollar for the first Month is misleading. There is other fees and such that make it much more than a dollar. You have to buy their insurance. But the regular monthly rent is a bargain.
I give the stars for the price. Everything else would rate one or two stars. The place is not very clean. There is always debris on the floor but I find change every time I go there. The restroom is usually out of order. When it’s open there is not usually toilet paper.
Compared to other self storage places this is definitely worth a look. The price is lower than any other place.

This incompetent business sold all the possessions in a unit that had the equivalent of a 2 bedroom house because the company is so poorly managed. If you plan to be out of the country and store your belongings here think again. They lost the customer’s contact information when they changed ownerships and the customer was out of the country. I personally spoke to the manager for my friend and told them they haven’t charged the month’s storage fee with the card that was on file. My friend also called even though it took forever to speak and get ahold of the manager. They still sold all the property in the unit. Of course there is now legal litigation. The manager didn’t even have an email address.

First I want to be clear that this is a review primarily of Public Storage as a company, and not reflective of the onsite staff which has been generally pleasant to deal with.
I’ve been using this storage facility since it first opened, and seen it change ownership four times. Public Storage has by far offered the worst and impersonal service, and caused me the most problems of all four.
My access and payment options have decreased, and there have been other various issues. Worst of all was a recent price hike which was far greater than any previous one I received with the past companies.
In trying to address it, I was told that the onsite staff could not do anything. I was referred to the district manager who never returned my calls. When I managed to run into him at the facility, he explained that he, too, could do nothing about the price increase. I was referred to customer service. They said they could do nothing, either. I was told to write to corporate. I never received a response to my letter.
A very corporate experience, neh?
It’s this impersonal chain of command and egregious price hike that has me, after years of tenancy at this location, giving notice and vacating.
In the course of all this, I was essentially told that this is all part of how Public Storage operates. thus I recommend being cautious in dealing with them.

Public storage has some nice, clean facilities! This was the second PS building I’ve been in/​out of since I moved to SF. The location is perfect for street parking and loading/​unloading. It’s clean, high security, pretty easy to navigate, and quiet.
There’s only one downside: The stairs at the entrance — means you have to either use the accessibility ramp or park your cart at the top/​bottom of the stairs and walk.
And their elevator for extra-​heavy stuff is super slow.
Neither of those things should stop the average mover from checking this out. And perfect for short term storage with their promotions — super affordable.