Central Self Storage

2721 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA

Address:	2721 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
Phone:	+1 510-883-2000
Site:	centralselfstorage.com
Rating:	3.2
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM

Location

Photos 54

Reviews 6

Nora Hoffmann

Awful. Even more so highlighted by comparison with the previous ownership and management: This used to be University Storage, and it used to be an awesome place: The staff used to be friendly, the knew you, theyd help you, and the reception area was light and bright. Staff took care of business, and it was fun to interact with them: No matter how good your existing mood,youd leave a little bit happier than you entered. I had my mailbox with them since 2010. Unfortunately, since the place got sold to central storage, its been the most negligent service Ive ever experienced: 1) Cost: Prices for mailboxes increased by 50%. Yeah, 50%. For my small one, from $120/year to $180/year. Its still a fair price if backed by the same reliable service University Storage used to provide. 2) Atmosphere: The front room is dark and dim. Staff is impersonable. No fun. A bit like interacting with dead people, though you might actually get more action and interaction there. 3) Closed during open business hours: In December 2014, I go there during opening hours, 10-12 on that day during the holiday season, to get my mail. It takes me a 30-45 minutes to drive there from where I live, so I make sure to go when its actually open. Right? No one is there. Its 11am. I look at the door to verify. Yep, "open 10-12." There is another customer outside, waiting. I call. Its a central line now, for all central storage places. The guy looks up this location and says: "They should be open." "Yeah, I know. It says on the door. No ones there." "Thats odd. Ill make sure someone will call you back." No one ever calls back. 4) Strange invoicing: In January 2015, I receive a late fee notice. This is weird, because Im paid up (new 50% increased rate and all!) through August 2015. I open the attached pdf, and the bottom line says I owe 0. Still, the email itself is worded in the usual threatening tone: "If you dont pay by..." and so on. For the sake of clarity, to make sure misunderstandings are prevented, I send an email inquiring whats going on here. No reply ever. 5) No notice for packages, neither via email, nor via note in the box (previous management did both): In June 2015, I decide to close my mailbox two month before the prepaid year is up, in order to be done with the stress of it. I cant get a refund for the remaining months, Ive already been told in February. (You can see, Id toyed with the idea of closing this disaster mailbox after the third bad experience.) There hasnt been a notice for arrived packages, neither by email, nor in the mailbox. The guy doesnt check whether there are packages, and I (,overwhelmed by the anticipation of the relief of being done with this place,) forget to ask. I discover later there should have been a package. I call. Of course, I cant get through to the location, only to the overall phone customer pseudo-service. As before, they promise to have the local store email me and hold my package for one more day. But as before, no one ever has emailed to this day. I have since reordered that book to my new address. It cost me $17. Maybe a price well worth for the peace of dropping the bullshit. Other concerns: The rates got raised some time in June 2014 or so, by the old management. You had to pay for the year upfront, with no refund option should you decide to cancel midyear. Well, by October or November of 2014, suddenly the place was being owned by a new company. I received several notices of change of terms and service, including high late fees and so on. This means that likely the rates were raised by 50% in preparation for the sale, but that hadnt been made transparent. Existing customers like myself got forced into doing business for the remainder of the term of their prepaid service with a company that beyond fell short of the quality of service of the previous one. Lack of transparency and honesty. Absence of value, for money paid upfront. if you want reliability for your money, dont use them. Thats all I can say.

George Harris

I suppose it is a competent company. After all, managing a self-storage company isnt rocket science, right? Nevertheless, in setting up my rental for storage space, the company misrepresented their policy regarding the term of the rental, the price (additional fees), and even the size of the space, which was smaller than the agreement stated.

John Thrasher

Completely unhelpful staff. They changed our lock after they moved out unit and never sent us a key. They only have someone that can cut locks on Monday Wednesday and Friday. I find it hard to believe that a storage place doesnt have bolt cutters behind the desk

Frank Olken

It is not uncommon to arrive around 3pm to 3:30pm (when they claim to be open) and find the front office closed. Since it takes me 20-30 minutes to get there and another 20-40 minutes to get home this is very annoying.

Eduardo Mirahyes

Raised the rent without notice, refused auto payments while I was out of the country, auctioned off the contents notified by US mail rather than email. Disreputable, dishonest people. Watch your back!

Mena Enibu

The storage units are well lit, pretty affordable too. The manager is really nice and helpful. I also like the convenient location.