If you felt some trembling or shaking around you, probably you did not realize that there was a real earthquake in our area but when you found out that what you felt was an earthquake, you talked up the situation with everyone around you.

When something goes wrong, we like to tell everyone about the incident. When something good happens, we like to tell people about the event.

We also have a great story to tell about our Jiffy Self Storage Toronto building. There was a rumble from within the bowels of our Toronto storage building but our reinforced concrete building survived quake trauma entirely intact. Our 6-inch reinforced concrete floors, ceilings and sturdy columns continued to protect our Toronto storage customers stuff unscathed. We are glad that we overbuilt the Toronto storage building so our customers can have peace of mind that when they choose to store their stuff at Jiffy Self Storage Toronto, their goods leave in the same condition as the first day they came in.

Does anyone out there have an earthquake tale? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know what happened in the comments section of this blog.

Large businesses are ready for HST but many small companies have no idea how HST will affect them. Most businesses do not understand that they will be able to apply the full HST input credit for various costs and services so that HST will flow through for the full 13% paid out vs the 5% GST that was the permitted input prior to the first of July. This will be a bonus and is supposed to help increase the bottom line of Ontario businesses and therefore increase opportunities for investment and new jobs for Ontario. At least, that is the message that Government is trying to send out, but businesses should not believe the political line that is being circulated.

The fact is that people willing to spend money will only find that at month’s end they will have less to spend and therefore will hold back on discretionary purchases and the government promoted windfall for Ontario businesses will result in another slow down or even recession for Ontarians.

As a Toronto self storage business, we do not support this government initiative and will continue to work for changes in government policy. In order to stimulate a poor economy, there has to be a reduction of taxes, not an increase during a most critical time for the Canadian economy.

When Jiffy Self Storage tenants in Toronto will come in to pay their rents on July 1, we will apologize for the increase due entirely to new taxes and refer them to a picture of our Premier Dalton McGuinty and ask that if they have a beef about increased storage rates, instead of taking out their frustrations on us, they should contact Dalton and let their voices be heard. Jiffy Self Storage and other Toronto storage facilities can only apologize in this instance but all of us cannot sit idle. We have to stand up to those renegades on Parliament Hill.

Want to contact Dalton? You can email him at http://bit.ly/VLAFe.

If your message is private or personal, you may choose to write Dalton at the following address:

Dalton McGuinty, Premier
Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1

…Or you can fax Dalton at (416) 325-3745….and while you’re at it, make sure that you also contact your local MPP.

Donna: Allan, I’m delighted to have the chance to learn more about you and your business. Tell me, how did you first get involved in Self Storage?

Allan: I had been watching the self storage industry in Canada for some time and found that self storage service here was lagging years behind the Americans. Being an opportunist and entrepreneur, I felt that launching an upscale high profile facility in Canada would be a great opportunity and even felt small errors in judgment would not affect our ability to fill up space, because the demand for Toronto storage space was doubling each year since first starting our research. Our first location at the crossroads of Highways 400 and 401 in Toronto was built on surplus land being auctioned off by Ontario Ministry of Transportation. We thought that this would be a great location to build our flagship store and expand from there. We were the highest bidder at an outdoor auction during a freezing rain storm in late February 1986 and that is how Jiffy came to be.

Donna: Were you surprised that you won the award for the 14th consecutive time?

Allan: Honestly, the answer is YES. I used to think that I was lucky to have won, but how long can a lucky streak last? If you are a gambler, maybe a lucky streak could last 3 to 4 plays, at most 5 plays. Can anyone ever imagine having a lucky streak of 14? If I were a gambler, I would say that this would be next to impossible. I guess we try harder to please our customers more than the others because our reputation is always on the line and if we mess up, others will find out.

Yes, I hope to win the Consumer Choice Award next year for the 15th time but who knows? I now understand that I did not win 14 consecutive times by chance but with all the competition in the Toronto self storage arena, we know that others are following closely what we do best. I like to say that our competition is always nipping at our tails. New media internet is extremely transparent and anything that we do as a company is easily accessible and can be copied by others. There are no secrets out there in the virtual world. As a Toronto storage business, Jiffy always has to be at the leading edge of self storage and has to keep coming up with newer and better ways of providing the best value self storage service to our Toronto storage customers. If the storage price does match the storage value, then Jiffy will cease to be.

Donna: What do you do that is different than your competitors?

Allan: I guess we do a lot of things differently than our competitors but this may not be apparent to the casual observer. It is a combination of everything that we offer and it is more than just offering empty space between walls. The Consumer Choice Award recognition only proves what I have been saying and there are other recognitions that we have received over the years that Jiffy is extremely proud such as: Being chosen by the editors of Toronto Life Magazine as Toronto’s best storage company and consistently receiving a top grade by Toronto Better Business Bureau of A+. Jiffy also achieves a perfect record of zero complaints with the BBB in Toronto.

Donna: Have you had any setbacks or changed your mind about self storage?

Allan: After our purchase and during the early years of business in self storage in Toronto, we had many setbacks. Major construction was delayed by more than a year due to many trade strikes by various unions like steel workers, drywall installers, construction laborers and more. During this time, more and more storage calls kept coming in at the unheard of rate of 70-75 per day and we did not have a single storage space ready for any of these customers.

Finally we were ready for our grand opening except for one more unfinished item – and that was the completion of the elevator installation. We had only a couple of hours of work left to complete the job and get the elevating license and wouldn’t you know it; the elevator workers went on strike and it was more than 6 months before the strike would be settled.

By the time this last strike was settled and our Toronto storage facility was open for business, the heated economy that we had come to know had fizzled completely out and came to a an abrupt halt. Even in the best of days after we officially opened, we only had 2 or 3 call queries about storage compared to 75 calls per day in the heyday.

Even with all our homework and due diligence, we did not anticipate record high interest rates of 15%-16%, at what seems today to be usurious. We could have never imagined in our wildest dreams that this type of thing could happen. Instead of months to fill the storage facility, it was years and it was almost becoming unsustainable with the high interest rates and high vacancy rates.

Donna: What did you learn from this experience?

Allan: From all our research, we were told time and time again that self storage was recession proof and we felt we could be confident and move forward in this business in any economy without much risk. Boy, were we ever wrong. In order to prevent this type of thing from happening again to us, we decided that we would not just depend on the standby residential sector to fill the bulk of our storage space and therefore decided to change the standard self storage model from a residential base to a multi-faceted base.

Donna: What do you mean by multi-faceted base?

Allan: We started looking at various services that used storage and analyzed each service to see if there was some common thread that would be key to increasing storage services from these other sectors. Naturally, we went after businesses services like drug reps and other marketing reps that needed storage services, and so did every other storage company, so this type of business to business (B2B) was not revolutionary, nor did it do anything to help save our business.

We came to the conclusion that to get people to come out to us, we would have to develop a strategy and reputation where the public would perceive us to be the Toronto storage experts and therefore would seek us out. We figured out that we had to be fully competent and have a complete understanding of each step for getting storage goods to us and by understanding each step along the way, we were able to advise families, businesses and professional consultants how to get from A to B in the least path of resistance. We found that people knew what they wanted (and that was storage) but they really did not know where or how to start.

Off-site storage for persons forced to down size due to downturns in the economy, health and other personal reasons is very stressful and we are able to reduce the stress elements to tolerable levels. We also were able to advise how to reduce storage bulk so persons requiring storage would have to lay out less money rather than more.  We created strategic alliances with top city ancillary services and these various other services referred their clients to us and we reciprocated in the same way. Naturally, we make it a point only to deal with honest companies that are competent and have earned reputations as being the best in their fields.

Donna:  I understand that you wrote a book and are offering it for free. Is that correct?

Allan: Yes, that’s correct. During our reinvention of our storage business ”way back then,” I did write a highly successful and informative book called How to Sell the Gorilla and Other Techniques for Fantastic Garage Sales and it is about making unimaginable money in insanely successful garage sales. I decided to write this book to help our clients reduce the size of their storage and therefore help keep their storage costs lower and at the same time help them make lots of money. During the writing of this book, I collaborated with many of our storage tenants that tried their luck at garage sales. Many people that followed my garage sale book tips paid for storage with the proceeds of their garage sale and had lots of change left over. Just recently I updated the book on how to market a successful garage sale using internet, Facebook and various other specialty websites. Jiffy Storage is offering anyone this book for free and it can be freely forwarded to anyone that is thinking about garage sales. Click this link for your personal garage sale book.

Donna: Do you have any role models or inspirations?

Allan: I really don’t have a particular role model, but I like to read about people that are leaders in their particular field of business and try to learn from them how to improve our storage business. So I guess by learning from others and also in part by analyzing our errors, we improved our self storage business in Toronto that also enhanced our image as the best self storage in Toronto.

Donna: Did you ever aspire to do something else?

Allan: Early in my career I wanted to be an architect and design great buildings. I still like to think about this profession but I am happier than ever being the most recognized Toronto Self Storage Company. This is my legacy. This is how I want to be remembered. Nothing makes me happier than solving storage problems for people stressing their next move.

It sounds like Allan loves what he does and being the recipient of the Consumer Choice Award for 14 years running validates that he’s doing something right! If you want to know more about Allan Barkin or Jiffy Self Storage – www.jiffystorage.com

Donna Messer is an author and journalist. Her book “Effective Networking Strategies” is a Canadian best seller. She writes for business publications across the country. www.connectuscanada.com

Between the extremes lies a unique option which is proving to be highly effective for a growing number of companies. A new breed of self-storage facility has emerged, designed explicitly to meet the needs of businesses. With a range of basic services including internet connectivity, security, climate-controlled warehouses, meeting space, and parcel reception and handling, many companies are finding that their needs can be met without the costs of renting traditional warehousing space and services.

Robin Moore and his wife Anita discovered the self-storage option over three years ago. From their home in Barrie, the Moores operate Favourite British Imports Ltd., a company that imports and distributes British confections and groceries.

With a delivery area stretching from Sarnia to north of Barrie, they needed a centralized storage facility, one that could accommodate the company’s unique needs.

“We have a fluctuating business in which our inventory needs are much higher at certain times than others, so we needed a facility that could offer us flexibility throughout the year, as well as the opportunity to grow if necessary,” explains Moore. The Moores found what they needed at Jiffy Storage for Business, a self-storage facility located in Toronto.

There they discovered that space could be rented on a monthly basis, allowing them to take only the space the company required at different points throughout the year. While entrepreneurs like the Moores make up much of the tenant base at such facilities, there are also benefits for larger companies, according to Allan Barkin, president of Jiffy Storage. “The key here is that it is not necessary for a company- of any size- to invest in a large space based on what they think they may need in the future,” says Barkin. Despite the numerous advantages, Barkin and Moore agree that the self-storage route is not for everyone. For most companies, however, it is one more option that should be considered in the quest for the perfect space.

Jeff knows that ceilings are extra high at Jiffy, so the more he stacks, the more he saves. Jeff rents a 5ft x 5ft locker most of the year. However, Jeff knows that when he needs more space, he can get it on demand. Jeff likes to say that he is very happy with this “storage-on-demand” concept. He is never short of space and only rents additional storage space as he needs it.

Jiffy Self Storage also receives deliveries for Jeff. This way Jeff does not have to waste valuable time waiting for deliveries of important books and documents. He also has arranged with a courier company to replenish his locker with stock. All this has made it easy for Jeff to run his speaking business and free up space in his house that otherwise was used to stock various books.

Since Jeff is using Jiffy Self Storage facilities for business purposes, the cost of storage is a legitimate expense for his business. And now that HST will be fact on July 1, 2010, his business expenses will be reduced due to increased input credits allowed with the increase to 13% HST from 5% GST.

Jeff is happy that he has found an easy way to keep his stock in a good condition without taking up valuable living space in his home.

Jiffy Self Storage welcomes businesses that need similar storage services with optional services such as parcel receiving and package holding services. Jiffy business tenants let Jiffy Self Storage staff do the waiting so they can get on with being more productive generating new business.

Are you looking to be more productive? Call Jiffy Self Storage for more information.

But many persons feel that people should not be influenced with bonuses when they rent storage space from a Toronto self storage company. They feel that storage space should be strictly rented on merit rather than travel points. We also feel the same way about travel miles, but the reason that Jiffy Self Storage offers points to affiliate members of these premium credit cards is not to influence them one way or the other; it is because we want to enhance their storage experience even more and provide them even greater value.

If you check out Self Storage in Toronto, whether you are a collector of Air Miles or Aeroplan Miles, you will find out that Toronto storage company, Jiffy Self Storage, is the only Toronto mini storage company ever to achieve: A perfect record with the Better Business Bureau of zero complaints and consistently achieve a BBB score of A+; a rating by Toronto Life Magazine in their annual yearend Best of the City article as,” Toronto’s best storage;” winning the Consumers’ Choice Award for Business Excellence 14 consecutive years.

So this is not a story about a Toronto storage company tooting their horn. This is about independent arms’ length distinguished organizations reporting results of what the public at large says and knows about Jiffy – and Jiffy Self Storage cannot unduly influence any of these results.   

The moral of this story is if you have something that you value that is worthwhile spending money to store, then you should keep your stuff with a Toronto self storage company that is the only Toronto storage company to have ever achieved all these independent recognitions.

People that have already stored at Jiffy believe in the storage value they received from Jiffy because at the end of their storage term, they found that when they moved their stuff out from Jiffy Storage, it was in the same condition as the first day they moved their stuff in.

If you are not sure or have even the slightest doubt that another storage company can meet these conditions, then the money paid out for short term storage or long term storage could be money thrown out the window. That`s why it is best to go with a self storage company that has the experience, knowledge and an earned reputation to maintain your stuff in the same condition as the first day your stuff will be moved in.

To learn more about travel point programs, click either Air Miles or Aeroplan Miles links now. If you are not a member of either of these programs, you can join them for free and start taking advantage of points offered by Jiffy. Just follow these links for information on either or both programs.

Persons going through separation, divorce, executors managing estates, sudden illnesses, forced downsizings, persons retiring from businesses – all of these are individuals going through unexpected life disruptions and Jiffy Storage can manage all their problems of moving and downsizing - from supplying boxes and in-home moving packers, arranging for trucks and movers to money saving packing tips that go along way for reducing storage costs.

We are more than just another Toronto storage company  –  Jiffy Self Storage has staff with expertise to deal with other peoples’ storage problems so they don’t have to.

Many consultants and professionals – like family law and divorce lawyers; marriage and bearevement counselors; health and geriatric care personnel – count on us to help their clients because we have nearly 25 years experience in storage and other related storage services.

If someone is stressed out due to unplanned change, Toronto storage company, Jiffy Self Storage, can help reduce the trauma. People get honest answers to questions so when we are through answering, persons have “peace-of-mind” that their problems are not insurmountable.  

Jiffy Self Storage is there to help. Period.

The research firm Léger Marketing has named Jiffy Self Storage a winner of the Consumer Choice Awards for the 14th consecutive year!

According to one very satisfied customer, Jiffy Self Storage is “Absolutely excellent, I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

You can see why when you check out the question below.

Question: “Does your Toronto storage facilities have mail boxes for personal or business use?”

Answer: “You can rent a personal mail box on site. This way you can receive mail, when away from home. It works well for anyone taking a sabbatical or extended holiday overseas. 

If you are running a business from one of the Jiffy Workspaces or from a self storage Toronto unit, you can start receiving your mail at the same address where you operate your business.” It’s a cost efficient business solution.”

 Watch for helpful hints, relevant questions and effective solutions to all your storage problems.

Completed email forms for self storage ”help” came from many Toronto neighbourhoods: Mid-Town Toronto, North York, Forest Hill, Downtown Toronto, Markham, Rosedale, Etobicoke, Bloor West, Leaside, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Mississauga. And we are ready to help them all. We have a self storage space ready in our Toronto storage facilities ready for each of their personal storage needs.

Jiffy Self Storage in Toronto is equipped to handle virtually every public self storage need.

See if you recognize a self storage need here that is similar to yours.

• I am looking for a space to store small furniture items (ie, dresser, mattress, box spring, some boxes). I would like a location close to 600 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto, for Dec 1 2009. Please let me know what is available, and the price. Thanks.
• I would like to know how much will it cost to rent a 5X5 storage unit. Can one rent monthly, or is there a lease etc?
• Looking for a climate controlled, 5×10 storage room, in or near Mississauga. Please let me know what is available (for Nov. 7) Thanks.
• I’m with KPMG and we have an international client looking to securely store 6-8 boxes for 12-18 months. Please let me know your quote. Thanks.
• Hi, looking to store my landscape trailer and equipment indoors. Need the space in Aurora. Please email back if there is something available in this price range. Thank you.
• Hello was looking for a portable storage unit can I have the prices for a 12 and 16 long. Thanks.
• Hello…looking for storage for my entire apartment contents for at least a 6 month period. I would also be interested in having movers. I would like a unit by Nov. 16….and I think it would need to be about 12 by 20ish….thank you for your attention.
• Where is your nearest storage location to Thornhill L3T 5A5? How much would a 10ft x 10ft x 10ft spot cost for 6 months to store my motorcycles? Please advise via email. Thanks.
• Need storage pricing. Need one year agreement on 10 x 20.
• I need a portable container for about a week to store some of our homeowner’s belongings while we refinish her floors. What’s the cheapest solutions you have?
• Need a storage bin about the size of a small bedroom. Can I get a cost estimate? And can I move my things there at any date once storage purchaced or is there a time for loading storage lockers? What is the monthly payment to rent storage?
• Hi, I’m looking for non climate control storage for household items. Please let me know if available in Toronto and monthly cost. Thanks.
• I am doing a price inquiry for a storage area big enough for a queen bed frame & mattress with some storage boxes.
• Hi; I’m gonna be in between apts for a month and wanted a price quote. Pls call or email, thank you.
• Looking for the price for 5×5 storage-wanting to store 2 bicycles, 4 tires, hockey equip , snowboard, and approx 4 boxes. Looking for long term.
• We have a few furniture items to store now (sofa, armoire) and a few more to add to storage within six months (bed frame, another armoire, chest of drawers). Looking for a place that will allow us to scale our storage space. Also very important…we are looking for some physical help to move these things. Please call. Would like to make initial move next weekend.
• I need some storage space for 10-15 days because I will be doing some renovations, I would like how much it is.
• What is your closest location to Pharmacy and St. Clair? How much for a 5′ x 5′ space and how high is the ceiling? Thanks.
• Hello, I am looking for pricing information for 5×10, or so storage unit (to store furniture from a 700 sq ft 1 bdrm apartment). Thank you.
• I would probably need indoor storage for 15 – 16 months.
• Hi my name is ___, I plan on attending the University of Toronto next year and will need to store my belongings before my apartment is available. So far I’m planning on moving my belongings at the end of the summer and at some point might end up leaving my car. Can you send some information on the costs I can expect for 2 months storage of my belongings and one month of vehicle storage? Thanks.
• Hello, Could you inform me how much storage space is required for 2000 coffee mugs and how much will the total storage cost be? Thanks.
• Hi. I’m an Ebay seller and am looking for a place to store a small amount of inventory. I’m wondering what is the rate for a 5′x5′ unit. I’m also looking at the office units. I run the store with 2 other people and am looking for a place we can meet 1-2 times a month, preferably with internet access. Is there a charge for use of the work area/meeting rooms? If so, what are the rates? What is the rate and sizes for the workspace/office units with internet access? Thanks.
• Hi there, I’m interested in a small storage unit for an undetermined amount of time. I’m wondering about pricing and your location. The biggest things I have to store are a futon frame, two mattresses bookshelf, kitchen table and three chairs plus some boxes. What size storage would I need? Thanks.
• How much would a storage room approx. 5′ by 10′ by 10′ (or similar dimensions) be? No climate control or special features are needed. Thanks.
• Need to know how much it would cost for storage – I have to store the contents of a 1 bedroom apartment. a) if it is just storage space that i rent out per month; b) if i rent out a pod which you deliver and then you take it to storage for me. Please give me a price quote via email. Thanks.
• Hello, I will be moving from Halifax, NS to Toronto and would like a quote for heated storage for some house hold items. Specifically, king size bedroom set, dining room table and an LCD tv. I can be reached at anytime at the number provided above. Thank you.
• I need to storage household goods from the end of Dec to Aug. 1. I think a 10′ storage unit will do it. Can you send me price and info on how to book? Thank you.
• Hello, I would like to know what how big is the lower cost storage. Are there other fee such as insurance etc. I should count for? Thanks.
• I am looking for storage for 4-6 months for the contents of a 700sq ft apartment beginning Feb 1 2010. Could you provide me with information on size/cost and availability of storage with your facility? Thanks in advance ________. Best way to contact me is via email … thank you.
• We have small construction equipment such as a bench saw, tile cutter, etc as well as an antique dining table, dining room side table and end tables, and some clothing, 12 tires, 3 bicycles and file boxes to store for about a year. We are moving to a tiny apartment at 33 Davisville Ave. Where would be the closest location that we could move into within the next 3 weeks?
• Hello, I am writing on behalf of my mother who wishes to find storage for the contents of her 850 square feet one bedroom apartment for approx. 4 years. It is her phone number, please tell her that her daughter sent the request for info when you call her, or she won’t have a clue what the call is about! Could you please give her an estimate on cost?
• I am inquiring about the fees for the rental of an of site storage container (approx 10′) for 1 month (February). I am located downtown. Please respond by email. Thanks!
• Looking for a comprehensive quote for about 80 boxes (that we have) including transportation, storage fees and sending a file back to us for review once in a while.
• Hey I am out of town from Dec.10 – Jan.12, and I want to store my stuff in my dorm, its not a lot. Only 2 large boxes I guess. Could you store these stuff for me? How much would it cost?
• I would like to know how much is for a self storage room 100×100 in the downtown area? Please and thank you.
• Does Jiffy maintain any kind of pest control in the building?
• How much would the cost of 7000 collection boxes, which occupy 74 skids, be? This is going to be for long term (more than two years).
• Looking for cost for long term 10×10′ storage from next Aug 2010 for 12-24months.
• I’m looking for heated ground-level storage 10′ x 20′ for one or two months. I live in southwest end of Toronto. Thanks!
• What are your prices? Need to move in the next couple of months and need to pack and move all items. Provide prices for all sizes of bins. Also, do we provide you with our address, where you will deliver bins, and then provide you with our new address for you to pick up bins and deliver items to new address?
• Hello. I want to move out before the end of the year and don’t know yet when I will be moving to a new place. I have a typical one bedroom apartment. I’m assuming about a month’s rental should suffice. Thanks.
• Hello – we would like more information about renting one of your portable pod containers – either 16′ or 20′ size. We need a container that can be left in our driveway for us to fill, then picked up and stored somewhere safely and securely, possibly for a couple of months. Please let us know our options and the cost, thank you.
• Inquiring about public storage for our furniture and belongings. We require a storage until that will hold a 2 bedroom plus den apartment size storage unit. Also, we are especially interested in having a heated storage space. We are looking to rent the storage until from January 23, 2010 to March 6, 2010. Please send a quote. Kind Regards.
• I need a storage place for my VW Jetta from Dec 14 to Jan 6, how much is it? please give me both indoor and outdoor options. Thanks.
• I need a storage unit for approx 12 clothing racks (with clothes) and approx 20 boxes with room for me to move around in there.
• Pls note I live in China currently. I need to store household goods in Toronto starting the week of Jan 18, 2010. I need minimum 100sq ft. Need to be centrally located. Please advise your most central location and the availability and price for 6-mth and 1-year rental.
• I would like to know the approximate cost to store our house contents in the event that we sell our home before our new home is ready.
• I am looking for storage of household items for 2 yrs. What service can u provide? And can u pls send an estimate of cost involved. Thanks.
• I am looking for information about pricing and locations. I would need a space – around 8 x 8 or so, for at least 6 months likely longer. Thanks, please email is probably the best way to reach me as I don’t currently have a cell phone – (you can leave a message on my land line).

Jiffy Self Storage was ready with a self storage solution for each self storage problem during the holidays and now that we are in 2010, this year we want to be there to help you with your every Toronto self storage need that may come up.

Thanks one and thanks all for all your support during 2009. We will be there for you with a GTA storage solution in Toronto during 2010.

Jiffy Self Storage, Toronto, Ontario