You may assume that locating a small storage facility in Lai Chi Kok https://zh.brilliant-storage.com/lai-chi-kok-luen-hing would be easy, wouldn’t you? Everything was taken care of after a brief Google search and a few of phone calls! Found a new place for all that stuff. A unpleasant revelation awaits you, though, if you put your faith in the advertisements alone.
To begin, pricing structures might be precarious. Have you ever noticed how those companies’ banners prominently display the phrase “from $88/month”? Believable but not true. Well, that’s the case. Enter with the expectation of a deal, and leave with contracts burdened with unnecessary costs. Documentation that appears to have been touched by an insatiable attorney — costs for cleaning, handling, and even keycards! As if by magic, it’s double, or even more. Remain calm and collected. Inquire about the actual monthly cost by asking, “What if I simply want this small locker?” Be aware of people’s eyes moving.
We need to discuss access. These businesses treat the phrase “24/7 entry!” like a sweet treat. The thing that they occasionally fail to bring up? An “out of order” lift can halt your nocturnal journey to retrieve your winter coat. Alternatively, the sound of isolated clanging behind shut doors. When it comes to napping after dim sum, security officers aren’t always worse than grandpa. Communicate with other users. Stay alert for terrifying tales.
Get ready for security. Those picture-perfect shots of well-lit hallways don’t necessarily reveal the reality. Renting out locations to several companies? Takes place. Surveillance cameras? Of course, but no one is looking at the screen. Unit numbers are passed about, spare keys are lying around, and no one bothers to check. Sly opportunists find a treasure trove on one floor. “The man by the lockers—who was he?” A new “forgot their code” victim, huh? I see.
Another rat hole is space computations. In your imagination, that “35 square foot” area could hold a kayak, but if you try to put your couch in there, you’ll end up feeling like you’re playing Tetris with your eyes closed. Authentic square inches are hard to come by. What is the height of the ceiling? On occasion, we’re only slightly shorter than your beloved golden retriever. Bring a tape measure; you’ll be glad you did. Alternately, you may try to drag your enormous suitcase halfway across Kowloon and record your sweat output.
Climate change mitigation almost warrants its own tirade. Advertising claims such as “Air-conditioned all year!” could lead to unrealistic expectations, as the neighboring unit may actually feel quite hot. Garment mildew. Printed materials distort. When leather is compressed, it fractures. Some establishments simply hope you won’t see them by blasting a fan into the hallway. After a week or two, you will only begin to detect the truth.
We must not overlook the details. Time between notices varies with the seasons. Keep paying for an extra week even if you’re just late by one day. Is it possible to cancel early? Administrative costs. Almost stayed for too long? Still another charge. Imagine an airline with an excessive amount of padlocks.
A word of caution: get your hands dirty and take a look around before signing anything. Insist on seeing the units in person, rather than just the ones displayed. Have conversations with other customers. Have faith in your sense of smell (mold is more than simply an unsightly sight). I wouldn’t recommend leaving your old LPs stacked on top of each other next to a puddle on the concrete floor.
We can help you with storage in Lai Chi Kok. Be vigilant and watchful. As an added bonus, you might even have a lucky coin on hand.