Revenge Served Cold

 Following is a copy of a customer grievance lodged with UHaul Arbitration

June 26, 2020 

Glen K. LaConey,     

                    Complainant,         

v.                                     

Jacqueline Matthews, individually and in her personal capacity; and,   

UHaul, Co., a South Carolina Corporation,              

                    Respondents.     

Re:    NOTICE OF DISPUTE  

           Certified Mail Return Receipt #7020 0640 0000 1068 6039  

COMES NOW, the Complainant, Glen K. LaConey (“LaConey”), a customer of UHaul Self Storage (“UHaul”), situated at 1037 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, seeking remedial and compensatory relief, based upon a pattern of harassment perpetrated by a Jacqueline Matthews (“Matthews”) against LaConey; and denial of authorized access to LaConey’s self-storage unit; and failure of Matthews to provide a climate controlled environment for LaConey’s unit, while acting under, and by abusing her authority as General Manager of UHaul. The facts in support of the within complaint are as follows: 

BACKGROUND:   

LaConey has been leasing self-storage Unit #E236 from UHaul since early 2019. UHaul  represents that it is a “Climate Controlled” facility. The access hours are posted conspicuously. [Complainant’s Exhibit 1]. In late 2019, Matthews was assigned as the Manager of UHaul. Immediately after assuming her assignment as Manager, Matthews began a campaign of harassment against LaConey and certain other UHaul customers as follows:   

1. Matthews has persistently locked the courtesy restrooms, then denied LaConey the key to the restooms, on the pretext that “the lock is not working”. Customers have urinated in the stairwells and other areas of the facility, presumably for the same reason, as evidenced by the numerous threatening notes posted by Matthews about the UHaul premises.    

2. Matthews, and other UHaul personnel, have persistently, and discriminately locked the doors to the inside units up to one (1) hour before the prescribed time, without notice, thereby denying inside customers access to their units, to the exclusion of customers leasing outside units. Matthews intimidates inside customers by hovering nearby with her arms folded, and demanding that all customers exit the building immediately, under threat of eviction. Matthews has been observed yelling to customers with inside units, “I’m tired! I’m ready to go home! I’ll lock up whenever the [expletive] I want to! I don’t give a [expletive]!” Effectively, customers with outside units enjoy unfettered access, once they pass through the security gate, to the prejudice of customers with inside units. Such arbitrary, discriminate and abusive practices, exacted for the mere convenience of UHaul staff, are inconsistent with necessary safety and security measures outlined in the lease agreement; yet they are consistent with the pattern of harassment complained of.    

3. As stated above, UHaul represents that it is a “Climate Controlled” facility; however, the temperature inside Building E, where LaConey’s unit is situated, persistently exceeds 100 degrees F. [Complainant’s Exhibit 2]. Matthews utterly refuses to take corrective action, which, again, is consistent with the pattern of harassment complained of. 

4. Most recently, Matthews has discriminately selected customers, who enter through the security gate on foot, to sign a logbook, to the exclusion of customers who drive through the gate, and/or who lease outside units, which, again, is consistent with the pattern of harassment complained of. LaConey’s claim is supported by video surveillance. (LaConey is prepared to engage in electronic and other discovery in support of his claim(s).)  LaConey will refuse to sign any logbook, until all members of the public are required to do so. LaConey will further refuse to acquiesce to any discriminatory practices perpetrated by Matthews, while acting under the direction and control of UHaul.

ARGUMENTS:   

LaConey contends that the discriminatory, prejudicial and abusive practices of Matthews, constitutes harassment, are violative of the lease agreement, and may violate the Civil Rights Act. Further, LaConey enjoys the prerogative to sue Matthews individually, and in her personal capacity, in lieu of suit in arbitration. LaConey further contends that UHaul condones Matthews’ conduct and would be separately liable for any damages sustained by LaConey. Any evidence developed in separate suit(s) against Matthews, may be used against UHaul in arbitration. There are also the prospect of mass arbitration claims from other aggrieved customers, with whom LaConey shares his input. 

RELIEF SOUGHT:   

1. Rent credit equivalent to the next month’s rent for the arbitrary and capricious denial of storage access. (A generous offer, under the attendant circumstances.)   

2. Provide Climate Control for all inside units within five (5) days from the date this notice is delivered.   

3. That Matthews immediately cease and desist the discriminate selection of certain customers to sign a logbook, upon entry into the storage facility. 

  

4. That Matthews cease and desist any, and all forms of harassment against, and abuse of UHaul customers.   

5. For such other and further relief as UHaul Co. deems appropriate under the attendant circumstances.   

                                                                                       Signed,  

                                                                             [Glen K. LaConey] 

 cc: Jacqueline Matthews,         

      General Manager,         

      Elmwood UHaul Self Storage,        

      via First Class Mail    

Update! Jacqueline Matthews has been terminated from U-Haul for misconduct. I didn't see that coming. 😏