Look, I need to be straight with you about something that drives me crazy in our industry.
You’ve seen the ads. You know the ones I’m talking about. Huge banners screaming “FIRST MONTH FREE!” in letters so big they should be illegal.
My Cousin Mike’s “Free” Storage Disaster
Let me tell you a quick story about my cousin Mike.
Mike moved last year and saw one of these “free month” deals. He was thrilled – called me up saying, “Hey, cuz I’m getting storage for free! Beat the system!”
I tried to gently warn him, but he was already sold. Fast forward one month. His “free” storage unit ended up costing him $89 in “mandatory fees” and a lock he didn’t need. Then, month two rolled around, and the price jumped to nearly double what I charge at HarrisonBurg Storage.
When he tried to move out? Sorry – he was locked into a 3-month minimum. That “free” month ended up costing him over $400.
This isn’t just business for me – it’s personal. I started HarrisonBurg Storage because I was tired of seeing people get tricked.
The Bait and Switch: How “Free” Actually Works
Here’s what they don’t tell you about those “free” offers:
The free month is the bait. You’re the fish.
They make their money back (and then some) through:
- Crazy “admin fees” that appear out of nowhere.
- Requiring you to rent a bigger unit than you need.
- Locking you into contracts with early termination fees.
- Jacking up the price in month two when you’re too busy to move everything again.
It’s like those “free vacation” scams – nothing in life is truly free, especially not storage.
How We Do Things Differently
At our place, we do things differently. Yeah, we run specials sometimes – who doesn’t? But here’s my rule: I will look you in the eye and tell you exactly what you’ll pay next month, and the month after that. No surprises. No fine print nonsense.
Just last week, a customer came to us after leaving one of those “free month” places. She showed me her contract – buried on page 3 was a clause about “monthly service charges” that basically made the first month not free at all.
That stuff makes my blood boil.
Your Game Plan: Don’t Get Played
So here’s my advice: when you see “FREE” in giant letters, slow down. Ask questions:
- “What’s the real price after the promotion?”
- “What fees am I paying TODAY?”
- “Can I leave anytime, or am I locked in?”
- “Is this the right size for me, or just the size that gets the promotion?”
If they hesitate or give you vague answers, run. Don’t walk.
An Honest Alternative
I built HarrisonBurg Storage on one simple idea: treat people right and they’ll come back. We don’t need gimmicks. We’ve got clean units, fair prices, and we actually remember your name when you come in.
That “free” unit across town? It’s going to cost you. Probably more than you think.
Come see us instead. We’ll give you the straight story – no games, no surprises.
Just good, honest storage.
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