Tag: Dino’s Storage

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!!!!

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

 

Jose Beltran Most Positive

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Lots of negative people have worked here, but they just need lots of encouraging talk to help deal with life. Jose Beltran is from Latin America. He has a suave accent, likes good looking cars, is VERY well dressed (probably doesn’t own a t shirt), and has dark hair. Everyone loved him and he loved everyone. Jose would always give people hugs and encouraged them. He was just a very positive person.

Hal Daub’s Best You

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Hal was the Mayor once and Congressman twice. He made more of an impact in Omaha than anyone else has. Some of his projects include: West Dodge Expressway, Quest Center, TDAmeritrade Center, Heartland of America Park, and Rick’s Boathouse.

IS MY STUFF INSURED?

This is a question I get occasionally while helping people with their storage needs.  Or some people don’t even think to ask about insurance coverage; they’ve never used storage before and it doesn’t occur to them to ask.

And most are surprised when I say the answer is No, ANY storage facility will tell you they do not insure the items you put in the building.  In no way, shape, or form can we be responsible for the items in the facility.  In the event of a tornado, fire, flood, storm damage, theft, etc, etc.;  the proper insurance coverage is the responsiblity of the tenant. It’s similar to renting a home, apartment, or business space. Your landlord doesn’t insure your belonging in your apartment and a storage facility can’t insure your belongings in your storage space.

I always tell my new tenants if you have homeowner’s insurance don’t just assume your things are covered while in storage; every policy is different and some only cover contents that are in the actual home.  So when you move those contents out the home and into a storage unit; you may have 10% of your policy coverage for those items; or worse yet, no coverage at all!!  I advise calling your agent and asking about something called “off premise policies”.  Tell them “these items are going into a storage facility, do I have my FULL policy coverage?”.  Depending on your individual policy, you may need to add some sort of renter’s rider or additional coverage.

A general renter’s policy will most times be sufficient to cover your belongs in storage, but again, every policy is different.  So if you haven’t, it is still a good idea to call your agent and make sure you have proper coverage.

While Dino’s Storage itself doesn’t insure your belongings; we do work with a company that does.  Bader Company is a storage insurance company that offers month to month policies, same as your storage lease.  If you don’t have existing coverage for your storage unit, don’t want to shop a policy on your own, or simply want additional coverage; ask your manager; it’s simple and the premium can be added to your monthly storage rent.  If it’s worth storing, it’s worth insuring!!

Contact Kerri at Center St for current specials this month, 402-504-4600 or Centerst@dinosstorage.com

DO YOU NEED CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE?

Climate control is becoming more popular for storage. Items stored in a non climate controlled environment depend on outside weather conditions. In Nebraska we have cold, heat, and humdity which will often cause items to deteriorate. Not only are climate controlled units important in eliminating weather problems but the amount of dust your things are exposed to. Recently I had a tenant tell me that after 2 years storing in the climate control he had very little dust on his belongings. Before putting your items in storage you should think which items would benefit from climate controlled storage.

Climate control is good for items that are valuable or made of high quality material. One example is a mattress that can mold and mildew when exposed to the elements. Heat can lead to discoloration and deterioration of good clothing. Humidity is a probelm both in the summer and winter. Musical instruments often warp, crack, and break in non climatecontrolled units Electronics are very sensitive to moisture. Paper, books, and pictures can discolor, warp, and mildew when exposed to weather conditions over a period of time.

Take time to think before storing. Climate controlled units are not needed just for china, antiques, and leather but anything that is valuable to you. Dino’s Storage offers a variety of unit sizes in their climate controlled storage. I would be more than happy to show you our climate controlled building at 14301 Josephine or call Diana at 402 896 6500 for an appointment.

STORAGE IS MOVING UP IN THE WORLD

I’ve noticed when some people inquire about public storage and I say “I’m a……multi level facility…” they say “Multi level? Do you have anything available on the 1st floor?”.  But there are several great advantages to being high in the sky and Dino’s Storage will change how you may feel about a multi level building.

When Dino’s laid out the plans for our buildings we thought about our customers and did it better than some in the past, we installed elevators!!  I had someone ask me once “Do you have elevators?”. Apparently they had used a multi level facility in Arizona and had to lug their belongings up stairs.   I said “Yes we have elevators, not only do we have elevators; we have large freight elevators that will easily accommodate any big furniture pieces.  You can even fit items loaded and wrapped on pallets. We also have flat carts available to our tenants for loading and unloading (yes, furniture fits on them too).  Save your back and stop lugging heavy boxes.  Just put them on a cart, step into the elevator, and roll your way down the aisles.

If you’ve ever used regular ground level storage you’ve probably had a manager or owner tell you “..to ensure you don’t come back to damaged belongings, it’s a good idea to put your stuff on pallets or up on boards and not directly on the concrete floor”.  This is for several reason; but one is concrete is a porous material.  When the ground is cold and the temperature in the unit is hotter, concrete can sweat. Which means condensation will collect on the floor (kind of like the tank on your toilet when you take a hot shower, or the windows in your car).  So if your nice wooden furniture or cardboard boxes are directly on the concrete floor eventually it will wick up this condensation and can warp.  This will not happen when you are off the ground.

Another concern with regular ground level storage is rodents.  No matter what precautions you and/or the facility take; rodents can, and sometimes do find their way in. Especially in the winter.  It’s cold outside and they scurry around the ground seeking shelter; as sometimesthat shelter is in your unit. Hey if you’re not on the ground you don’t have to worry!!

So when your thinking about what you want in a storage facility, set your sights a little higher.  Once you store on the penthouse levels, you will want to stay there.  And the best part is Dino’s doesn’t charge any extra for it, it’s just as affordale as the ground floor!!

Contact Kerry the Property Manager at Dino’s Storage in midtown Omaha for multi level climate control storage specials #402-504-4600, Centerst@dinosstorage.com

Everlasting Impression

Our mission statement is to engage with the life events of the customer while providing physical presence that speaks the needs of the consumer.

One of the most important things to Dino’s Storage is our customers; we couldn’t fulfill your need without you. With that being said, we are always intrigued on how you came to the decision to rent from Dino’s, how your experience is going while you are a customer and ask your opinion when you move out.

When submitting a move out form through our website there is a spot for comments.  This form is sent to the manager at the location you rented at and me, the operations manager. I look at every one of these to see overall what the customer thoughts were when they finished the need for storage.

Below is a comment from a recent move out submitted by a customer at the SE 14th location in Des Moines, Iowa:

“The facility is GREAT – I am always able to access my unit which has stored my Camaro during the winter months. I am certain that I will be returning this fall to store the car again. The facility Manager was very good to work with and when I started to rent it last fall he explained everything to me in detail and made me feel comfortable about it. This is the first time that I have ever rented a storage unit in my life, and I had a good experience in doing so. Great to know that there are still companies like this that serves the customer’s needs with great customer service. Thanks!”

We go out of our way to have you leave with an ever lasting impression when you are finished with your need. When you have a need for storage again you know who to come to as you already have an experience to re-connect with.

Dino’s Storage holds repeat customers close to our hearts. Contact one of the managers below to hear about the specials we give you.

Nebraska:

Downtown Omaha, Tom 402-345-3466

Midtown Omaha, Kerry 402-504-4600

Bellevue, Dawn and Tammy 402-293-4667

Papillion/Lavista, Jennie 402-331-1555

Millard/LaVista, Diana 402-896-6500

West Omaha/Elkhorn, Diane 402-293-0923

Iowa:

North Des Moines (2nd Ave & New York), Amanda 515-280-5060

Southeast Des Moines (SE 14th & Kenyon Ave), Chris and Matt 515-953-3466

Bondurant (NE Hubbell Ave), Cindy 515-967-9346