Many people have problems with storage companies.  They up the price, hold goods, impose extra charges and threaten to sell precious things.  With the right approach, you can sidestep the nasty local representative and frequently get a senior person interested in solving your problem. 

So Sorry You've been Having Problems, How Can We Help

2. Background Arbitration and Class Action   Few people hire a lawyer to address a $200-300 problem, and companies are generally unafraid when someone says I'm calling my lawyer.  Companies are afraid of class actions and a claim involving 200,000 cases of a 200 overcharge and a potential 40 million dollar claim.   To avoid this most companies insert class action waivers or prohibitions providing that claims will handled individually through arbitration.  The U.S. Supreme Court approved this in ATT v Concepcion finding that arbitration provided a quick, inexpensive and reasonable alternative for consumers. 

2. Costs  So that the consumer can proceed the arbitration cost must be reasonable and the largest organization has almost all the cost born by the company.  See American Arbitration Association, Consumer Rules.  When you present an arbitration demand, the company will be promptly asked to pay around $1,800 in initial costs, so they may be more willing to relinquish a charge or address a legitimate concern.        

3. Approach, Advertising and Marketing Materials   Companies frequently advertise reasonable charges in advertisements and on their website and only later have onerous contracts signed and impose higher fees.  If your case goes to hearing, work on whether the advertising was misleading and terms properly disclosed.  

For example, the FTC found this in one warranty contract,

“Contrary to representations made by Defendants' telemarketers, the warranties have significant restrictions and exceptions to coverage.  The warranty booklet, which consumers do not see until they have paid their “down payment” or “initial payment,” contains a long list of parts and systems that are not covered and conditions under which coverage is not available.  For example, during the sales pitch, one consumer asked if struts were covered, and the telemarketer told him that they were.  However, the warranty booklet states that they are not covered, when the consumer tried to get that part repaired or replaced, coverage was refused.  Another consumer was denied coverage for replacement of an oil pump, despite AVP's telemarketing representations about full vehicle coverage.”   Federal Trade Commission v  American Vehicle Protection Corp. Case 0:22-cv-60298(M.D. Fl. 2022)

Most states have consumer fraud or deceptive practice laws.  The question is whether terms were fairly and fully disclosed in advertisements and other materials.

4. Plain Language Laws Many states have plain language laws providing for clear and simple presentation of terms which the complicated storage agreements violate.  An arbitration demand can allege Plain Language and Deceptive Practice violations.