Public Storage review: may end up as a bait-and-switch 8

I agree about the bait and switch!

Public Storage certainly appears to use bait and switch tactics. The sales reps at the physical locations say that they don't have internet, so they can't see the prices and therefore won't honor them. They also claim that they can't hold a unit that was reserved online. Then they offer you another unit for slightly higher price.

Agree - no customer gets the first month for $1!.
we are investigating this and also gate lockouts & excessive late fees and appreciate all comments.
Dale Washington, Attorney [protected] washington.dale@gmail.com

The law firm of Berger & Montague, P.C., located in Philadelphia PA, is currently investigating unfair and deceptive trade practices involving this business, including excessive termination fees. If you have any information concerning this company's termination procedures or practices, please contact Kim Walker toll free at [protected] or [protected], or by e-mail: info@bm.net. For more information about this case, visit our website www.bergermontague.com.

Berger & Montague, P.C., attorneys are licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, and some of our attorneys are licensed to practice in additional jurisdictions, including New York, Florida, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C., California and Connecticut. Our firm litigates cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. On occasions where the firm practices in jurisdictions in which one of our attorneys is not licensed, we associate with that court on a "for that case only" basis and/or associate with locally licensed counsel.

Advertising Material

GO See my "pissed consumer.com" public storage complaint posted 04/09/15 its about the same as everyone else, but with an "Ignore them " twist. Got less than two weeks to fix a situation (no written notice, but a hate filled tirade on the phone where I was using computer) NOW their ears are covered, their eyes are shut, they are saying over and over Who? who are you? in person I marched in, and proved my key fit the lock, how did I do it if I am not at that Pomona Ca facility ? Yes, it is so wrong to lie and say I don't rent there. They want your money and your spare change. By the way, Charging you to pay( And making it the only way to pay) MUST BE ILLEGAL. Period.

We were baited ans switched. We signed up online for $158 / month. I asked at the store in person if this was an introductory rate and we were told that sometimes the rates might go up "like after a year or something, but usually only by like $5 dollars." Obviously I wasn't comfortable with this answer so I read every word of our agreement and there was no language citing that this was an introductory rate, nothing specifying a time frame for a rate increase, or any other verbiage of the sort. Six months in, I notice my AMEX is getting auto-hit for $199. I'd say $41 is a little more than "like $5 dollars." Pure bait and switch from a company that pays its CEO $7.5MM per year+. Awful and stressful experience. It's said that they have to resort to unfair and deceptive practices such as this. Public Storage has so many units and so many properties, grabbing $100+ from every one of those units is more than enough to enrich themselves, but instead they run a highly competitive sales game with districts and regions, and focus solely on the bottom line, which unfortunately, gives them the peace of mind to screw people.

18VAC135-20-300. Misrepresentation/Omission.

Actions constituting misrepresentation or omission, or both, include:

1. Using "bait and switch" tactics by advertising or offering real property for sale or rent with the intent not to sell or rent at the price or terms advertised, unless the advertisement or offer clearly states that the property advertised is limited in specific quantity or for a specified time period and the licensee did in fact have at least that quantity for sale or rent at that price or terms at the time of advertising;

2. Failure by a licensee representing a seller or landlord as a standard agent to disclose in a timely manner to a prospective purchaser or tenant all material adverse facts pertaining to the physical condition of the property which are actually known by the licensee;

3. Failing as a licensee to tender promptly to the buyer and seller every written offer, every written counteroffer, and every written rejection to purchase, option or lease obtained on the property involved;

4. Failure by a licensee acting as an agent to disclose in a timely manner to the licensee's client all material facts related to the property or concerning the transaction when the failure to so disclose would constitute failure by the licensee to exercise ordinary care as defined in the brokerage agreement;

5. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 4 of this section, a licensee acting as a dual representative shall not disclose to one client represented in the dual representation confidential information relating to the transaction obtained during the representation of another client in the same dual representation unless otherwise provided by law;

6. Failing to include the complete terms and conditions of the real estate transaction, including but not limited to any lease, property management agreement or offer to purchase;

7. Failing to include in any application, lease, or offer to purchase identification of all those holding any deposits;

8. Knowingly making any false statement or report, or willfully misstating the value of any land, property, or security for the purpose of influencing in any way the action of any lender upon:

a. Applications, advance discounts, purchase agreements, repurchase agreements, commitments or loans;

b. Changes in terms or extensions of time for any of the items listed in this subdivision 8 whether by renewal, deferment of action, or other means without the prior written consent of the principals to the transaction;

c. Acceptance, release, or substitution of security for any of the items listed in subdivision 8 a of this section without the prior written consent of the principals to the transaction;

9. Knowingly making any material misrepresentation; and

10. Making a false promise through agents, salespersons, advertising, or other means.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2105 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR585-01-1 § 6.11, eff. July 15, 1987; amended, Volume 05, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1989; Volume 07, Issue 14, eff. May 15, 1991; Volume 08, Issue 13, eff. May 15, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 18, eff. June 28, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2008; Volume 31, Issue 26, eff. November 1, 2015.

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.

Key sentence:

"unless the advertisement or offer clearly states that the property advertised is limited in specific quantity or for a specified time period"

Public storage omits this information from their sham agreements, and in our case, lied to us about it in person."