Has anyone had to use public storage for their games?

[BadEnoughDude]

As some of you know, I am looking to relocate to Portland, Oregon sometime in the next two months. This brings up an interesting predicament for me: what do I do with my games?

Now my original plan was to sell most, if not all, of my collection. However, as the date draws near, I'm not as gung-ho about that as I once was. But while I don't want to sell them, I don't really want to take everything with me - there's just too much stuff. I'm probably only going to be there for a year while my girlfriend and I finish school, then we're either going to go abroad for a while or move back to Minnesota (she's originally from here, by the way).

My problem is that I don't really know anyone with enough space to let me store my stuff while I'll be gone. My mom's house is pretty packed as it is, and my dad is in the process of finding a new house with his girlfriend. Chances are he'll have space for me to store some stuff, but I have no idea when that'll be.  So, public storage seems like one of the only viable options for me. It makes me nervous for various reasons: I'm not going to be close enough to check on things, although I know enough people here that that could be easily fixed. The other issue is the obnoxious weather in Minnesota - blistering cold in the winter, hot and humid in the summer. From what I have gathered, most of the storage here has heating during the winter, but not many have air conditioning in the summer. Humidity is my biggest fear. I don't want that moisture to corrode/rust any metal parts, and I don't want it to warp those delicate cardboard boxes

So, has anyone here had to use public storage for their collection? Does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas?

[NES_Rules]

If I were you, I would sell off the stuff you don't really need or will never play. It may be hard to do, but you'll lose more money renting a storage unit to store them in. Even if you decide to buy back all the games later on, it'll probably be cheaper than paying the rental fee each month and hoping stuff doesn't get damaged.
So, either take the stuff you really want with you or store it at your dad's place and sell the other stuff and maybe even save that money so you can buy it back later.

[cverz2]

About 5 years ago my wife and I had most of our stuff in storage while we were living with friends for about 8 months.  We checked on it often.  BUT, when we went to get it out of storage we found that mice had been having a "Hay Day" in our stuff.   

Our clothes had holes, cardboard/paper things had been chewed on.  There was rat poison pellets in all our bags and boxes.  Our microwave caught fire the first time we used it.  We had to throw out countless things.

Needless to say, I am voting not to put it in a storage unit.   Better off to sell it and get something rather than it get ruined or stolen and lose everything.

[logical123]

I'm agreeing with cverz2 and Mike. Don't do it, just sell enough so that your dad's will have room.

[Tan]

Public storage can vary from cheap warehouses with masking taped floors to climate controlled facilities with sealed private vaults. The question is if what you have to store is worth the costs or not.

The good facilities have 24 hour access, climate control and insurance. Some even have electronic surveilance, keycards, etc. etc. Like anything else it'll be up to you to find the perfect place for your needs and decide what is cost-effective.

Selling all of your stuff may be a short-term solution, but buying it all back later on will prob cost a lot more than a top rated storage service. Some people have had bad experiences, but nobody twists anyone's arms to pay for sub-standard service. Obviously you wouldn't ask if the stuff you need to store wasn't worth it. Personally I'd be more at ease by using a service engineered specifically for storage than keeping it in a stuffy attic or a basement that could flood or worse. Or someone's house where you need to ask before showing up to get to your own stuff. Just find a dedicated storage facility and ask to see it. Look for obvious things like use of technology, cleanliness and anti-theft systems. A national chain that would have a reputation you can research would be even better.

[tholly]

I'd say sell the cheap common stuff (sports games, PSX games you could find for $1, etc.) and keep the really rare stuff in a safe location at your dad's house.

Or, find an ultra elite storage facility with crazy security, heat, ac, climate control, no rats, etc.)

Do not go to some outdoors generic cheap storage area.

[Moriya Hanzo]

Nope, thats why i have a basement.

[Sirgin]

I don't want to sound negative but it looks like there isn't a perfect option here:

-1- Sell off a lot of your stuff in a hurry for less than what it could fetch normally = not good.
-2- Store it in a cheap place with a chance of damaged goods = not good.
-3- Store it in an elite storage facility that costs a lot = not good.

My advise:

- Option 1 if (most of) your collection doesn't mean that much to you, emotionally (and/or financially).
- Option 3 if it does mean a lot to you, emotionally.
- Option 2 if you're a gambler willing to take the risk of possible damaged games.

[Tan]

If I added up the thousands spent on my game collection over the years, the hundreds of hours of hunting, the good memories, the investments, even $150 a month for a year or so hardly seems like a lot of money compared to say $5,000-$20,000 of lost value when selling it all. Especially if you need to buy it back. Pack it properly in plastic Rubbermaid containers, you can fit a 1000 game collection and a couple dozen systems in a small 5x5 or 8x8 unit which is the smallest most of these places offer, some as low as $65 a month.

Putting that into perspective, it's only the sacrifice of one or two brand new Wii/X360/PS3 games per month. Since everything will be in storage, you prob won't be buying much anyway so that loss is a moot point.

[blcklblskt]

Tan has a great point.  The better you store your games (such as in heavy duty plastic containers), the better off your collction will be.

[BadEnoughDude]

Thanks for the great feedback! This is why I love this forum so much

A little more about the storage facility that I called today: they do offer heat during the winter. For what it's worth, the manager also said that humidity isn't a problem in the summer either (at least it hasn't been for the 5 years that he's been working there). The smallest area they offer is 5' X 5', and they start at $45-$50 a month, which is quite reasonable. Storage is all in-doors, and they offer both below- and above-ground rooms.

I would surely invest in some nice, heavy-duty plastic tubs for storage, which would alleviate any potential rodent problems. I could also do my best to keep them air tight, but without vacuum storage bags it wouldn't be worth much of my time to do so.

Keep the ideas and past experiences coming. I love the feedback, and it will play heavily in the decisions that I'm going to make.

[Tan]

Seal the tops in place with duct tape, you can't get a tighter seal than that. Also try to buy stackable containers that are squared or rectangle in shape, to make better use of the square feet at your disposal.

[BadEnoughDude]

Seal the tops in place with duct tape, you can't get a tighter seal than that. Also try to buy stackable containers that are squared or rectangle in shape, to make better use of the square feet at your disposal.

Hah. When it comes to spacial organization, I'm about as anal as it comes. I'll be sure to get as much out of that space as I can

[Ghost Soldier]

I'd agree with keeping the best of the best.  Put it all in nice plastic containers sealed tight.  I'd go with a above ground storage area versus the below ground level.  One other point no one has made.  Make sure you pay your monthly fees.  If you fall behind or stop paying the stuff is no longer yours.  We have a storage facility that sells stuff out of defaulted storage areas. 

[CodysGameRoom]

just brings your games down to omaha, i'll watch em for ya.