Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
PODS Review
By Jessica Walrack MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
PODS Review
Do you have an upcoming move that’s inching closer each day? PODS moving containers may be able to help. You can have a pod dropped off at your home or office, load it at your own pace, and have it picked up when it’s time to go. But can PODS offer a better overall value than other moving companies? Here’s what you need to know.
Table of contents
PODS overview
Founded in 1998, PODS is a residential and commercial moving company that disrupted the industry with its portable storage containers. Instead of offering moving trucks, PODS brings customers a moving container they can load at their own pace. Customers can keep the container on their property for as long as they’d like, have it moved to a storage location, or have it moved to their new home or office. Over the past two decades, the company has helped customers complete over 6 million initial deliveries and 1.4 million long-distance moves.
PODS’ services
Here’s a closer look at the different ways PODS can help you with your next move.
What it offers
PODS offers a variety of services that can help you when moving your belongings from one place to another. Here are the basics.
Storage containers
For starters, the company rents out weather-proof storage containers (pods) on a monthly basis. You can choose from a variety of container sizes, including an 8-, 12-, or 16-foot container.
- The 8-foot container is recommended for moving a studio apartment or room of 500 square feet or less.
- The 12-foot container is recommended for moving a one-bedroom home of up to 800 square feet.
- The 16-foot container is recommended for a two-bedroom home of up to 1,200 square feet.
All PODS are steel-framed with either polymer wall panels or wood wall panels that are reinforced with aluminum exterior sheets. After you place your order, the company will drop off the container at your desired location on your scheduled delivery date.
Moving services
PODS also offers moving services. The company will come and pick up your fully-loaded pod, load it onto a moving truck, move it to your desired destination, drop it off so you can unpack, and then pick it up to remove it. You can hire PODS to help with local moves across town, long-distance moves across the country, and even international moves to Canada.
Storage facilities
If you’re not ready to move a pod to your final destination but don’t want it at your current location, you can also store it at an indoor PODS storage center. The company has facilities across the country in the states it serves. You can find the one nearest you on its website.
Other services
PODS can also help with the other odds and ends of moving. It offers boxes, tape, and other moving supplies for sale. Additionally, the company can refer you to car shipping service providers and local movers to help with packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading.
What it doesn’t offer
PODS doesn’t serve 6 U.S. states—Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Additionally, there are restrictions. While PODS offers car shipping, you can’t put a vehicle into a pod you rent. All motorized vehicles and lawnmowers are prohibited.
You also can’t load hazardous materials, like gas or chemicals. A comprehensive explanation of what is and isn’t allowed is included in your rental agreement.
PODS moving cost
PODS pricing depends on a variety of factors, including the container you rent, how long you need it, how far you’re moving, and whether you need to store it at a PODS facility.
For example, if you need to rent a 12-foot pod for one month and move it across town, the cost is going to be cheaper than renting a 16-foot pod for three months that will eventually be moved across five states.
Here’s a breakdown of PODS’ pricing categories:
- PODS storage containers: The cost to rent PODS storage units starts at $149 per month.
- Pick-up and delivery: Pick-up and delivery fees average $74.99.
- Moving fees: Additionally, you’ll pay a fee based on your specific move. For example, PODS estimates that a 2,800-mile move from New York to Los Angeles will cost from $3,000 to $4,300.
- Storage fees: All local and long-distance moves include a free month of storage, but any storage after the first month will incur a monthly fee which can vary by facility.
You can call the company or visit the website to request a free quote tailored to your specific situation.
PODS’ credentials
PODS has the required credentials to operate as an interstate moving company in the U.S. Additionally, it’s earned some recognition in the industry for its offerings.
Licenses and registrations
PODS Enterprises LLC is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and has a USDOT number and MC number.
- USDOT: 1397252
- MC number: 530785
Carriers that move goods across state lines are required to have a US DOT number, while those transporting regulated commodities across state lines must also have an MC number.
Awards and certifications
PODS was named the Best Moving and Storage Container Company for 2022 by Move.org. It was also ranked as the top moving company for customer service in 2019 by Newsweek—a ranking that was based on an independent survey of over 20,000 U.S. customers.
PODS’ accessibility
Next, here’s a look at PODS’ service area, contact channels, user experience, and limitations.
Availability
PODS is available to customers in 44 states, Washington D.C., the UK, and Canada, and it has storage facilities in the many states it serves. The pods are delivered to and picked up from PODS customers, so there’s no need to visit a physical location.
Contact information
You can reach PODS via its customer service phone number at 855-706-4758, the live chat feature on its website, or the contact form on its website. You can also request a quote online, but you have to follow up with a call to get the actual quote.
User experience
The PODS website is very easy to use and understand. The company lists all of its services very clearly and provides insight into its pricing. You can learn most of what you’ll need to know to decide if the company is a good fit for your needs. The company also has a lengthy FAQ section that provides answers to a variety of common questions.
Limitations
While you can request a quote online, you can’t get any price estimates without talking to a PODS representative over the phone. The company also doesn’t call you after you make the quote request online, but asks you to call them.
PODS customer satisfaction
How satisfied are PODS customers? Here’s a look at how the company fares in terms of customer complaints and third-party ratings.
Customer complaints
PODs lists unfiltered customer reviews on its website—something many moving companies fail to do. After 29,959 reviews, it reports an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. While there are some complaints, praise is far more common.
Additionally, according to the Better Business Bureau, PODS has closed 1,714 complaints in the past three years, 932 of which were in the last 12 months. While this is a significant number of complaints, it’s not unusual for a company operating at the scale of PODS and represents only a tiny fraction of PODS’ millions of customers.
Third-Party ratings
After 437 reviews on BBB, PODS has a score of 1.07 out of 5 stars. However, many visit the BBB specifically to file complaints, so the ratings there often skew negative. We think that the 3,862 reviews the company has received on TrustPilot are more representative of PODS’ customer service. There, the company has earned an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars.
PODS FAQ
Before wrapping up, here are answers to frequently asked questions about moving with PODS.
How we evaluated PODS
We evaluated PODS by assessing the company’s offerings, credentials, accessibility, and customer satisfaction. To start, we researched the details of PODS’ services to understand what’s offered, what’s not, and the average costs. Next, we looked into the required credentials for moving companies in the U.S. and checked the licenses and registrations held by PODS. Then, we assessed the company’s accessibility by reviewing its website, service area, and customer support channels. Lastly, we checked how PODS rates in customer reviews on its own website, through TrustPilot, and with the Better Business Bureau.
Summary of Miami Herald’s PODS review
- PODS offers weather-resistant storage containers that can be dropped off, loaded, picked up, moved, and stored.
- The company is well-established, with over two decades of experience moving millions of residential and commercial customers.
- While widely available, PODS doesn’t serve six U.S. states.
- The company offers storage facilities to customers, and one free month of storage with local and long-distance moves.
- PODS has the required credentials to move goods across state lines and can support moves to Canada.
- The company fares pretty well overall with customer satisfaction.
- With PODS, you can do a DIY move or enlist help for a full-service move.
- It’s a company worth considering for local, long-distance, and international moves (to Canada).
Wondering how PODS stacks up to the competition? Check out our picks for the 6 best moving companies of 2022 and the best moving container companies!
