Anyone use Pods for moving service?

[dmm5157]

We've got a move upcoming across the state and I got a couple of quotes to have full service moving done (box up, etc). I was floored at the $7,500 estimate, but ok it's a big house and a lot of stuff. It gets worse when we factor in that since we're having a house built, we'd have to move everything into storage, only to have to move stuff into our new house in 7-8 months. So I have to add in the storage facility fees ranging from $200-400/mo to acomodate the amount of stuff we have.

I looked up Pods and called to get a quote for what it would cost for 2 of their 8x16x8 units and store them for 8 months. Drop off, pick up, transport to our new city, storage for 7-8 months, and then deliver to our new house was going to be only $3,000. Apparently when you store for as long as we are, they waive the pick up and transportation fees. All we pay is $383 (after tax) for 2 units storage at the start of each month.

On surface, seems like a great deal. Gives us flexibility to start packing up our stuff immediately and we can load up our stuff starting one pod at a time, then ask for another to be dropped off and picked up.

So I decided to do some Pod online review searched and have read nothing but awful reviews. I know typically online people tend to write more negative reviews than positive reviews. So has anyone actually used them before? Any issues or things you'd recommend to avoid?

 

[mcgrawfsu]

I don't know much about them, but they do have a number of competitors now. May be worth checking some of them out.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I've heard of good experiences with PODS.

Reading your post reminds me of how much I hate moving.

 

[dmm5157]

I don't know much about them, but they do have a number of competitors now. May be worth checking some of them out.

Good call, I may do that.

This price just seems stupid cheap by comparison to professional load (Allied) + getting my own storage unit) and having to move again after our house is done is just absurd to me. That'd put me out over $10k for that timeframe.

Since we have a lot of flexibility on when our house is done and won't need the stuff in the pods for any critical amount of time, it should work out just fine if it takes them a few days to deliver it once our house is done.

 

[dmm5157]

I've heard of good experiences with PODS.

Reading your post reminds me of how much I hate moving.

Yes, I hate moving. I've moved 5 times in my life, this will be #6 and by-far the worst once. First move since we had kids and it feels like we have twice as much stuff since the last time we moved.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Yes, I hate moving. I've moved 5 times in my life, this will be #6 and by-far the worst once. First move since we had kids and it feels like we have twice as much stuff since the last time we moved.

I hear you.

I moved cross country one time and everything I owned fit in my car. Years later and I can't believe all the crap we've acquired (my stuff included).

 

[nolejam99]

I used PODS last summer and had a positive experience with them. We sold our house quickly and were had to wait 6 weeks for our new home to finish being built. I found it super convenient since it combined moving and storage into one step. After six weeks when they dropped the two units at our new house everything was in great shape. I will say that you have to be careful about scheduling the drop off and pick ups b/c times get booked fast and certain days become unavailable. Also 32 days equals two months but I still found it to be affordable and as painless as moving can be. And because it was cheaper than the other options we were able to hire movers to load and unload the pods. Found some movers who charge by the hour and they were able to unpack our two units in about an hour and a half.

 

[2noles1cup]

if you rent a uhaul. You can hire a crew for
Like $75/hr

 

[dmm5157]

if you rent a uhaul. You can hire a crew for
Like $75/hr

Right, but I still have to store the stuff. So I'd have to move the stuff, unload everything into a storage unit, then re-load everything back and move to our new house in 7 months. Basically, that would be like moving twice AND having to tow a vehicle since I cannot drive U-Haul and my truck. And pay for the storage unit.

With Pods, one time move and just pay for the storage fees, which are actually lower than the ones I've seen in the Melbourne, FL area for the size that we need. Their storage is also indoor temperature and humidity controlled.


The reason I'm trying to be cheap here is I have an incentive to reduce my moving cost as I'm getting a flat rate bonus check to cover move and they were estimating it at around $8k.

I don't mind packing my own stuff, I don't need movers to come and rummage through all our crap.

 

[billanole]

I was gonna question heat and humidity issues, but you answered that late in the post. Be careful about how much time your best stuff is out in the heat and humidity. Most of those POD type containers are vented to help with this issue, but stuff coming from an air conditioned house into a hot truck often forms condensation immediately.
If you have never loaded for moving there are a few basics to remember...
Base on the bottom (any appliances, chests, tables,...etc)
Well packed boxes can also be stacked for base. Have as few open top boxes as possible.
Chairs, lighter/smaller furniture stacked above, boxes, clothes up top. Labeled boxes are your friend.
Use furniture pads, your blankets, linens, towels, cardboard sheets, etc... to protect finish on furniture.
Rougher heavy crap like yard statuary, mowers, tools, etc... either go under table legs low or may need to be "floor loaded" in a designated area without much on top since that is a tough "stack".

Most important of all...pack it tight so that nothing can move around. Friction while on the road rubs finishes, allows glassware to "clink", paintings to get punched and other cool things to happen. Also remember that these PODs will get lifted around multiple times, sometimes at tilted angles. Movement inside is bad. If possible, tie or brace objects into position.
Most important of all # 2... hire some experienced folks and tip them well if all arrives in same condition as it left your place.

 

[littleitch1]

Had a pod on property for like 6 moths

No leaks
But they do get hot

Just open them up now and then and you should be fine

 

[FSUSarah]

We used PODS last year when we moved into the house we bought in Mississippi. It was a great experience for us. But we just were moving a town over and didn't need to store our stuff like you do. Probably had the POD for a month or so. The whole process was very easy.

 

[OrlandNole]

Had a pod on property for like 6 moths

No leaks
But they do get hot

Just open them up now and then and you should be fine

The OP said they store off-site in a temperature controlled facility. Sounds good to me.

My youngest is entering his final year of high school. Our next move will be to downsize. We're just going to get rid of everything and start fresh.

 

[southgateNOLE]

Go for it. Every time I go on vacation, no matter the quality of hotel, I feel like I'm about to enter hell based on online reviews. It always works out. PODS has been around for a while. If they are storing it in a A/C facility like you mentioned and you are flexible with your drop off date then I would think you are fine.

 

[dero316]

Used a Pod for our move a couple months back but not to the extent you plan on doing. I had it less than a month and we moved 7 miles away.

I didn't have any problems and found it convenient and easy. I googled "Pods Coupon Code" before ordering and saved 10% or something similar.

 

[RangerNole]

Haven't moved in a long time. The last time was within the state and the most valuable lesson we learned the hard way was there is very little regulation on within state moving until you cross state lines not a lot of protection.

 

[2noles1cup]

Right, but I still have to store the stuff. So I'd have to move the stuff, unload everything into a storage unit, then re-load everything back and move to our new house in 7 months. Basically, that would be like moving twice AND having to tow a vehicle since I cannot drive U-Haul and my truck. And pay for the storage unit.

With Pods, one time move and just pay for the storage fees, which are actually lower than the ones I've seen in the Melbourne, FL area for the size that we need. Their storage is also indoor temperature and humidity controlled.


The reason I'm trying to be cheap here is I have an incentive to reduce my moving cost as I'm getting a flat rate bonus check to cover move and they were estimating it at around $8k.

I don't mind packing my own stuff, I don't need movers to come and rummage through all our crap.

i would still hire a crew.

 

[Dee1135]

I used PODS last summer and had a positive experience with them. We sold our house quickly and were had to wait 6 weeks for our new home to finish being built. I found it super convenient since it combined moving and storage into one step. After six weeks when they dropped the two units at our new house everything was in great shape. I will say that you have to be careful about scheduling the drop off and pick ups b/c times get booked fast and certain days become unavailable. Also 32 days equals two months but I still found it to be affordable and as painless as moving can be. And because it was cheaper than the other options we were able to hire movers to load and unload the pods. Found some movers who charge by the hour and they were able to unpack our two units in about an hour and a half.

Did the same thing NoleJam did this summer. Worked out for us perfectly. Hired movers to pack the heavy furniture and unpack two months later.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

I used them when they were getting going nationally in about 2007. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I had a case where the next destination for my stuff was unknown and thus used the full slate of their services at the time.

It was smooth, cost effective, and they arrived/dropped off right on time.

 

[vevois23]

Just decline the promotion and stay in Tally. Problem solved