I am just amazed at the people that want to argue with me about late fees!!

We send invoices to all tenants on the 17th of the month. Then we send reminders on the 1st and the 4th. THEN on the 5th of the month, starting with an average of 80-90 unpaid tenants, I CALL EVERYONE as a courtesy. First off, I don't have to do any of that. Our contracts clearly state that you are responsible for rent whether you receive a bill or not (yes, that is actually in the contract!). Anyway, I have heard every excuse in the book. It is kind of like working the door at a Club checking ID's! I swear, I feel like a bartender half the time. You know maybe bar tenders would make great managers for any of you looking!

Anyway, so today is the 9th, a tenant can't get through the gate.
HIM - Well I know she mailed the check.
ME -Well we haven't received it. I left you a message on the 5th and we sent you two emails and an invoice. Do you know what day she sent it?
HIM - No, but she did send it.....Well that is just ridiculous that we are locked out.
ME-Well we have rules in our business, just like you do in yours....
HIM - Well can you let me in?
ME - When you pay the rent.

He paid. I just really needed to vent. I go way over and beyond when it comes to collections and it just amazes me that people don't have a clue.

Ok, now I feel better!!

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MusicCity Gal

Vent away MCG! People can be so frustrating, we had our share of 'em in our office today too. Is it something in the air maybe?

The coincidence here is amazingly funny! I started typing up a blog about this topic about 4 this morning, if I can pull it together maybe you'll see it in a couple of weeks. I think we can have fun with it in the forum too.

Oh and by the way... I pass out Kudos very judiciously but I graciously accept yours! Besides, I understand, resistance is futile.

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!

MCG , Gina6K, and everyone else here should know by now, that what ever happens on a property is the managers fault. I didn't pay my rent? Why didn't you come to my home to collect it? Your store was closed when I came by a 11:00 pm to pay, so there shouldn't be a late fee. Lose access to my space, why I need in to get my tools to work. I need my Xmas decorations. All my kids toys are in there. My work clothes are in the space, you can't lock me out. I know your owner, so you can't .......

You get the drift. Vent away. It does us all good.

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Bob Taylor (Astro)
Blue Ridge Self Storage
Cashiers, NC

I solved this problem years ago..."The only way I can waive your late fee is if you agree to go on autopay, would you like to fill out an autopay form with a valid credit or debit card?".....if they fill it out and their payment goes through..then great! ...if not, well then the ball is back in their court...then can pay the rent and late fee(s), or wait til later.

I don't argue with them, I tell them that the "waive late fee button is linked to the autopay button"...can't do one without the other. If they are late past the first late fee and have multiple late fees, I don't even bother...here's how much you owe, will that be cash or money order?

Other then that, it doesn't bother me in the least how much they complain about what they need out of storage....I guess after so many years in the business you start becoming immune...."Once you pay your rent, you will have access to your unit"..just keep repeating that as your mantra!

Yup! That's me, the guilty one. It's allll my fault. Tee-hee.

Oh and ya know what else? I use the 'Danged new software! We can't waive late fees anymore.Golly gee, I'm sure sorry." Of course that doesn't stop some of the ones with the most gall from asking you to ask the owner to waive the fee. That one really takes the cake with me. I sooo want to reply; "What?! Do you really think he cares if you pay your fee or not? Really, he doesn't have time for this & neither do I. No pay, no access." Oh... if only we could be a wee bit snippy once in awhile.

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!

As a husband and a Manager I have learned that EVERYTHING is my fault!

We actually get very little of that anymore.

When we first took over this place it was almost a daily thing with fools coming in whining.

We stood our ground and re-trained everyone.

Life is much better now.

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Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.


All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!

Although I have only been in this business for 3 years, I have not had those complaints about late fees. I have quite a few customers who pay them regularly as if these late fees are part of the rent. Even when I call them ahead with my friendly rent reminder, these folks continue to pay late, and they don't even blink an eye. I find this amusing, strange and good for biz.

It must be a Monday, because I actually had a customer tell me today...get ready...

I shouldn't have to pay all these late fees because the ATM at the bank ate my debit card on Christmas Eve.

REALLY?!?!?!?!?!? and the bank has been closed ever since? you have no checks? has the debit number changed since the last time you had me use it? and the excuse the other 11 months of 2009?

sheesh

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Never put limits on yourself!

Shannon

Many tenants will gladly pay a late fee, but raise their rent by $3.00 and get out of the way. You will have caused a major financial upheaval in their life. Go figure.

Tenants. Can't live with them. Can't shoot them!!! Can we????

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Bob Taylor (Astro)
Blue Ridge Self Storage
Cashiers, NC

With Christmas just passing I figured this would be a tough month with rent and the late fees...

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Countryside Self Storage