Complaint Review: Shurgard Storage - Edmonds Washington

Jeanne, I think you took my post as an attack against you, which it wasnt. I was simply stating Shurgard's procedures with delinquent accounts. You didn't answer why you didn't pay your bill, which I sincerely wanted to know. With all due respect, you said that you always find it interesting when people take an interest in an issue when we don't know what has happened. Well, you did POST your story on here, right? Should I disbelieve your post, or what?? You also wanted people who has experience in this to reply, but when I did, I guess it wasnt what you wanted to hear. If you say that you didn't get any notification, I believe that. But go into the store that sold your belongings and get a copy, because I can assure you they were mailed. Did you move maybe? Change your phone number? The reason I am so sure that Shurgard did everything to notify you is because we have our direct supervisor actually come to the specific store before the auction to make sure that every "I" was dotted and "T" was crossed before the sale. Secondly, Shurgard doesnt destroy any personal property before 6 months has passed and no one has claimed it. If 6 months has gone by, it is considered abandoned property at that point. As for you trying to change the number of days we notify customers, unless you change Washington State Law, that's not going to happen. Good luck doing that. I think the government would also agree to just pay your bill on time, too. I really am sorry this happened to you. I know it may sound insincere, but I just dont know how to put the truth any other way. Did you just forget that your account wasn't paid? That I could understand, because it is easy to do sometimes. I guess what I am really trying to say is that even though Shurgard is a large corporation, it is still unfair to go into a public forum and complain about a company that has no control over your actions. We can't make you pay your bill, ya know what I mean?

In response to April's comment of why I didn't pay my bill. Dear April, thank you for your comments. But you do not know even half of the story. I am always interested when people take an interest in an issue and are so vocal with opinions and do not have a clue as to the real meaning of what is or has happened. The destroying of personal records such as tax and other items is and can be a civil offense, as I have discovered. If in fact I was the only person this has happened to, this matter would be entirely different, but....I am not. And I am not lying when I say I did not receive notice or phone calls from anyone..and this is a matter I will not end until I am satisfied that no one else goes through it. So while you think you know what type of person I am or this story..you do not. The stuff is gone....that is without saying, but this practice and the number of days, and lack of notice will be changed or I will make sure that everyone knows of it, and I do mean everyone. The list I am compiling of other victims is very interesting, and unless we are all liars...something is very wrong. Thank you for your time.

Jean, Shurgard does give plenty notice. We send out a preliminary lien notice 2 weeks after non-payment to all addresses we have on file for the customer. After 30 days of non payment, we send certified letters to all addresses and also a copy regular mail. At a minimum of 30 days past due, we call all numbers we have on file, and also try 411 to locate. We will finally auction the unit off to satisfy the amount owed at no earlier than 40 days past due (although usually longer). Shurgard doesn't like to auction units off. Number 1, we lose a customer. Number 2, the auctioned unit almost never is enough to pay the bill. Add in all the time it takes to try and locate you, sending you notices, doing the paperwork to make sure all our ducks are in a row, it's not fun. I'm sorry your stuff is gone, but my question for you is, why didn't you pay your bill?

Here is the place where you can find the answer: SELF STORAGE LIEN Law OF Washington Here are the link to read it: http://www.storagelaws.net/washington.html For readers from the states: the same link includes similar laws from all states.