We are often asked about abandoned belongings in our Storage facility in Mere, near Gillingham and it’s an interesting question.  Interesting, because it beings into question our whole ethos.  Do we follow our own Terms and Conditions and dispose of peoples personal belongings just because they haven’t paid a bill.  How long do we let a client not pay, how much space are they taking up and what harm are abandoned belongings having on the rest of our business.

My guess is that a pragmatic approach is the best approach in these situations, communication is key.  Yes, we’ll write some pretty nasty letters about non-payment, but it’s important to remember these are largely designed to inform, rather than to scare. We are not Parking Ticket Collection Agencies.

But, that is also what makes us different from many larger franchise Self Storage companies, yes, we have systems and we try to be efficient, but that the end of the day one of the things that makes inStore Solutions unique in the world of Self Storage is our flexibility and our friendliness.   We are all humans.

So, abandon belongs can be a problem for us, we’ve played many a tune on the old Grand Piano and we cannot remember who owned, maybe one day they will collect it and at that point we’ll come to an agreement on how to be recompensated of all the years we’ve looked after it.

What I can promise is that we will look after everything within our storage facility with exactly the same care and attention as anyone else’s belongings, abandoned or not.  The reason for this is that it is simply not worth our while not to.  Everyone’s possessions are kept dry, safe, secure and protected.

But in terms of abandoned belongings, the solution is always communication.  If we know you still want your belongings and you explain to us the various reasons for delayed payments or why you are abandoning them, talk to us, however many letters we might send, it is always better to respond to them than to say nothing at all.

Top 10 Self Storage Units in Wincanton

1. StorageBase – Actually they are based in Frome or Bath – Not Wincanton
2. Sparkford Storage – hmmm no that’s 15 miles away
3. Whiteball Storage advertise in Wincanton – but they are in Taunton.
4. Barn Store are in a Barn just outside Shaftesbury
5. Beehive are in Blandford
6. Sandys and Langham are in Gillingham

Shall I complete the list?

8. Somerset Storage are in Glastonbury
9. Lock and Load are in Yeovil
10. And the nearest BigYellow is in Poole

Source: Google

So, what is my point… Firstly it is about how big companies advertise… For sure we want you guys reading this to think of us for your Storage, but more than that we don’t want you to travel half way across the country when there is probably a perfectly good local place near you.  Why do people that live in Wincanton have to go Bristol for their storage needs.  We’re here!

Second – come on Google – we’re in Wincanton – why are you not directing people towards our services in Wincanton for the people of Wincanton.  I know the mysteries of Google are great and we all feel that, but if I cannot find a storage company that is actually located where I live – then what hope do I have if I want a Pizza, or to see a film, am I going to have to travel half way across southern England just because Googles says that is my nearest result.

Now, onto Self Storage Units, call us old fashioned, but we’ve been around a long time and we know a little about about what we do, we hope we do it well and with a smile – truly we do. But what is self storage and surely we do that and more.  We have storage units, we just call them storage containers, we collect and deliver possessions from and to their owners, there’s no need for you to even visit our warehouses, but you can if you want to… we are completely flexible, state a time or just turn up, the door will always be open to our client.  Unlike these new entrants on the stage where the door is firmly locked until you present the right credentials – more numbers to remember.

But it’s more than that – we’re personal, our self storage units are run by local people, some of whom you will find in the pub in Wincanton, we’re not going to destroy or throw your possessions away if you don’t pay – we’e going to talk to you, we’re not going to block your access if you haven’t paid, or stitch you up in extra fees and costs because you’re in trouble.

Think of us like a Petrol Station – sure you can put your own fuel in, but there is an attendant there to help if needed, our self storage units are better than self storage units, ours come with people and with that comes knowledge, politeness and friendliness.

Now come on Google – sort this out and provide a better service for your customers looking for self storage units in Wincanton.