[marincounty]

If you have to rent a storage unit get the smallest unit, and get rid of it quick. I used to work for this thieving industry. The owners know once you move your stuff in; they have a customer for life. As you get older you will accumulate some good stuff, but make sure it can all fit in a closet sized unit. Keep tools of your trade. Keep valuable jewelry, and silver. As for books, it's my sore spot--I have a small library. If I needed to part with them, and I just might ave too, I'd keep a valuable first editions, and two milk crates full of must have refrence books. The indusrtry is a slimy business. The owners take advantage of hoarders, sedimental types, and the desperate. They literally have industry seminars where they discuss making more money on late fees. The also ask for your S.S. number when renting(I think that is illegial?). Don't take your frustrations out on the country guy--he's just a low paid worker. If you do plan on skipping out on the highest per square foot rent in the world--get your stuff out before the lock goes on. Use their dumpster and throw 90 percent of your garbage out. Yes--most of you store garbage. Women store to many linens, books, and Chinese made furniture, and the inherited sewing machine(keep the machine, throw away the cabinet). Men store too many redundant tools, or huge tools they never use. Keep the suitcase Tig/stick welder. You don't need three welders. Keep the Snap-on tools, but sell the huge cabinet. Sell all antiques, and give away the cheap furniture including the matress. Everyone seems to cling to there matress? My final thought--sit down and roughly figure out how much your stuff is worth. Figure out how many months if rent will replace your possessions? For 95 percent of you it's a couple of months rent. Good luck. Oh yea, I would like to see all rents due on the first of the month. They prorate on the date you move in. Why--so you will forget to ake you payment, and have to pay a late charge. Forgo the rental insurance. Sue the mini storage in small claims court if they slip up in any fashion( I.e. have video cameras, but don't have the tape of your unit being broken into. As to the mini storage owners--yes--you are extorting people at a very stressful time in their lives; you are just like pawn Shop Owners. When you filthy Lookers are counting your ill gotten gains, keep Sundays open, and drop by a local church--you might hear something interesting.