Congratulations, Autodoc! Your dedication and enthusiasm shows through...I'm not surprised you are reaping kudos.

How y'all feel about cutting locks for tenants who have lost their keys? We have been kind of hard nosed about it and required that the customer hire a licensed locksmith. We certainly would never let the customer cut their lock, but do any of you cut the locks and charge for it? (My real goal is to provide a money-making service.http://www.selfstoragetalk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Our policy is that the tenant must be present and show a valid form of ID -- only then will we cut the lock for them.

We do change for this service -- at present a standard lock is $5.00 Disc locks or hardened locks that require cutting of are $20.00. These fees the owner allows me to keep as "pocket change".

Some months I can make over $100.00 just by cutting locks - other months I am lucky to get $5.00.

You do have to watch out thou -- every now and then you get the boyfriend/girlfriend splitting up. In this case the unit is always in one name and the other wants access (usually in the girlfriends name). I love to watch the boyfriends come in here and puff out their chest and demand to be let into the unit. After a bit they are begging to be let into it.

We have also had the ex-wife come in and clean the unit out - leaving the husband with the bill and an empty unit -- but that's another story....

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Wayne Docktor
Manager
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmast@all-americanselfstorage.com
www.all-americanselfstorage.com

Go to Wal-Mart and get a California Duster......It is in the auto department. It is already treated and the more you use it the better it works... It likes to be dirty ...never wash it....Also, a big soft paint brust around the latches Hopes this helps

It's great to hear from all of you. Your insights are resourceful and even entertaining.

Thank you for all of your great ideas *sniff*, I really appreciate them and you!

We do clean our door (at least we are sposed to) everytime someone moves out. If fact I stated tracking which units have vacated so if the other 2 girls told me they swept the unit I can check it. We also grease the springs. I have been told this helps. So when it slow mid month (only in the nicer weather) we grease the springs and give the unit and extra good cleaning. Today it was so nice out I went and sprayed the weeds. Not that I like doing that I just like being outside when it nice. Few and far between those days in michigan.

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Mason Mini Storage
Mason Michigan