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Comment by jwagenet | Hacker News Reader

I’m pretty sure most large storage operations (U-Haul, extra space, etc) have per unit door sensors which work in concert with customer check in/out to verify authorized openings.

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I have never encountered anything like this at storage units from a wide scale of corporate ownership, different levels of newness, and different levels of affluence in the area. Not saying they don't exist but I've never seen any reasonably priced storage units that bother with this level of tracking.

I'm pretty sure they don't: source I've helped move people's stuff in and out of a couple of different places. My experience is very limited, so if you have more data points where you have seen such things, please share.

https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Storage/What-Security-Features-Ar...

I can speak for U-Haul specifically because I have used them and a customer can see the sensors in their unit. The sensors are deactivated when a customer checks in.

Thank you.

The local storage operation I use has exactly that. If you do not "badge in" and open a door - the alarm goes off. When the manager was showing me the unit he said "Hey, an alarm is going to go off when I open this door - don't be surprised" and explained the system.

Yup! My local U-Haul has a sign in/out system. In the main office there's a monitor/giant TV that shows a map of the facility, including alerts for all doors currently open and authorized.

https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/K_IeKTxlLTzLBd4F9Ett...

If I don't sign in, as soon as I try to roll my door up the alarms are going to go off. If I don't sign out after closing the door and leaving, the next time I try to sign in I will be denied entry until I speak to a manager and be yelled at about signing out when I leave.

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