I just read what everyone had to say about the free month...I also am having the dilemma of "should I or shouldn't I" offer a free month. EVERY facility in our area is offering at least 30 days free, some 40 days free. But, our facility is BY FAR the cleaniest, the best customer service, and just overall the best (not to be prejudice, it's just true!). I will offer 2 months at 1/2 price if it comes down to it, but I don't like to get customers that way. I try to get them to come and see our site, and know WHY we are the right choice. If I can get them here, I can rent to them! I also am running into the customer on the telephone who wants to hear nothing BUT prices, and will get angry if I try to tell him anything about why we don't offer a free month, but that our rates are very competitive as well as other highlights of our facility. Some people don't understand, if you are going to pay let's say $100 for 10 months, that's $900 with a free month, OR, rent with us and pay $95 for 10 months, that's $950, when their 10 months is up, their valuables, their priceless items, are going to be safe, dry, smell the same as they did when they came here, etc. There is a facility not far from us that I've heard from several people if you rent their, your things will smell like mold after a month! Why bother paying for storage at all if your things are going to be ruined!!! It drives me NUTS!!

Anyway, I love getting input from everyone, and I just thought I'd add mine. Again, I have offered 2 months at 1/2 price, and get the money up front. Right now the economy is so bad, people just don't realize what they could lose by saving themselves $50 or $100. Our service alone is worth paying for that first month, we go above and beyond to make sure our customers are satisfied - like someone else said, I don't just want satisfied customers, I want "Raving Fans"!