A couple of random questions

[taylor111947]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find a reference in any of the previous posts.

Has anyone used PODS to move their belongings? I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences. I'm planning on leaving most of my furniture behind, so it seems like a good option.

In the new homes, I understand they are all electric - does this mean a heat pump is used for the colder weather? Does the supplemental heat ever kick in?

[yobeano]

Yes, we are currently using Pods. So far so good. At this time the Pod is being stored in Ocala while we wait for settlement on Nov 19th.
We originally contracted through United/Mayflower but they didn't have one available at the time we needed so they provided a "Pod" pod through their share agreement with that company.
Anyway, we thought it was the best bet for us. You load at your leisure and they store it near your old address or new address, it's up to you. The big part of the bill isn't due until you tell them to move it to your new location or state. (I believe I saw you were from the MainLine in Pa, we were from Broomall) so when you ask them to move it to Florida that's when the biggest part of the bill hits.
Also we found it amazing how they pickup and drop off the pod from the truck. It stays level at all times with this motorized contraption that they use, pretty neat.
They also allow you to get to your stuff with a 48 hour call ahead of time. We did this because our son's belongings were in our pod. Needed to get to his furniture, Point is, the stuff seemed like it made the trip ok, wasn't scrambled, but we were holding our breath.
So, all in all, I would use a pod again. Good luck and let us know of we can give you any other information.

[Ajack]

Our POD is in Ocala, also. We were required to pay most of our money up front. They will take out monthly renting fees automatically from your credit card. A 24 hour notice is required to access your POD. They will bring it outside of the building. They do not allow anybody inside of their facilities, accept the office, if it is open.

Our POD will be deliverd to our house Monday, as we sign the papers for ownership today.:a040:

[elevatorman]

The supplemental heat has never kicked in at our home. Last winter was cold by FL standerds. The heat only came on at night and maybe a few daytime runs. The homes are well insulated for the heat of the summer but that helps out in the winter as well.
The pod seemed expensive to me so we rented a Budget Truck in Maryland. It worked well for me. Budget said I needed the truck for 5 days minimum I did the loading in one day, driving one and a half, unloading to garage of rental house in a few hours. Had friends and family help load, and hired 2 guys to help unload when we got to TV (ask your agent for help, they have people). I drove the truck down a week before my northern closing so I was sure everything was out of the house in time for a final walk through by the buyers. I then flew back to Maryland, closed on my old home and drove the car down.

[taylor111947]

believe I saw you were from the MainLine in Pa, we were from Broomall.

I'm in Bryn Mawr - waiting to put my house on the market ASAP and looking forward to trading in my snow blower for a golf cart.

Sounds like a POD is the way to go - plenty of time to pack. And if I rent a truck I'd have to tow my car. I think my son will be able to help me, but it's good to know there are people available once I get down there. It sounds as if a POD may be more expensive than renting a truck, but my focus is on a stress-free move - I don't mind paying extra for that - hopefully it will only be a one-time thing.

Good luck in your closing (Nov 19th is my birthday so maybe that will bring you good luck) - I hope everything goes smoothly - can't wait to join you.

[Rag Bagger]

Our home is two years old and has natural gas for the furnace, water heater, stove/oven and clothes dryer. we can also use Natural gas for our grill.

[CherNJ]

Hi Main Line and Delaware County people. We moved from Delaware County to South Jersey recently. It was a three-way move: from our primary residence to our condo to our house down the street from our vacation condo. (We soldthe first two places with the help of St. Joe.) We loved using the POD because we were able to control the pace and timing. On the day we moved from our primary residence we got up, threw the sheets in the trash, and pulled the mattress and box spring across the lawn, in the rain, using the bedspread to pull it on. We loaded the bed on to last available spot in the POD, trashed the bedspead, hopped in the car and drove off to our new life. So we had a PODful of stuff in PA and a storage unit full of stuff at the NJ shore. The "new" house needed a lot of work, so our stuff stayed at the POD farm for a couple weeks until we were ready for it. The arrangements were easy and the company came when they said they were coming. The PODS part of our move was great. I would definitely use them again except that when we do get our place in The Villages, I will not be bringing a whole lot of useless stuff like I did this time!

[swrinfla]

Somebody's Pod must have been delivered this morning, 'cuz I saw an empty Pod truck headed north along Buena Vista near Stillwater at about 11:30. I'll bet those folks are crossing their fingers that the rain will hold off 'til they get unloaded!

SWR
:beer3:

[bigbill]

Try the link below used them this July and very pleased and price was cheaper than PODs

http://www.upack.com/moving-resources/video.asp

[taylor111947]

Thanks for the suggestion for UPACK. I'll keep it in mind, but it looks like you can't pack/load/unpack yourself - you have to choose at least one of those options (in other words you can't just have them transport it). Was that your experience?