The CASTER GROUP

Archive for June, 2016

Tips For Loading A Moving Truck

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Couple moving house, taking a break loading or unloading moving truck.

Packing a moving truck can leave you puzzled and frustrated if you don’t pack it the proper way!  If you hire a moving company, you won’t need to worry too much about how to pack a moving truck correctly. Although, if you rent  a moving truck and plan to load up the truck yourself, follow these tips to help make your move easier.

  • Be prepared with  moving supplies-  Purchase several moving boxes of the same size to make stacking in the moving truck easier. If you are renting a truck, ask about renting dollies and moving blankets as well.
  • Dissemble Anything You Can – It’s important to break down anything you can because your items will fit in your moving truck much easier. It is time consuming to take a part and put back together things like bed frames or tables. To save yourself trouble tape the the pieces together to guarantee that all the parts arrive together.
  •  Load Heaviest Items First – Large appliances and furniture should go into moving truck first and be against the back wall. Place moving blankets on top of the appliances and furniture to prevent any dents or scratches.
  • Line Mattresses Along The Sides-  Before you load any mattress in you need to take a part your bed frame. Stand Mattresses and box springs along the side walls.
  • Load Mirrors And Pictures Properly-  Big picture frames and mirrors can break easily especially if placed in the back of a truck. Protect your mirrors and pictures by sliding them in between mattresses. Don’t forget to wrap them up before placing them in the truck.
  • Keep Valuables With You- If there is anything you will not tolerate the chance of it getting damaged make sure to pack it in your car with you. Keep important papers and jewelry out of the moving truck and keep it somewhere safe with you. 
  • Use Straps – To protect all of your items use packing straps to keep items safe and secure. It is very likely that your items will shift in transport if you don’t strap them down. Rather than strapping it all at the end it’s highly recommended to strap down sections at a time.

Follow these tips to ensure that your moving process goes much smoother and efficient. Please leave us a comment if you have additional tips you would like to share.

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First Time Renting a Storage Unit?

Tips: Asking the right Questions | A-1 Self Storage

A-1 Self Storage Associate assisting male customer with boxesIs this your your first time using self storage? Are you wondering what to do first? If you have never used self storage before the process can be overwhelming. Don’t get too worried yet, we are providing  with the essential guide to first time renting  a storage unit.  We will also provide you with some of the best questions we recommend you ask when visiting self storage locations:

  • Where Do I Start? First it’s important to find the best location.  You want to find a storage facility that is close to your work or home so it’s easy to access. Start by doing internet research to see which ones to consider that are near by. Then it’s recommended that you call or visit the store.  Make sure you ask the onsite manager if you have any questions.
  • What Size Do I Need? Storage units come in various sizes. So if you aren’t sure which size you will need first start on the storage websites unit size guide. If you still can’t figure out which size now would be time to call one of the managers or store associates! They can help take inventory on your items and recommend a unit size that fits your needs.

Below are additional question you  might want to ask for the first time renting:

  • When are you open and how often can I access my things? First you need to determine how often you are going to want to access your belongings. Make sure to ask the storage facility not only what their office hours are, but what their access hours are too. Some units may have 24/7 access, while others may not. Be sure to get the exact hours on the unit you are looking to rent.
  • How often is the facility cleaned? Make sure to ask how often they clean their facility, including pest control. You want to make sure that the storage facility makes cleanliness a high priority. The last thing you want is to open your storage unit door and see dust build up and a roach infestation.
  • How far is my storage unit from the loading area? Once again, this may be more important for others, depending on how often you plan on moving and removing items from your storage unit. Make sure to ask if they have elevators for upstairs units and flatbed push carts to load your stuff onto. It is a good idea to view the unit and see how far the walk is from the loading zone.
  • What systems do you have in place to protect my belongings? Naturally, the biggest worry you will have is whether or not your precious belongings will be safe or not. Make sure to ask what sort of security they offer. Do they have security camera’s, a gate or door with a code, climate control, etc.?

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you want. The number one goal is for you to feel comfortable storing your belongings with that facility. Make sure to ask these questions and you will be well on your way to finding a storage unit that fits all of your needs.

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Customer Review for A-1 Self Storage in Alhambra, CA

Beautiful woman looking up and choose five stars rating in feedback

Woman chosing 5 star ratingAt A-1 Self Storage we value your feedback! Our goal is to ensure we provide quality products and the level of superior customer service you deserve. Customer reviews help us ensure we’re offering the absolutely best experience possible.

Liz M. recently submitted her “A-1 Story” about her experience at A-1 Self Storage in Alhambra, CA.

“My hubby passed away in March and my children and I agreed that I must move out and live with one of them.  After 40 yrs married I faced renting s storage for the first time. A1 Storage had the most sweet staff, clean and safe, organized and welcoming.  I’m so blessed to know that not only was my husband laid to rest and is at peace, I too have peace knowing that I found the best storage in town.  Thank you A1 Storage. God bless the staff and owners.” 

We understand that renting a storage unit can happen during difficult times, and we strive to make the process as easy as possible. We’re so glad to hear that we were able to help, Liz. Thank you for sharing your story.

Do you have a great customer service experience story you would love to share? Let us hear it! Tell us your “A-1 Story” and if we post your submission on our blog, we’ll give you one month FREE rent!

Please submit your entry via email to: marketing@a1storage.com

Note:  One entry will be selected per month. Free rent limited to one month and on one storage unit only. Offer has no cash value and is non-refundable.

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Tips to Keeping Your Storage Unit Clean and Pest Free

Hand drawing pest control concept with red marker. Prohibition sign on a cockroach.

Hand drawing pest control concept with red marker. Prohibition sign on a cockroach.

While A-1 Self Storage keeps all of its facilities clean, there are steps that you as a tenant can take to add extra protection to for their belongings.  Follow these easy steps to make sure that the items in your storage unit stay clean and pest free. Aside from the steps below we offer some added features such as climate controlled units to keep moisture out. For more information on our storage facility features visit our website and find a store nearest you!

  • Vacuum: Make sure to thoroughly vacuum all upholstered furniture, such as couches and chairs. While you may not be able to see any crumbs, all it takes is one crumb to attract pests.
  • Baits & Traps: Place dryer sheets in the corners of your unit and in the boxes. The odor will dissuade pets from entering your unit and keep your items smelling fresh as well. For the best results, replace the dryer sheets once a month.
  • Canvas Drop Cloths: Tape canvas drop cloths to the floors and walls before loading your storage unit. Canvas is much more efficient than plastic at keeping the pests out.
  • Eliminate Moisture: When storing your unit in a non climate controlled unit you can always stake these extra steps to keep moisture out: When storing appliances that use water, wipe the inside down with baking soda to remove any traces of water. Also, to absorb moisture in the air, place some charcoal in a pan.
  • Prevent Dirt Buildup: Before storing wooden furniture, use furniture polish to repel dust and dirt. Make sure to lubricate your metal items with oil to prevent them from rusting.
  • Double Check: Before you load your items into the moving truck, make sure you are not taking any unwelcome passengers with you. Give your boxes, appliances, and furniture a double check and make sure they are free of critters.
  • Check Storage Unit: Make sure your storage unit does not contain any cracks or holes. If you do notice that your storage unit does contain any type of hole report it to management so they can get it repaired for you. This way you can avoid pest and insects.

We hope that all of these tips provided will help you have a pest free storage experience.

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