Review for ESS / Extra Space Storage (via SMASH, Costa Rica) - Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) Extra Space Storage Employee Review

A great balance of physical and administrative work. The company gives you the tools to run a great business and the freedom to do so. Extra Space Storage is also the first company I've worked for that has actually kept all of their promises. They're people and family focused, they train, develop, and promote from within. They're the only employer I've ever recommended and felt happy to do so!

You'll get dirty, make hard decisions, work with upset customers, and have some difficult days, but what job doesn't have all that (except maybe the dirty part). It's hard to say there's "cons," but I'll admit, the job is not for everyone.

Solid schedule - 40 hours per week, not expected to be there more than that. No one looking over your shoulder constantly (unless you have a new DM, they can't seem to help it) Mostly great people to work with Local, immediate management does care and are helpful.

Very large rate increases really upset customers and that's just too bad. We are given word to tell them but it just isn't true. Putting more money in stock holder's pockets is the bottom line and it doesn't matter how much anger we have to deal with. You are absolutely expected to sell insurance to every renter. However, you must be careful because you aren't "insurance salesmen". You get a ding when you don't sell it. We are encouraged to use evasive language and rush through it so the renter thinks it's required without quite saying so. You would think this large of a corporation would have handymen available but it is so, so difficult to get the smallest repair done due to getting bids from vendors, turning them in, reminding the person you turned them in to what needs done maybe getting approval, then scheduling. By that time lights (or whatever) have been out for a month or 2. Benefits are very expensive and cover so little.