June 2016 by John Vida
1st impression, 1st day. I came back 30 minutes before the posted/contracted closing time with a filled vehicle that I needed empty for that evening with having events for 3 children that evening, and Latrobe Mini Indoor Storage was locked up, with no note explanation to their customers. I called to see if anyone was in the office, and after no answer, left a message stating concern and displeasure and went home. When I returned to the office of the establishment the next day, I decided to just let it go, and simply asked for a door to be unlocked to reach my area, and said thank you at that time as well as when the older gentlemen opened the door upstairs. While walking down behind him, he stopped, turned to me and said, "are you the one who lectured us on the phone yesterday". Instead of going through a long write up, he became very belligerent with me, swearing, playing the "tough-guy" card, and posturing in a confrontational and aggressive pose (inflated chest, and taking a side-fighting stance). He told me there was an emergency and he was not going to call 250 people before he left. I said I understand but I work as a teacher and had worked as a bartender and know that there is always time to put a sticky note on the gate/door for the benefit of those that may unknowingly arrive. He stated that he had no obligation to do so and continued to ramp up the cussing and posturing. Completely shocked by the whole scenario, I still felt obligated to share my concern after my 1st days bad impression as a paying customer. Knowing that there was another employee listening at the door below, as well as myself being a teacher in an elementary school in the town, I was very cognizant and aware of what I was saying and how I was saying it. The one thing he brought up, which I did say I empathize with is that he said my message was offensive and his wife was upset over it. I told him that I was complete aware of what I said, and that I simply said that I was very displeased with this level of service on our very 1st day. And in turn, questioned him on what exactly that he was accusing me of saying that was offensive, he could not state anything to back up his "offensive" assertion, and as I said before, I realize that the recording would last, so I was careful with my message. He finally walked away after 10 minutes of berating me and directed me to by stating "put your %$#& in and get out". Being in my mid-40's, being a professional in the area, a father/husband, and having worked in customer service in years past, I am completely flabbergasted at the lack of professionalism, and the worker's belligerent nature. With the chance of my wife, children, and/or mother/father in law stopping in there without me, I am very concerned over his demeanor and actions. I would love to pull my stuff out, but logistically, that is easier said than done. What I would like is information on the owner so that I can speak with her/him to gain assurance of the verbal/physical safety of my family and the professionalism of the business relationship we share. I am not trying to tell anyone to not rent there, but to be aware of the nature of the older gentleman with the ponytail that works there. I did speak to my wife's relative who had a business in the area that recently sold it and moved down south, who also still has a unit or two there, and they stated that they have seen similar demeanor for the gentlemen. I get that there are honest discrepancies, I get that “things happenâ€, but what I don't get is the verbal abuse and threatening stance of potential-impending physical assault. I want to see if it was just me, or if I caught him on a bad day. I guess we will see. If the owner does the right thing, and speaks with me, I will update this accordingly.
