Bounce: Luggage Storage Nearby

At Tokyo’s JR Train Station, we used this app/ service to book storage for bags we don’t need for the next 6 days. We re-arranged our bags to optimize for the storage we booked, specifically. We booked three large lockers through the app, located directly across the street from the station— with confirmation from Bounce. Needing to drop stuff between trains, we timed this with a spare 45 min to figure it out / pad just in case— and needed it. First, the address bounce provided was a block away. The reception at the wrong address knew immediately as this seems to happen regularly, and kindly sent us to the right building. Once we found the lockers and scanned with the app, the wrong size locker opened, indicating the size we booked weren’t available. We figured it could’ve been user error and so tried to shove stuff in there expecting the other two lockers to be the correct ones. However, when we went to open up the next locker, the locker screen indicated that there were no more lockers available… effectively our Bounce reservation didn’t actually reserve anything. We immediately contacted Support, which to their credit, responded immediately through the chat in the app… But besides offering a refund and a discount for future booking, there was nothing they could do. It’s put us in quite the predicament, particularly because we now have extra luggage to figure out with very little time, but the clear take away is that booking through Bounce does not actually confirm booking availability and that’s a problem as it undermines the entire service.

The Rif-Boutique Hotel is a gorgeous property and is a convenient walk directly between the Pisa San Rossore train station (Pisa San Rossore is the station that is closest to the tower—about a 7 minute walk, versus a 20+ minute walk from Pisa Centrale); we commented we wished we weren’t just stopping to see the tower and had time to stay and enjoy the beautiful Rif property. Our only problem was with the Bounce site: I googled where I could check bags from San Rossore and the Bounce site came up; you have to book and pay before you can see the address to drop off bags; I booked and paid for 4 bags, then clicked “see address” and it prompted me to download the Bounce app but in the process my connection was lost—I got no email confirmation or reference number so then I went back to the website but it just took me back to the home screen: I had no record of my transaction and still no adresss, so I had to start over and re-book the whole thing. I paid twice.. had 2 separate charges for the same location and 2 requests for reviews. Not a fault of the Rif, a lovely and convenient place, but rather of Bounce.

I had to waste some precious time and was stressed trying to book the storage as the system would not allow me to book more than a same day pick up. Nobody replied to my message for help even though it said they usually reply in a few minutes. I just had to keep trying both through the website and on the app until it suddenly let me select a pick up date 2 days later. Apart from that, the storage location which was a money changer was very conveniently located a few minutes walk from Gare du Nord and the Eurostar. Although the place always had customers waiting to change money both during drop off and pick up, luckily there was an employee available that I was able to gesture to that I had luggage. At drop off, you have to take a photo of your bag(s), they put a label on it and then you have to show them the photo when you pick up. It was very quick and efficient. And it felt safe as they put it in their office behind locked doors where the public cannot access. It is also very affordable for the convenience. My second time using Bounce in Paris. Highly recommend.