PODS-- bad idea for moving and storage
 

You know those commericals for Portable On Demand Storage: PODS? I got completely ripped off by these people and discourage any and all from using their services. I figured it would be a great way to move my stuff and store it until school started. WRONG!
I called up to make my reservation, asked for a quote based on my needs, and what I got quoted back to me seemed reasonable. Later on, I got hit with additional charges that were not part of that "bottom line" price I had requested.

No where in my paperwork does it state what the grand total charges will be. If you like being taken and losing money, I recommend their service.

I learned the hard way-- save your money and don't get ripped off by PODS! I encourage you to spread the word!

Interesting. I've thought about using those before and I'll remember to avoid them, or at least be sure I deal with them in a highly suspicous manner.

I'm surprise they didn't give you the bill/contract before you use their service, so then you will be able to see the charges beforehand in paper before even using them. Most companies should be able to give you the papers beforehand. It does sound shady, and sorry about your loss though :(.

You're better off just getting a storage unit. With PODS, you can't just go in there whenever you need to grab something.

my brother was just about to order a POD guess I better tell him to get all the charges up front. Thanks for the warning.

they are also eyesores....people in my complex started using them and they would be outside for weeks ...WEEEKS at a time blocking parking spaces. and then management had to step in.

My neighborhood association has a restriction on PODS, you can rent one but it can't stay in your driveway for more than 3 days. As crazy as my HOA is, they're pretty good about enforcing that rule. :p

our HOA is meeting next month on that too...the last time soneone had one out...the kids vandalized it.

That was my problem. I needed it from date A to date B and the number quoted was less than what I was charged by about $1000. They claimed, "Oh well, we couldn't give you a grand total estimate because it depends on the duration of your use." UM, what part of finite Date A to Date B was not understood?

Tell your brother not to order them-- he will get screwed. Since I had this experience, I did some more homework-- there are several consumer complaints about these guys-- not just for the hidden costs, but also the containers themselves.

I made a big mistake choosing PODS.

Do you have a particular website where you found the complaints? Something I could print out and show my brother?

Does anyone have a recommendation for another similar company that is better than Pods? Or- is it easier to just rent a U-haul and then a storage space at the other end of your move if you are moving before finding a house?

You could try Get-A-SAM (Store And Move.) I'd be leary of any companies similar to PODS, since the idea is somewhat new they're paving the path for what they get to charge & how they apply surcharges to the services.

I would suggest just getting a storage unit. Also, check around, a lot of places offer first month deals and have free moving trucks with rental.

We had neighbors who used PODS while they were building a house and many of their items got damaged because the PODS were not well-made.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/pods.html

This is a site that has some reports about PODS.

Another person recommended a PODS-like company called U-Pack and had a good experience with them.

I wouldn't recommend a U-Haul either. The AP just did a big investigation on how they don't service the trucks and keep them in service longer than they should, and there have been injuries and deaths as a result of U-Hauls that shouldn't have been on the road.

GoMini's
 

I have used a new company called GoMini's. They are similar to PODS but they offer great customer service & their containers are larger, cheaper( price), & built better. I highly recommend them.

Well, according to this report, it (PODS) has an unsatisfactory rating. If I were you, I'd make another formal complaint to the BBB. Maybe you'll find some relief.

Bumpity bump re PODs, storage etc.

I need to store furniture for approximately 2 weeks, month at most. Should I get one of these movable things or a regular storage unit? Also wtf about not being able to get into them?

I'm a little paranoid about being away from my "things" and the idea of being able to have something that's near me, rather than having to go to a storage unit somewhere else, is what appeals to me about the whole PODS concept.

I'd say just get a regular storage unit. I called PODs last week on a quote for a cross country move and they quoted me a little over $3,000!!! I think I can sell everything and start over a LOT cheaper.

In fairness to PODS, we used them for a local move when we had our house built about a year ago.. We stored about half our belongings in a POD while we moved into a small apartment awaiting for our house to be finished. Everything we were told was accurate, everything we needed from PODS was handled quickily and courteously. I paid exactly what was quoted and it was a deal by far when compared to renting a truck and making multiple trips to a storage unit.

I am of the impression that PODS is a franchise operation. The one in my area was great. Maybe its depends upon the local owners. But its not accurate to paint the whole company with the same broad strokes. I would definitley use them again.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but what I was told about PODS is that they bring them to you, you put your stuff in, and then they take them to their storage place. They're stackable, just like the cargo thingies on trains and ships. You're better off getting a storage unit. A month should be relatively cheap especially if you go to a mom & pop type place. You can go into the unit whenever you want and you don't have to worry about putting your belongings in someone else's hands.

My family was in the self storage business. If the facility does not offer insurance, make sure the furniture is covered under your home owner's insurance and it should be covered in the facility. That's how our's worked, not sure if it varies state to state.