Life Storage in Costa Mesa, California is without question the biggest failure to exist in the self storage industry today. Their website is littered with dozens of lies, promoting their top of the line surviellance equiptment, their secure passcode protected entrances, insane amounts of lighting for safety, and helpful proactive employees who only care about keeping your belongings safe. Lie, Lie, Lie, Lie!
Not one of those promises were kept when I made the unfortunate decision to rent a storage unit with Life Storage. The Costa Mesa location is disgusting, crime ridden, favorite destination of vagrants and homeless drug users. It is the "skid row" of storage facilities. Combined with the bottom of the barrel employees who are lazy, unprofessional, rude, useless human beings.
Before I even received my first bill, I was the victim of commercial commerical burglary. Unfortunately my entire life was in this storage unit: all my sentinmental/irreplaceable items, my hand made/one of a kind art projects, etc. I also had my entire inventory for my online retail business there- all the designer clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, high end electronics, art supplies, sports memorabilla, rare/vintage items, all stolen.
I knew the crime must have occurred in a short 12 hour period because I had been at my unit the night before and everything was locked/secured.
After filing a police report, I informed the manager of my loss (valued at almost $10,000) and he didn't offer any assistance or show any signs of concern (he only seemed concerned with taking my money and only offered me my first bill as well as the option to move to a new unit). I requested the video footage from their numerous security cameras for the very short time period (12 hours max) so I can check for my large teal cabinet, my suitcases/storage bins full of stuff assuming they would easily be spotted especially if the crime did occur after hours, but the manager refused and was almost defensive and annoyed when I asked.
Life Storage ignored my calls, emails, and were disrespectful, unprofessional, and completely useless. I had to pay them after all my belongings were stolen from me. The Costa Mesa location had dozens of random people sleeping in cars at night in the pitch black parking lot, with jammed open gates, video cameras that didn't work the entire time I stored my items there, trash/cut locks/rotting dead rats and more all over the property. (There was a dead rat in the hall on the route to my unit smashed on the ground that sat there for at least 6 months). Biggest rip off I have ever experienced in my lifetime.
1.) no one is in the office ever. Or they are there taking pnline college prep classes and the office is closed 90 % of the time. This costed me 30 dollars in extra day rental of loaded trailer when i went to enter the place the first time. They also list wrong number on office door, it just goes to menu selection for national answering service.
2.) They dont send any emails about rent being due, hoping you wont notice and they get extra fees. They are able to automate the whole checkin process online to get your business, but they select no emails by default, have to opt in. Pretty slimy. Ill remember this when i checkout.
3. There is stores nearby with dumpsters and the rats run all over this place next store to the dumpsters.
4. There is a giant hill to go up with your vehcile and everything in your moving truck or trailer shifts when going up the steep hill. Sometimes door wont open on trucks. They just built this place on the cheapest crappiest land they could find.
5. Unit was supposed to be 85 dollars when i moved in, 1 month later its up to 88 dollars.
Horrible company! Loved them when they were Uncle Bob's, but they are bigger now with NO regard to customers.
I called a location in Seminole, Fl and talked to Pete-sweet man. THis is NOT about him! I have 8 bins and a doggy door that a friend was storing but it now needs to go into a storage unit. I am out of town now, so Pete was going to fax me the paperwork to sign, but he didn't know how to print the papers. He tried and next day, still didn't know what to do. No problem-I called corporate. Lisa in Escalations suggested I call a local store. I called Cicero and Cathy called Pete to help him fax the papers to her. I would then go in and sign and she would fax back over-done.
I told Cathy I would come between 9-9:30 AM. I said I had to be in Rochester, NY by 9 but HAD to get this done, so I would be in a rush. Cathy said no worries. I gave her my #. Go there at 9:20-she was GONE! Sign said back at 10:15! So, I called corporate. I wasn't going nuts, although I had been trying to get this done for 4 days, but said I need to contact her now. I was put on hold and reached 7 people, all who offered no help and I was finally hung up on. Yes, now I am upset. I kept calling-hang ups.
Cathy showed up at 10:15 and I ran in stating, I wish I got a call, Cathy. You know I am in a rush. I didn't yell, but she went off like mad on me. Not an I am sorry, nothing but, "I have a job too! you aren't the only one!" She had to call Fl to get the fax that she apparently didn't have afterall, got it, slammed it down and I filled it out. I got a call from work, as I was very late and it brought me to tears...she showed no concern. I finished and as I left said, I was just looking for an apology. This could cost me my job. She then admitted she was rushed and forgot about me...okay...human...I get it! That would have been far better than the attitude.
She gave me my papers and said they fax went through to Pete in Fl. I called Pete. Stewart said he was out for an extended time and no, no fax. I tried to call Cathy-nothing. I couldn't get through. I called corporate and was transferred altogether to 17 people! THey all argued, laughed and a Supervisor swore at me and hung up!
I finally reached Cathy by calling on a different phone, which told me she was ignoring my calls. She read me a note that s tated Life Storage would not do business with me.
I am awaiting major surgery! I NEED this taken care of! It takes 4 DAYS and a lot of abuse. And they cancelled me! I lost it, I admit and Cathy was not happy, but she was angry and threw me under the bus!
I ahve been promised all kinds of call backs from Regional Manager, corporate ... nothing. The last Supervisor I got told me I hadn't talked to that many people and told me I didn't have a right to disrespect her! Really? STEER CLEAR! Uncle Bob's is GONE! Life storage HATES it's customers!
Life Storage Reviews
Life Storage in Costa Mesa, California is without question the biggest failure to exist in the self storage industry today. Their website is littered with dozens of lies, promoting their top of the line surviellance equiptment, their secure passcode protected entrances, insane amounts of lighting for safety, and helpful proactive employees who only care about keeping your belongings safe. Lie, Lie, Lie, Lie!
Not one of those promises were kept when I made the unfortunate decision to rent a storage unit with Life Storage. The Costa Mesa location is disgusting, crime ridden, favorite destination of vagrants and homeless drug users. It is the "skid row" of storage facilities. Combined with the bottom of the barrel employees who are lazy, unprofessional, rude, useless human beings.
Before I even received my first bill, I was the victim of commercial commerical burglary. Unfortunately my entire life was in this storage unit: all my sentinmental/irreplaceable items, my hand made/one of a kind art projects, etc. I also had my entire inventory for my online retail business there- all the designer clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, high end electronics, art supplies, sports memorabilla, rare/vintage items, all stolen.
I knew the crime must have occurred in a short 12 hour period because I had been at my unit the night before and everything was locked/secured.
After filing a police report, I informed the manager of my loss (valued at almost $10,000) and he didn't offer any assistance or show any signs of concern (he only seemed concerned with taking my money and only offered me my first bill as well as the option to move to a new unit). I requested the video footage from their numerous security cameras for the very short time period (12 hours max) so I can check for my large teal cabinet, my suitcases/storage bins full of stuff assuming they would easily be spotted especially if the crime did occur after hours, but the manager refused and was almost defensive and annoyed when I asked.
Life Storage ignored my calls, emails, and were disrespectful, unprofessional, and completely useless. I had to pay them after all my belongings were stolen from me. The Costa Mesa location had dozens of random people sleeping in cars at night in the pitch black parking lot, with jammed open gates, video cameras that didn't work the entire time I stored my items there, trash/cut locks/rotting dead rats and more all over the property. (There was a dead rat in the hall on the route to my unit smashed on the ground that sat there for at least 6 months). Biggest rip off I have ever experienced in my lifetime.
5 problems
1.) no one is in the office ever. Or they are there taking pnline college prep classes and the office is closed 90 % of the time. This costed me 30 dollars in extra day rental of loaded trailer when i went to enter the place the first time. They also list wrong number on office door, it just goes to menu selection for national answering service.
2.) They dont send any emails about rent being due, hoping you wont notice and they get extra fees. They are able to automate the whole checkin process online to get your business, but they select no emails by default, have to opt in. Pretty slimy. Ill remember this when i checkout.
3. There is stores nearby with dumpsters and the rats run all over this place next store to the dumpsters.
4. There is a giant hill to go up with your vehcile and everything in your moving truck or trailer shifts when going up the steep hill. Sometimes door wont open on trucks. They just built this place on the cheapest crappiest land they could find.
5. Unit was supposed to be 85 dollars when i moved in, 1 month later its up to 88 dollars.
Horrible company! Loved them when they were Uncle Bob's, but they are bigger now with NO regard to customers.
I called a location in Seminole, Fl and talked to Pete-sweet man. THis is NOT about him! I have 8 bins and a doggy door that a friend was storing but it now needs to go into a storage unit. I am out of town now, so Pete was going to fax me the paperwork to sign, but he didn't know how to print the papers. He tried and next day, still didn't know what to do. No problem-I called corporate. Lisa in Escalations suggested I call a local store. I called Cicero and Cathy called Pete to help him fax the papers to her. I would then go in and sign and she would fax back over-done.
I told Cathy I would come between 9-9:30 AM. I said I had to be in Rochester, NY by 9 but HAD to get this done, so I would be in a rush. Cathy said no worries. I gave her my #. Go there at 9:20-she was GONE! Sign said back at 10:15! So, I called corporate. I wasn't going nuts, although I had been trying to get this done for 4 days, but said I need to contact her now. I was put on hold and reached 7 people, all who offered no help and I was finally hung up on. Yes, now I am upset. I kept calling-hang ups.
Cathy showed up at 10:15 and I ran in stating, I wish I got a call, Cathy. You know I am in a rush. I didn't yell, but she went off like mad on me. Not an I am sorry, nothing but, "I have a job too! you aren't the only one!" She had to call Fl to get the fax that she apparently didn't have afterall, got it, slammed it down and I filled it out. I got a call from work, as I was very late and it brought me to tears...she showed no concern. I finished and as I left said, I was just looking for an apology. This could cost me my job. She then admitted she was rushed and forgot about me...okay...human...I get it! That would have been far better than the attitude.
She gave me my papers and said they fax went through to Pete in Fl. I called Pete. Stewart said he was out for an extended time and no, no fax. I tried to call Cathy-nothing. I couldn't get through. I called corporate and was transferred altogether to 17 people! THey all argued, laughed and a Supervisor swore at me and hung up!
I finally reached Cathy by calling on a different phone, which told me she was ignoring my calls. She read me a note that s tated Life Storage would not do business with me.
I am awaiting major surgery! I NEED this taken care of! It takes 4 DAYS and a lot of abuse. And they cancelled me! I lost it, I admit and Cathy was not happy, but she was angry and threw me under the bus!
I ahve been promised all kinds of call backs from Regional Manager, corporate ... nothing. The last Supervisor I got told me I hadn't talked to that many people and told me I didn't have a right to disrespect her! Really? STEER CLEAR! Uncle Bob's is GONE! Life storage HATES it's customers!