Hoard

Posting this to possibly get some input and suggestions on what you'd do as well as just to vent.

Prior to moving into my new house I "had" a storage unit with Swan Falls Storage in Kuna.
Apparently after I moved everything out; someone else broke the storage door that I had previously had. They are trying to say I did it. I was recommended by a friend that assuming they are filing a police report (like he claimed he was going to do) that I should also add my side and give it to them. Here it is...
Any other suggestions? Just wait and see what happens?
They "claim" they have video evidence but if they really did they would know it wasn't me. So they either haven't looked at it... and just toss the blame or they don't actually have shit.

"To Whom it may concern,
On Jan 20th 2010 I received a phone call from Kuna Swan Falls Storage informing me The storage unit at Swan Falls Storage that was originally rented out ot me was damaged and they expected me to pay it. I was not the one that created the damage.
It is a rolling metal door with a slide bolt that secures it closed. Swan Falls storage believes that I had lost the key to my lock and had to have it professionally removed. This is not the case as I left it unlocked and still have the key and lock at my house.
The damage is to the door of unit 7-xx. They claim that a lock was cut off and in the process the door was damaged. I called Swan Falls Storage on Dec 15th to inform them that I had completely removed everything from the premises as of 2-3 days prior. (8th-9th-10th). I was informed that they would check the unit and let me know so I could get my $40 deposit. I never heard back from them until Jan 20th. Kuna Swan Falls storage claimed they had been trying to get ahold of me for a month. According to my phone records I talked to them last Dec 15th 2009 and then again today; Jan 20th 2009.
The storage rental was originally rented out close to Jan 1st 2009 through Dec 15th 2009 when I made the phone call.

katnip

They screwed me over I hate that place

Ask for the video evidence and see what they say oh and ask for the video of you moving your shiot out 5 days before too while they are at it... They are so full of crap

LazyJ

lets go picketing?!?!

e11charlie

Biggest thing is what you have already done, document document document. If you know you didnt damage it and they say that they have video then dont worry about it. In civil court it is their burden to prove a preponderance of evidence. In meaning there does not have to be that much evidence, dont let this scare you. Just them saying that you did it is still not enough. They have to prove it, but you need to make sure that you can disprove it. Habius Corpus produce the body. When you do this the judge will most likely get tired of you disproving their case then just close the case. They are very aware of the legal system I am sure. What they are counting on, which is what the current civil court system is clogged with now, is you backing down and just paying the damage. They have obviously gotten away with this many times which is why they will keep doing it. Again I say document document document. I am not a lawyer nor do I offer this advice to win any legal battle. So take from it what you want just use your head. Most legal stuff is common sense when you seem like you are getting overwhelmed that is when you need to research it. Check out this website it should help alot. http://law.freeadvice.com/litigation/civil_law_suits/

HaVocX

huh, hate the way somethings work out. Looks and reads good. Good luck!

I lived in K-Town for 4.5 years. i did not know so many people were from there.

Hoard

Yah; I "might" have gotten a little over-riled about it after talking to people. Kinda wanted that $40 deposit back but I guess if they decide not to pursue this I still come out doing ok.

I asked to see the video and they wouldn't let me. So they either don't have the "claimed" video or they haven't actually looked at it. (If they would have looked at it, I'd think they'd know it wasn't me)
At one point the owner made a comment about a professional doing it (As if I had hired a locksmith or something?) So the only thing I can think of is that maybe they have video of them doing it or something?
One thing I noticed is that prior (before i moved everything out) the guy next to our unit had a lock that was similar. Today when they showed the place to me; that person's lock had changed. So either they moved out or... forgot their key and broke into the wrong place? ( I don't even understand how this would happen. When I left the place I took my lock, so the unit was unlocked. It's sitting at home)

Thing that pissed me off is that when she called; I was expecting my deposit and when I was surprised she was calling about a broken door she acted like I was a dirty rotten liar. In fact, I quote "Ryan, we have security cameras here. You know what's wrong with the door."
I show up at the place and was pleasant. I ask her if she could PLEASE talk to me as if she were non bias. I ###t you not; 30 seconds later she looks at me and says "so, just lost your key and figure that was the best way!?"
The owner showed up and had already made up his mind as to how things went down. Grr. I just wanna punch someone in the throat!

As E11Charlie suggested; I am documenting everything. I do have a family friend in the police dept in Twin Falls that is helping me out now so that's good.
Hell, worst I've ever been convicted of is speeding and I had no idea how to approach this initially.
Thanks!

Exitwounds

I'd fire right back at them and make sure I got my $40 back. You have the lock/key, you have phone records proving they hadn't contacted you and you know they can't identify you on tape whether they actually have it or not. I would be turning the tables on them in a real hurry.

Hoard

I'm seriously thinking about it. We'll see what their first move is. I'm ready

BuellCru

Tell them to show you video proof or be prepared to have a police report filed against them for theft of $40 and a lawsuit for time and hassle due to their incompetence. Make sure to note that your time is worth at least $150/hour.

katnip

Cover your arse cause they could send you a bill for that door if your $40 doesnt cover the cost of the repair...then send you to collections or take you to court...regardless they can make alot of problems for you and waste your time. If they advertise that they have surveillance cameras for security and dont or dont use them that is false advertisement. If they are accusing you of something you have every right to see the evidence that validates the accusation. I'd be pushing to see that video of your bid debu. Maybe you should bring law enforcement knocking on their door about that video shiot kuna cops don't have anything better to do that probably would jump at the opportunity.

If they accuse you with out proof or knowing it wasnt you that hurts your character = deformation of character ride that bus...

I thought it was innocent until proven guilty

R1DON

hoard, did they have a keypad that you have to use to get in? and if so how many days past after you moved out before they said you broke it?

Hoard

Yes, they have a keypad but they wouldn't divulge any information. She just kept trying to play the "I'm going to keep talking like you did it so you'll admit to it."

She was suppose to look at the unit immediately after I talked to her on the 15th. Since they just called me over a MONTH later I'm guessing she didn't do her job and now just trying to shove the blame on me.

As of EBD today I was informed by the Ada Police dept that nothing had been filed against me.

whitedevil

It's called they are just going to keep the deposit and try to get more out of you. I personally do not think they will go farther than threats, but I think it is more of the way to get out of the deposit.

RavenR1

If there really was a police report filed it would have been with the Ada County Sheriff's Office based on venue. If Swan Falls Storage is unwilling to provide you with the case number then you can call ACSO directly to obtain it. Once you have the case number you can submit a Public Records Request to get a copy of the report and/or any associated video surveillance footage. Then you can look the report over to see what was actually alleged vs. what they are telling you happened to see if they're just trying to sucker you into paying for damages caused by someone else.

e11charlie

Thats another thing, dont talk to them further cause that is exactly what she was trying to do.

RavenR1

Sorry, I just now saw that you had already contacted ACSO.

If they told you nothing had been filed against you that could mean one of a couple of things. Either no report was filed at all reference the incident or one was, but you weren't listed as a suspect.

For insurance purposes, and considering they would want to document the event for civil litigation, I would be really surprised if there wasn't a police report generated.

If I were you I would have ACSO check for any reports filed by Swan Falls Storage during the timeframe in question.

R1DON

storage units like that should have cameras everywhere. what you should do is have someone call in pretending to be your attorney and discuss litigation and slander on their part if they arent willing to drop the entire issue and refund your deposit

CBRF2Old

Don't have any ideas for you, but did you look at the supposed damage and get a picture of it?