Complaint Review: A American Self Storage

Dear Sir/Madame,
                First, I must say how grateful I am to be able to tell of my experience with American Self Storage.  In 2001, with all kinds of family loans, I decided to open my own straw bag business. And, New Jersey, being the nearest state to the port and very little money, I to storage my inventory at American self Storage. I was quoted very reasonable price on the phone. So, I decided to rent 4 rooms to storage 1 container of straw bags. However, on the day of moving into the storage, (the quote on the phone was changed when,to  $200.00,$245.00, I did not have a choice, because the container was on it's way.

Once inside,the rent was raised 3 times in 3 months:

I noticed that every month, my rents was raised, when,asked why, I was told the contract,states that the Landlord,can raise the rent as many times as he sees necessary.  The 3rd, problem I was having was. I noticed, I was being charged and extra, $230.00 Extra, sometimes as miscellaneous, sometimes 230.00X 3 or 4 times, Sometimes, 25.00. I was told,my rent was late. P-L-E-A-S-E , only once, was my rent late, BUT, late, also means, 1 minute after 12:00 (lunch time)     When, I complained, I was told, if I do not pay an extra months rent as late fee, they will put a lock on my room. So, instead of paying my rent at home, I paid "double" the  rate,so my inventory would not be taken.

Once, I received a letter, saying that my room was open and I must come in and put a new lock.

I rushed to the storage and asked why did you open my room?? And, how long has it been open?? I was told that over 2 months!!! And, they had contacted me about it.... They had removed all my locks to run a new pipe line to upgrade the new fire code. Complaining to the Manager, was not even an option... NO ONE CARED AND MADE SOME EXCUSE. This storage was starting to make me completely broke, plus, I have not been able to pay my rent at home. I decided to move out ...after  almost 4 years of PURE HELL!!!!!!

ROOMS FLOODED FOR OVER A YEAR, AND WAS NOT INFORMED!!!!

On moving out of the storage, first, it's the terrible smell!!!! I wondered, why is the room smelling so "awful"?? On removing the first and second layer of boxes, we noticed that by the 3rd layer..the boxes were all mildewed had had black fungus all over... the floor was wet...(this has been like this for many months!!!! and, I was not told anything) When, I went to the office, the clerk, who is usually abrupt and argumentative, rolled her eyes and told me to call the office.  I realized, I will not be helped, so I photographed a few times.....  This was ONLY the first room..... Out of the 4 rooms.... only 1 room was dry. Plus, half of the inventory was missing. When, I asked to check the camera to see, if anyone removed my inventory. I was told it "NOT POSSIBLE"

MANDATORY INSURANCE.
                            I paid mandatory insurance on the rooms. However, when, I try to contact the owner.manager... At first, I did not get a response. Then, I was told, he will contact me... I called every week,sometimes, every day..... I was completely ignored. I continued to call, then, a few months later, he called me to told me he is going on vacation and when he return, he will see what he can do..... weeks turned into months etc... Then, I received a letter telling me to sign...read, that I must promise not to sue them or contact them and they will give me $800.00!!!! NOTE: THE IMPORT VALUE OF MY INVENTORY was over $16.000.00!!!!

I have had my CONGRESSMAN Call the office,I have been to Consumer Affairs,NYC... &  HELP ME HOWARD !!!!

I complained to several offices in NJ. And,no one helped. I had even mailed a self address envelope to the attorney General office and ABSOLUTELY, NO REPLY. It seems Mr.Diamond has a lot of power over the political offices in NJ. Because to this day. I have not had any help. I have LOST MY BUSINESS.I HAD TO DUMP 80% of the bags, because the ones that were'nt wet. SMELLED SO HORRIBLE... I Could'nt even sell them for $1.00.  I am so tired of asking for American Self Storage to do the right thing..... I have no money to hire a lawyer. I am an immigrant.... I do not know what to do....   I live in NYC, I cannot sue unless I live in NJ, therefore, it's too far, I am trying to rebuild my life and cannot take so many days off to go to NJ, Especially when no one wants to help!! IF  there is anyone out there who can help me ...please help....... This is not fair..

Mr.Diamond, owner of,Amrerican, Self Storage on 315 Cole street, Jersey City, New Jersey,, would not have done this if I were Macy's. Instead, he sees a immigrant woman ,alone, who do not seem to know much about the law and who has limited resources. So, he steals from me.American Self Storage, had all intentions from ripping me of the moment, I loaded a 72 feet container of my strawbags on their property. Secondly, American Storage, raised my rent every month once, I was a tenant WHILE, THEY WERE STILL RENTING AND ADVERTISING THE SAME SIZE ROOMS FOR A LOWER PRICE, (while raising my rent every month!!) My InvenTory was huge and American Storage use it to ripp me off "everymonth"!!

The Clerk from hell:
                           Whenever, I asked the cleark about my rent, the flood,the missibg merchandise. Besides being cold and abrupt. She was loud...and did not want me to ask any questions...My inventory was always threatened if I did not pay all the misellaneous fees.

                                        

                                                                Thank You, Sincerely,
                                                                    Ahn.