CHICAGO (CBS) – A young Chicago entrepreneur’s dream was ruined by a thief who took much of his inventory and equipment from a storage unit.
Despite being insured, the businessman appeared to be out of luck.
Aspiring fashion designer Pierre Keller felt like he was finally succeeding. His clothing line, called Weatlh, was featured in a fashion show in Chicago.
His merchandise also hangs in an Oak Lawn store. The proud moment was captured on video.
“I have to keep this going because I can really make a career out of this,” Keller said.
To expand his collection, Keller needed a storage space.
“I wanted to put up lights and make it a real office, but you know, it didn’t get to that point,” he said.
He didn’t make it, just three weeks after securing space in a South Side public warehouse. He said he discovered his lock was missing. The bolt seemed broken.
“I raised it,” he said. “All my inventory is gone. My printer is gone. My heat press is gone.”
A stranger took an estimated $15,000 worth of clothing and equipment.
“I couldn’t do anything but cry,” Keller said.
An analysis of police reports for six randomly selected public storage locations in Chicago revealed incidents of theft in five of the six facilities. Some have been hit by scammers more than ten times since 2015.
CBS
Keller felt better when he remembered getting Orange Door storage insurance through Public Storage. He submitted an inventory form, an official report and many photos.
“I mean, I thought, you know, my stuff is obviously gone,” Keller said. “Obviously I’m going to get a check.”
His claim was rejected.
“They told me I had no evidence of forced entry,” Keller said.
The company that handles public storage insurance claims said Keller had to prove his property was stolen through “forced entry.” They said a missing lock was ‘not enough’. Apparently his photos showing the damaged door weren’t up to par either.
Insurance denials have apparently been a problem for public storage customers for more than a decade. A 2010 investigative series from CBS News in San Francisco examined multiple cases of a Public Storage-funded insurance company refusing to pay out cash for theft claims, citing a need for more evidence.
Despite having three surveillance cameras at Keller’s public storage facility, the company said it could not help him obtain the footage and use it as potential evidence. CBS 2 tried for weeks to ask Public Storage and its claims manager about the issue.
How can a customer prove that there has been “forced entry” to their unit if a missing lock or a bent lock is not sufficient and if surveillance footage is not available?
Keller was at a loss because inventory was low and there was no equipment to make more.
“They really hurt a young black entrepreneur,” he said.
But then “world in vision” co-founder Marlon Watts, the co-founder of WRLDINVSN, a clothing company that Keller idolizes, stepped in to help. CBS 2 asked the well-known brand makers if they wanted to help.
Keller received an invitation to join the company’s business incubator.
Finally there was joy for the young entrepreneur after months of sadness.
Keller also heard from the insurance company after CBS 2 reached out. A supervisor told him that despite a media investigation, the company’s decision to deny his claim stood.
A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may cover belongings kept in a storage unit. Customers should check their policies. They should also take photos and keep an updated list of everything in storage.
