Storage companies can be arrogant, demeaning and dictatorial.  However, some knowledge of the law can put you on an equal footing. 

1. Check with a lawyer  You have a 1,500 storage dispute.  Perhaps a lawyer can't handle the claim but could provide a helpful consultation for $50. Remember rely upon advice for your lawyer, not the company. 

2. Arbitration and Class Action  A company realizes that few people will sue for $300, but a class action involving a million consumers could be a large case.  In the landmark case of ATT v Concepcion, the U.S. Supreme Court approved a class action waiver with provision for individual arbitration.  That was justified because the cost of the arbitration would be modest, and done by an impartial 3rd party.   American Arbitration Fact Sheet for Consumers  

3. Misleading website or other materials 

In determining if deceptive claims pursuant to Section 5 are present, a court is not limited to express claims, but may also look to the overall net impression conveyed by the advertising and promotional statements of a defendant. See Kraft, Inc. v. Federal Trade Comm'n, 970 F.2d 311, 314 (7th Cir. 1992),  In re National Credit Management Group, L.L.C., 21 F. Supp. 2d 424, 441 (D.N.J. 1998).  T seller provided a small print disclaimer on a seed can,  under a bold, large print statement in all capital red letters “THE FINEST OF FINE SEEDS” saying  the seed crop has been personally inspected to see that it meets the high standard required.”  Walter Baxter Seed Co. v. Rivera 677 S.W.2d 241 (Tex. App. 1984).

4. Plain Language and Other Laws 

Many states have plain language laws which are sometimes violated by the long, convoluted agreements with critical provisions hidden in small print.    “Conditions and exceptions to the main promise of the agreement shall be  given equal prominence with the main promise, and shall be in at least 10 point  type..”  New Jersey Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-10. (b) (3) 

5. AI Programs like Grok and Chatgpt can sometimes misstate the law, but they are generally more reliable that the biased statements from the storage facility.  You can check disputed issues with the program but do verify sources and statements.  



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