Self Storage Search Engines Cater to Last Minute Movers

Need to move tomorrow? Are you just starting to pack? Several online self storage search engines and shopping sites now allow people who need to move quickly to reserve a unit and move fast, even if they need to move within a day.

The most recent self storage website to develop fast move-in options is Storitz Inc., which has now made it possible for customers to pay for a unit and move into it within the next 24 hours. Previously, users had to book a unit, and then call or email back and forth with self storage operators to finalize the arrangements. Storitz’ website currently includes storage facilities in 35 states.

“Offering consumers the opportunity to finalize their move-in online offers convenience for the consumer and storage operators alike,” Storitz CEO Adrian Comstock said in today’s Inside Self-Storage. “Consumers will no longer have to wait for office and call-center hours of the storage property operators to nail down the details of renting a unit and prepare for the move because Storitz provides all of those details online.”

StorageFront, an Internet marketing company headquartered in Kansas City, lists storage facilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, but does not allow customers to rent online. StorageFront added real-time booking and reservation tracking to its website a few weeks ago. The new option allows renters to book the units online and gives facility owners and operators the ability to change prices and track reservations.

Storage Seeker offers a similar service, giving storage customers the chance to comparison shop for storage and find the best deals. However, Storage Seeker does not allow customers to rent online. Instead, customers can choose to receive a free quote from a facility.

StorageFront and Storage Seeker both allow customers to print and redeem Internet coupons for storage discounts.

Self storage customers who have a particular storage facility in mind may also be able to go online to that facility’s website and reserve a unit from the self storage company directly. Many company websites offer tenants the option to reserve and rent units online, and may also offer Internet discounts and the ability to move in within a day.

Sources used:

“Advanced self-storage comparison shopping engine.” Inside Self-Storage. March 24, 2010.

StorageFront.

“StorageFront adds rental capability to online self-storage directory.” Inside Self-Storage. Aug. 16, 2010.

Storage Seeker.

Storitz.

“Storitz Inc. launches self-storage comparison-shopping directory.” Inside Self-Storage. Sept. 3, 2010.