All members: Please read and follow these rules.

Watch this area for announcements, administrative updates and other site news.

Check here if you have questions about this site or need help posting, registering or using any of the site’s features. If you have suggestions on how to improve the site, please let us know.

Announcements related to the Inside Self-Storage (ISS) website, magazine and expo.

Check here for news and updates regarding the Self-Storage Training Institute, including its new continuing-education program and QSM designation.

Share your insights with readers of ISS magazine! Answer questions in this forum, and your responses might be selected to appear in an upcoming issue of our print publication.

Let us know who you are, when you got started in self-storage, your areas of expertise, etc.

If you’re new to the self-storage industry or have general questions and aren’t sure where to ask them, start with this forum.

Another place to mingle with other members. This was originally intended to be a live chat room, but it turns out that feature will not be available. You can still carry on your conversations here!

The trials and tribulations of life in the self-storage trenches: handling customers, taking payments, sales and service.

Rental agreements, lawsuits, lien sales, abandonment ... anything relating to legal issues for self-storage.

Facility promotions and advertising including special events, Yellow Pages, Internet, working with media, etc.

Developing self-storage: site selection, dealing with zoning boards, feasibility, due diligence, etc.

Building self-storage: design, layout, building components, multi-story, climate control, etc.

Discuss insurance needs for self-storage, specialized coverages for the business, stories of insurance claims, etc.

Money issues: loan types, lending options, working with lenders, creating a loan package, interest rates, cap rates, etc.

Employment issues: interviewing, hiring, firing, manager training, incentives, salaries, etc.

Software, hardware, kiosks, electronic locks, websites, etc.

Protecting your facility from the inside out: crime prevention, video surveillance, gate access, alarm systems and more.

Storage around the world: facilities in Europe, U.K., Australia, Asia, South America, etc.

Discuss self-storage topics and issues specific to the state in which you operate! We encourage the participation of the state associations in this forum.

Talk about all facets of building and operating boat & RV storage: site layout, building components, marketing, security, operational challenges and more.

This is your place to learn and share info about self-storage condominiums (storage units intended for the tenant to own rather than rent). Issues include feasibility, development, construction, amenities, site management, costs, markets, etc.

Get the low-down on storing and managing records as an ancillary service to self-storage: racking, services, software, operational issues and more.

Share info on all aspects of portable storage: containers, trailers, stacking, marketing, competition, etc.

Get seasoned on various aspects of wine storage: racking, vaults, temperature control, marketing, special events, shipping issues and more.

Talk about self-storage retail sales: choosing and stocking product (boxes, locks, tape, bubblewrap, etc.), creating displays, pricing, marketing, etc.

Exchange information on this add-on profit center: finding a cell company, negotiating the lease, equipment, things you need to know, etc.

Chat about other self-storage add-ons: eBay sales for customers, business services, packing and shipping services, coffeeshops and more!

Visit this forum to share info on the car-wash business: as an add-on to self-storage, financing, developing, marketing, staffing, etc.

This is where to share pretty pics of your storage site, photos of a successful remodel, landscaping projects, etc. Show us your stuff!

Have a manager or co-worker who has done something exceptional? Give the person props here!

Have a tenant horror story you'd like to get off your chest? Share it with the group!

This is the place to share information on websites, books, seminars and other learning resources for self-storage. One catch: You can't recommend your own products or services! Direct other users to helpful sources you've found.

This is the place for members to sell and swap self-storage-related items. NOTE: This is a test forum and subject to modification. All forum rules apply. E-mail addresses should be placed in your profile only. Vendor posts are NOT permitted in this forum. NO SPAMMING!

Forum for non-self-storage discussions relating to government, religion, politics, economics, philosophy and other volatile topics. Please obey all forum rules. Disclaimer: The opinions here do not reflect those of the owners or advertisers and neither assume any responsibility or liability for content.

If you’re not sure how to work the various features of the forum, you can practice here before posting elsewhere.