Complaint Review: Public Storage - Glendale,Upland & Arleta California

 I am the ex-employee Angela, I commented previously and people are calling me a company shill. I was employed from 2001-2008. Just because I think people ought to pay their bills does not make me affiliated with this company. I worked in various Salt Lake City locations first then transferred to Phoenix, Oxnard, Ca then Goleta, Ca. I walked out due to sexual harassment by my district manager. I did witness shady things but never an illegal auction. I follow this thread because of inappropriate actions in Phoenix. I requested the transfer to California because the District Manager in Phoenix was aware units were leaking but did not fix them. He wanted me to pretend I did not know move the tenants and rerent the leaking units because "it never rains here". He also stopped doing the annual maintenance on the swamp coolers causing the "climate controlled" units to be ANYTHING but cool. These are legitimate complaints I would testify about if I could in a lawsuit but don't expect me to cry you a river because your items were legally sold due to nonpayment.

     I have been reading these reports and rebuttals. I was a bit taken back with the comments by Angela and PS2007. In fact Angela indicates she apparently works at the company and then exhibits the same bantering and unprofessional attitude as some of the complaints suggest the employees exhibit. I found that to be quite telling. She did basically prove exactly what unprofessional behavior has been suggested in many complaints against PS.

     On a note for people who are filing rip-off reports and trying to litigate their cases, you should know a Court Upheld a Judgment Against Public Storage Facility for Consumer Fraud Act Violations. See this link- http://www.chicagobusinesslitigationlawyerblog.com/2011/04/court_upholds_judgment_against_1.html

    When  a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public  property. -Thomas  Jefferson

Check out wrongfulauction.com for California tenants!

The author of this comment is obviously a PS employee or a member of company management.  No one should believe a company shill.

However - as an ex district manager - I personally witnessed falsifications of data, outright lying, and total disdain for the customer.  This leads to the, quote, "LEGAL selling of their materials".  While on the outside it may look on the up and up (as per the courts).  On the inside it's not.  These are "wiseguys" willing to take advantage of every situation they possibly can to screw people.  Most of it very unethically.  I put them in the same category as the guys selling watches on the street.  Yeah..sure..its not stolen.  They are bad people in a bad business.

I notice you failed to mention that Public Storage won the lawsuit.  The defendants' June 17, 2011 motion to dismiss, converted to a motion for summary judgment, is granted. The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment for the defendants and close this case. (Signed by Judge Denise L. Cote on 9/1/2011) Public Storage has the legal right to sell your belongings if you do not pay your rent. Here is  an idea people follow the contract, Public Storage is going to do the same. Yes Public Storage is being sued, they are always being sued by people who are angry they lost their stuff, that does not mean the person suing is going when, I had to go to court countless times but we never lost because we obey the law to the very letter. There was an instances elsewhere where Public Storage lost a court case because they sold a deployed service member's belongings when he was overseas (or they may have just settled it out of court) but Public Storage actually changed all of their contracts so that would not happen again. They now explicitly ask it you are in the Armed Forces. They have an auction ever single month and all 2000+ locations, they know exactly what they can legally do. You might find selling someone's personal property harsh but it is spelled out in the contract and is perfectly legal. The contract is explicit, a partial payment does not stop the sale of your goods. People don't pay in full then are surprised when their stuff is auctioned crying "I paid I PAID" but they did not pay in full.  

Public Storage illegally sold my property in 2004.This company is a gang of thugs.They had my change of address form (moved from west to east coast),a contact number on my contract and self address stamped envelopes,and they still sold my property,saying they didnt know where I was.

The property manager is the one who started all of this,one day telling me to my face she hated me (because I didnt talk sometime because of heatlh issues) walked away from me, sat down and refused to help me.That was a threat,telling me she hated me while having my property in their storage.I was nervous about that,but I never thought she and her thug employees would sell my property illegally.

I served them through the sheriff department,the paperwork was misplaced,lost,no one could find it.I was told that never happened before.I had to do it all over again.

I got a court date,flew to Caifornia,it was the wrong court date,Public Storage got the right court date.I wasted time and money.I got another court date.The judge ordered Public Storage to bring in my original change of address form and contract.They brought copies of each.My address on my change of address form had been wited out.The judge said you knew you were coming to court and I ordered you to bring them. They told lies.They were given 18 days to bring in the originals.they refused, I won.They waited a few days and filed an appeal,knowing that I would have to fly to the west coast again.I wrote the judge telling him it was hardship,but didnt hear from the judge.I lost the case.

I talked to Public Storage vice president of operations John Sumbuco.He promise he would get to the bottom of this.He would get my original pink change of address form,take a picture of it and send it to me.A month or so had passed he told me he saw the original and I had to take his word for it,because he wasnt going to send me a da#m thing.He is a lair.The property manger that started all lof this,by telling me she hated me was charging $10.00 extra for late fees even though some of my payments reach them on time.The one who refused to allow me to speak to anyone over her.The one who told the judge she didnt know where I was with a change of address form,self address envelopes and a telephone number on my contract that they didnt call once, doesnt work for the company anymore.John said she dosent work for us anymore,so whatever she did to you is not our fault.
I told John Sumbuco that if he didnt resolved this and the courts couldnt compel Public Storage to bring in my original forms, the police, FB,I and the Attorney General wouldnt do anything ,that this matter will be resolved.

Do not use Public Storage.

I was 60 days late, but I always paid the late fee of $50 my entire life lost...

this was 3 days ago I am looking up information in court opinions and for legal assistance here in Mn
I have a report filed under my name

I was only responding to the poster who made the claim that they had a BBB rating of F. Regardless of whether or not the BBB id reliable, to make a false claim such as that poster did, and it was blatantly a lie, show that he/she has absolutely zero credibility.

There have been reports(60 minutes) of the BBB selling their ratings. It would be foolish for anyone to trust in their ratings. There may have been a time the rating of the BBB meant something but those days are gone.

The BBB gives Public Storage Inc a rating of A+ actually. You, sir or maam are blatantly lying, as it took me 3 seconds to do a simple search at the BBB website. Here is the link so you don't even have to do that.

http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/Self-Storage-%E2%80%93-HouseholdCommercial/Public-Storage-Inc-in-Glendale-CA-52194

I would like to state that what many others state is true.  The company has no ethics or morals when it comes to dealing with it's most important stakeholders - the customer.

I worked at PS for only 3 months.  I resigned because I could not believe the manner in which each District Manager regarded both the customer and their subordinates.  I am firm believer in the "customer is always right" adage.  They are a firm believer in "we only care about our stock price and screw the customer". 

During my 3 month period, I observed many situations where folks got screwed - the fake $1 per month promotion (they never mention the "administration fee" that comes along with it), property managers who were accomplished thieves (i.e. one guy even dug a hole from his on site apartment down to the units from the inside to rip them off) and the District Manager who almost got into a fist fight with a customer.

The whole company displays this arrogant and condescending attitude.  It starts at the top and flows downhill.  I wish you the best of luck with your lawsuit (or the countless others that will occur).  The lawyers should have a field day with this company.

Just read your complaint on Public Storage's violating the law,,, I have a very similar issue and I have been seeking legal advise... I would like more information... if you respond to this.. we could exchange email...

It is somewhat interesting that in the question of the Lawsuit - One would assume that details of what, where, and when this was established would be openly forthcoming, so that others could also take heart in their own efforts to procure compensation or Justice at an equal level.

For any and many, it might be prudent to first take at look at the legislation applicable (or maybe not).

An Overview of Self-Storage Law

http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2005/03/an-overview-of-self-storage-law.aspx

However - all said and done..there are the odd Lawsuits, (however not necessarily from the State of California) that could also be utilized or called upon as evidential when applying a case under similar grounds...the list below is however by no means limited...and is many more are available by a little effort in research.

...and just for those consumers of California...read up on where you are responsible...it again may help you understand the complications..or at least give you guidlines as to what is and what isn't

New California Lien Law: What Self-Storage Operators Need to Know  -

December 6, 2010

http://www.insideselfstorage.com/webinars/2010/12/the-new-california-lien-law.aspx

30 Dec 2010

Guetzloe Files Suit Against Local 6, Public Storage and Tony Pipiton 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

For Further Information

Contact: Fred O'Neal

(407) 719-6796 or

Doug Guetzloe

(407) 312-1781

 

Guetzloe Files Suit Against Local 6,

Public Storage and Tony Pipitone for theft of private papers

and documents

 

(Orlando) Marketing and public relations executive Doug Guetzloe has filed a lawsuit seeking damages in the theft of his personal and professional documents from a Public Storage unit four years ago.

 

"The evidence is without dispute that Tony Pipitone and Local 6 were involved in the theft of my personal documents from a Public Storage unit over six years ago.  At this point all of the individuals involved in this "conversion" case have attested to the fact that the storage unit was paid in full and that Public Storage acted in a reckless manner when it sold my papers to an agent of Local 6," Guetzloe stated.

 

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess "of $15,000.00" as required by law.  In actuality, Guetzloe will seek damages in excess of $1,000,000.

 

In sworn depositions the officials of the First Commercial Bank have testified that Public Storage failed to send an automatic debit request on the date Public Storage established as an "non-sufficient funds" attempt.  The bank indicated that had Public Storage sent the required payment request it would have been paid promptly due to several established procedures to pay those debits with our without funds.  The bank also testified that Guetzloe had in excess of $7,000 in the bank on that date. 

 

Further testimony has revealed that the manager of the Public Storage unit that triggered the chain of events that led to the theft, abruptly resigned the same day Guetzloe learned of the theft in a "gotcha" style interview by Tony Pipitone.  The manager, Stephanie Keller, has failed to respond to subpoena's for depositions, avoided process servers and according to Public Storage, her whereabouts are "unknown."

 

Public Storage also presented forged documents at one deposition and has failed to explain exactly how Pipitone became in possession of the estimated 400,000 documents that were the basis of several "Guetzloe Files" reports from which Pipitone received numerous awards.  Pipitone has also done in excess of 82 news stories that have stated that "Guetzloe failed to pay his storage facility bills," a statement that is clearly established as untrue based on all depositions taken.

 

"Once this case establishes that Pipitone is a thief, we'll make certain that fact is well known in the media establishment," Guetzloe stated.

 

The case has been assigned to Orange/Osceola Circuit Judge Stan Strickland.  Orlando-based attorney Fred O'Neal is representing Guetzloe in the case.

 

(END)

 

ATTACHMENT: Local WKMG-6 Damages Lawsuit

Tony Pipitone's reports three years ago based on documents left in a storage unit.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-12-30/news/os-doug-guetzloe-lawsuit-20101230_1_tony-pipitone-doug-guetzloe-anguish

Almonte v. Public Storage Incorporated et al

Plaintiff: Chauncey Gali Almonte

Defendants: Public Storage Incorporated and Public Storage Collection Department

Case Number: 1:2011cv01404

Filed: February 28, 2011

Court: New York Southern District Court

Office: Foley Square Office

County: XX Out of State

Presiding Judge: Unassigned

Nature of Suit: Civil Rights - Other Civil Rights

Cause: 28:1331

Jurisdiction: Federal

 PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

MAY 6, 2004

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MzUyMjY1fENoaWxkSUQ9MzcwNzY3fFR5cGU9MQ==&t=1

Public Storage, Inc.

1998 Annual Report 

http://www.publicstorage.com/corporateinformation/1998_reports/a1998.pdf

October 2008

Brinkley v. Public Storage, Inc.

www.firstmediation.com/blog/?p=321

Date: 10-31-2009

Case Style: Vartika Dubney v. Public Storage, Inc.

Case Number: 1-09-0094

http://www.morelaw.com/verdicts/case.asp?n=1-09-0094&s=IL&d=41845

DATED AND FILED September 25, 2008

Appeal No. 2007AP2077              Cir. Ct. No. 2006CV223

STATE OF WISCONSIN

JAMES COOK, ZACHARY LUCKETT AND QUINCLE COOK,

PLAINTIFFS-RESPONDENTS, FRIEBERT, FINERTY & ST. JOHN, S.C., CREDITOR-RESPONDENT,

V.

PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.

http://www.wisbar.org/res/capp/2008/2007ap002077.htm

January 2011

1101169, McNally v. Public Storage, Inc

http://www.state.il.us/court/R23_Orders/AppellateCourt/2011/1stDistrict/January/1101169_R23.pdf

March 2008 

Gilmore v. Public Storage, In

www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROap/AP108/108AP290.pdf

 

Spencer et al v. Public Storage, Inc.

Plaintiffs: Carey Spencer , Susan Spencer  and Joshua Spencer 

Defendant: Public Storage, Inc. 

Case Number: 2:2011cv00357

Filed: February 2, 2011

Court: Alabama Northern District Court

Office: Southern Office

County: Jefferson

Presiding Judge: John E Ott

 

Nature of Suit: Civil Rights - Other Civil Rights

Cause: 28:1441

Jurisdiction: Diversity        

Jury Demanded By:Plaintiff

Knevelbaard v. Public Storage, Inc., 2004 WL 2185849 (Cal. App. 4 Dist.)

02-4085 -- Lundahl v. Public Storage Management Inc. -- 03/18/2003

ca10.washburnlaw.edu/cases/2003/03/02-4085.htm

Court Certifies Class Action Against Public Storage, Inc

http://www.kbklegal.com/court-certifies-class-action-against-public-storage-inc/

A Lesson in Self-Storage Value Limits and Wrongful Sale: Dubey vs Public Storage Inc

www.insideselfstorage.com/.../a-lesson-in-self-storage-value-limits-and- wrongfu.asp

Legal action requests - filing Suits against Public Storage

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/october/23/18.htm

Public Storage, Inc(NYSE:PSA) - Financial and History 

http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Public_Storage_(PSA)

I would like to get more information on this law suit with Public storage has had the
same incident happen to me looking for good attorney

"Public Storage is the largest AND most reputable". How can you say that Public Storage Inc is the more reputable company. That of course is not true and an outright lie. If you need proof as to that being a knowingly false statement, go and read the United States BBB report on this company. They have a grade of F. It doesnt get any lower than that.

The US BBB goes on to say thay they have no credibility as a company and the BBB has no faith that this company (Public Storage Inc) can preform as a business.

This company has broken so many laws, state and federal laws that they shouldnt even be allowed to stay in business.

To the person that continually writes there is a major lawsuit againts them, it would be most helfpul to provide proof of this.

Very soon the trial against them will happen and then we will all see what the result will be. So far Public Storage's high paid lawyers haven't been able to stop it and when the the jury has heard everything then they will decide on the amount of damages. Obviously you haven't paid attention or the company is keeping quiet about the lawsuit since it could mean a large recovery against Public Storage. Remember a couple of things; 1. They have to follow the law 2. They didn't and the evidence will show they didn't! I will post the results after the case is over. Take care and remember that Public Storage has been sued many times and many people have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.

You have got to be running a scam or trying to milk something that doesn't exist, the funniest thing I read on your statement was that "A lady in Goleta recently suffered after Public Storage sold her property and she claims to have been current in her rental payments!" She CLAIMS.... really, what does she claim, I claim I won the lottery now let me go to buy a ferrari! YEAH! The second funniest is current... what most people call current, isn't... example, I'm current on my electric bill, because they haven't turned it off yet... people always assume that their actions have no consequences... all those people losing their houses... maybe if they ignore the debt collectors attempt to reach them, that way if they don't hear it, it won't be true... thats it... She must be claiming it was current until the very moment it was sold... or maybe She owed $300 in rent, and thought if she send $20 that would somehow make it current, maybe you should do more research before writing something the doesn't make any sense, or if it fact as you say happened give the people more information... Any funniest thing ever, you're telling people to NOT contact authorities or the press, wtf?! That must be like telling a rape victim to not contact anyone except a lawyer or prosecutor, This must be a great thing in your mind to direct people to you and get them some consolation as you rip them off... What is the world coming to... Public Storage is the largest AND most reputable, and have been in business since 1972... you think if your allegations were correct they'd still be in business... you should change your proffession to comedian!