Merry Christmas

From all of us at Plantation Storage, we would like to wish all of our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We truly appreciate your patronage and look forward to continue providing you with the best storage experience possible in the new year.

Merriment with a Mission

For those of us who don't live there, it's easy to think of Myrtle Beach as an affluent tourist town, where the ultra-rich enjoy frequent, leisurely strolls along the shore and luxurious evenings filled with fine dining, dancing, and other social pleasures. But Bill and Lisa Trinemeyer, managers for Plantation Storage's Myrtle Beach store, know that's not always the case. Like any other community in America, the Myrtle Beach/Carolina Forest area has pockets of poverty. Hardest hit, of course, are the children--many of whom frequently do without even the basics, such as decent clothing, food, and supplies needed for school. Though area public schools are able to provide some assistance, through the federally-funded free-and-reduced lunch program and health care assistance plans like Healthy Learners, these resources are limited. Additional support is desperately needed to see these children through--particularly on weekends, when hunger is a frenquent, unwelcome visitor.

That's where Backpack Buddies comes in. Backpack Buddies is a program launched by Help 4 Kids SC, an organization established in 1989 by caring Horry County citizens who were determined to help Hurricane Hugo survivors put their lives back together following the storm's devastation. During the process, these enterprising individuals met many underprivileged children, struggling for their very survival. So once Help 4 Kids' post-Hugo mission was accomplished, they narrowed their focus to providing basic necessities for children of the working poor in Horry County. These days, Backpack Buddies volunteers pack up over 500 snack packs per week, to be delivered to schools and homes of the area's poverty-stricken children. But these hearty volunteers couldn't succeed without some help. This year, Plantation Storage in Carolina Forest has gladly partnered with the Backpack Buddies program and 23 other local businesses, to host a community scavenger hunt designed to raise funds for the "buddy" backpacks--as well as the food, school supplies, shoes, and clothing needed to fill them.

The scavenger hunt, which is set for September 18, 2010, begins at 10:00 a.m., at Medieval Times, where all the participants in the hunt will sign up and pay a $5.00 entrance fee. Once "hunters" are registered, they will be given maps of the area, so they'll know which businesses to visit along the route, in order to complete their scavenger hunt. Plantation Storage, a designated scavenger hunt checkpoint, will award participants who stop at their store the chance to enter a drawing for a $50 gift card. At the conclusion of the hunt, scavengers will meet back at Medieval Times for the event finale--a festive awards ceremony, complete with music, prizes, and something to munch on, for those so inclined.

If you would like to participate in this event or make a donation to the Backpack Buddies program, please get in touch with Barb Mains of Help 4 Kids SC. Mail-in donations may be directed to: 12053-B Highway 17 Bypass, South Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576. Phone-in gifts may be made by calling: 843-651-4310. E-mail questions should be directed to: tmains@sc.rr.com. To learn more about Backpack Buddies or Help 4 Kids SC, check out their website: http://help4kidssc.org/mission.html. For more information on the Medieval Times concluding event, please contact Jennifer Willard by phone: 843-236-4635, extension 2703 or e-mail: jennifer.willard@medievaltimes.com .

And don't forget to join Plantation Storage for the Scavenger Hunt:
WHAT: Backpack Buddies Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Medieval Times (2904 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
WHO: anyone can participate
HOW MUCH: $5 per person
WHY: to clothe, feed, and provide school supplies for impoverished Horry County children

Hope to see YOU there!

Submitted by
Anne Youngblood
Assistant Manager/Public Relations
Hardscrabble Road, Columbia facility

K, C, and the Sunshine Plan

Forest Gump was right. Some things DO naturally go together, "just like peas and carrots." Some people do too. Nowhere is this ever more evident than with our Sparkleberry Lane store's newly-formed management team, comprised of manager Karen Frazier and assistant manager Colleen Wood.

Karen, whose affiliation with Plantation is now in its second year, has been capably "holding down the fort" since early summer, when our dear friend Brad, was lured away by other opportunities. Karen's sixteen years of management experience make her an excellent fit for our service-driven industry in general, and the Plantation family in particular. Though she has California roots, she has clearly cultivated her own brand of Southern charm over the last ten years that she and her family have called the Palmetto State 'home.'

We are also delighted to have Colleen Wood, another former Plantation employee, back on board as the facility's new assistant manager. Colleen left Summerville, South Carolina to join us, and brought with her nearly ten years of experience in self-storage, making her a gold mine of industry knowledge. Her quick, dry wit hints at a possible British heritage, but whether or not she's truly from "across the pond," we may never know. Colleen does, however, admit to being the proud parent of five adult children. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her two canine "children," Panda (a Japanese Chin) and China (a Pekingese).

So why do Karen and Colleen make such a perfect pair? That question is best answered by the Sparkleberry facility's customers, who often comment on this team's cheery good nature, high-quality customer service, and natural ability to coax a smile onto even the grumpiest of faces. One of their customers recently remarked, "Coming to the store each month to pay my bill is a special treat. Every time I leave, it's with a smile on my face. Those girls are like a ray of sunshine in my day!"

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Hardscrabble to Host "Deal, Squeal, Meal, and Heal" Event

The kids are back in school in Columbia, and our Hardscrabble Road store is celebrating with its Fall Yard Sale and Back-to-School Bash! Be sure to join our crew on Saturday, September, 18, 2010, from 9:00am until 2:00pm for this fun, annual event.

Area Boy Scouts will kick off the day, welcoming sellers, shoppers, students, teachers, and other community guests. You can get started shopping at 9:00 with one of the many vendors who will be on site that day. Sellers will be joined shortly thereafter by officers of the Richland County Sheriff's Department (including the famous 9-foot-tall deputy!), who will register children for the Kid ID child safety program and show off their cool DARE truck.

When lunchtime rolls around, there's no need to go out or head home for your mid-day meal. Mr. Sam Caskey, award winning grill-master, will begin selling his mouth-watering barbeque at 11:00am. Advance orders, which may be purchased at the store for only $5 each, include: a barbeque pork sandwich, fresh homemade cole slaw, chips, and a drink of your choice. The day-of-sale price is $6 per plate.

Plantation will also unveil its brand-new "Color the City" coloring book at the extravaganza. This unique work of art features original, black line sketches of Columbia's most prominent landmarks, created by art students from Ridge View High School, under the guidance of their talented teacher, Mr. Chris Nostrant. A true collaboration between Ridge View and Plantation, these coloring books will be presented as gifts to new elementary school students in the Northeast Columbia community. Plantation Storage and its commercial customers also look forward to honoring the hard-working students and teachers of Northeast Columbia with door prizes, which will be awarded throughout the day.

And in recognition of those in our community who need a little extra help, Plantation is leading the charge by accepting donations for two different groups throughout the day:

* We are well aware that, with the recent economic downturn, many children in the Northeast Columbia community may have started school this year without the supplies they need to succeed. This being the case, Plantation is working to help these young learners by accepting school supply donations, which will be given to public schools in the area for distribution. For a list of supplies or to find out how you can help, please call or drop by our office on 4411 Hardscrabble Road any day during business hours (Monday through Saturday, 9am-6pm).

* Our Columbia stores are once again thrilled to partner with The Muscular Dystrophy Association in the battle against numerous degenerative muscular diseases. We encourage you to join us, by dropping off a cash or check (made payable to MDA). Those who do so will be added to our "MDA Wall of Fame," at the store. For additional details about what you can do to support this year's campaign, feel free to call either of our Columbia locations: (Sparkleberry store) 803-699-6600 or (Hardscrabble store) 803-865-8535.

So whether you're looking to make a deal, hear a squeal (of excitement), grab a great meal, or help someone heal, we have it all for you during Plantation Storage's Fall Yard Sale and Back-to-School Bash!

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Ball's In Our Court

As self storage professionals, we have become accustomed to a constant state of transition. Customers come and go all the time as they work through major life changes such as moving from one home to another, adjusting to a military change of station, or dealing with excess personal property acquired after the passing of a loved one.

So when we face changes ourselves, we tend to “roll with the punches,” as they say. Such is the case at our Bluffton facility, which welcomed its newest team member, Elaine Ball, late last month. A long-time friend of Plantation Storage and Southeast Management Company, Elaine comes to us from Knoxville, Tennessee, though her roots lie in Virginia Beach, where she has spent most of her adult life.

With over 15 years in management—several of which were specific to property management—it is easy to appreciate why she was chosen to fill the vacancy. Though only less than a month into her new role, Ms. Ball’s years of experience in the industry are already proving indispensable. Though she enjoys and feels most comfortable with the managerial aspects of her job, one of her favorite parts of the new position is the opportunity to work with people.

The facility’s co-manager, Maureen Letendre, who has worked with the company off-and-on ever since the Chase family acquired the facility, is also a recent hire, coming back to work after taking a few years off for family. Originally a native of New York, Maureen now calls Sun City home.

So to Elaine and Maureen, from the rest of the Plantation family, we extend a hearty "Welcome (or welcome back). We’re thrilled you’re here!"

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Here We Grow Again!

The sweltering heat of summer may have slowed progress for some folks, but not for Plantation Storage. The latest round of construction at our Myrtle Beach store has been moving right along and will soon be complete. Responding to overwhelming customer demand, Plantation’s newest facility is adding forty-nine more units—all in the most popular sizes. When asked about the expansion, site manager Bill Trinemeyer remarked, “More and more people are making their way south to enjoy life at the beach. Transitions like these are often accompanied by an increased need for storage space, which is why our smaller units have been renting like hotcakes! We are thrilled to be able to provide more space for our new friends moving into the Carolina Forest area and surrounding communities.”

Upon completion, the new addition will offer a total of thirty-three climate-controlled spaces and sixteen standard ones, ranging in size from 5’x5’ (25 square feet) to 10’x15’ (150 square feet). This latest project is the second of five phases of construction the facility has planned to meet the ever-expanding needs of Myrtle Beach customers. Bill’s wife and co-manager, Lisa, shares her husband’s enthusiasm about the facility’s growth, “The new building should be finished sometime around the end of the month. We are very excited about it and can hardly wait to meet all our new neighbors here at Carolina Forest!”

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Our Hidden Hero

In spite of a faltering economy and ever-expanding unemployment rate, the Southeast Management/ Plantation Storage family is standing strong--refusing to waiver from its commitment to offer the high-quality self storage, a wide selection of packing supplies, exceptional customer service, and expert property management for which it is so well known.

This "customers come first" approach actually has its roots with SEM/Plantation's home office team, made up of owner Charles Chase and chief financial officer, Wendy Ashburn. In spite of his "captain of the (company) ship" position, Mr. Chase confesses that much of Southeast Management’s success is attributable to Mrs. Ashburn’s behind-the-scenes efforts. For more than two decades, Wendy has served as Charles’ “gal Friday,” attending to a myriad of administrative details such as: financial resources analysis and oversight, human resources and payroll, and various other office management tasks.

Staff members at the four company-owned facilities clearly appreciate Ms. Ashburn’s helpfulness and dedication as well. Colleen Wood, long-time relief manager for the Sparkleberry Lane facility in Columbia, recently gushed, “Wendy is an absolute sweetheart! She's extremely knowledgeable, highly competent, unfailingly helpful, and has a marvelous sense of humor. No matter what we need, she's always ready and willing to help.” Vice President of Operations, March Chase, echoes these sentiments, describing Wendy as “a great sounding board,” who is “wiser than all of us put together.”

Though it hasn’t always been easy to juggle the many responsibilities required by her position with the company, that doesn’t seem to be a deterrent for Ms. Ashburn, who readily admits that facing and conquering new challenges is her very favorite part of the job. Now you know why we call Wendy the "hidden hero" of Southeast Management Company and Plantation Storage!

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Buh Bye in Bluffton

Every so often, you meet a manager who knows how to take things to the next level--a guy or gal who appears to have no trouble at all setting and meeting only the highest of standards in the industry. This is the kind of manager small business owners dream about: a respectful and kind customer service representative, an adept and personable salesperson, a flawless communicator, and a splendid time manager--who can juggle it all with a smile on her face! Louise Barnholdt, long-time manager of our Bluffton store, is just such an individual. Throughout her years as a member of the Plantation family, Louise has become a poster child, if you will, for what excellence in our industry looks like.

For this reason--and so many others--we are quite sad to report that Louise will soon be leaving us. Unfortunately for us, her skills have been noticed by more than one person elsewhere in the self storage industry. And just like a scout watching a talented young quarterback at a spring scrimmage, another East Coast property management company has come come along and offered her a district manager position, worthy of her exceptional skills. While we will most certainly miss her (Who wouldn't?), we wish her nothing but the best as she steps into this challenging, new role.

In the meantime, we are quite fortunate to have a well-rounded staff of other, highly-capable self storage professionals who have kindly offered to step in and "mind the store" until our new manager arrives. Bud Wien, manager of our Hardscrabble Road facility in Columbia, brings years of property management experience and a no-nonsense attitude to doing whatever it takes to help our customers with their storage needs. Bill Trinemeyer, of our Myrtle Beach management team, is recognized throughout the industry for his creative, multi-faceted approach to marketing exceptional self storage facilities like ours. He also has a marvelous dry wit that could even make Oscar the Grouch grin! If you have a moment to stop in, they'd love to meet our loyal Bluffton customers. And if any of you would like to jot a quick note to Louise, we'll be sure to pass it along.

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager

Plantation-Hardscrabble, Columbia

Plantation Storage welcomes
its new management duo

BY MAEGEN SWEAT
FOR THE CHRONICLE


From the Sunshine State to the Palmetto State, Plantation Storage in Carolina Forest
welcomes the husband and wife management duo of Bill and Lisa Trinemeyer.Plantation Storage has been in the area for two years, and is well known for excellence. So far, the Trinemeyers are continuing that same path.Charles Chase, owner of Plantation Storage, says the facility won recognition as the new facility of the year in 2008 in Mini-Storage Messenger, a “fairly coveted award.” Having been in the selfstorage industry for the past four years, the Trinemeyers bring a sense of renewed management to the business said March Chase, director of
operations. “They are very competent.They came on board the end of April, and in that short time they have increased the facility’s occupancy by 10 percent which is pretty phenomenal. We feel extremely confident with a new facility coming along that they have the ability to fill that out for us as well and take it to the next level,” March Chase said. As far as personalities, the two managers have different styles but work together extremely well.“Bill is the marketing guru, he likes to get out and interact. Lisa has an accounting background. She is a very confident individual, and is very smart and quick,” March Chase said. It’s not hard to see why
Chase has such confidence in the Trinemeyers. Coming out of Orlando, Fla., Bill
Trinemeyer was named the marketing manager of the year at United Stor-All in
2008 and the facility manager for 2009. “It’s a service. You have to offer your customers better service than your competition. You have to know the community and be involved,” Bill Trinemeyer said. “We’re in Carolina Forest, this facility has to meet the same standards, and we bring quality customer service.” Since their move to the area, the Trinemeyers have made every effort to get involved with the community. They have been involved with the Carolina Forest Civic Association, the Myrtle
Beach Apartment Association as well as Old Coots on Scoots. “We want to let the communityknow who we are. We want people to feel like we are part of their neighborhood and not just a store on the road. We’ve helped at some of the local non-profit organizations. Even if they just need us to help move something, we’re there to offer our help,” Bill Trinemeyer said. Lisa Trinemeyer said thinks people in the Carolina Forest community are much friendlier and laid back than those in Florida. “People in Florida are very high strung and on-the-go. They [people in Carolina Forest]are friendly and will say ‘hello,’ and it’s a beautiful part of town. We have been very impressed,” Lisa Trinemeyer said. The Trinemeyers said they’ve become ambassadors to the area. “We do get a lot of people coming into the area that we’re the first person they call. We’re both military brats and have lived all over. It is nice when someone comes in from a town we’ve actually lived in,” Lisa Trinemeyer said. As well as being a storage unit, Plantation Storage is a
UPS shipping point. They also have a free move-in truck available, as well as a conference room with free wi-fi access. For more information about Plantation
Storage, visit www.plantationstorage.com or call 903-
7100.

Gift Card Winner

"New tenant Ronny Jackson of Columbia flashed his famous grin when he discovered one of the many benefits of renting with Plantation Storage. Mr. Jackson was randomly selected from among a group of more than 100 participants to be the winner of a $50 Woodley's Garden Center gift card. (Hopefully, he has a green thumb to go along with those pearly whites!)"
-Written by Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager

Color The City

"Mr. Chris Nostrant, art teacher at Ridge View High School shares the spotlight with a few of his students, who participated in the recent 'Color the City' coloring book design contest, sponsored by Plantation Storage's Hardscrabble Road store in Columbia. Students were challenged to create original, black line drawings of some of the city's most prominent landmarks. Drawings that most accurately and artistically depicted the landmark were chosen for inclusion in the store's new 'Color the City' coloring book, which is set to be distributed to new students at area elementary schools this fall. The students' original pieces are also featured in the Color the City gallery, located in the store's main office."

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Myrtle Beach Store gets Positive Feedback

Being an active member in each of our store's local communities is a huge part of who we are and what makes us successful. We are extrememly fortunate to have received such a glowing compliment from the Celebration Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach, SC. The church is located on 2300 Carolina Forest Boulevard and headed by Rev. Gary Lowe Pastor.

Laurie Andrews, a Committee Chairperson, with the church wrote the following about Plantation Storage: " We would sincerely like to thank you for your generous donation again this year of the use of a storage unit for our recent church yard sale. Having a place to store the many donated items so close to our church made our job so much easier in preparing for the day of the sale. We made a point of letting our congregation know of your help and community spirit. We are blessed to have you as a neighbor. Thank you again for your generosity."

We too are lucky and blessed to have neighbors like Celebration Presbyterian Church in the Forest. If you're interested in knowing when the next yard sale might be or helping the church in any way, you can contact them at 843-903-0308.

Thank you,

Plantation Storage- Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a Winner

PLANTATION STORAGE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC WAS VOTED WINNER OF THE COVETED 2010 READER'S CHOICE AWARDS BY THE READERS OF THE CAROLINA FOREST CHRONICLE FOR "BEST STORAGE CENTER". STOP IN TODAY TO MEET OUR EXCEPTIONAL MANAGEMENT STAFF: BILL & LISA TRINEMEYER.

Yard Sale in Columbia

Calling All Columbia Fans: Plantation Storage on Sparkleberry Lane is having a Yard Sale this Saturday, May 8th from 10am-4pm. Lunch will be served from 11am-1pm.
Call 803-699-6600 today to reserve your spot or just stop by the store at 810 Sparkleberry Lane, Columbia, SC 29229. Ask for Brad or Karen.

A Familiar Face in Bluffton

Bluffton customers: A familiar face and old friend is back in action at Plantation Storage. Louise Barnholdt is back as the Facility Manager at Plantation. Maureen is also still with Plantation Storage and there on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please stop by the office or give us a call and welcome Louise back to Plantation.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all mother's.

Meet Our New Managers In Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach Customers- please stop by the office and meet your new managment team, Bill & Lisa Trinemeyer. Bill and Lisa have come to us from Orlando, Fl. They have spent the last several years working in storage and trying to get back to the Myrtle Beach area. Plantation Storage is very fortunate to have them aboard. Stop by this month and meet your new team. They're excited about meeting and working with you.

American Heart Association at Hardscrabble

Bud Wien, manager of the Plantation Hardscrabble store was delighted to present Cory Ritchie, Director of Corporate Relations at the Columbia chapter of the American Heart Association, with a donation of more than $350 last month, in celebration of Healthy Heart Month.

St. Patty's in Bluffton/Hilton Head, SC

For more pictures from St. Patty's Day, check out our Facebook Page.

WOCO

Once again, let's hear it for the Wofford College Terriers

Plantation Storage Blog: Help Support The 2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Plantation Storage Blog: Help Support The 2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Help Support The 2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Please check out the following links to help support and donate to this cause. It is very important to Plantation Storage. Thank you

Read an article from the Plantation Storage Family

Site Security From A Customer’s Perspective
By March Chase

In the self storage business, security serves two primary purposes. The first function is tangible; a good security system protects the facility from theft and vandalism. Not only can these crimes carry a high price tag in repairs or replacement of stolen items belonging to the facility, the theft of tenants’ property can expose an owner to liability risks.

Incidents of such crimes, however, are actually low when compared with other businesses. So why do most new facilities have layer upon layer of security features? Because industry experts have long understood that security sells. People prefer to rent storage space from facilities where they perceive their goods will be secure. Thus, security is a valuable marketing tool.

To truly appreciate this fact, we must understand security from a customer’s perspective. In recent times, people have become increasingly concerned with security issues from a national level to a personal level. Terrorism, school shootings, global warming, gang violence, and armed break-ins are only a few of the countless perils that threaten our safety. It is no wonder that today’s consumer is seeking a feeling of security. Self storage customers want to feel that both their stored goods and their personal information are in safe hands.

A Natural Instinct
Human nature is such that we are all possessive of our belongings. At an early age, whether it is at the kitchen table or in the sandbox, children struggle with the idea that they are required to share. This is instinctual. For early man, allowing someone else to take what he had could mean the difference between living or dying. Consequently, people’s desire to protect what they own is rooted in something much more profound than monetary loss or the problem of replacing those items. Sharp owners and managers understand this principle, and they gear their marketing of security features toward creating the sense of safety humans inherently desire.

“Customers like to know that no one else has access to their possessions—not even storage employees,” says Colleen Wood, a property manager with Smyrna, Ga.-based Universal Management Company, “so a gate system that only allows customers onto the premises and personal locks that keep everyone else out (including us) appeal to their possessive nature.” If a facility manager has done an excellent job securing a facility, the possessive nature of the customer will help him or her distinguish that property from the rest.

We have all driven by a facility that is obviously not secure. Perhaps part of the perimeter fence or wall is damaged, the front gate is left open during business hours, or there is inadequate lighting at night. Customers are aware of the differences among facilities. The importance individuals place on prices, proximity, unit size, amenities, and discounts may vary, but for most people, security is not negotiable. Proper attention to the following elements of a sound security system will help create the sense of safety that will make customers choose your facility.
The importance individuals place
on prices, proximity, unit size, amenities, and discounts may vary, but for most people, security is not negotiable.Video Surveillance The video surveillance system is the single most important feature a property can have when it comes to marketing security. Let’s face it: gates break down. Whether it is a lightening storm, a stripped gear, a busted belt, or an incident with a vehicle, from time to time every facility has problems with the gate. One feature that can monitor nearly everything all the time is the camera system. The level of sophistication in the technology of video systems varies, and the choices often hinge on the facility’s budget, but the consistency of a surveillance system can never vary; it is critical to monitor the property 24/7.

A video surveillance system sells customers. They know that burglars are aware of cameras, so they prevent crime. Cameras also aid is distinguishing between real and false accusations. If a customer claims that someone has tampered with their lock, stolen from their unit, or backed into their car, the camera won’t lie.

Sometimes a customer simply forgets to secure their lock, and upon their next visit, they assume someone has broken into their unit. Under such circumstances, the video surveillance system can either support or deny the customer’s claim.

The presence of cameras also deters criminals from doing physical harm to customers or employees. However, the bottom line on video surveillance is that, since neither a tenant nor a manager can always be there to watch customers’ belongings, they expect the camera system to be there for them. They believe its presence helps keep things safe.
Gate Systems
The sense of security conveyed by the gate is also paramount. The gate serves as the first layer of protection, and it is the first security feature potential customers see. If your property has secure fencing, and there is only one way in and one way out, you should emphasize that to every customer. “I always mention that we are completely enclosed by a concrete wall, that we have no hurricane fence or barbed wire on the property, unlike some of our competitors,” says Cindy June, office manager at Plantation Self Storage in Columbia, S.C.

Another practice to get in the habit of doing is printing out hard copies of the gate log activity periodically. Having a hard copy handy to show potential customers is a terrific selling tool. It gives the impression (and rightly so) that you are very aware of everyone who comes and goes. “Not only are they recorded in my computer once they put their code in, but their name shows up on my computer monitor in the office alerting me to their presence on the property,” says June. “This always seems to get a reaction as tenants are impressed and feel secure knowing the operation of our surveillance system.”

One of the easiest ways to advertise a sense of security is with a properly functioning, computer-operated gate at a well-kept facility. That feature alone can make or break a facility. Customers will leave a facility solely because of the constant malfunctioning of the gate. Chris McDougall, a pharmaceutical representative from South Carolina, remembers such an experience. “I didn’t ask them to mulch the property or reseal the asphalt,” McDougall says. “All I asked for was that the gate work.”

RV and boat storage customers have major cause for concern over malfunctioning gates. “The gate is very important to me,” says RV owner James Mixon, who stores his vehicle. “The gate is my first concern, and then comes the large walls that prohibit outsiders from seeing what is on the inside. I also feel secure knowing there are cameras as well.” A secure gate both provides the feeling of security customers want with the reality of real protection against theft and vandalism.

Door Alarms And Locks
Many newer properties are equipped with individual unit alarms or door alarms, which add an extra layer of security to video surveillance and a computer-operated gate. If you offer this feature, it is a great selling point and one that will persuade a great number of customers.

Gates must remain open on occasion for deliveries from UPSTM and FedEx® or for landscaping crews. Although customers are informed during the leasing process that they must always enter their codes in the keypad to deactivate their unit alarms and then, upon leaving, to reactivate it, there are always times when customers neglect to do so and set off their alarms. The upside to this is that it undoubtedly gives them a sense of reassurance knowing that you have taken every measure to secure their items. The last layer of protection is the unit lock. If you provide or sell disc locks, demonstrating their reliability can be another great selling point.

These system components represent the latest technology in safety precautions, but we all know that the heart of security within the self storage industry is a vigilant manager. Common sense will tell the average customer that if a facility appears unsecured, then there is a good chance that it is. Likewise, if a manager doesn’t appear to be aware of security risks, then he or she probably isn’t.

It goes against human nature to risk the safety of one’s belongings or the safety of oneself. A facility that can’t be sold on its security measures probably can’t be sold at all, no matter what other features it offers. Walk through your property and analyze security from a potential customer’s perspective rather than from what you know. Then, you can tailor your sales presentation to point out every feature. If you have great security, make it your primary selling point.
________________________________________
March Chase is a freelance writer based in Raleigh, North Carolina, who writes on self storage topics. His background includes previous experience as a Site Manager for a larger self storage operator.

Myrtle Beach Facility is a WINNER!!

This year’s New Facility winner, Plantation Storage, takes us back to the heart of the south with an architectural allure that’s altogether “old south,” while still boasting some of the most modern amenities self-storage has to offer.

Our Myrtle Beach Facility was the 2008 "New Facility Winner of the Year".

Go Terriers!!

Plantation Storage is proud of the Wofford College Terriers for making it to the Dance. Go T-Dawgs.

Plantation Storage-Sparkleberry gets glowing comment

First and foremost, our top priority at all of our store locations is to provide top quality customer service. It's rewarding to hear back from a customer who enjoyed their time with us. The reason behind needing storage can often be a stressful one. That's why we try to make the move-in process and the entire stay as convenient and enjoyable as possible.

I would like to personally thank Mr. Cushionberry for his comments towards our Sparkleberry location in Columbia, SC. We feel very fortunate to have customers like Mr. Cushionberry. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Mr. Cushionberry wrote the following:

"Very professional run Company. Your employees are to be commended. Excellent service. Would recommend to all my friends. Great Job."

Getting to know your managers, Part II

Debbey Gettings is part of our management team at the Sparkleberry Lane location in Columbia, SC. Alan Youngblood is a part time site manager and a soon-to-be part time assistant manager at our Hardscrabble location in Columbia, SC. Finally, Tim Retter is the Facility Manager of the Myrtle Beach store.



Here is a little info about me:
My name is Debbey Gettings. Yes, my mother and father spelled my name funny—and I mean my middle name. I have been married for just short of 10 years to my wonderful, loving, sweet, smart, frustrating, grumpy and best hubby in the world husband! (We really do have a great relationship) We have not been able to have children yet but we have just recently been approved for adoption. We expect fun, joy, love, growth, frustration and all that stuff. We have a great Chihuahua named Nugget and a few kitties we rescued - which by all of most normal standards we treat a lot like children. Both of our mothers are living with us right now and our brothers get along famously. Both of our families are close and we all enjoy being together—and no the Hatfields and McCoys did not come to mind.

We are both originally from Ohio and have been in South Carolina for 8 “extremely HOT” years. Our hearts are still with the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Indians! (And, of course, SNOW for Christmas) We both enjoy our work here and love the people we work with and around (Yes Brad…that means you) We only have one thing that we are focused on right now………………………a bigger house!


Alan Youngblood
Plantation Hardscrabble: Site Manager

Despite being born in Virginia, Alan—having spent 13 of his 17 years in Columbia—considers himself a South Carolinian. He is currently a senior in high school, and is a member of both the Palmetto Center for the Arts Magnet Program and the National Art Honor Society. Alan has long enjoyed building and repairing both desktop and laptop computers and has gained proficiencies in both web page design and development. He is currently in the process of getting his A+ Certification as a computer technician. After graduation, Alan plans to attend college here in South Carolina and eventually complete medical school.
Both in and out of school, Alan enjoys creating and viewing many different types of art: photography, digital imaging, drawing, and painting. Over the years, his art and photos have won numerous awards and honors, including the 2010 Scholastic Gold Key Award for his photography portfolio. Alan’s work has also been featured numerous times in the internationally-acclaimed Martin Gallery in Charleston. In addition to the visual arts, Alan plays a variety of instruments, among them bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and piano. Alan’s favorite bands include: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Who, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, MGMT, and Modest Mouse. In his spare time, Alan also likes online gaming and airsoft military simulation events. Alan also considers himself a lover of film; his favorite directors include Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, Jason Reitman, Guy Richie, and Alfonso Cuarón.


Tim Retter grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA; a STEELERS fan thru and thru. Tim went into the military right out of high school and spent a total of 9 years in the military to include deployment. During his time in the military, Tim was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, as well as the Army Achievement Medal. He grew up hunting, fishing and doing anything that involved being outside. Time moved to Myrtle Beach, SC in February 2008. He goes to the beach every chance he gets and enjoys riding his 2006 Arlen Ness Motorcycle whenever possible.

Getting to know your managers

Hi, we are Mark and Lynn Mattix. We manage the Plantation Storage in Bluffton, SC. We have over 8 years of self storage experience. The best part of being self storage managers is working together as a husband and wife team. It’s fun getting to spend 24/7 with your soul mate. It’s not for everyone but it suits us perfectly!

We have one 26 year old daughter, Amy. She and her husband Kevin live in Utah. She is a student at Weber State University. Kevin is in the Air Guard and is in training at Whirley Bird Helicopter Flight School. We miss them dearly but we are very proud they are taking control of their lives and following their dreams.

When we are not at work, we spend our leisure time at the beach or riding our Yamaha VStar Classic. We enjoy Nascar races and our favorite driver is Arkansas native Mark Martin. Being natives of Arkansas ourselves, our favorite college football team is, of course, the Arkansas Razorbacks. We are huge fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, GO BUCS!

Our favorite motto is “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.

If you haven't met Mark and Lynn yet, please stop by the office, 1110 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton, SC 29910 and meet them. They can assist you with any questions you may have.

Calling All Pet Lovers

I could never part ways with my 2 dogs...I mean take a look at these 2, are you kidding me? So, if you're thinking about getting a pet in 2010, then mark your calendars for March 27th. Plantation Storage in Bluffton, SC will be hosting a Grand Re-Opening and a Pet Adoption. Their address is 1110 Fording Island Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. The phone number is 843-815-8000.

Wine Cellar Door for Sale

Anyone interested in purchasing a Wine Cellar Door?
Stop by Plantation Storage to find out further details.
The door is located in our store at 4411 Hardscrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229. Their phone number is 803-865-8535.

Get to know your Manager

When I asked Anne and Bud, the Dynamic Duo managing Plantation Storage on Hardscrabble Road in Columbia, to give me a little info about themselves, this is what I discovered:
Anne- "As a born-and-bred Southern girl, I like to think of myself as a “people person,” because I absolutely love getting to know my neighbors and finding out what’s going on in their lives. I also find great joy in helping people (which may explain why most of my professional life has been spent in the service of others). As a degreed journalist, I delighted in helping gather and disseminate information that my fellow citizens needed. As a teacher, I was often privileged to see the twinkle in a child’s eye when he or she finally grasped a difficult concept or completed a complex task. As an assistant manager here at Plantation, I take particular pride in helping all of our valued customers—no matter where they’ve come from or where they’re going. I enjoy meeting the challenge of coming up with a perfect match between their needs and my service—whether that means helping them find appropriate packing supplies to mail gifts, locating the right space to store their belongings while negotiating a housing change, or just listening to what’s on their minds.

I also revel in exploring our fair city while spending time with my husband and two teenage children. And when I have time to myself, I often turn to my favorite past times: writing, listening to music, working in the garden, floating down the river, or sewing. My personal philosophy is best summed by the great scientist and humanitarian, Albert Einstein, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

And here is what Mr. Bud Wien had to say: "I was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1949 and yes that makes me 60. I lived in PA and New Jersey most of my life with a 3 year break in Missouri and 2 years in the Navy touring the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. I moved down to South Carolina in 2002 when First Union and Wachovia Merged I was a customer service representative for them. I met and married my wife after moving here and have been married going on 6 years. I have worked in property management for almost 20 years both in Class A office buildings and self storage. My favorite non work related activities include fishing, photography, and writing poetry. My favorite quote is from Abraham Lincoln “ It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.” My favorite movie was Star Trek II “The Wrath of Khan”. My favorite singer was Elvis. My favorite song is “Don’t Be Cruel”".

For any Hardscrabble customers who have not met Bud or Anne, please stop by sometime and say hi. Bud and Anne would love to put a face with a name and can assist you with any matter. Have a great day and sign up to follow our blog. This way you can stay on top of any special events were hosting or limited time offer customer discounts. Thank you for choosing Plantation Storage.

Yard Sale in Columbia at Plantation Hardscrabble

We've Done It Before
We're Doing It Again
That's Right...We're Holding Another Yard Sale

When: March 20, 2010
9:00am - 3:00pm

Where: Plantation Storage
4411 Hardscrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803)865-8535

How to Participate: If you currently rent a unit at Plantation Storage, then let us know and you can rent a table for $10. The deadline is March 1st, 2010.
If you're not a current tenant at Plantation Storage, then you can rent a table for $15. The deadline is March 1st, 2010.

Hope to see you at the Yard Sale!!!

PlantationSparkleberry Helping Out in the Northeast

Thought I would share the comments of a recent customer:

"I am writing this letter to tell you thank you for your allowing us to give away toys to needy families from your Sparkleberry Lane Location. Nearly 150 people received Christmas presents this year that would have otherwise done without. Your staff was so helpful and gracious to the families looking for the correct unit and the volunteers that came to help. We needed a site where we could receive toys as well as distribute them, and we could have never done this project without the help of Plantation Storage. One mom called and told me, "My husband has been without work off and on these last few months. If it had not been for the toys you gave, our children would have not have received anything this year." Thank you, Plantation Storage, for being a blessing to so many families in your community! I will proudly mention your facility in our next email newsletter and want to promote you in any way that I can.

DONT MISS OUT

Call or stop by your local Plantation Storage to take advantage of our 3M Special: Mid-Month Money Special. Rent a unit at any Plantation Storage from January 14th thru January 20th and receive 15% off the first 3 months. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

Check out a response from a previous customer:
Can't say enough good things!

Ansley B. | Insider Guru | Rank: 1,205 5 Plantation Self Storage
The facilities here are exceptional, and the staff is very accommodating. I rented one of the larger units when I moved from Houston, and my experience was very positive. Prices are good, too, for temperature controlled units.

Check this out

We "stache" our things at Plantation Storage. You should too!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everybody!!!! Hopefully 2010 will be a better year than 2009 for the economy. And speaking of that, Plantation Storage wants to be the first to make 2010 a better year for YOU!!!

Stop by any of our stores in Columbia, Myrtle Beach or Bluffton, SC between now and the end of this month and you'll receive 20% off any packing and shipping supplies, as well as any box orders.

Swing by any of our locations this week to rent a unit and move in on the $1 move-in special. Yeah, that's right...$1 moves you in. So come see Plantation Storage today, where we're an extension of your home.