The Value Of Space

A few months ago we were wanting to sell our home that we’d lived in for twenty years, a nice sea change we thought.

The idea of getting our home ready for viewing though was daunting. Twenty years of accumulating ‘things’ left us with a full house.

Our Real Estate Agent gave us some invaluable advice that I just had to share. He said, ”People are buying space, not belongings, they want to be able to visualize their own things in the home”.

He told us to de-clutter and simplify.

Feeling even more overwhelmed with the task ahead, I called my local storage facility.  Within minutes of speaking with them I felt relieved and motivated.

This particular storage site had everything I required for a smooth transition, their expertise and experience was second to none.

I was supplied with boxes, packing tape, furniture blankets and bubble wrap. They even recommended a trusted Removalist for when we moved to our seashore home. I felt like our dearly loved belongings were in the hands of true professionals.

I must say, What a difference de-cluttering made. I loved this new look.

Our house sold quickly and the move went well.

Funnily enough, we decided to leave the majority of our ‘dearly loved’ things in storage and then have a  garage sale at the end of the month.

This sea change was just what we needed, but what we love best is our newly acquired Space!

Rupe's Customer Service Advice

I entered the world of Storage King by default.

I was helping a previous employer (Peter Ward of Wendouree Wholesalers) working part time as the Customer Service Manager and also the delivery driver. I was solving clients needs and delivering what they needed. During this time my resume was submitted for a position with Storage King Wendouree. I had no idea what storage was let alone any thought I would be involved five years later.

Customer Service is the key. Listen to your clients. Find out what they are up to. Are they moving house, renovating or getting ready to sell their home? Are they using a removalist or moving themselves? These questions help me find solutions that suit the particular client I am talking to at the time. Everyone is different so each solution must be tailored to the individual with you, or on the phone with you.

Find out what your client needs and solve their problem. Just remember your client may not have any idea of how much is involved or what they are in for so be gentle, be firm but above all be helpful. They may not need or want your help today, however you can be assured they will come back if you look after them.

Melbourne Cup Madness - a Race Fit for Kings

Well its a race that stops a nation. A Race Fit for Kings

All the Glitz and Glamour of the Melbourne Cup has passed for another year. A soggy year at that!!

Yes thats right! Die hard "Cuppers" were at the race in the pouring rain, it had been a week of wet, muddy conditions at Flemington. Hats and fascinators all dripping and wet, champagne bubbling in glasses, fashionistas all vying to be the best dressed and then the hopefuls all hoping that their horse would come in a winner. Some might have mortgaged their homes to place a bet, while others settled for the mystery trifecta at the TAB. All in all some winners and some losers, some people probably lost the shirt off their backs. I am sure of one thing (a little bit like lawyers), the book makers were the real winners on the day.

Cup favourite,  So You Think, trained by the King of the Cup- Bart Cummings only managed to pull off third.  Maluckyday gave all it had and made many one day per year betters happy with a second place. I am not sure about the saying that "on a rainy day back the grey" made many people happy as the grey "Linton" came second last, ouch!

The poor jockey on the cup winner Americain was fined $300 for blowing a kiss to the crowd before winning the race, not even a speck on his winnings and earnings for the day, I suspect! So we have another LEGEND in our midst.

Another cup gone by, a large number of people calling in sick today (self inflicted illness),  and a few people crying in their coffee this morning over what could have been. 

Even though it was  Melbourne Cup Public Holiday many people called through to Storage King wondering if we were open. Like most Australians, Storage King Melbourne is not immune to the Cup Fever  and our  Melbourne stores were closed for the day. A day Fit For Kings - Storage Kings!!

This morning  the people who had chosen not to partake in the Cup action and decided to spring clean their homes may now be looking for a place to store all that stuff that filled their cupboards and garages. Self Storage is by far one of the best options to safely store your prized and cherished possessions.

For those who did mortgage their house on a bet on the cup and came out losers, well you may now need to store your goods whilst you find a new place to live. Luckily,  self storage is a lot cheaper than you think.
Self Storage

Happy Melbourne Cup 2010

Can You believe this New App

Theres an App for That!

Yes its here the Storage King App for I-phone and I-pad ! 

Looking for storage but not sure how much space you need? Storage King has the solution! 

Download our FREE Storage King Storage Calculator App.

Are you downsizing, moving house, or just need to store some of your goods. Well, this new Storage King App is the first of its kind. It allows you to calculate the amount of storage you need and then we have the mobile storage king site to help you locate your nearest store. Storage King is making life so easy for you. You don't need to sit down at your computer. Just have your Iphone or Ipad and the answer is at the touch of a button. 

visit our website for details Storage King

Spring Clean

Check out this story from Aussie Homes blog. Aussie Home Loans

Time to De-clutter to make your home appear bigger and better.

Here are some tips to make your home look larger 

1.  Use same flooring material and color across rooms.  Whenever possible, continue that same surface across rooms. Whatever the surface, try to be consistent wherever possible.

2.  Use lighter colors.  Lighter makes the space look larger.  Same goes for walls.

3.  Use wider planks.  Wider makes the space look larger.  Same goes for - larger tiles make the space look larger.  

4.  Declutter.  The more you can see the floor and walls and space, the cleaner, neater and larger you space will look.   Storage is not as expensive as your think. http://www.storageking.com.au Look into storing big bulky items, old paperwork, books etc anything you don't use regularly such as camping equipment, suitcases, boxes, wine anything! 

Aussie Home Loans

1 in 4 want to move to the country

According to Domain domain news. 1 in 4 people out of 1000 people surveyed in Sydney would consider moving to the country. This is a large number of Sydneysiders considering a move to a rural setting.

Why Sydneysiders move:

• 36 per cent — change of lifestyle and freedom to pursue a dream, slower pace of life, more leisure time and flexibility
• 24 per cent — less stress, improve relationships (more time with family and to raise children), self esteem and personal satisfaction
• 7 per cent — make a new start, move away from family and friends
• 6 per cent — less financial stress, lower cost of living, lower mortgage

This news could be a boost for self storage and a boost in packaging material sales as people relocate they may have a need for moving boxes, storage, removalists and professional advice about moving. 

Domain has this advice for people moving 

How to make your move work

• Decide what your skills are
• Explore what you want to do in your next stage of life — continue in the career you are in or seek a change? 
• Look at your CV and make sure it’s up to date
• Find a town or city that has opportunities for work or business ownership
• Visit in different seasons and spend some long weekends and holidays deciding if the town is for you
• Ask locals what they like and dislike about the town
• Research schools and services
• Once you arrive, get involved in the community

Self Storage Tips

• Remember to sprinkle some naphthalene flakes among your books and clothing for long term storage
• Always pack the items you may need at the front of a storage unit and the large items you will not require at the back
• Do not store or wrap anything in plastic as this can cause humidity and mould
• Pack heavy items and boxes on the bottom.  Nothing should be placed on boxes marked fragile
• Use good packing boxes as they are of uniform size, easier to stack and hold the weight
• Use specialty designed boxes with foam inserts for frames
• Wrap breakables in bubble wrap
• Fridges, freezers and other white goods should be clean and dry before storing, with a deodoriser inside for freshness and the door left slightly ajar
• Stoves and other cooking equipment should be cleaned thoroughly
• Tools should always be cleaned before storage
• Remove batteries from all toys and equipment as leaking batteries can cause permanent damage
• Stack books flat - not on spines, in small cartons
• Computers, televisions and stereos should be packed in its original packaging if available.  Otherwise bubble wrap and good quality cartons will suffice. Fill the gaps with the wrap
• Plates and crockery should be individually wrapped in white paper. Fill all gaps with scrunched paper and label fragile
• Empty wardrobes and drawer units
• Dissemble beds
• Wrap furniture in blankets, not plastic
• Vacuum and clean upholstery and rugs prior to storage
• Wipe chrome and cast iron items with a cloth containing machine oil
• Empty mowers and machinery of fuel and oil to avoid leakage and a fire hazard.  Place on a piece of cardboard
• Store records and CD's on their edge
• Other large items wrap with blankets, bubble wrap or packaging materials.
• As food attracts vermin, most storage facilities will not allow food items to be stored unless in approved containers.  Tupperware appears to be the only approved brand.  Check with the facility before making the decision to store food or your insurance may be void.
• Computer disks should be stored with a specialised storage company designed to keep them safe and secure
• YOU CANNOT STORE IN A STORAGE FACILITY any hazardous materials, combustible materials or aerosols as they have the potential to combust or explode and destroy everything in the warehouse.   Examples are acid, gasoline poisons, charcoal, lighter fluid, fertilizer, paint, batteries, matches, nail polish and remover, ammunition, liquid bleach, aerosols, kerosene, pool chemicals, chemistry sets, fireworks, pesticides, motor oil, paint thinner, loaded weapons, weed killer, ammonia, propane tanks or cleaning fluid

Source: relocating.com.au  

Storage Nationally

Storage King provides National Account Management through their National Accounts Program. This program specialises in providing storage to companies on a ‘Multiple Site’ or ‘National’ level.

Storage King is Australasia’s largest self-storage provider, with interests in Australia, New Zealand & UK. With well over 90 centres located around Australia and boosted by an Alliance Network, Storage King can provide storage in all of Australia’s capital cities and most regional centres.
As well as being able to provide reduced rental rates, the Storage King National Accounts Program includes features aimed at simplifying the process of storing your goods around Australia.

• A National Account Coordinator
• One invoice for the management of your account
• Detailed information supplied to your logistics department and company representatives

Storage King will be able to provide you with safe, secure storage, that is tailored to your needs, conveniently located and above all, cost effective.
We invite you to consider the option of becoming a part of our National Accounts Program. By supplying us with detail of your current storage arrangements, we will be able to analyze your needs and provide you with an alternative that we are sure will benefit you and your company.
To arrange a free, no obligation consultation, simply contact:
Trent Baker 
National Accounts Coordinator
Storage King Pty Ltd
Ph: 07 3801 3331
Fax: 07 3801 3349
Mob: 0421 592 876
Email: nationalaccounts@storageking.com.au

Storage King Discounts

Great offers from Storage King 

Red Hot Deals

Tingalpa 50% off for the first 2 months during October and November  www.storagetingalpa.com.au

Camperdown 30% off for the first 3 months   www.camperdownstorage.com.au

Brooklyn (Victoria) 50% off for the first 3 months & 20% off boxes until the end of October www.storagebrooklyn.com.au

Dandenong South Offices to rent on special from just $110 per week www.storagedandenong.com.au

Chatswood 1st Birthday Special pay one month, get their second month free www.storagechatswood.com.au

Noosa 20% off all units for 3 months until the end of November. (pay the first month to get the deal) www.storagenoosa.com.au

Thomastown 50% off the first month rental and 20% off boxes  www.thomastownstorage.com.au

Dunedin South (NZ) $25 Free Merchandise with anew move in (conditions apply) www.storagedunedin.co.nz

Essendon sign up in October and receive 50% off for the first 2 months www.storageessendon.com

Albion Park Rail  15% off the first months rental when you book in October or November 2010 www.storagealbionpark.com.au

Pymble 50% off the First 3 months with Free Trailer www.storagepymble.com.au

Midland WA - Until the 31^st October we have 50% off the first 3 months if storing for a minimum of 3 months www.storagemidland.com.au

Deer Park 50% off first 3 months storage if you store before the end of October www.storagedeerpark.com.au

Acacis Ridge 50% off first 3 months storage if you store before the end of October www.storageacaciaridge.com.au

Fyshwick 1 months free insurance (terms and conditions apply) www.storagefyshwick.com.au

Storage King on Switzer

Storage King Group - Switzer Interview

www.youtube.com

Michael Tate and David Scanlen from Storage King speak to Peter Switzer of Switzer Financial Planning (SKY Australia)Storage King on Switzer

Self Storage - Great use for Sales Reps

Self storage is the perfect way to   increase or decrease the space you use as often as you like.  In most circumstances the cost of self storage space is more economical than leasing commercial or industrial property for storage and many centres offer ancillary services for their commercial customers like the use of — facsimile machine, photocopy, phone, email and meeting rooms.

Using Self Storage for your sales reps is perfect. They can have the products in a central location to the area in which they cover. That way they are not having to travel back and forth to the warehouse. 

http://www.storageking.com.au

 

All boxed Up

Have you seen Storage Kings great range of packaging products? Use our handy store locator above to find your nearest Storage King. Each store has an online box shop with merchandise and prices. You can order online or visit the store. Storage King make packing your goods simple.

http://www.storageking.com.au/packing.html

Storage King Auckland - Win $2000 cash

http://storageking.co.nz/

Go to the Storage King NZ site and see how you could win $2000 and get free storage.

Hints for packing

The use of Packing accessories such as Cartons, Porta Robes, Paper, Tape, Bubble-wrap and Plastic covers will maintain and protect your goods whilst in storage. A variety of packing accessories is usually available for purchase at a Storage King Facility office. Fill cartons to capacity; partially full or bulging cartons may tip or collapse. Heavy items like books or tools should be packed in small cartons so they are easy to handle. Books should be packed flat, not on their spines. Packing and labelling cartons room by room makes the unpacking much easier, and if you need to find something in storage you will have some idea of which carton to begin looking in.

Packing your goods

Moving home is not a fun chore. And packing of household items is the biggest task which can make you extremely tired and stressful. The best system to take the stress out of home shift is to have a firm & good plan for executing your home shift to a new place. Make a research before you even start to pack boxes or plan for moving trucks to arrive at your home. Here are some important moving packing tips which can make your move easier & smoother and less painful process for you.

Have plenty of packing supplies before you start pack things yourself on your move. This seems like the simplest of packing & moving tips but is much more important than it seems at first glance.

Wrap items carefully using enough layer of wrapping sheets or old newspapers. You can use bubble wraps. After wrapping them, put them box. Do not fill box overweight. Fill empty space of the box with padding materials or waded newspapers which will avoid the risk of damage.

Safety Week

Safe Work Australia Week starts this coming Monday the 24^th October.

You have a chance to win a prize for the best Safety Oriented display to make customers aware of safety.

Just email any member of the NSW OHS Committee a photo of your display for your chance to win!

Looking forward to seeing your entry,

Richard Kamper

Manager,

Storage King Kurnell

http://www.storagesutherland.com.au/

Declutter your home

Use Storage King Merchandise to declutter your home, boxes, wrap, blankets, tape etc... we have it all visit your nearest store for the online box shopStorage King Merchandise 

Storage King for storage solutions - Australia and New Zealand

Storage King has all your storage solutions covered, from self storage car storage, caravan storage, boxes we can help. Visit our website www.storageking.com.au