We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
Big Yellow Storage Inventory
emma203
Posts: 41 Forumite
I'm currently clearing my late mother's house and, as I live some distance away, decided to rent a small unit in a Big Yellow Storage close to my home for around 20 boxes of miscellaneous household goods, photos etc so that I can go through them at my own pace over the next few months - I appreciate that this may not be the most cost effective way to do this, but I don't have the room to store them myself and don't have the time or energy to go through everything right now with the house sale approaching completion.
It seemed like a simple, non-stressful solution, but now I find that things have changed since last time I rented a unit and I've just discovered their requirement for an inventory, which must include estimated values for replacing items with new, which fills me with dread as the whole point of the exercise was to avoid having to go through all my mum's stuff right now.
Does anyone have any experience of how much detail they are likely to insist on ? Or whether anyone will ever check ? The example they give is "box of books" so can I just say "box of household items" ? Or better still "20 boxes of household items" ? As to replacement value, I have no idea how to even start - there is very unlikely to be anything of much individual value, we're basically talking sentimental attachment/charity shop donations/recycling here, though I guess if you spent years selling it all on eBay you might get a few hundred pounds in total, so I'm tempted to just come up with some random figures that don't seem outrageous (c £30 - £50 a box ?) just to get the stuff in there.
It seemed like a simple, non-stressful solution, but now I find that things have changed since last time I rented a unit and I've just discovered their requirement for an inventory, which must include estimated values for replacing items with new, which fills me with dread as the whole point of the exercise was to avoid having to go through all my mum's stuff right now.
Does anyone have any experience of how much detail they are likely to insist on ? Or whether anyone will ever check ? The example they give is "box of books" so can I just say "box of household items" ? Or better still "20 boxes of household items" ? As to replacement value, I have no idea how to even start - there is very unlikely to be anything of much individual value, we're basically talking sentimental attachment/charity shop donations/recycling here, though I guess if you spent years selling it all on eBay you might get a few hundred pounds in total, so I'm tempted to just come up with some random figures that don't seem outrageous (c £30 - £50 a box ?) just to get the stuff in there.
0
Comments
-
Are they trying to sell you insurance? Do you want insurance? Is the stuff insured on your house insurance anyway?Otherwise, apart from hazardous materials why are they asking?No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?2
-
I would do exactly as you have outlined. List contents as boxes of miscellaneous household items and value at about £50 per box. Many storage places do require people to have insurance.
1 -
Yes, it’s all insurance related and no doubt if my small shed sized room comes to harm a big dispute will ensue over whether my mother’s knick knacks had been correctly valued. I can’t imagine that any of the inventories they get are remotely accurate, but I will take a pragmatic approach and come up with some vague descriptions and finger in the air figures.0
-
Is the stuff worth insurance? Would you need to replace any of it if the building burns down?Bear in mind that the last time I looked at Big Yellow insurance, their commission was around 85% of the premium. So, only 15% of the premium was going to the insurance company to cover the risk, admin, dealing with claims, and making a profit. The insurance is seriously bad value for the buyers.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0
-
I seem to remember getting an email from Big Yellow a few months ago, which said they were no longer using their insurer and instead covering the matter themselves. Like all these important matters, I deleted it!
If I have remembered that correctly, then it may be the reason for an inventory.0 -
If you don’t know what is in the boxes, how would you make a claim? They may accept “20 boxes worth £50 each" for the purpose of taking your money for the premium, but if those 20 boxes get stolen they are not just going to pay you £50 a box without evidence of what the contents were worth.
No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0 -
This from Big Yellow's FAQs to the question is insurance contents insurance compulsory "Yes. All customers must either take out contents protection for their goods through our Enhanced Liability Service or provide proof of insurance cover for goods in self storage, before they can store with us. If using your own insurance provider you will need to ask them to add an addendum to your policy to include the name and address of the store you are using."0
-
Having a look at the FAQs, I can’t see any mention of an ombudsman in case of a dispute.Are there no other self storage places that you can use?
Incidentally, the faq answers the original question in the op.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0 -
Regarding insurance. I've just checked on the sites for 3 self storage companies close to me and they all require insurance to be in place.
0 -
But are they all doing their own in house scheme?No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 350K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.1K Spending & Discounts
- 243K Work, Benefits & Business
- 619.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.5K Life & Family
- 255.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards