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.