PODS portable POD
After much debate on how to get all my stuff from Massachusetts to South Carolina, I finally settled on a Pod from PODS. Pod stands for "Portable on Demand Storage". The PODS service is simple. PODS delivers what looks like the back of a truck to your driveway. You pack it full of your stuff, lock it and they pick it up and move it to your new destination. Then you unlock it and get to unpack it. When you're done unpacking your Pod, they come and haul it away.
Using PODS came down to the fact that I really didn't have that much stuff and I was frustrated with the high price quotes from long distance movers. One quote was higher than all my stuff was worth! Plus, after googling some of the nightmare experiences some people have had with movers -- PODS seemed a good choice. My Pod made it from Massachusetts to South Carolina without a hitch. Here is my review of the PODS moving service.
No Crazy Moving Day
You get to avoid a rushed, panic filled moving day -- which are never, ever fun. My Pod sat in my driveway for ten days while I packed it at my pace. I'd spend a few hours packing each day until the Pod was full. At our destination (South Carolina) the Pod sat, locked in our driveway until we unpacked it. So, no crazy moving day there either. I'd unpack a few boxes here, a chair there, until it was empty.
New Respect for Movers
You have to move all your stuff (heavy and light) into this Pod, and arranging it is like some unkind reality version of Tetris. PODS claims that their larger Pod holds a 1,500 square foot home. I didn't find this to be the case. Maybe if you are a Tetris World Champion. However, this does have a upside -- with space at a premium, I found myself getting rid of a lot of stuff I just don't need, most of which would have otherwise been packed up and moved, only to sit and gather dust after a 1,000 mile journey South.
Fill Everything
Pack everything full. This means if you pack a dresser, you'll want fill all the drawers up with stuff too while it's in the Pod, which maximizes space. I also hung lighter items (bikes, lounge chairs) from the top of the Pod using bungee cords. S-Hooks were provided in the Pod.
PODS was on Time
PODS did a excellent job communicating. Not once did I have to call and ask if and when the Pod would be delivered. It was the other way around. Not only did PODS e-mail me each night before a delivery but the driver personally called me both times in route. PODS was on time and on schedule during the whole process. Great job.
Handle with Care
The Pod is never tilted. PODS uses a device called the Podzilla to lift and move your Pod evenly. This way the contents of your Pod wont fall all over the place. It worked -- nothing was broken during the move. Also, The Pod that PODS delivered me was brand new and never used --I was lucky there.
Sealed Tight
Heavy rain hit after I had packed the Pod and I suddenly I feared the worst: would my Pod leak onto my furniture? Fortunately, the next day after I opened it up, nothing got wet, or even damp.
Extra Costs
I spent $30 on bungee cords, $85 on a dozen moving blankets and $5 on a padlock. These items are a must. Also, I already had a furniture dolly from a previous move. You'll need one of these for moving heavy items from your front door to the pod. Tips: I gave the PODS drivers between $10 to $20.
If you don't mind moving heavy and light items and packing and unpacking yourself, PODS is an excellent moving choice. But be warned -- the Pod might be a bit smaller than you expect and getting everything in there can be a challenge.
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