Public Storage privately hides their rent hikes in the fine print.

So you’ve just busted your butt negotiating an expensive but fair price to store your stuff at Public Storage in Seattle, Washington. It’s only for a couple of months, right? And it’s only $71 per month for a 5 x 5. Cool.

But wait. Four months later, that $71 now shows up as $91 in your online bank statements.

You call Public Storage to ask about their increased bill, and what do they tell you? 

Public Storage: “It’s in the contract you signed.”

You: “What? That contract was like 20 or more pages long, and it was a few minutes before closing. I expected my online sales person to disclose all rent costs to me when I called them for a quote. I was never told that the monthly rate would go up after three months…”

Public Storage: “It was your responsibility to read the contract before you signed it.”

You: “Your online salesman  said nothing about a rate increase after only three months…And neither did you…We shook hands…”

Public Storage: “Dial tone.” 

The local Public Storage employee literally hung up on you.

Your call to Public Storage’s 800 number got you nowhere, as they said they were powerless to help.

Your voicemail for Public Storage’s regional manager went unanswered.

Conclusion: You form the strong opinion Public Storage represents a bunch of unethical thieves and their handshake is meaningless.

Tip for Public Storage: Public Storage in Seattle should be more public, forthcoming and transparent, and not so private about their billing practices. People generally expect a business to verbally disclose key information, especially pricing, prior to entering into an agreement – especially when pricing is specifically requested by the consumer. By Public Storage hiding their pricing increases in the fine print, deep in a contract, it comes off as if they are trying to deceive their customers.