...some of them are just 'spooked.' I use this analogy to remind myself (and other managers) that excuses for falling occupancy frequently have little basis in reality. People always need our services, regardless of the economic landscape- as self-storage shoppers, they just become more savvy and consider choices more carefully before they "bite."

In our experience, in competition with other facilities for customers, knowledgeable and helpful managers with excellent customer service skills trump price concessions 99% of the time.

We haven't modified a price downward at our facility in nearly two years...