I just ran across this article about Owner's Locker by travel writer Rori Paul and wanted to share it.
Rori's writes a blog called Roritravel Blog.
you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter
Thanks, Rori!
john
Owners Locker, Orlando visitor’s best friend
Frankly its brilliant.
A storage option that allows you to keep your stuff in Florida so that whenever you come for a visit, you’ve got the comforts of home with you.
And you don’t have to bring them or worry to enjoy!
I sat down with co-owner/founder of Owner’s Locker, John Van Meter at the Celebration Starbucks (thanks again John for letting me be late) to talk about it. I’d first seen this “thing” on Twitter & followed. But didn’t give it a second thought.
Then I heard about it in passing & thought I should take another look. I checked out the website & thought it sounded like a great idea.
Set up an interview with John & found out I was right - this thing is brilliant.
Let’s face it, the Orlando area is home to a lot of return vacationers. Some have Timeshares, others just come back year after year - heck, some come back a few times each year.
So John & business partner Brain Whitt put together the Purple Van & its odyssey of helping return vacationers keep home here in the Sunshine State, while making their lives & vacations a whole heck of a lot easier!
What’s the deal?
You come down to the Orlando area every year for a vacation. That means having to pack toiletries, clothes and what-have-you. Now with all those restrictions that airlines have heaped into your travel life, even the toiletries are tough to pack.
Then when you get here you have to hit the store to buy those other things you like: liquor, food, even those bathroom essentials it just wasn’t easy to include. Staying in a Timeshare or wanting to save bucks, this isn’t the easiest way to achieve nirvana.
So along comes the Purple Van.
You pay a one time sign up fee ($75) that gets you your purple box & the storage space in their temperature controlled facility. You get your access to the website & can now make your reservations at any time, for any time. Heck, not coming down for 2 years but don’t want to worry about it - set up your drop off/pick up and leave the rest to the Purple Van.
Now, for the yearly fee ($99) you’ll get the storage of your box & one visit. Additional visits are $25 each. Get the Premium Plan if you come down a lot for $179 & get unlimited visits.
What’s a visit?
That means that via the web, you let the Purple Van know when you’ll be coming down & leaving.
When you arrive, the van has already dropped off your purple box at your resort, hotel, condo, or timeshare. You check in and have it in the room waiting, or sent to the room, and you’re good to go.
When you leave, pack it up & leave it & the Purple Van returns to get it, store it, and the worries are gone. Heck, the worries are none!
What’s the big deal?
Every time you come to Florida you have to pack. What if you could keep a full (cheaper) supply of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, brush, shaver, feminine products, you name it, all down there, ready and waiting?
What if you could keep liquor, glasses, your sound machine, electric toothbrush, pool toys, flashlight, CD’s, DVD’s, even clothes here and not have to worry?
That’s what people are keeping in their Purple Box.
The Purple Box
Its a large industrial sized box that’s pretty darn huge. Measuring 20” by 22” by 13” deep, you’ll get a range of items into the box & likely have room for more.
Check out the site for visuals of just how much people can get in there.
(What people are saying)
But you’re worried you’ll need more? No problem - get another box.
You’ll get dividers & this tray container thing to help get you organized.
Take the worry away.
Seriously, this is brilliant. A lot of folks come back year and after year. Some come multiple times a year. This simple but brilliant set up allows you to save money by not buying those cheesy little toiletry containers, lets you bring “home” with you by keeping it here, ready & waiting, and makes a stay in Central Florida as easy and comfortable as can be.
No worry, no hassle, no wasted time & money.
What could be better?
I’m hoping to get a chance to go out with the Purple Van sometime to get a first hand look - but until then, give it a look for yourself & make your Florida Vacations a lot more like home & a lot less stressful.
