Inside Self-Storage Membership Program: Frequently Asked Questions

I thought I already was an ISS member. What’s the deal?

While you may have subscribed to ISS publications, received ISS e-mails, attended ISS Expos, visited the ISS website, or used other products and services in the ISS family, complete membership packages were not available prior to April 15, 2011. You may have created an account on the ISS website as far back as September 2010; that account still exists and now provides you with access to limited content.

Not sure if you’re a member, even at the free level? Here’s an easy way to check: Visit InsideSelfStorage.com and click on the login/registration link in the upper right corner of the website. You will be prompted to log in using your e-mail address and password. (This page does include a “Forgot your password?” feature.) If you receive a message that the system cannot find you in the database, you do not have a membership account with us. If you need more help, e-mail membership@insideselfstorage.com.

How is being an ISS member different from subscribing to the magazine or attending an ISS Expo?

A subscription simply gets you the magazine; attending a show is a one-time event. Becoming a member of ISS provides you with a robust package of benefits you can access conveniently through a single Web portal. When you sign in to your account at the ISS website, you can see a detailed list of your benefits and get instructions on how to activate/access them.

Being a member provides you with free or discounted access to a wide array of operational products and services you need to succeed in your self-storage business. Our vendor partners have donated fantastic items for you across the marketing, insurance and human resources segments of the industry.

Plus, being an ISS member gives you extremely valuable discounts on those magazines and show registrations referenced above. All members get a one-year subscription included as part of their package; they also get discounts on expo education.

Is ISS an association?

ISS is not an association, nor is it particularly affiliated with one. While ISS provides many of the same resources and benefits provided by industry associations, it is owned by VIRGO, an information-distribution company and for-profit venture.

Can anyone become an ISS member?

At this time, ISS membership is available to all self-storage professionals in the United States. International membership is not yet available, but please watch for details. We hope to offer this option soon.

Who are the ISS vendor partners, and how do I contact them if I have a question about their specific membership benefits?

The ISS vendor partners are currently A Top Shop!, Michaels Wilder and Universal Insurance Facilities Ltd. You can use the following contact information, or send the vendor a message through your member-profile page

How does my company become an ISS vendor partner?

If you represent a company that provides products or services for the self-storage industry and would like to become a vendor partner of the ISS Membership Program, please contact ISS Editorial Director Teri Lanza at tlanza@vpico.com.

How long is the membership valid?

ISS membership is good for one year from the date of sign-up.

How do I know when my membership expires?

You can see your date of enrollment and the time remaining to expiration in the upper right-hand corner of your member-profile page.

How much does membership cost?

The cost of membership depends on the package you choose. Please see the package page to view the specific price for Basic, Manager Plus and Owner Advantage.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept Mastercard, Visa and American Express credit cards.

What if I already have a subscription to ISS magazine when I sign up for membership?

If you are already an ISS magazine subscriber, an additional 12 months will be added to your existing magazine subscription. If you are a new subscriber, please allow six to eight weeks for the delivery of your first issue.

I’m not sure if I have a current subscription for ISS magazine. Where can I find out?

Contact subscription customer service by calling 800.581.1811 or e-mailing iss@omeda.com.

I am a paid ISS member, but I still haven’t received my first issue of ISS magazine. What do I do?

If it has been more than eight weeks since you paid for membership and you still have not received your first issue of ISS magazine, please contact subscription customer service by calling 800.581.1811 or e-mailing iss@omeda.com.

I am a paid ISS member, but I haven’t received my copy of the ISS Factbook. What do I do?

Your paid ISS membership includes a copy of the 2012 Factbook, scheduled for publication in November 2011. The Factbook is sent according to the below schedule:

If it has been longer than six weeks since you signed up for your paid membership and you still have not received your Factbook, please contact subscription customer at 800.581.1811 or iss@omeda.com.

Can I upgrade my membership to another package level? If so, how does that work?

Yes, you can upgrade your membership at any time. Simply click on the upgrade link found on your member-profile page. You pay only the prorated difference between the two packages for the membership year. For example:

John Smith buys a Manager Pro Package on Jan. 1. On Jan. 31, he upgrades to Business Marketing. The system calculates the daily cost of each package, charging John only the difference between the remaining cost on the higher package and the amount he originally paid.

• Manager Pro Package = $199, or approximately 54 cents per day ($199 / 365 = $0.54)
• Business Marketing Package = $399, or approximately 89 cents per day ($399 / 365 = $1.09)
• John used 31 days of his Manager Pro, valued at $16.43 (31 days x $0.54 = $16.74)
• John needs to pay for 334 days of Manager Plus Membership (365 - 31 = 334)
• 334 days of Business Marketing Membership at $1.09 cents per day costs $364.06.
• John paid $199 when he signed up, but he used $16.74 of his original membership, leaving a “balance” of $182.26 on his account.
• John now owes $181.80 to upgrade. ($364.06 - $182.26 = $181.80)

Is my membership transferable to another person? If I don’t want to use some of my package benefits, can I give them to someone else?

Your package and its individual benefits are not generally transferable to another person, though transfers may be possible in some cases. Please e-mail membership@insideselfstorage.com for assistance. If you would like to transfer member benefits from our ISS vendor partners, please discuss this with the individual vendors.

It has been less than a year since I purchased my membership, but I am leaving the self-storage business. Can I get a refund on my unused benefits?

Refunds are not generally available for ISS membership. If you believe you have extenuating circumstances that justify a full or partial refund, please e-mail membership@insideselfstorage.com for assistance.

What happens if I don’t use my benefits in a given year, do they roll over to the next year if I renew?

All package benefits expire at the end of the membership year. If you renew your membership, you will continue to have access to any ISS online products you may have accessed in the previous year, such as reports and webinars. Any unused benefits from our ISS vendor partners will be forfeited.

Can I buy a membership for someone else? If so, how do I do that?

Yes, you can buy a membership for another person. When completing the membership profile, enter the name, address, contact and other info of the recipient rather than yourself. You will still be able to pay with your credit card during checkout. It is very important that you complete the profile information as if you are the recipient.

Where do I access/modify my account information?

This function is only available to members who have signed in to the system. To sign in, click on the login/register link in the upper right corner of the ISS website and enter your e-mail address and password. Once you have signed in, you will be taken to your member profile page, where you can modify your account information.

I forgot my password. How can I get in to the system?

If you have forgotten your password, click on the login/register link in the upper right corner of the ISS website. Once the sign-in screen pops up, click on the “Forgot your password?” link and follow the prompts.

Whom do I contact if I have a problem or question not answered on this page?

Please send an e-mail to our customer-support team at membership@insideself-storage.com. All e-mail inquiries will be answered within one business day.