The issue of lien-sale notifications came to the fore in Arizona this week as the legislature passed HB2435, which will save the state’s self-storage operators money by changing the requirement for expensive Certified Mail notices and newspaper advertisements prior to sale. It's an issue that affects operators worldwide, however: How do you notify a tenant of the sale? At what point have you fulfilled your obligation to the customer before selling his goods?

While not yet signed by the governor, the bill's advocates are hopeful the bill will become law. It eliminates the requirement of publishing lien notices in local newspapers, and replaces the requirement for sending Certified Mail to tenants in default with one for “verified” mail, which means any method introduced by the United States Postal Service that provides for proof of mailing.

But not everyone approves of the changes. Today an ISS reader submitted a comment to the online press release, criticizing the bill's aim and saying some self-storage owners are becoming lazy. "You have given your responsibility as a business owner over to the less responsible U.S. Post Office employee," he writes."These costs are in your overhead, and [it's] possible the real culprit is the corporate self-storage operator who is lazy, cheap and after the almighty buck (ROI)."

Operators discussing the topic on the Self-Storage Talk forum have a different point of view. "Fact is, this legislation will reduce costs, which, in turn, MAY reduce price and still keep a small amount of profit for the owner. It is amazing how many people just think anyone in business is greedy and will do anything for a profit," says Mel Holsinger, president of Professional Self Storage Management in Tucson, Ariz. (To read the full thread, see Legislative Victory in AZ!)

What challenges do you face in notifying tenants prior to lien sale? How do you feel about Certified Mail? Is it a necessary evil and business expense, or an archaic method that needs to be replaced with more modern communication?

Gina Six Kudo is the general manager for Cochrane Road Self Storage in Morgan Hill, Calif. She is one of four recipients of the Inside Self-Storage 2009 Humanitarian Service Award.

Over the past few weeks watching the thousands of people taking to the streets in Iran and around the world in protest over the disputed election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made me think about life in America. How many of us who enjoy freedom the Iranian people only dream of actually use our freedom to their fullest? Do you vote in every election, or do you find yourself too busy to go to the polling place?
 
I won’t go into politics, but look at what we have at our fingertips! We have uncensored access to all the World Wide Web has to offer. The ability to post our words to share with others without fear of recrimination. We enjoy the freedom to express our thoughts and even openly state our objections to our government leaders in hopes they will listen. At the very least, we need not fear we’ll vanish into the night, never to be seen or heard from again simply for stating an opinion.
 
Understanding we are all in an economic upheaval, and some are fairing better than others, maybe this is a call for perspective. Even if you don’t agree with whoever is in control in Washington, D.C., at any given time, you do have so many opportunities open to you.

Or, would you rather be a business owner in a country in a similar upheaval to Iran's? Let’s say you are a self-storage owner and you’re treading water trying to stay afloat. Even at that, your life and options are much better than those around the globe and here at home.

When you gripe about the $3-plus per gallon of gas you put into your tank, think of the mother who could feed her children for an entire week on three bucks in her country.

It’s so easy for us all to whine about how bad things are, but how many times per year, or optimistically per month or week, do you step back to truly count your blessings? Is there food on your table, a roof over your head and people around you who care? Are you taking full advantage of the freedoms bestowed upon you by our forefathers? If not, why not? Don’t sit idle, get involved, be passionate about something. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned from Iran ... if only we stop to think.

A few weeks ago I came across a funny article about ways to annoy a flight attendant. Animals and screaming kids, of course, made the list. I posted a thread that day on Self-Storage Talk asking forum users to rattle off some of their customer pet peeves.

Wow, did we get an amazing response. Among the top offensive tenant moves: leaving trash behind, paying the bill late, unruly kids and chronic cell phone users.

Forum members also shared some funny signs they’d post on their counters if they could. Signs like, “In cash we trust, checks not so much.” Texanadian even suggested creating a telephone directory of excuses: Press 1 for my grandma died again.

What are your pet peeves? Post them below or join the discussion at Self-Storage Talk.