Pods and U Pack

[ddr7749]

Has anyone used PODS or U PACK when moving to TV? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Looking to find house and move there by June. Thanks

[tomjbud]

We have been very happy with U-Pack. The cubes were delivered and picked up as promised. Loading was easy with the low floor height. I was able to track our shipment every step of the way. Our Cubes are currently in Ocala, waiting for us to arrive at our new house in April. We simply need to call the freight terminal 2 days before we want delivery. The best part of U-Pack is that you are dealing with a real person at the local ABF terminal.

[DonH57]

We used a POD. Worked out great for us. Scheduled it to arrive the second day we were back here permanently. Since it was mainly me unloading it, I could take my time and put everything in it's place.

[Phoneman]

We used the Pod and they were hassle free. Delievery and pickup were on time. We had the Pod loaded and uploaded by movers who they recommended. Delievery was 6 days from Chicago to The Villages. Once all is loaded, you lock it and keep the key.

[SoccerCoach]

Has anyone used PODS or U PACK when moving to TV? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Looking to find house and move there by June. Thanks

We used PODS, moved from CT. No problems. Everything was done as stated.

[echo11]

We used 1-800-PACKRAT. We were very pleased with the whole process. We moved from the end of Cape Cod, MA. It was shipped and then stored in Orlando for 3 months and then delivered to our new villa. Everything happened on schedule. Nothing was broken- we packed everything ourselves. If the need arose, we would definitely use them again! They also have great customer service.

[jerseyshoregirl]

Do the Pod companies recommend people to help you pack and unpack at both ends? I think it might be difficult to find people on your own.

[slipcovers]

We used 1-800-PACKRAT. We were very pleased with the whole process. We moved from the end of Cape Cod, MA. It was shipped and then stored in Orlando for 3 months and then delivered to our new villa. Everything happened on schedule. Nothing was broken- we packed everything ourselves. If the need arose, we would definitely use them again! They also have great customer service.

What was the cost for moving from Cape Cod to TV? Packing and unpacking yourself.

[John_W]

When we moved 3 years ago from Baltimore, PODS gave us an estimate of $2700 for 2 PODS. A similar company ABF Arkansas Best Freight (http://www.abfs.com/default.asp?gclid=CLOTkrDGrr0CFUYV7Aod6WoAZw) have cubes that are 10x10x10 and 4 cubes were $2700. They have an estimator right on their website and you can figure your own rate.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-tJo03lztiUu-xk-G512ycgimaAvYMYpVijKo0qF5OsBlMvQciw

We ended up not using either. United Van Lines gave us an estimate of $3400 and they do all the loading an unloading. After they picked up our furniture and boxes, they called to say after weighing it would only be $2700.

There was a story on one of the Orlando TV stations just the other day. Folks used PODS and someone in their warehouse in Orlando dropped the POD off the forlift and everything inside was smashed. They gave PODS an estimate of $7,000 for replacement and PODS came back and said they don't pay replacement price and only gave them $2500. After contacting the TV station, they got their full $7,000. So you might want to carry full replacement insurance if you use them.

[NottaVillager]

One consideration with ABF/U-Pack is that depending upon where you are going they do not always use containers. You might get a massive surprise when they drop off a 20 foot freight pup trailer. Those pups are "dock high" and they are VERY hard to get into and out of. Since ABF hauls these as doubles in connection with their freight business you must be VERY CAREFUL to make certain they are bringing you a container and not just an empty freight trailer. There's nothing wrong with the company, just be sure that you are certain about what you are getting.

[echo11]

It cost a little over $3000 for the move from the end of Cape Cod to TV. It was a little over $200 a month for the storage. Costs of the actual move is dependent on time of year, even day of the week will influence the price. Another factor- 1-800-PACKRAT was the only company willing, at that point in the year, to deliver a storage unit. It was towards the end of Oct. '13. As I mentioned, we were extremely pleased from start to finish. They use waterproof units. Some companies use wood or something not waterproof and just cover with a waterproof cover. The storage facility is climate controlled. We also had the ability, if we wanted, to get into the unit while it was stored. They are associated with Lowes.

[Jayhawk]

Although we have been here for 3 months, we just sold our Kansas home last week and finally packed up our stuff. Didn't bring much furniture , so needed just 2 U-Pack cubes. It was under $1,900 for the 2 cubes to be dropped off, picked up and delivered to The Villages, plus they have a sister company that has laborers on both ends for loading and unloading. We used 2 guys in Kansas and that cost $305 for 2 hours. Our stuff is in transit now and due within a few days. So far it has been without a hitch and we are very satisfied. As long as the cubes arrive without damage it will be a perfect experience.

:coolsmiley::coolsmiley::coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

[uujudy]

We got an estimate for a POD to move many boxes but not much furniture from Utah. Our house was on a mountainside with a very steep driveway, so I worried about loading the POD. I called The Villages relocation service to see what they could do, and they had gave us info for 3 moving companies. We decided to use United, because they would load and unload AND they were cheaper than the POD! Who knew? lol
We were very satisfied with The Villages Relocation service. You might want to give them a call and compare prices.

[TVJewel]

Heard about PODS from a co-worker who moved here three years ago. Told my son who was studying abroad and needed to move/store his things. His experience was very positive. We just ordered them for our move from Virginia here. The POD is stored in Ocala. Now, we need a small crew to unload it when we find our home. So far, the customer service and price have been great.

[NottaVillager]

When we moved 3 years ago from Baltimore, PODS gave us an estimate of $2700 for 2 PODS. A similar company ABF Arkansas Best Freight (http://www.abfs.com/default.asp?gclid=CLOTkrDGrr0CFUYV7Aod6WoAZw) have cubes that are 10x10x10 and 4 cubes were $2700. They have an estimator right on their website and you can figure your own rate.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-tJo03lztiUu-xk-G512ycgimaAvYMYpVijKo0qF5OsBlMvQciw

We ended up not using either. United Van Lines gave us an estimate of $3400 and they do all the loading an unloading. After they picked up our furniture and boxes, they called to say after weighing it would only be $2700.

There was a story on one of the Orlando TV stations just the other day. Folks used PODS and someone in their warehouse in Orlando dropped the POD off the forlift and everything inside was smashed. They gave PODS an estimate of $7,000 for replacement and PODS came back and said they don't pay replacement price and only gave them $2500. After contacting the TV station, they got their full $7,000. So you might want to carry full replacement insurance if you use them.
We moved out of Towson, and we were amazed at the difference in price between the major companies. We received a low quote of $2,936 from North American and a high quote of $5,244 from Allied.

We chose the low price from NAVL. We didn't like the North American people at their office one bit. However, their long-haul driver changed our impression. He was fantastic!! Did a great job and was quite an entertainer when he & his crew were loading and unloading. They delivered everything intact and on time. In fact we still trade emails & texts with the driver from time to time.

Best thing about the whole deal was that THEY loaded and unloaded! I'm way past saving a couple bucks doing all the work required for the DIY thing.

[mrbgull]

Yes I have seen both. Both worked out well