PODS is an option for DIY mover who need help in certain aspects of the process of movingfor example, transport and delivery however prefer to manage the packing and loading by themselves. It’s also an excellent choice for those who need either long-term or short-term storage options prior to and after their move. In this PODS review will allow you to understand what they have to provide, so you can figure out whether it’s the right choice for your specific requirements.
The Home Media reviews team have done extensive research on the requirements to make it among the top moving firms. Based on our research we found that PODS is a great option for self-service moving.
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PODS Moving & Storage Overview
PODS was established around 1998, in Largo, Fla., by Peter Warhurst, a paramedic and firefighter who, after seeing many families lose their possessions in an incident at home and realized that portable storage containers could be the perfect solution for keeping things in the home secured and safe. The idea of mobility was applied to develop the steel-framed PODS containers, which are delivered directly to the customers’ homes on the ground to allow ease of moving and discharging at their own speed.
PODS’s goal is to offer storage solutions that are backed up by the ease of moving services, specifically, delivery and transport. In 1999, the company launched their first location located in Sarasota, Fla. By 2007, PODS had a fleet of more than 100,000 containers and in the year 2019 the company was able to complete the milestone of four million delivered deliveries as well as one million long-distance moves.
PODS offers storage solutions, as well as transportation and delivery solutions for both local and interstate relocations across 44 states and Washington, D.C. It’s currently not offered for Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming.
Pros and Cons of PODS
Assists with long-distance and local relocations
+Has a variety of container sizes that are available (8,12 as well as 16 feet)
+Offers City Service, which helps meet the requirements of moving into the city of a large urban area
Containers are available for lease per month.
Online quotes are only available for local moves
PODS Services
Below are some highlights of PODS the services and offerings offered by PODS:
PODS Moving Containers
PODS provides steel-framed containers that can be rented for a month. They are available in three sizes that include 8 feet, 12 feet and 16 feet.
Small Container 8-Foot:
- 500 sq. feet or less
- Ideal for college students
Medium Container 12-Foot:
- 500-800 sq. feet
- Perfect for a 1-bedroom home
Large Container 16-Foot:
- 1200 sq. feet
- Great for 2 bedroom home
The containers are delivered onto your drive or space at ground level to facilitate loading. After the items have been filled, you can set the time that PODS will bring your container to the curb and then transport it to the new location.
For those who require storage for a short or long time, PODS has onsite facilities in 44 states which it operates. Although the company doesn’t provide full-service options for moving but it will connect you to professionals who are knowledgeable about PODS containers and can assist you in packing and unpacking, as well as load and unloading.
PODS is an excellent option for people who are who want to handle the majority of elements of their relocation on their own or who want to unload and load their belongings over time instead of all in the same day. PODS provides flexible scheduling options for pick-up of containers that allow customers to determine the length of time they will have to fill up their containers. PODS can manage both long and local transport.
City Service
City Service is specifically designed to address the specific challenges of moving into major metropolitan regions. PODS drivers will stay in your container while you unload and load it to ensure that you don’t get theft, tickets or other problems. They also typically they will manage parking as well as any permits or homeowners’ association (HOA) needs for you. City Service is available in the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Canada and Washington, D.C.
Hourly Labor
PODS gives recommendations to professional companies for packing and loading in your region that are able to aid in as much or as you’d like. Customers can choose one of three partners on PODS’ website:
> HireAHelper
> Moving Staffers
> Pack & Load Services, Inc.
When you have selected the provider, it will begin searching its database of professional movers in order to locate the top-rated moving and packing company within your region according to your needs for moving which is a simple online questionnaire. You can arrange and reserve your move directly with the company.
Online Resource Center
PODS provides the same range of tools and resources for free that the majority of full-service moving companies offer. This includes a checklist of moving along with packing and loading advice as well as an online moving and storage tool. You can also purchase items for packing and moving according to the size of your container via PODSboxes.com.
Vehicle Transport
Like its move assistance program, PODS can refer you to two independent companiesAcertus and Mr. Acertus as well as Mr. Car Shipper for transportation of your vehicle to your new destination. These providers will then suggest a business within its network in your region to help you with your concerns.
PODS Cost, Discounts & Payment Options
PODS is based with a monthly flat rental rate, meaning you won’t be charged a prorated amount if you use the containers for less than 30 consecutive days.
>> Sample Quote The company only provides local moving quotes on the internet. If you are moving long distances you need to contact PODS to obtain a no-cost quote. The quotes are good for up to 7 days and will include the first month’s rent for the containers you are renting and the cost of delivery and pickup. We were given a price in the amount $2,850 for an 16-foot container for one month. We also had it shipped to Tampa, Fla. to Dallas.
>> Offers and discounts: PODS provides discounts including free delivery, and up to 15% off the cost of renting when you purchase minimum three months of storage for customers moving local (less then 50 miles).
More Pay Options The PODS card accepts credit and debit cards of all kinds, and handles most billing transactions through debits or automatic charges (acceptance of checks and cash is dependent on the location). Local charges are due one day prior to the delivery of the container. If you choose to use shortor long-term storageor choose to keep the container at your residence for more than a month, the charges are processed monthly at the same time as your first payment. Long-distance orders will be scheduled one week prior to the date of your scheduled service. They include the drop-off and the first month’s rent for the container, as well as transportation and delivery to your new address.
PODS Customer Reviews
PODS has been awarded a variety of awards over the past 20 years which include topping newsweek’s Annual America’s Best Customer Service list in 2019 in the moving category. It also holds a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) however it’s not certified by the BBB. *
We looked at reviews from customers on sites such as those of the BBB as well as TrustPilot and discovered that they’re not all positive. The majority of negative reviews from users of these websites are about billing issues and late delivery or late pickup of storage containers, and the lack of communication between the delivery staff and the customer support team. Reviews that are positive often highlight the ease and efficiency of moving using PODS as well as the simple delivery and pick-up procedure and excellent customer support.
We contacted PODS to ask for a comment on the customer feedback that was included in the article, but didn’t receive a reply at the time of publication. To address some of these problems contact an PODS representative prior to scheduling services.
Below is what past PODS customers have to say about their experiences with the company.
“PODS is straightforward and very user-friendly. The prices are very competitive with other [similar] services. I greatly appreciate the ease of setting up delivery and pick-up as well as the customer service. Great company, fair prices [and] excellent service.”
-Amy M. via Trustpilot
“PODS was fantastic from start to finish. Its City Service made moving out of NYC easy and way less stressful than I thought it was going to be. Great communication, helpful customer service, timely delivery [and] friendly and professional drivers on both ends. Paid a little more than some competitors but less than others, and the peace of mind was worth it. Would definitely use them again!”
-Amber M. via Trustpilot
“When you set up a delivery day for a POD, [the company] brings it a day late. When you set up a day to have your POD picked up, after you fill it, they also arrive a day late. It really put us in a bind.”
-Lela S. via BBB
“We booked a POD for a cross-country move. The initial drop-off, loading and pick-up was a seamless process. The move was supposed to take 12 days, and the agent went ahead and allowed me to schedule the container delivery. The POD never showed up on delivery day. There was no text, call or email to notify me that it was running behind. I had to place several calls to their call center to figure out what was going on. They never know exactly where the POD is, and they always end up emailing their logistics team while you wait on hold for logistics to respond … Bottom line is that I’m without my belongings for another week, and I lost a deposit on a moving crew because I had to cancel [at the] last minute.”
-Gary A. via Trustpilot
