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Storage shops where you have to rent a unit.

October 24, 2022 03:41AM
I see a lot of storage shops where you have to rent a unit. How much do you have to put down to rent a unit? Have you had issues getting your money back right there? They use to just have you take a tour, why are they now asking you to rent a unit?
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October 24, 2022 01:39PM
Is this the rent and reveal shop? There are two different storage shops that I've done: inquiry only and rent-and-reveal. If it's the reveal, you have to pay the full amount, but you (should) get your money back as soon as you reveal that this is a mystery shop/audit.

There seem to be a lot of storage shops out there, so maybe this is different from the ones I'm familiar with.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
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October 24, 2022 01:42PM
I complete these shops when they pay in excess of $40; my last fee was $50. For my assignments, I rented and then immediately revealed myself for a cancellation. I only had a single job where it was necessary for me to await my turn, with the total onsite time in excess of an hour. Finally, the report requires detail and is of moderate length; on a scale of 1 to 5, I rate it a 3 1/2. If a shopper struggles with narrative, this work should be avoided.
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October 24, 2022 11:10PM
I did one a few years ago. I rented a unit and was supposed to have the charge reversed as soon as I called a number to the mystery shopping company for them to call the storage place to advise to cancel the payment. It not work. I had to fight to get the charge reversed. No thanks it is not worth the hassle.
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October 24, 2022 11:24PM
How much do they want you to put down for the unit?
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October 25, 2022 12:37AM
@johnb974 wrote:

How much do they want you to put down for the unit?

If this is the shop I think it is, you have to pay the full amount, not a deposit, as I noted in my first response. I got my refund immediately while on site. There's one a little bit away from here listed for $50 that I might apply for if I can get another shop to do in the same area. I don't mind these.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Reply
October 25, 2022 12:51AM
@BirdyC wrote:

@johnb974 wrote:

How much do they want you to put down for the unit?

If this is the shop I think it is, you have to pay the full amount, not a deposit, as I noted in my first response. I got my refund immediately while on site. There's one a little bit away from here listed for $50 that I might apply for if I can get another shop to do in the same area. I don't mind these.

So if the unit is $200 a month, you have to put $200 down?
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October 25, 2022 01:34AM
Has anyone had trouble getting a reversal with the $15 phone storage shops?
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October 25, 2022 02:45AM
I have done four rental storage units in the last 6 months that ended up with me having to rent a unit. Prices depend upon what size units are available, and local supply and demand. I paid between $98 and $350 for each unit. The charges to my credit card (which is what is required to be used) were reversed within a week.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008
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October 25, 2022 05:37PM
@johnb974 wrote:

So if the unit is $200 a month, you have to put $200 down?

Yep!

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Reply
October 25, 2022 06:13PM
@BirdyC wrote:

@johnb974 wrote:

So if the unit is $200 a month, you have to put $200 down?

Yep!

I would not do that. But then again, I don't have a credit card,
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October 26, 2022 01:03AM
@johnb974 wrote:

@BirdyC wrote:

@johnb974 wrote:

So if the unit is $200 a month, you have to put $200 down?

Yep!

I would not do that. But then again, I don't have a credit card,

Yeah, you would want to use a credit card. I'm wondering, though, if you could write a check. I think I read here some time ago that you could pay with a check, then get a refund. But I'm really not sure; my memory could be wrong.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Reply
October 26, 2022 02:32AM
The ones I have done this year required a credit card. Not a check, not a debit card, not cash. However, there are lots of storage shops floating around these days, so others may be different.

Regardless of how you pay, you will owe the first month's rental, an administration fee, perhaps some tax, and maybe the cost of a lock, all due when you sign the contract.
@BirdyC wrote:

@johnb974 wrote:

@BirdyC wrote:

@johnb974 wrote:

So if the unit is $200 a month, you have to put $200 down?

Yep!

I would not do that. But then again, I don't have a credit card,

Yeah, you would want to use a credit card. I'm wondering, though, if you could write a check. I think I read here some time ago that you could pay with a check, then get a refund. But I'm really not sure; my memory could be wrong.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008
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November 06, 2022 04:58PM
The phone shops are easy, and if cancelled the same day, get refunded before the charge posts.
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November 06, 2022 06:45PM
I have never had any problem getting the sale cancelled. After I complete the rental portion, I go out into the car, take whatever photos I need, then go back into the store and reveal. The rental portion (assuming no wait in line) takes about 15-20 minutes, and the reveal/cancellation takes no more than 5 minutes. Cancel immediately, and charge never even posts to my account. Of course I would never do one of these shops for the $15 somebody mentioned. Are you sure that the $15 is not just a regular mystery shop. This client has at least 3 different types of shops.
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