Columbia Self Storage

I really hate to admit that I have been renting storage at this location for over a decade with one unit and at times a second unit for 2 years culminating in spending over 15,000 dollars. Looking back I wish I would have just got rid of the very expensive items which I intended to sell which now no matter how much I sell them for will never recoup the cost of ten years of storage. My bad! Live and learn.

I started with the original owner Kathy who was a sweetheart and kept the rates reasonable. When she sold it to Mark from Sterling accounting they raised the rent on the second unit but honored my original rate for the first unit. Robert was not a friendly manager yet when there were issues they were resolved with a call.

Last year corporate owners came in and even though they raised the rates they still gave me discounted rates and not the rack rate which I appreciated. The manager Matthew Hudson was a delight to deal with compared to previous management so I signed a rental agreement with them.

Yet this month they decided to raise the rent and make having insurance on the unit mandatory which would be an additional 11 dollars per month on top of the rent increase if you didn’t have some kind of renters or homeowners insurance.

After researching the insurance which does seem to be an industry standard the increases falling on the same month lit a fire under my butt to finally clear out the storage since I have a huge shed at my home now to store things in which I didn’t have when I was living full-time at Thousand Trails resort in an RV where they didn’t allow onsite storage unless you invested in an expensive storage shed. Note to other rvers in a similar position…just invest in the onsite shed it will be cheaper in the longgggg run.

Secondly if you really, really, really need to store something then go with Colombia Storage at the cottonwood location because even with the rent increases, I do believe their prices are the best for a safe location with an onsite manager and there are apartments right next to the storage units which feels safe to me. And having rented there for 10 years I never experienced any kind of theft.

Yet, the primary reason I would go with Colombia is because of the store manager Matthew because he was always friendly and responsive to my concerns and I could tell he really cared about me as a customer.

I realize Colombia probably doesn’t care whether I stay or go and because my rate was lower than the current rate they will just make more money from my departure.

With inflation being what it is, I am so grateful to not have to pay for storage any longer saving me over a thousand dollars a year yet I will miss Matthew who went above and beyond with his customer service.

On my final day in the unit when he came by to check to see that the unit was available to rent in clean condition where I had this one long Gazelle gazebo in a very long, heavy and unwieldy box which I couldn’t handle alone and without me even asking he helped me get it out of my unit and was so pleasant during the process.

Considering the challenging era we are now living in where even the local thrift stores don’t allow their employees to help you to the car with a purchase, I feel this was just amazing customer service. I greatly appreciated it because if it were not for Matthew helping me, I actually would have had to hire someone to help me to remove that item! I don’t know if he will ever see this review yet if he does, I want him to know what a difference he makes with his work by simply being kind and going the distance for Columbia’s customers!

Even though I don’t feel a customer should be required to have insurance on their items if they choose to sign a waiver not holding Colombia responsible and it feels like a money grab to me for them to be able to make more money by providing the additional insurance, I would rent from them again if I had to because I don’t think there is a better manager than Matthew Hudson in this area who really cares about the needs of his customers.

I've been a tenant for 2+ years. Very secure place, never any incidents. Mid priced for the area. Clean facility. 24 hr. access.

Kind nice and helpful and a good experience all around

Best prices in town, safe, secure. Attendant on duty during business hours, 24 hour access.

My storage co for over 14 years!!

Perfect

Easy in and out

I think this is a great little place. There is one row that's a little tough to get into if you have a monster truck, but most can get back there. Reasonable prices. Low set-up fee. Good folks.

I understand that this place is now under new management, so I will raise my rating to be fair.. but I would still confirm the size of your unit just in case. Hopefully the new management will be more willing to work with customers when any issues arise.

Reply to Comment:
I do not remember the number of our unit.... but unless they're All 10x20's you could check those? Good luck on the business! As long as you're fair to customers and treat them with respect you should do well!

We reserved a 10x20 to hold our stuff as we moved into the area. Upon arrival we discovered that the unit was only 8x18..... add up the sq footage and there is QUITE a bit of difference in storage space we were counting on. We had to store various other items in 3 generous co-workers garages. I don't know what we would've done had they not been willing and had a bit of room between them to spare. It was a Saturday so we couldn't address the problem then.
We went back and told them what happened and asked if we could get a refund for whatever an 8x18 is since it wasn't a 10x20...... front desk ladies were very understanding and said they would contact owner.
A week later 2nd months rent was approaching and we hadn't heard back (we'd moved in mid month) we asked again and the owner finally replied that some units were 10x20 and some weren't, deal with it, she wouldn't give a refund. Also we will be moving out at the beginning of this month and she won't prorate us/provide refund for rest of month it will sit empty.
Long story short we will have paid two months rent, only used it a month, and paid for sqft we didn't have. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO MEASURE THE UNIT BEFORE RENTING!!!
They have good rates, but horrible regard for their costumers.