Freedom of choice shapes our lives. Whether we choose consciously or we lope along unconsciously, we always choose. Even in dire and unforgivable circumstances, the freedom to choose how we view the situation, if nothing else, is always present. When we allow ourselves to feel powerless or victimized, that, too, is a choice of our own making. And in our choosing, we either embolden ourselves or we allow ourselves to suffer.

When life throws its transitions and challenges our way, as it inevitably will, we are asked to make choices. In the case of a need to suddenly move to a new location, you may choose to temporarily store your belongings at a facility that offers unit space for rent. In the case of being laid off from your job, you may choose to go on unemployment or you might choose to start your own business. If you choose the latter, it is possible that you will need a space to work from and to store your inventory, if you have any. We humans make many complex choices each and every day without even realizing that we have done so. Our lives are literally composed of the results of the choices that we have made. Call it karma or call it consequence. It is choice.

When choosing a facility to rent unit space from, whether for storing household items, vehicles, business inventory or fine wine, making sure that you have undergone comprehensive self storage comparisons is one of the best actions that you can take. Depending on your specific needs, self storage comparisons can be quick and easy, or they can be made more time consuming. For example, if your needs are simply a cheap, typical 10x10 unit to store the contents of your basement while it is being renovated, then chances are that you will easily find that space, close to home and inexpensive. Even so, it is recommended to follow through with your self storage comparisons to insure that you will find the safest, cleanest facility at the most affordable rate. Quite a bit of damage can occur in a short period of time if you choose prematurely and do not do your homework.

If, however, your needs are more involved, as in the case of an individual who is looking to rent a unit to operate and run a small independent business from, then the self storage comparisons that the individual conducts will be more thorough, requiring more information and consideration. Not all facilities are set up to assist an individual in this position. The same holds true for storing fine wines, furs, RVs, boat and other items. It takes a facility that is specialized in the services that they offer to be able to accommodate people who have this type of need. This is why conducting self storage comparisons before you commit is of real importance.

There are several different methods that you can use to obtain accurate and informative self storage comparisons. The Internet, the telephone and the walk-in method are the top three sources of information available at this time. It is recommended that you choose to incorporate all three of these avenues into your self storage comparisons, as they each have merit and value in the task that you are setting out to accomplish.

When conducting your self storage comparisons , the place to start is online. There are websites and search features on the Internet that will give you information on just about every storing facility in the country. And with over 52,000 of them to choose from, it is a pretty sure bet that you have at least ten of them located within a 20 square mile radius of your home. Online mapping services will pinpoint the exact location of the facilities for you, if close proximity to your home is one of the most important factors of your choice. These websites will also give you generalized information in regards to the sizes of the units that each facility offers, as well as whether or not they offer climate controlled units.

You can compare prices, locate RV, boat and wine storing capabilities. You can also deduce whether or not the facility offers insurance on your belongings as well as whether or not they are a trusted member of a reputable organization in the industry.

When conducting your self storage comparisons online, make a note of the top five businesses in your area that are within your budget and that have the amenities and services that you are after. It might be helpful to print out the home page of each of the five locations, but keep the back of the page clean for note taking. You will need that space available to write on when you move on to stage two of your self storage comparisons .

Stage two requires the use of the telephone. Your Internet search should have turned up four or five potential facilities that you are considering doing business with. Now that you have a top five, you can go through the list by phone. When you call each facility, ask to speak with the manager. On paper, note the willingness to assist you that each person brings to the conversation. Once you have identified yourself as a potential customer, and then begin asking your questions in a friendly, casual way.

There are quite a few questions that you can have answered over the phone. Ask the manager if they have rentals available right now in the size that you are looking for, and would they be available to give you a tour of the grounds and the facility? Note their answer, but do not commit to a time for the tour just yet.

If you are in the market for business services, your search will take you deeper. Ask if they provide access to fax machines, wireless Internet services, a public restroom for your use, or even a conference room. Another important factor when looking to rent a space for business purposes is finding out whether or not they will accept packages and shipments to your unit. These are important features, especially if you plan on doing business out of one of these units. Self storage comparisons may take longer if you are looking for specialized services, but it is worth it when you find a place that is a perfect match.

You may also want to ask the manager some questions in regards to the security of the premises, if this is one of your primary concerns. Do they feature security cameras and if so, do they actually record the activity that they monitor? Or do they require someone to be watching all of the time? Do they offer individual unit alarms? Does the manager or caretaker live on the premises? Do they offer regular professional pest control services, and if so, how often does that take place? These questions, and any others that you feel inclined to ask during your phone conversations, are an important part of the process of self storage comparisons .

You may need to spend a little time going over your notes, but if you have done your work, by the end of these phone conversations you should be able to narrow your choices down to the two companies that best seem to meet all of your needs and requirements. When that has been accomplished and you have the names and addresses of the two companies on your paper, it is time to make a new checklist and proceed to the final step in your self storage comparisons , the walk-in.

The walk-in is just as important in your self storage comparisons as the other two steps, Internet searching and telephone conversations. By now, you have already done much of the head work. Now the leg work begins. Even though you may like the first property that you tour, it is important to go ahead and tour both facilities before making a commitment. You need to be able to see and feel the differences in the environments. The first one may feel good, but the second one may feel even better. Do not short change yourself at this point in the process of self storage comparisons , as you have already done so much to get this far. Take it all the way and see it through. Even if you end up back at the first property, you will feel good knowing that you were thorough in your search.

Before the walk-in, make sure that you prepare yourself. During this final stage of the self storage comparisons , the questions you will be asking will be questions you will ask yourself rather than the other person. If you want, you can take a small notebook along with you to remind you of the things that you will want to look for. It is recommended that you walk in unannounced. You want to be able to see the normal flow of business at the facility. For instance, if you walk into the lobby and smell cigarette smoke, yet there is a large NO SMOKING sign on the door, you will make a note of that. Once you have identified yourself, see if the person behind the counter recognizes you from the earlier phone conversation that you had with them while conducting stage two of your self storage comparisons . If the person recognizes you, are they receptive to your visit? If the person does not recognize you, are they friendly and willing to assist you? Do they have time to talk to you and give you a tour right away?

Making notes in regards to the promptness of customer service is an important aspect of self storage comparisons . You want to do business with friendly, helpful people who will stop what they are doing to assist you, rather than someone who feels burdened by your request or who hesitates or denies you. If the manager or representative agrees to give you a tour right away, then kudos to them for accommodating your request. As you walk the grounds, observe your surroundings. This tour will give you a true feel for the atmosphere of this facility. Take a look at the entry gate. Is it worn? Are the numbers on the keypad legible? Is the gate sturdy and in good condition?

Ask questions if you like. In particular, you may want to ask the person giving you the tour if there have been any break-ins on the property, and if so, what are the details of those events? Even if there has been some criminal activity in the past, do not write the company off. If you listen well, you may find that after the crime occurred the facility tightened up their security system and installed closed circuit television, and there have been no more occurrences. These are the little details that doing self storage comparisons only on the Internet can not provide. This is the human to human interaction that we all crave.

As you are walking the premises, notice the landscaping. Does it look cared for? Or are weeds knee high? If the grass around the units is too high, insects may be more of a problem. What about trash? Is there litter on the premises? How about in the parking area? The entire property should be well kept, free of litter and attractive. If it looks run down, chances are that you will choose another facility.

Another important aspect of your self storage comparisons is to see the exact unit that you will potentially be renting, if at all possible. Ask the manager to give you a tour of the space. Once the door is opened, step inside and give a big sniff. Do you smell any mold? If it is a climate controlled unit, what is the temperature like? Does it feel comfortable? Is the floor in good condition? It should be swept clean and free of dust. If you see any trace of spiders, webs, insects such as moths or roach egg casings or even rodent traps or droppings, it is time to go somewhere else. Do not risk an infestation by storing there. If the unit is free of such messes, however, take a look at the walls. Run your hand down a wall and check for any traces of wetness or moisture. If it is dry as a bone, that is a good sign.

On your way back to the office, check in with yourself and get a sense for what your overall impression of this facility is telling you. Upon the return to the office, inquire about rates, rental agreements and other hidden charges such as lock fees, individual unit alarm fees, and insurance fees. Wrap up the tour and thank them for your time, letting them know how much you appreciate their willingness to assist you in your self storage comparisons .

If you are feeling really peppy, head on over to the second location that you selected in stage two of your self storage comparisons . Otherwise, you may want to wait a day or two before touring the next property. When you go on this second walk-in, note the similarities and differences in the two facilities. Which one feels more comfortable? Which one has better, more attentive customer service? The second tour is usually much more informative than the first one, because you now have something to compare it to. This is why, when doing self storage comparisons , it is important to follow through with at least two walk-ins at the end of your search.

Once both tours have been completed, and you have all of the information that you need, it is time to use your power of choice to determine the end results of your self storage comparisons . In reality, it should not be difficult at this point. You will have a gut feeling, and when faced with a difficult choice, it is sometimes easier, and often more viable, to go with what feels better in your gut rather than to spend time agonizing over the details. By now, your self storage comparisons have led you to the understanding of exactly the type of services that you require and will expect from the company that you choose to give your business to.

Make your choice with full awareness, confidence and information, and stand by it. Know that making a well informed choice, but making it from the heart, is perhaps the most valuable choice that one can ever make. You will be respected for the choice that you have made, and you will have struck up a new relationship with a company that will honor you and value your business. Once you have built a relationship with a trusted company, you will be able to rent a unit in the future without all the research and legwork that it took to find them. It will be like visiting a familiar place or an old friend, when you find you need to rent another unit from your local provider.