MAKING A PROFIT OFF SOMEONE ELSE'S MISFORTUNES

MAKING A PROFIT OFF SOMEONE ELSE’S MISFORTUNES

Monday, January 13, 2014

Herndon, VA 

What has our nation come to?  How corrupt does his nation has to become before our consciences are awakened; allowing citizens to live a life of trust in their fellow citizens and live on the principles which the country was founded upon.

On Thursday, January 9, 2014, after many years of struggling to find a full-time job that would offer an income that would allow me to re-establish my home, the most heart-wrenching thing has happened.  Cubesmart, a national storage company, has auctioned off every personal possessions to an auction company owned by Ginger and Mike Bryant, The Auction Place, located in Manasses, VA. 

Often when we do business with companies like the The Auction Place, we never really stop to think where their inventory comes from; perhaps buying out people that are moving or estate sales.  While this may be a part of a means of collecting inventory, this company is actively engaged on preying on the misfortunes of others by buying out personal property from people like myself who has for years struggle trying to meet every financial demand from Cubesmart.

After gaining knowledge that my possessions had been sold, I had the opportunity to speak with Ginger Bryant, trying to make every attempt to regain my possession.  Her level of compassion was exemplified with her statement; “You can buy them back at $2500.00 (which the bill owed to Cubesmart-with all the fees-was $1450.00).  I will not take less than that!  Today, three days later, in another conversation, she said to me; “I will not sell for less.  It is not my problem that you did not pay your bill and they are mine now.”  Ginger has no idea of how much I struggled trying to put the money together monthly to pay the storage bill.  The times I conserved on meals, entertainment, Christmas, birthday and other celebrations trying to pay the bill.   

With the economy as it has been for the last years, and the competitiveness in the job market; despite national laws that were put into place to make the work-place an “equal opportunity environment”, age discrimination ranks among the highest problems for people (especially women) over the age of 45, to gain employment; finding a position that would offer an income to support my removing my personal possession out of storage and into a home that would offer more space than a small one bedroom apartment.

My attempts to meet the financial demands of Cubesmart had become a daily matter.  During the many calls that I had received from Darren Kuntz, General Manager and Rebecca McDonald, Manager, Cubesmart- Store#0596 in Herndon, VA, I tried numerous times to help them understand the situation that I was in and the many efforts I had taken to meet the financial requirements.  I explained to Darren and Rebecca, and the former assistant whom Rebecca replaced, that when I signed on to the rental agreement with Cubesmart, I had a agreement that I could financially afford.  Since that time, Cubesmart (formerly McLearen Storage) was sold to a parent company that owns Cubesmart.  During the course of this transition, I was never informed of the buyout.  I was never told of the change in contract (fees, etc) – much less the opportunity to renegotiate the contract.   It was for the most part, “taking their word” was the form of business that transpired. Despite them having my email address, it has only been in the last months that I received monthly statements.  It had become almost a monthly action that a lien (auction) fee was added to my rental fees (whether it went to auction or not), along with other late fees that ranged somewhere around $150.00 in addition to my normal rental fees.

Additionally, to bring home my point, here are some of Cubesmart’s customer testimonials from other parts of the country, speaking of the company as a whole; taken from the website http://www.pissedconsumer.com/reviews-by-company/cube-smart.html.  As you will see, it appears that I am not the only individual that Cubesmart has had the opportunity to victimize. You will recognize that a common theme is Be aware of their practices.

Cube Smart - CUBESMART BILLING PRACTICES - ABSURD  Cubesmart (formerly Self Sorage in Bronx, NY) lures youin with creative marketing – initial low rental fees and the first month free.  Then after a year, your reward for customer loyalty they increase your rates.  Second year, to continue showing their appreciation another increase with no formal written notification.

I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN. They are liers and thieves. They will sell your belongings without hesitation. I was only 4 weeks past due and they were going to sell off everything. Not right. I stayed in contact with the office and told them of the problem and they Stated its ok. NOT!!! Also was supposed to get discount for referral. Never Happened.

BUYER BEWARE! Review the rental agreement VERY CAREFULLY.
I was just charged an entire month's rent for my storage unit for 2 DAYS of storage. Rent was due on the 1st of the month, and my checking account was debited $114 on 2/1/2013. On 2/2/2013 I cleared my unit out and informed the manager that I would no longer need the storage unit, and I asked for a refund for the 28 days of storage I had paid for in advance.

Cube Smart - deceptive billing   I rented a storage unit online. Within minutes someone from the facility called me to verify and informed me that I would be required to buy "their" insurance even if I have homeowner's insurance. I checked their corporate website and spoke with their customer service and both assured me that if I had homeowner's insurance that covered my belongings in a storage unit, that I didn't need any more insurance. I showed up at the facility and was told by the Mgr. that it is the policy of this particular facility to require "their" insurance. The District Manager was supposed to call me on this. I still haven't received a call. This is deceptive and I have 2 thoughts on this:
1)There is a large amount of theft at this facility.
2)Someone is pocketing insurance money that is not required.
Either scenario is troubling, and I left without signing their contract. Be aware of their practices! According to their corporate headquarters you do not need to purchase additional insurance if your homeowners covers it!

For those people who have lost their possessions; whether it has been losing their homes through all the mortgage company fraud, ill business practices such as Cubesmart and other storage companies regularly practice, and get by with it, those who have lost their life savings and retirement pensions from business scams, I know they understand where my heart is today.  It is time that consumers take action to stop these companies from being allowed to continue these practices.  It is time to downsize businesses that prey on those who are struggling and suffering to a level that would require them to think about their business practices to survive If putting them out of business – so be it!

In 2011, Cubesmart‘s 2011 Annual Proxy reported: “ The Compensation Committee approved an increase in the base compensation of Mr. Martin from $275,000 to $315,000 and of Mr. Foster from $255,000 to $280,000. In addition, Mr. Martin's target award for total annual incentive compensation was changed to 65% of his 2012 base salary and his target grant level for long-term incentive compensation was increased from $350,000 to $400,000.”
In order for executive’s to make incomes such as these, the company has to be lucrative – in some way!!!

Lastly, one might say, get a lawyer!  I have contacted multiple lawyers and have come to recognize that the storage industry is well represented in this the Northern VA area. The thought of losing a customer of that size is not going to happen.  “And justice for all?”