Month: September 2013

DISC LOCK OR PAD LOCK?

                                       

“What is the difference between a pad lock and a disc lock…”.  While I don’t require a specific type of lock be used at my facility, I generally recommend the disc lock (and so do most other self storage facilities).  Even at the best storage facilities with the best security, there are no guarantees and theft is still a concern; same as it is at your home or with your automobile.  A disc lock is stainless steel vs. most pad locks are laminated steel; and because the disc lock has a shorter shank it can not be cut with a bolt cutter like most pad locks can; thus it is more secure.

“But I don’t have anything of value in my storage unit…”. I still recommend the disc lock. Thieves only know what’s in a unit after they break into it and riffle through all your stuff. Usually leaving it a damaged, mangled, mess.  To cut off a disc lock you need a metal grinder and it takes a while; unlike being able to snip off a pad lock which takes only seconds.  As a storage facility manager, I’m experienced at cutting locks and it can still take me a good 15 minutes to cut through a disc lock; most thieves don’t have that kind of time to stand in front of a storage unit without raising suspicion.  Most thieves breaking into a storage facility are hitting multiple units; so they want to break in to units they can access quickly and easily. If you have a disc lock it can act as a deterrent in that type of situation and they usually pass your unit by; which means no mangled mess for you to reorganize.

“If someone really wants to break in to a unit, they are going to break in regardless of what type of lock is on it….”.   Yes that is true.  But in the event you run into a really determined thief that does take the time to grind through a disc lock; having a disc lock vs. pad lock can still be beneficial in the claim process.  Some insurance carriers (including Bader, the company we work with) will waive the deductible on an insurance claim if the tenant was using a disc lock on the unit.  If you secure the unit with a pad lock, you pay the deductible on the claim.

The cost of a pad lock at my facility is $12 dollars and the cost of a disc lock is only $15.  So even though the disc lock is a little more expensive when you are already talking about the loss of having your unit broken into; $5 dollars can at least save you the further loss of having to pay a deductible to replace those items.

Dino’s Storage is a Worthwhile Employer

I would like to take the time to write about something to plug the ownership of Dino’s Storage this month as opposed to trying to tell you why you should send all of your storage business my way! Yahoo or Google does not take the time to write articles about every admirable thing that every small business does, so I am going to tell you about the great things that Dino’s Storage ownership did this year for its employees. In a year when half of the nation is complaining about the Affordable Care Act, and how it will jeopardize their profits (and should even be appealed), and big companies saying they will no longer cover spouses as part of their benefit package the owner of Dino’s Storage, last year had an open enrollment, for ALL of it’s full time employees (over a year before it would have been required). They offered the employees 2 different plans, because all people have different needs, but both were top of the line coverage. As things ended up working out, the company could have waited another year before even making this option available, as small businesses received a year extension from their requirement! Instead, Dino’s Storage did a very noble thing…….they moved forward, as any leader would do……….made these benefits available, and now have a very grateful workforce. Every employee can do more positive work when he has fewer things to worry about outside of the workplace. So much for plugging Dino’s ownership………but if I was looking for a service (of any kind) it always helps me to make a business decision if I know the integrity of the people I am doing my business with.   Good job Dino’s!!!!

The Importance of Community Involvement

Community involvement is the process of engaging in dialogue and collaboration with community members. This may involve volunteer work, promotion of social causes, or donations to local charities. It is understanding your surroundings, working with others to improve the community, anticipating and providing services as the community evolves, and working diligently to provide a positive experience.

What impact are you leaving on your community?  Are you leaving a distinct impression on the lives you are touching?  Are you even known?  It is so important to be involved and to understand what is going on in your community.  As Mother Teresa so eloquently said, ” I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”  Make sure you are having a positive impact on your community.

We at Dino’s Storage try to be at the fore-front of anticipating and providing our services as our communities are changing. Whether you are a business or individual, we will work hard to meet your needs. Please feel free to call and discuss your situation and ask about our specials.

Cindy Sampson
Property Manager
411 Brick Street
Bondurant, Iowa
515-967-9346

 

Never Give Up…Dino’s Storage Keeps Their Vows

Dino’s Storage will not give up and cave in to a faithless society.  Dino’s Storage keeps their vows to our customers.

Definition of vow: a set of promises committing one to a prescribed role, calling or course of action, typically to marriage or a monastic career.

Breaking of vows is more common than most want to believe.  Our society has developed the expectation that keeping our word isn’t a top priority, more of a minor detail.  Take the airline companies for example, they overbook a large percent of their seats to compensate for expected no shows.  I don’t understand how this is acceptable. Seldom have I heard someone say “my flight was overbooked” but more “they lost my luggage or we don’t get a drink/snack during flight any longer”.  Which leads me to believe the reason why airlines overbook is because we are not sticking to our word on showing up.  Other examples include business practices, sport teams, parenthood and marriage.

The generation of my great grandparents, keeping a vow was normal practice and an expectation of society.  Those who would not keep their vows were shunned by others around them and commonly people would stop doing business with those.  Evolution from that generation to the current one, is the fulfillment of a vow is conditional.

Dino’s Storage will not give up and or give into this practice.  We value our customers and keep our vow to them.  Ultimately Dino’s Storage wants to help people who have too much stuff.  Whether that be for a minimal moment in time to organize a house that you want to put on the market or you want to preserve items for your future generations.  Dino’s Storage wants to continue to move the bar forward and set industry standards by staying true to our word.

At Dino’s Storage our number one priority is treating our customers and employees with the highest degree of service while preserving our vows as a company and who we are.

If you want to do business with a company with values and true to their word, contact us.  Dino’s Storage never gives up and keeps to their vows.  Visit our website to contact your nearest location at www.dinosstorage.com or www.dinosstorage.ca