PODS Reviews
In this PODS review, we detail the moving and storage company’s services, cost, and reputation.
When you’re moving to a new location, do you pack up and move all by yourself? Or do you prefer to seek professional assistance? Because each method for moving has its own benefits and drawbacks, it’s up to the homeowner to determine their personal preferences and make a decision based on those qualities.
If you decide to hire a moving company to help with your packing, transporting, and storage needs, it’s important to find one whose reputation you can trust. The This Old House Reviews team researched some of the top moving companies to give you our best recommendation. Check out our PODS review and decide if it’s the right company for you.
Our Take on PODS
PODS is a well-known name in moving services and storage solutions around North America. The company was founded in 1998, creating a name that stands for “Portable On-Demand Storage.” Its goal is to provide flexible moving solutions and do-it-yourself options for homeowners, renters, and businesses. You can rent its portable containers to load up your belongings and control your own moving timeline. Although the company offers convenience and ease, it does not have widely available discounts.
Pros & Cons
Learn about some of the advantages and disadvantages of PODS:
Services
PODS provides nontraditional moving services with the opportunity for you to customize your service needs. The PODS team will deliver a moving container to your home and allow you storage on-site for as long as you need. You have the option to keep the container on your property and take your time loading it.
If you need help with packing or loading your items, PODS can give you a referral for service providers in your area.
When you’re ready, the driver will pick up your PODS container. You can choose to have it stored at a PODS storage center or move it to your new home. The company offers local and long-distance moving services and three different sizes to meet your needs. An added bonus is that you can order as many containers as you need.
Here are some details about each container size offered by PODS:
About the PODS Moving Container
The storage containers offered by PODS are made with steel construction to ensure durability and weather-resistance. The roll-up door allows you more room to load your belongings, and it gives you ground-level access. This means you won’t have to worry about rolling out a large ramp.
During the move, you get to hold onto the keys, so you can remain confident that your items are safe and secure.
Availability
A large brand in the moving and storage industry, PODS has many locations across the United States, as well as international locations in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Although PODS locations are only in 44 states and Washington, D.C., its website states that its team can help you move anywhere in the nation.
You can find a PODS location in all U.S. states except the following:
Alaska Montana North Dakota Vermont West Virginia WyomingVisit the Locations page to find a full list of states within its service area, as well as details about each state’s services.
How Much Does PODS Cost?
PODS offers flexible moving solutions for many different customers’ needs. On its website, the company estimates local moves using a storage container will cost around $299-499. The cost of moving services from PODS will be different for every customer because every move has different needs.
Your customer service representative will estimate your customized price by looking at personal factors like:
Where you currently live The distance of your move The container size you need Number of containers requiredFor the most accurate price for your moving and storage needs, get a quote online. When you get a price estimate, it’ll include:
Container delivery and pickup 30 days to load or store your belongings before pickup Transportation to your new homeUnfortunately, packing and loading labor are not included in your price from PODS. If you’d prefer to have help with those parts of your move, PODS can refer you to local businesses that offer those services.
Scheduling
When you’re ready to get started with moving services from PODS, request a quote online or over the phone. You’ll be asked to provide some information about your move and the services you’re looking for. This includes whether it’s a corporate move or residential storage, as well as your moving date, distance, and contact information.
You get to choose the delivery and pickup dates for your storage or moving container. Then, you’ll gain access to PODS’ online tools to schedule your move. Log in to the online dashboard to manage your order and make changes.
The company recommends that customers schedule their move as soon ahead of time as possible. This will give you optimal time to choose an ideal moving date and to prepare your home. Summer is a busy season for moves, so you may save money if you schedule outside of that season.
Customer Service
When deciding on a moving company to relocate your personal items and furniture, make sure to do your research on its customer satisfaction ratings. You want to work with a company that is known for a courteous and professional team that is licensed and insured.
PODS is not accredited on the Better Business Bureau site, which isn’t always a red flag since companies are required to pay a fee for accreditation. The company does, however, hold an F rating with the organization and has a mix of positive and negative reviews. The company also has thousands of reviews on Trustpilot, where it holds over a 4-star rating.
In reviewing PODS reviews, we found some positive feedback that complimented the company for completing deliveries on time. Negative reviews mentioned communication issues, as the customers had trouble trying to reach a representative over the phone.
Below are some real PODS reviews.
Lisa via TrustPilot said:
“The customer service is absolutely amazing! I was able to schedule 2 pods for a move over 1000 miles away and coordinate pick up and delivery seamlessly in the middle of a pandemic. Every single person I spoke to was absolutely fantastic!”
Jeremy M. via BBB said:
“They missed their transport window and now customer service cannot find me an update because they did the work out of the system in a notes field. I have two customer advocates on this and neither one will return my calls or emails. Everything I own is in these PODS.”
Our Conclusion
Our Reviews team discovered that PODS is a great option for DIYers who are doing some spring cleaning and tidying up or moving across the country. It may not be ideal if you want full-service moving solutions that include help with packing items and loading your container, but it’s worth noting that PODS can connect you to services that complete those tasks.
Also, like many other companies, PODS does have a decent number of negative reviews across third-party review sites. However, because it has also had many satisfied customers and has more transparent pricing details than some others in the industry, we recommend getting a quote and considering the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the PODS team drop off my container?
When you schedule a move with PODS, you can access an online customer dashboard. There, you can access tools like the Estimated Service Window. This timeframe will be available after 6 pm on the night before your scheduled delivery date.
Once you schedule a container dropoff, you don’t have to be home for the delivery. You can get notifications via email about the status of your delivery.
Are any items not allowed to store in a PODS container?
Customers are not allowed to load hazardous items into their rented moving containers. This includes toxic chemicals, liquids, or gases, as well as waste, motorized vehicles, and illegal items.
PODS also discourages its customers from loading valuable items like family heirlooms, important documents, or other special personal property. Those can be guaranteed safe within your own personal vehicle.
Does PODS sell moving supplies?
Yes, you can order moving supplies like boxes and packing materials from PODS online. It offers free shipping and states that many packages can be delivered to your home the next business day.
Does PODS offer any discounts?
On its website, PODS mentions that it offers a military discount. However, it does not mention what this discount amounts to. For more information, mention that you’re a member of the military when requesting a quote.
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