Public Storage — Attraction in New York

I've been in this location for 1.5 years. I would've stayed longer if the rent increase was reasonable. The building itself is old, smells of mold, dirty, parking is extremely limited, and the piss poor customer service is really what broke the camel’s back. 5 months ago, my unit was flooded from a leak from the floor above. To resolve the issue, the employee working that day moved me to another unit for the same price I was already paying. Beginning of this month, I get a notice for a 25% rent increase. I wasn't upset, but I asked the woman working the front, Jacelyn, if I could move into another unit of the same size and similar in price to what I was already paying. Immediately, she became defensive and started arguing in a very annoying passive/aggressive manner. She told me that I can't get the promotional price because I'm already a customer. But I knew that already, I just didn't want the 25% increase. I would've been glad to be put in the attic, basement, or anywhere as long as it was the same size, didn't leak and the rent increase is reasonable. I just didn't want the hassle of having to rent a U-haul and move out. She kept repeating that because I'm "already a customer" there is not much they can do. From my experience with public storage, if you go to the customer service with a rent problem, they automatically become defensive. Jacelyn lived up to that stereotype by continuing to repeat herself and continually asking me to repeat myself in her annoyingly passive/aggressive manner and talking to me as if I was a little child. A simple "yes", "no", "sorry we can't help you" would've suffice. Because of that experience, the hassle of renting a U-haul and getting a cheaper and bigger newer storage unit elsewhere is a no-brainer. My experience was so bad that I'm taking time from my busy schedule to let anyone else know...

Pros: Staff is informed and super nice and helpful.

Cons: Getting off the highway and turning into the loading area; two cars at a time. This area gets really crowded. Keep in mind total costs will double when you sign on the dotted line.

Additional Costs to be Aware when looking at units: There is an administrative fee which they disclose before - $25 You must buy their barrel lock - $20 If you do not have insurance already - they offer it for $15. You must have insurance from either your own private homeowner/renters insurance or must purchase one from them. For the first month with the promotion - I ended up paying about $70 for what I expected to only pay $25 $30 at sign in.

My unit costs about $58 with a online discount. So, looking like it will be about $75 a month with insurance.

They can change pricing on you at any point; most likely at the 6 month mark... but they do give you 30 day notice.

Tip 1: Research different locations and prices - found a great deal for public storage and reserved on-line. Better deals usually for ones with limited height entry - 4 feet and its a about 6 feet off the ground so getting a bed frame or heavy items are difficult.

I got the 5x12 and it is really long. You will be able to fit a lot of stuff as long as you can lift it and cross into a 4 ft height ceiling.

Tip 2: Have someone with you if you are carrying heavy/really long items like bed frames etc.

Tip 3: Bring some wipes and also hand sanitizer.

Overall, experience I would give it about 4 to 5 stars. Will I be staying with this unit??? Probably not, as I do not know if I want the limited vertical ceiling. I prefer ones more vertical than horizontal storage. Other options I strongly encourage you check based on this is Cube Smart (less space-same price-closer to my home- better parking and also storage units...

I had a good experience on move-in day but the stress Public Storage has caused me since then makes me wish I'd gone with another place.

On the day/week I moved in I was told, and confirmed several times, that rent for the first month was on promotion for $1. Since then I have been overcharged for the full regular rent, plus unfounded late fees. My repeated attempts to fix the issue over phone and the app have gone unanswered (despite the app promising a response within 12 hrs). I managed to get Phil on the phone last week and he told me I had been misinformed (?), that he has no power to change the charges but the district manager would be in touch. I’ve gotten radio silence since then.

Meanwhile I continue to be threatened via the app and text message with more late fees, that my unit is going to be auctioned off, and that they’ve locked me out of the space.

I trusted what the staff person told me - in person and on the phone the week I moved in - about the rental cost and payment schedule. Now I’ve left the country and have to deal with this incredible stress while trying to adjust to life and work in a foreign country.

Please if anyone from Public Storage reads this, answer my calls and messages. Email is best given the 11-hour time...