Sell Moving Supplies Where Renters Already Pay: Merchandise Inside Your Self Storage Checkout
· Storagely · 4 min read · Updated
How selling boxes, locks and packing supplies inside the online rental checkout works: what renters see, what to stock, and Storagely's Merch Shop, coming soon.
Almost every new tenant needs something on move-in day: boxes, tape, a mattress bag, a lock. Many facilities sell these in the office. But more renters now rent online, sometimes at night, and never walk into the office before they move in. They buy their supplies somewhere else.
The fix is to offer supplies where online renters already are: in the checkout, at the moment they commit to a unit. Here's what that looks like, and what makes it work.
What it looks like in the checkout
- A supplies step inside the checkout. There's no separate store and no second cart. Supplies appear as one step of the rental, after the renter has chosen a unit and protection.
- Add and adjust in place. Renters tap "Add" and change quantities with + and −, without leaving the step.
- The lock, at the right moment. A renter signing for a unit is about to need a lock. Offering it here means they have it on move-in day.
- Quick view for details. Tapping a product shows its size and what it's good for, so renters can choose the right box.
- Ready at the unit, if you offer it. An optional choice lets renters have their supplies waiting at their unit on move-in day.
- A clear supplies subtotal. The renter sees what they've added and what it costs before they continue.
- One-time items, kept separate from rent. In the "Due today" summary, supplies are listed as a one-time charge, apart from the monthly rent, so the renter isn't confused about what they'll pay each month.
On a phone
- Thumb-sized product cards. Renters tap to add and adjust quantities without leaving the step.
- Easy to skip. Supplies are optional. One tap moves on, so the rental never stalls.
- The total follows along. "Due today" stays pinned to the bottom of the screen and includes the supplies.
Why sell supplies in the checkout
- Renters need them anyway. Boxes, tape and locks are part of almost every move-in.
- It's the moment of decision. The renter has just committed to a unit and is already entering payment details.
- Online renters may never visit the office first. If supplies are only sold at the counter, renters who rent online never see them.
- They arrive ready. A renter who adds a lock and boxes has what they need when they get to the unit.
What to stock
Start with the items move-in renters ask for most:
- moving boxes in small, medium, large and wardrobe sizes;
- packing tape and bubble wrap;
- mattress bags and moving blankets;
- locks for the unit door.
Then tailor it by location. A facility near apartments and colleges may sell more small boxes. One with vehicle storage may sell different accessories. Offer what each location can have ready.
Make it work at your facility
- Only offer what you can have ready. If a renter pays for supplies online, they should be waiting when they arrive.
- Show clear prices. List each item's price, and show supplies as a one-time charge.
- Keep it optional. The rental should never depend on buying supplies.
- Decide how pickup works. At the office, at the unit, or both, and tell the renter which.
- Keep stock current. Remove items you've run out of, so renters never pay for something you can't provide.
Merch Shop in Storagely (coming soon)
Storagely's Merch Shop will be built into the one-page checkout, so renters can add packing supplies, locks and accessories while they rent.
- No separate store: it sits in the rental flow you already have.
- Per location: each location offers what it's set up to sell.
- Plans: it'll be included on the Dominate plan and available as an add-on on Growth.
See the Merch Shop page. See the rest of the one-page checkout, part by part.
FAQ
- Can self storage operators sell moving supplies online? Yes. Supplies can be offered as an optional step in the online rental checkout, so renters add them while they rent and pay for them with the first payment.
- What supplies should a storage facility sell? Moving boxes in several sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, mattress bags, moving blankets and locks are the most common. Offer what each location can have ready on move-in day.
- Will adding supplies slow down the checkout? It shouldn't if supplies are optional, sit on the same page and can be skipped with one tap.
- When will Storagely's Merch Shop be available? It's coming soon. Book a demo to see how it'll fit into your checkout.
Related reading
- Inside a self storage online checkout
- Value-based pricing for self storage
- Self storage kiosk vs. mobile website
See the Merch Shop in your checkout
Book a demo, and we'll show you how supplies and locks will fit into your one-page rental.