Shurgard Storage sold our property over $8 (worth well over $1,000) without viable notice, promised they would not. ripoff liars Seattle Washington
[This is an excrete from the email I have sent Shurgard. It explains most everything]
From:
[ my name and address ]
[ my email address ]
To:
1155 Valley Street
Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98109
RE: My items were sold without formal knowledge.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in complaint and in the request for an investigation into the sale of my items in your storage lot I was renting at your Lake City Way storage center located in Seattle, Washington (store # 48051).
10821 Lake City Way
Seattle, WA 98125
206.367.3390
After I found out that the items where sold I spoke to a lady that explained to me that I was mailed over due notices over this matter (in which I request copies for my records) to my old address, though I had called previously and had supplied my new phone number and address. She said that the mail was returned.
She failed to realize that I did call only a week before and spoke to a gentleman.
This Gentlemen explained that I need not fear of my items being sold at the time and was asked for my address and phone number, as no one updated my information when I called previously a few weeks back.
I supplied him with BOTH my name and phone number and explained that I would try to make it in either a Friday or Monday to pay the bill but either way would have it done within the week that my items were sold.
The lady that informed me that my items were sold explained to me that they were sold after I failed to pay my bill on the Monday mentioned above. Bringing confusion over the matter on why she said that they did not have my contact information, yet mentioned that I had maid a Monday promise day, and still yet how I received a lesser than 24 hour notice to call before it's too late' (lesser than 24 hour, meek notice mentioned below).
All I received was a message on my voice mail on a Thursday (the previous day that I called and was told that my items were sold) asking me to call the storage place before it is too late', quoted is in the message. The message is still on my AT&T voice mail with time and date stamp and I will be checking the legality of recording it in the case of admitting it as evidence in court if needs be. At the time the message was sent, I was at work so I did not receive the message. When I called back the next day, I was told that my items where sold.
I was told by a lady there that my stuff was sold for NOT EVEN $8. . I have a rough estimate on the value of my items, this estimates are about right, if not under how much they were purchased at.
The following items were in the storage place that surely is worth more than $8:
Armoire (though I have the now uses less drawers) $400
A siluet picture screen placed on plastic $200
2 large framed pictures $75.00 ea. $150 total.
An emergency heater (used once) $200
Entertainment Set $200
Books (Harry Potter books 3 each brand new) $10ea.
Other personal items that are more sentimental the worth anything
Why did I NOT receive any advance warning, either by phone OR by mail as written in the agreement? I Did NOT even receive 24 hour notice (hence not giving me the time to find of what was too late'). As for a mailed notice at least to my new place nothing.
I did have a verbal agreement that my things were not in threat of being sold.
I did (and still do) have the adequate funds to pay the bill.
I did notify the employees there on my intent to pay the bill.
I did supply my contact information (twice, being both phone and address)
This being said I did have and gave more than enough on intent to pay.
I expect most of my items if not all returned. I have said before that I am more than willing to pay my bill if these items are returned.
I was told that they would contact the person that bout the items that I was interested in the pursuit of retrieving my items, even if it meant buying them back.
I have not received one phone call not even for a useless Armoire (since I have the drawers), hence my wonder on who purchased the items especially at the amazing price of ONLY $8.
I do hope we may resolve in a prompt manner. If not, I will look into my legal rights, including submitting key facts, proofs, and if possible, information on the person who purchased my items at the minute price of $8 to see if it was either a worker, friend of a worker, or the relation on how this sale was thought of and performed.
At this moment I would prefer to be contacted via email, as I am always checking it. I will also send receipts of delivery if requested.
Thank you for your time.
[ my name ]
[ my email ]
Ian
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Shurgard Storage
6 Updates & Rebuttals
John
Coppell,Texas,
U.S.A.
You must read everything before signing...
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, March 30, 2004
As an employee of Shurgard, I stand by my company. We all have certain standards that we have to follow before we can sell a storage unit. Any information that needs to be updated in the customers file must be in writing to change it.
The company gives customers plenty of time to pay for their rent. It is a forclosure process, just like a hime.
If you dont pay, it will sold. Rent is due on the first of each month, and you have until the 10th of that month to pay, before getting the first late charge. That 10 day grace period is very lenient than most companys.
My suggestion would be to pay your rent on time, and to make sure that a storage company that has your belongings in one of their storage units, has all of you current information in writing and signed by you. We are about security, and we cant just change the information over the phone. What if someone called that was not you, would you want us to change your information for anyone that calls.
John
Coppell,Texas,
U.S.A.
You must read everything before signing...
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, March 30, 2004
As an employee of Shurgard, I stand by my company. We all have certain standards that we have to follow before we can sell a storage unit. Any information that needs to be updated in the customers file must be in writing to change it.
The company gives customers plenty of time to pay for their rent. It is a forclosure process, just like a hime.
If you dont pay, it will sold. Rent is due on the first of each month, and you have until the 10th of that month to pay, before getting the first late charge. That 10 day grace period is very lenient than most companys.
My suggestion would be to pay your rent on time, and to make sure that a storage company that has your belongings in one of their storage units, has all of you current information in writing and signed by you. We are about security, and we cant just change the information over the phone. What if someone called that was not you, would you want us to change your information for anyone that calls.
John
Coppell,Texas,
U.S.A.
You must read everything before signing...
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, March 30, 2004
As an employee of Shurgard, I stand by my company. We all have certain standards that we have to follow before we can sell a storage unit. Any information that needs to be updated in the customers file must be in writing to change it.
The company gives customers plenty of time to pay for their rent. It is a forclosure process, just like a hime.
If you dont pay, it will sold. Rent is due on the first of each month, and you have until the 10th of that month to pay, before getting the first late charge. That 10 day grace period is very lenient than most companys.
My suggestion would be to pay your rent on time, and to make sure that a storage company that has your belongings in one of their storage units, has all of you current information in writing and signed by you. We are about security, and we cant just change the information over the phone. What if someone called that was not you, would you want us to change your information for anyone that calls.
John
Coppell,Texas,
U.S.A.
You must read everything before signing...
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, March 30, 2004
As an employee of Shurgard, I stand by my company. We all have certain standards that we have to follow before we can sell a storage unit. Any information that needs to be updated in the customers file must be in writing to change it.
The company gives customers plenty of time to pay for their rent. It is a forclosure process, just like a hime.
If you dont pay, it will sold. Rent is due on the first of each month, and you have until the 10th of that month to pay, before getting the first late charge. That 10 day grace period is very lenient than most companys.
My suggestion would be to pay your rent on time, and to make sure that a storage company that has your belongings in one of their storage units, has all of you current information in writing and signed by you. We are about security, and we cant just change the information over the phone. What if someone called that was not you, would you want us to change your information for anyone that calls.
Vicci
Seattle,Washington,
U.S.A.
Ian, If you have a valid claim, please contact the Seattle attorney general.
#7Consumer Suggestion
Mon, February 09, 2004
My daughter and I are both going to get ahold of the attorney general because we have both had stuff in storage at Shurgard and they have unlawfully entered our storage and stolen stuff from us.
nate
tucson,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
check what you signed
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 08, 2003
As a customer of shurgard, all I can say is they act in accordance with the lease YOU signed when you chose them. You have admitted your payments were delinquent, and though you say you showed intent to pay, the facts indicate YOU DID NOT PAY. As you had been a customer for some time, it is no surprise when payments are due. Any contact they may make for delinquent or late payment is simply a customer service courtesy, not a necessity or requirement by rules of property leasing or renting. You were also aware your property may be auctioned by unit if payment were not made, as was made clear by the company and contract. Try paying on time next time.