Mythbusting: Traditional Self Storage VS Mobile Storage

Let's take a look at a "tradition" as against "innovation" in terms of storage --- traditional self storage versus innovative mobile storage.

People choose self storage over mobile storage because they think it's cheaper.

Let's try to dig deeper.

In mobile storage, there's no need to hire a truck or a van to transport the items you wish to keep in a storage facility. The mobile storage company will directly send a van, where you can load your items, to your doorstep. They collect the items. They deliver them to the storage facililty. And they store the items safe and secure. You don't have to book and hire a van to transport your stuff or drive all the way to the storage facility to bring your things.

Now, let's re-orient ourselves about the step-by-step process of traditional self storage.

First, you need to make a booking online or through a call with the facility representative to reserve a storage unit.

Next, you deliver the items you want to store in the facility. Whether by using your van or by renting a truck. Oops! Don't forget the part where you need to load your items to the van (unless you hire someone to do so).

Third, you unload the items from the van and put them all in the storage unit.

Then, the facility will do its work --- store your things safe and secure.

Once you need your items back, you just have to make a call to notify the facility that you will be collecting your things.

Let's assume you didn't rent a van. You drive to the facility, you get your items, and you drive back home. Don't forget about the loading and unloading process.

Following or reading through the steps, it may look simple. But when you analyse each step carefully, you will see the underlying costs --- be it tangible or intangible.

You see, the work won't end in just booking a storage unit. You have to deliver your items to the storage facility. If you will use your van to transport the items, the additional cost you will incur is the cost of petrol, not to mention your time and energy driving back and forth to the facility. If you don't have a van, your obvious choice is to rent one. The rent for that van is an immediate quantifiable and additional cost. The story doesn't end there. You will also have to do the loading and unloading yourself (unless you hire a loader/mover which is obviously an additional cost you have to bear).

Weeks, months later. You decided to bring home the items you stored away in a facility. You prepared to collect your items. Drove back and forth. Paid for the storage unit rent. Loading and unloading work. The time and energy you spent driving. The petrol you consumed. If you will just consider all those things, the tangible and intangible costs of housing your items in a traditional self storage facility, you'll see how much it really costs you. You didn't save anything at all.

In short, traditional self storage is never cheaper than mobile storage.

In mobile storage, you're only paying for the storage cost (package already includes van to pick up and deliver your items). It's a cost- and time-efficient option, fit for your storing needs. It's a one-time big-time storage service. It saves you from the hustle and bustle of booking and renting a van or driving all by yourself all the way to the storage facility just to bring your stuff. It also allows you to avoid additional fees like van rent and petrol.

In mobile storage, you will not only save your hard-earned money, but you will also save your time and energy.

Now, tell me. Which one is better? The traditional self storage or mobile storage?

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