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Hi all, just wanted to ask if anyone is using or has used a storage unit to hide their CD wardrobe. With the holiday season approaching and knowing how kids like to go snooping around the house looking to see what gifts they may be getting I will probably have to purge soon or find outside storage. I only have a few items but, storage would allow me to purchase and keep a much larger collection
Mine is paid with credit card. I am not sure if the office would take cash or not. They almost never mail anything; however, if you forget to pay the bill you could get a notice. Also if you get a rate increase that may come in the mail.
It may be better to have a storage unit that everyone knows you have, but only put stuff over there no one has any interest to go get, Tools and things rarely needed. We keep our Christmas decorations in storage so that time of year is not good for me to stash there.
I know what you mean about kids. When I was young, my older brother took me around the house and showed me every Christmas present. Some were in closets, one was in the basement.
Sandi
People always need their space. One easy solution is to get a regular foot locker with a sturdy lock and slide it to the back of your closet. Whether it's clothes, old Playboys, childhood toys or even fishing gear it's nobody else's business.
Yes, I have a storage unit. They communicate by email. They give a 15% discount if I pay by the year. They accept cash or card. My bill is about 600 dollars per year. I usually pay ahead of their billing cycle but even when I missed, they sent the bill and rent notices by email. I pay with a credit card that communicates only on line. I have to log in to their website to see any communication pertaining to the account. This works well for me so far. Going back more than twenty years, neither the storage company nor the credit card has ever sent anything in the mail or by phone. Even so, I have a PO Box with a street address. That is also useful for mail order deliveries.
Your mileage may vary but I have had no problems.
I arranged the items in the storage unit so I can shut the door and still have room to dress when inside. I even found a way to hang the lock so it looks the same whether I am inside or not. The storage facility has heat and cooling, though the heat is set for ten degrees C and the cooling is set for 27 degrees C. Not the best temperatures but it works. My unit is near a large window and an interior security light, so I have light 24/7 to see what I am doing.
You are right about kids. My daughter knows now because she snooped around and found things. I thought they were well hidden but she found them.
I have a storage unit, not for CDing, but actual storage. My wife has so much stuff that it will not fit in our house. Everything is done through email and I pay monthly on a CC.
Will storage unit companies allow you to use a gift card to pay? Conceivably that would allow for even less tracking ability, you would not need a separate account,and could have a unit that could not be traced back to you in any way, other than the e-mail bills you would receive.Quote:
Originally Posted by alwayshave
Rebecca, another solution is to use prepaid debit cards but you will need to keep money locked up. If you can put aside a small pile you can keep ahead of it. I managed to get a credit card with only my first initial so I can use it as Jamie but I have to be careful.
If you don't have to hide having a storage unit from your wife and don't mind the expense, that would certainly suit your purpose.
If you are trying to hide your crossdressing from your wife, there's a significant chance that she will find out about it from credit card statements or mailings.
Your best answer about credit cards or mailings would come from the company itself. Call and ask.
We had two different storage units. Both had different rules. Best to call around and ask the questions that concern you directly to the company.
In your post you used the phrase "snooping around the house." I have read other threads which suggest hiding places. How about an attic crawl space. Just about every home I know of has an access panel in the ceiling, somewhere. Mine is in our converted garage into living space with a nine foot ceiling. I need a step ladder to access it. That may be a viable short term solution. Just be sure to wrap everything against dampness.
When I was in the army I used a storage unit for my femme clothes, breast forms etc. I also used a PO Box for mail order items.
We pay for ours with a monthly check and they do send us envelopes every so often. The daughter pays for hers with a credit card, all done online.
Seems about time to post this gem again!
Attachment 324305
That might work if you are a single CD'er, but I would think most wives would be curious about what was in the foot locker. I know for certain my wife would be snoopy and look, not so much as not trusting, but simply curious, but then I swear we both know what it stored away in every square foot of our house as we work together on cleaning and organizing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiny
We have a huge attic over our garage and she even digs around in there all the time as she has stuff up there. I used to stash some clothing up there, but was very careful where and how. I would wrap up clothing and put it in the bottom of a box of motorcycle parts, but it wasn't very convenient.
It is sooooo much better now when she knows and is accepting!
Rebecca - I don't think hiding it under some insulation is a good idea. Those fibers will get into everything no matter how well you wrap them up. Itchy!! :doh:
That is awesome, Angela! And I can not believe it is real and that there is actually another one on their website. http://ads.manhattanministorage.com/current-campaign-2/Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelaYVR
Cool, Angela! Yet another ordinary business with smart owners who recognized our existence as customers. Medical prostheses, footwear, leg wear, hospitality, charity shops, and a host of others have shown an increasing number of ads for the T-market. It makes good business sense. We have more money than average, though that varies a lot. We buy a larger share of what we want than most people. I know I spend amounts on Abby that I hesitate or decline for other purposes. And we are usually discreet and less trouble than the average customer. Experienced retailers know the difference between a cross dresser sneaking around a store and a shoplifter doing the same.
There are words for business people like this: smart and prosperous.
I believe the ad was originally posted on a billboard, there is a picture of that around somewhere. And just for comparison, anything near me that would provide enough room to get changed in - 5x10 feet - is around C$160 a month (I assume it is big enough, the height of the room is not mentioned)
There was also a British hotel chain that posted an ad several years ago on YouTube that showed a CD getting ready to go out to a concert but it has been taken down.
I keep all of my stuff in the attic except for wigs and makeup. In summer, the temps reach 140F so it is not so good for some items. I put plastic trash bags under and on top to keep them clean, then cover with loose fiberglass for an unwelcoming item to have to be moved. So far no one has touched it.
Sandi
My storage locker is a 5x5, and it's about 7 feet high. They just raised the price from $26 to $36. The rate for new renters changes weekly, and mine increases every 6 months. I've moved my storage locker several times to take advantage of lower rates.
My locker is pretty full right now (OK, it's bursting at the seams) but I don't think a 5 x 10 would help. If it was 10 feet deep, I'd have to leave a 2 foot path to the back to get stuff out with taking everything out when I anted to get something from the back. What I would like is a 10 foot wide foot deep storage locker, but I don't think they come that way.
I've had storage lockers for well over 10 years, and I've always paid cash in person. It's more trouble than an automatic debit from a credit card or bank account, but it's pretty much untraceable.
I do get snail mail letters whenever there is a rent increase, but they're send to my PIO Box that wifey doesn't know about either.
Any more questions post them here. My mail box is currently full.
I agree. There's no way that won't end up as a problem, either with the insulation getting on your stuff or just on you when you're hiding and retrieving your stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Linda K.
The fiberglass is not a problem at all. Just put everything in a suitcase and put plastic under and over the top. Then lay the fiberglass on top carefully. I have done it since 2017 and never had a problem with it. It is the high heat you have to worry about in summer. Well the other issue is that my collection is growing to be quite large.
Sandi
PS. That is the beauty of fiberglass - it is a natural deterrent for anyone to touch - but the Mansfield fiberglass is much safer to touch than most others. I have spare fiberglass in the attic so it does not appear out place. Just don?t look under it ; )
If possible , build a shed in the backyard and store all your cd stuffs there .
Just as an FYI for those who want to do the fiberglass thing. It's 2021 and there are plenty of inexpensive "fiberglass" insulation materials available at the hardware store that don't shed fibers and generate itchiness. Even so, properly wrapping and packaging your gear is appropriate regardless of where you store it.
That last line sounded like a sexual transmitted disease caution!
This is so sad that we have to hide who we are.
I'm not sure but I think for most of us, that if we told our wife's (to be) that most of us would still be single.
My wife has dug in every conner of our basement looking for my stash and made a mess and found nothing.
My doctor gave me a shoot for short for covid-19 but said there's no short to cure cross-dressing. LOL
A few years ago I decided to 'stand down' and stashed my stuff. I used a sealed storage tote and put it up in the garage where only I would go. At that time all my stuff would fit into one tote. It was well stashed from prying eyes, but not from me. After a month or so I was sneaking out to the garage to retrieve it on a regular basis, until I just went back to my usual hiding tactics. Even now, two decent size totes would hold it all. Some of them allow for locking them shut, which wouldn't prevent a conversation, but would deaden the shock value, I think.
They will try to sell you insurance. If you have homeowners insurance you're covered and you don't need the insurance. In one storage place that excuse wasn't enough for them. They really wanted to sell the insurance which is about as good as buying undercoating on a car. They made me bring in a copy of my insurance declaration. I did. I'm very stubborn when I set my mind to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by RebeccaS
First -- I have a "climate-controlled" storage unit and have had one for a number of years. It is just easier than having to hide or explain anything. I change locations from time to time to find better rates/specials. Most of the companies accept cash and I usually pay several months rent at a time to avoid having to run back up there or risk a late fee. Also, most companies use email for communicating since it is easier and cheaper.
Second -- thanks for the "reminder" Angela YVR! I have seen it before and I always smile.
Everything I own is in a 10x15 climate controlled storage unit because I've been living out of the country. Not long after I got back, I got a call from them and my unit and 5 others were broken into!
There were quite a few things I was worried about, CD things and other stuff. I've got 3 sets of DressTech silicone hip pads worth about $600. I've got 4-5 silicone breast plates in various sizes, $150-$300 each. And of course 4 huge crates of clothing, wigs, boots, heels and shoes.
When I got there, the scumbag thieves had literally opened every box and every plastic container and dumped it all out in a pile. . All my girly stuff wasn't touched so that was a relief. Neither was about $3000 worth of astronomy equipment. All they took were my 2 55" TVs and some Pelican boxes full of camera equipment. (That one hurt).
I have $2000 of insurance on the unit but making a claim requires a police report and trying to get HPD out there to make a report is an exercise in patience. In the end I just decided to eat it. The TVs were $400 each (TCL Walmart) and it's just not worth my time. They didn't get my Canon camera bodies or my best lenses because those weren't there either.
It was a big cleanup job that I had to do myself because of all the CD stuff there. It sucked but what can you do?
They have video, yes. But it's just 2 guys in hoodies, can't make out any details. Living in a big city, the cops could care less about investigating. When I called to report it, they wanted to come out the next week. It's not like they're going to put a detective on the case LOL. That's why I just dropped it. My time is worth more to me than sitting around waiting for the cops to find time to come out, write it up and stick it in a file that will never be opened again.Quote:
Originally Posted by RebeccaS
I used to have my girls cloths in my closet, sort of hiding in plain site. Then i bought a gun safe and presently have my cloths in there. Now after reading a thread on here about what if i died and my cloths was found got me highly considering a climate controlled storage place. I once had a PO box to have cloths sent to used a fake name. I would guess you can get a storage unit under a fake name and pay with cash.
My storage locker is under my real boy name.
My PO box is also under my real name. I've been asked to verify my ID several times.
I'm not hiding my CDing wardrobe but my Wife thought it would be a good idea for me to rent a smalll storage unit to store my alter ego wardrobe as I was beginning to take over the bedroom and loft. I put everything into boxes and labelled them so I know whats in what an now i just keep my prized garments in the house. It's not a climate controlled storage unit so I have to keep my fiingers crossed that nothing get's ruined whilst in there.
In my small city of 210,000+ the police department takes reports of these thefts over the telephone or file them on-line. You're given a case number. The best local case of someone not paying the bill occurred several years ago. New wife said screw paying the storage fee and did not. The locker contents was sold at auction unknown to her husband. Bidder found hubby's first wife's body wrapped in plastic. So, you better not keel over and die with a locker full of stuff if you do not want your family to find out. I got a notice of a foreclosure at the facility down the street. Turns out the person used my address. Here, such notices are sent by certified by mail...by law. I keep 24+ Xerox boxes of fem stuffed stacked in our converted garage. Unlike Judy, my wife is scared to snoop around the house for fear of what she will find. It's all "hidden" in plain site.