Warning! Price Increase at Safestore Self Storage

OwL729

Hello Everyone and a special hello to Martin

Just wanted to introduce myself as this is my first post! so a big hello!

Im a customer with safestore selfstorage at present (you know the ones! you store all your old junk there for a monthly fee)
and have been for 6 months now.

I received a letter from my branch yesterday saying that they are going to increase their prices. I already pay £75 per month to rent a 25 sq ft space. They have said without reason why that they are to increase by an extra £1.18 per week. Over 12 months this equals £61.36 extra a year!

I visited branch today and unfortunately the junior member of staff could not explain why. I also phoned their head office in Hertfordshire and they could not explain either, all he could say is that every customer of the company has been sent the same!

Just wanted to highlight this and ask if other forum members have had same letter from the company?

Dont worry, im back to their branch tomorrow when their store manager is in work and I will put him on the spot and get more facts.........i will let you know how i get on!

Many thanks everybody and Thanks for a great site Martin:T

Cheers!

shaun_from_Africa

Do you know when they last increased their prices, and if not, is there any way that you could find out before you speak to the manager?

The figures that you've quoted show that the cost of the rental has risen by 6.8% which if this is a yearly rise isn't too bad.

I know that the government states that UK inflation is only about 3.5% but with the way that food and fuel costs have been rising, along with increases in things like gas & electricity, insurance premiums etc, this 3.5% seems very low to many people and the storage cost increase may be required to cover the actual increased costs that the owner is facing.

OwL729

Thanks for pointing those figures out Shaun.

I will ask tomorrow, although doing some research tonight on-line, many of their high street rivals have lower prices, so looks like i will be switching now any way.

Mainly upset because original letter stated no reason for price increase?

Will know more tomorrow and update.

Thanks

shaun_from_Africa

You may be able to negotiate the price down to match (or beat) the rivals cost when you speak to the manager.

I wouldn't be surprised if they have a little bit of leeway when it comes to prices, especially if you mention that you are considering switching companies.

MothballsWallet

I'm with Shaun - I'd get some quotes from other local branches of storage firms and discuss them with the manager to see if he's willing to price match for you. If not, you can move to the alternative that you prefer.

vuvuzela

OwL729 wrote: »

Thanks for pointing those figures out Shaun.

I will ask tomorrow, although doing some research tonight on-line, many of their high street rivals have lower prices, so looks like i will be switching now any way.

Mainly upset because original letter stated no reason for price increase?

Will know more tomorrow and update.

Thanks

Thing is, they don't need to give any reason for a price increase. They don't need to explain anything to you, and likewise you don't need to stay with them.

shaun_from_Africa

They don't have to, but if they are a bit hard up for business and have targets to meet, there's no harm in discussing the price rise and seeing if a discount can be arranged.

If a lower price that the OP is happy with can be agreed, then they don't have to arrange another storage place and move all of their items, and the company concerned gets to keep a customer, so maybe everyone ends up a winner.

vuvuzela

Fair point.

Azari

vuvuzela wrote: »

Thing is, they don't need to give any reason for a price increase. They don't need to explain anything to you ...

Do we really need these statements of the blindingly obvious whenever someone complains/warns about a company?

We all know that there are many things companies are not legally obliged to do but that does not mean that the are behaving an a reasonable and customer friendly manner if the don't indulge in the basics of good customer service and relations.

dacouch

If the price rise is after October, it's probably due to the government introducing VAT on self storage from October

OwL729

News update:

Went in today, sat down with manager, explained my concerns.
He really wasn't interested. His attitude soon changed when I pulled out the rival firms quote which was alot cheaper.

He argued there was nothing he could do. I doubt very much that was the case from a company who claims 'to beat any other price'
RUBBISH!

These guys are a good £15 more expensive then most of their rivals despite price increase.

I will be departing company with them As soon as.

I will also be e-mailing their head office and telling them why, I'm afraid they have priced themselves out of the market!!