LifeStorage of Rogers Park

Deceptive, misleading internet rates for the Roger’s Park branch on Monday, August 3^rd, 2015… I just called the Roger’s Park branch… The rates are actually DOUBLE what is being advertised on the lifeStorage Website… These doubled rates are not a great deal at all… Quite expensive actually…

I didn’t think it possible that things could go from bad to worse here, but it happened.
Before I get into specifics, let me caution you: DO NOT COME ALONE TO THIS FACILITY. There are creeps hanging out in the aisles with absolutely no business being in there other than to intimidate you (at best) or rob you or the things in your unit.
And forget about the lame dude in the office. I’m convinced he’s in cahoots with the creeps hanging around terrorizing people. Case in point: I went in there to get things out of my unit and wayyy at the end of the aisle were two suspicious looking people. Not at a unit, not on their way to a unit, not carrying anything… just standing there. I fumbled around for a minute thinking they would move, but they didn’t. Then all of the sudden they «disappeared.» I thought maybe I was just being paranoid, so I grabbed the cart and barreled down the aisle. Just as I rounded the corner, I spotted the two who were now on their cell phones. Again, not opening a unit, getting anything. Just «there.» I decided there was no turning back; I had no choice but to get my stuff and SCRAM. But just as I was locking up, the two creeps were approaching me. Fast. I grabbed the cart and RAN out of there as fast as I could.
I was so freaked out that I went to the office and asked «lame dude» to please check it out. Do you think he did? NOOOO. He said «oh. You mean the two black people? The man and woman? They were just in here looking for a cart. I suppose because they were black you thought they were going to ROB you, right?»
Considering not ONCE did I mention color, I guess it’s about race and not the safety and concerns of the customers. Never mind the creeps were there before me. Never mind they had no items to store, nothing in their arms, no vehicle to unload nor were they returning to or from a unit. These two creeps were loitering in the back of the place STARING AT TWO AVAILABLE CARTS. They WATCHED ME TAKE ONE. Apparently getting out of his chair, finding a cart for this couple OR seeing if they even had a unit was too much work for the guy. Accusing customers of being a racist is sooo much easier.
I was so shaken up that I called the property manager (Amanda?) who, no surprise, was already «familiar» with the incident and rather than show concern for a customer, hear my side or acknowledge that the place is scary and promise to check things out, she chose to stick with the racial narrative and basically dismiss me.
Needless to say, I had my unit emptied within a week and will NEVER patronize LifeStorage again. Anywhere. Ever.

I had seen Lifestorage of Rogers Park several times before coming in I believed a place such as this (climate controlled and all would be out of my budget so when I decided to store my stuff here while I search for a new residence in the area, I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable monthly fee. I got a discount of two months from Marcus who has been nothing but a tremendous help. I would recommend it as long as he is employed here.

I wanted to like LifeStorage. Marcus was kind and accommodating when we moved our things in. But, the company has a terrible policy regarding move out charges and I had an annoying conversation today with Amanda, who apparently is the store’s rather snippy manager.
You don’t simply pay for the amount of time that you need the unit. You’re charged on a monthly basis. So, though I’m moving out on the 6^th of September and informed LifeStorage of that more than a month ago, I’m forced to pay for the entire month of September even though LifeStorage will probably rent out my unit the moment I leave. The policy seems terribly antiquated and frankly, I think it preys on poor people, who are the primary users of this facility.
Secondly, if you talk to Amanda and tell her you would like to speak to someone above her, she will tell you to leave a review on the LifeStorage’s web-​site because «that is the only way to escalate issues.» Amanda actually said, «Well, I’m not about to give you the cellphone number of my boss.» (Interestingly but not surprisingly, there are only two reviews shown on the LifeStorage web-​site – both positive – and mine is no where to be found.)
There has to be a better way than this. I’m very disappointed in the customer service and I will never store my items here again.

Why I would select this storage facility:
–Cheaper than Lock Up for the same unit size
–1^st floor unit availability
–Temperature controlled storage and free WI-​FI access
–Pallet availability
–Automatic Payment or program
–Storage access is from 5am — 11pm
–Drive in Loading Bay
–Customer Service — Marcus was able to provide great assistance to me, I’m not sure what the bad reviews were for. Also, if you want coffee, Dunkin Donuts is across the street!
Why I would not go back to the Lock up in Lincolnwood:
–more expensive
–the unit was on the second floor
–the unit was smaller
–no pallet availability on 2^nd floor
–no negotiating with Lock Up for a larger unit, even though I was a customer for almost 2 years
–could not match Life Storage prices for similar size units

Moving to Rogers Park and looking for temp storage. Sat 2:30 pm attempted to inquire at the main office the fees and logistics. Main office door locked with a sign that the manager will return shortly with a listed phone number. I waited ten minutes before leaving.
1. It’s prime moving time on a saturday. Main office closed? No attendees?
2. For the size of footprint this business has (multiple buildings), as well as the amount of possessions of others, an attendant is not easily available? Three full-​time employees with the main office always staffed while two assist and inspect in the field should be the minimum.
Customer service anyone? No thanks.

I used LifeStorage to help an ex-​roommate store things when he moved out of town. The prices are reasonable and additionally, they are often running deals for discounts on your 2^nd and/​or 3^rd month of storage (check on their website for current offerings!) Access to the facility is easy with automated codes (although it is not 24-​hour access; instead 5am-​11pm, which was sufficient for my needs) and you keep your own lock and key on the unit (make sure you have this with you when you go to rent the unit — you have to lock it immediately. If you don’t have your own lock, they do have locks there to buy for ~$ 10). Inside the storage areas are clean, well-​lit, and well-​organized, plus there are free dollies available to help you move heavier items.
Finally, both Amanda (the store manager) and Marcus (who helped us set up the rental contract) were friendly and professional, and really went out of their way to make sure our needs were taken care of.
I would definitely recommend!

With over a half-​dozen managers over the last five years, Lifestorage of Rogers Park seems to be the poster child for poor management, and a prime example of «how to fail in business without really trying.»
After our last report on the improvements, the recent departure of Tim Smith also seemed to mean the departure of respect, professionalism, and common courtesy, as the current team du jour of Marcus and Amanda seem destined to kill business, even from long-​time customers, with an emphasis solely built on collecting rent. Have a question about your account? They won’t make the time to discuss, and simply announce that they «don’t have time to argue with you.» Ask for toilet paper for the tenant bathroom? Request ignored. Try for a cup of the gratis coffee, «I haven’t made it yet.» — accompanied by a shifty-​eyed glare. Want a clean restroom? You will be ignored, for almost eight weeks; as trash and dirt accumulate to the point of disease.
Ditto for the hallways.
Accounting issues are met with overlocks, and aggression; along with regular price increases.
Store staff issues have to be addressed with the District Manager, Ms. Shalonda, who under the guise of support, seemingly makes excuses for unprofessional behavior, only to have retaliatory behavior on the part of the aforementioned.
If this was simply a case of 21^st century ill-​manners, then this all might be ignored, but since the units are not free, then this is a serious issue. Run, don’t walk from Lifestorage of Rogers Park.

I came across this place when helping a friend move some items from this location. The storage is accessible 24 hours your entry is allowed by using your personal access code. There were several different size storage units and the area was well lit, clean and affordable. I also noticed there were several cameras placed throughout the area which is ideal when storing your personal items in the city.
It is located near a bus line which is great for those who do not drive or prefer not to.

This building still has its problems and so does the company. Sha-​Von and the staff I was able to meet with were nice and professional. But I have to report that in the 5 months I had the storage unit, it did get infested with rodents and covered in droppings. I lost two giant bags of clothes and my mattress to contamination. I could have let this slide amicably if I didn’t have to hunt down the district manager to file a complaint. And the fact that it took 2 whole days to get this resolved, AND they resisted giving me any kind of discount on future months. I had to fight with them every step of the way even after having my items damaged due to some hoarder storing food in an adjacent unit. These reports of the company being better managed are hoaxes or paid reviewers. This place is still a crap shoot. Literally. Because my stuff had mouse crap all over it.

I’ve had 2 other storage experiences so far as a college student, and this is by far the best. Not only do they give discounts for writing a review of their service online, but their service in-​person and over the phone was fast and friendly.
I love the fact that the buildings are super secure: I can drive my car into the garage (complete with keycode), put my stuff on a provided flatbed, and take the elevator to my floor, where an indoor, air controlled unit is waiting for me.
You do need to provide your own lock (pretty standard) or buy one of theirs. My unit’s price was really reasonable, and they have online specials if you reserve via their website.
They are located right underneath Howard Station, which is very convenient.
For someone who HATES having to drive everywhere with checks to deliver in-​person bills (or mail them) I find it fantastic that they have an easy online payment system for your unit. You can choose to pay in advance or month-​by-​month.
Overall, great storage facility!