Move via POD?
 

Snow again today, so my thoughts, once again, turn to TV. My msn.com opening page is showing the sun coming out for those of you in TV. Even when you have a little cloud showing all day, your temps are beautiful.

Even though we have not bought a home in TV yet, I am beginning to plan how to get it furnished. We are likely to buy a patio villa and keep our home here which is about a thousand miles away.

I have been thinking about using a POD to get some stuff from Point A to Point B.

I have been accumulating (maybe some would call it hoarding :) ) a few pieces of wood furniture. -no valuable antiques or anything but some good sturdy stuff. The plan is to figure out how to transform it into the shabby chic look I like. I think I will paint it white and then beat it up a little. We shall see.

Going to all this trouble might not even make sense. It might be better to just try to find things there. But I kind of like doing this sort of thing.

What I am wondering is whether anyone can share the experience of using a POD or whatever those things are called. I think there are other brand names, too.

I know that moving the stuff into the TV house could be an issue. But we are not bringing the piano and we could take the drawers out of the dressers. We are relatively able bodied types, not great but still fairly sturdy. - just like the old furniture I want to move there.

I know I can pick up a phone anywhere and have the beloved Sleep Number delivered so moving a big mattress in by ourselves is not an issue.

So...has anyone tried the POD move? Any advice?

Re: Move via POD?
 

pods.com I'm thinking about using one for a lot of stuff that I'd prefer to pack and move

but I've not used 'em yet

Re: Move via POD?
 

I looked at pods, smart move, U Haul, Penske Budget, etc. Pods and smart move were very expensive compared to U Haul. Almost double and that was looking at everything including gas and all but my time driving it there. The big advantage to the pods is you can take a week or more to load it and then have it delivered. With a U Haul you have 5 days total. One interesting thing about truck rental is the price seems to change daily. I saw a low of $541 and a high of $968 for the same trip, same truck, and everything else. Check it several times until you see the lowest rate and then lock it down. Once reserved you maintain that rate and rate structure even if you upgrade to a larger truck or move dates. I have gone from a 10 ft, to a 14 ft, and now a 17 ft. The cost only moved from the original $541 to $578 for the larger truck. I also went on craigslist in Ocala and under services found moving help for $50 an hour for 2 people. Haven't used them yet, but have them reserved for now. Will let you know if it works. And Southwest and Jet Blue also have cheap one way tickets for the return home. So even doing all that, truck, gas, airline, rental car to airport, it was still over $1000 less then the pods. And I probably shouldn't count the airline, even with a pod, you will need to be there.

Re: Move via POD?
 

Thanks JohnN and I2ridehd,

Regarding getting local movers for hire: Have you found that they are covered with workman's comp insurance or whatever it is that covers them if they get hurt? I recently hired someone to haul away basement stuff for someone I was helping with a house sale. The big guys with the big truck had to fax me the papers first.

Prudent? Paranoid? - don't know. It's just the way I have to do business. While I don't worry so much about somebody dropping my stuff, I do worry about our liability for an on the job injury. There are some circumstances under which it is not an issue for me, but with movers, it is. I know that litigation can try to hit everybody in the lineup, but I just like to build in a little buffer zone where possible.

I think hauling the stuff to TV yourself and hiring locals to help you move it in makes good sense. I would just have to understand the liability coverage aspect. :dontknow:

Re: Move via POD?
 

I called them and asked that question and they said yes, I have not seen the paper work yet, but will have them fax it to me before I use them. Here is a link to there web site so you can check for yourself.

http://home.earthlink.net/~martinrelocation/

Re: Move via POD?
 

Right now it is scheduled for March 20 and 21. Will load on the 19th, drive on the 20th and unload on the 21st. At least that is the current plan.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I have been in contact with SmartMove. The price for containers 6'Wx7"Hx7"L is quite reasonable. I plan only to bring small personal items and household items, very little furniture. I think I will have my hands full driving a van with the dog and cat. SmartMove
loads the containers on UPS and will hold them at the nearest UPS terminal until you are ready for them for like a dollar a day storage fee. They will also provide loading and unloading help is you want it. I am hoping that I can get by with two containers, but can have as many as needed. They will brigng four and charge you only for what you use/ You lock them with your own lock and unlock when they arrive at destination. That is the way I plan to go when???? I sell my house and make it to TV.

Re: Move via POD?
 

The price I got from smart move was a little over $1500 a container and there containers were small. This was from Virginia to Florida. That seems really expensive to me when the space for 2 containers is only 27 cubic feet more then the 17 foot truck. So they would want over $3000 and the truck, gas, tolls, pads, dolly, is under $1000 for the same trip. What am I missing?

Re: Move via POD?
 

I wonder if prices will eventually be affected somewhat by the fact that fewer people are moving anywhere.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I've never used Pods so I have no real-life knowledge about them or, surprisingly, even an opinion. However, Boomer said they'd likely be moving into a villa. With the parking situation and real short driveways in Villa communities, I'd give a lot of thought to the timing. With a single family home, you could park the Pod in the drive or even on the street for a few days while you paced your unpacking. It might be a bit more complicated in a Villa.

Re: Move via POD?
 

Good point, Muncle. Thank you.

I love this site. I will get this TV thing figured out yet, but I would never have gotten this far without the advice I find here.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I just called Pack Rat and they don't deliver to TV. They have to have a warehouse within 25 miles of your delivery location and the closest one is Orlando. I talked to there agent and they would not bend on that rule. They wouldn't even give me pricing for a 16' pod. So they are not an option for moving to TV. If you hear something different from them, be glad to know what it is.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I used a POD from WIS. The great part about it for me was that we contracted with it just before we put our house up for sale. Put all the stuff we felt made the house look 'cluttered' in it. Took the POD away. After the house sold (6 weeks), brought it back. Repacked for the move. At the time, 2006, they would only use 16 footers for interstate moves. My cost for about 3 months of using the POD was $3,000.00.
Another nice part about the POD is that it is virtually at ground level for packing. Also, we had 2 curio cabinets with allot of glass in it and they made the trip with no damage.
Overall, a satisfying experience and I'd use them again.

Re: Move via POD?
 

Last year we used PODS to move from a North Atlanta suburb (Woodstock) to TV. they were very professional and timely. We even changed our date of delivery and did not have any problems with them accommodating us.
We had it delivered on a Friday to TV, unpacked it in about (2 hours - we hired some high school boys to help us) and they picked up the POD from our driveway first thing on Monday morning. Even though it was on our villa driveway for over 24 hours, we did not receive any complaints from our neighbors.
total cost was less than $1500.00 and I would use them again.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I recently made arrangements for PODS to do my move. I am having the pod delivered in April, moved from NYC to Ocala in June and then to TV early July.
I will come down and empty it, and then, unfortunately, return to NY and work a few more months!

Re: Move via POD?
 

Arthur Martin and a helper showed up on time, did an excellent job, and were very careful with all furniture. They helped assemble and set up beds and tables and things and overall I would give them good marks and I would recommend them and use them again if I move from there. Here are 2 numbers for them. One was their office and one was a cell. Not sure which is which.
352-347-3420
352-207-4896

Re: Move via POD?
 

This is a bump of an old thread that I started last winter.

Someone on here recently was searching for POD information so I thought I would bump this one.

When I asked my question (encased in a big long story that you can skip) I was really happy and impressed with the excellent information and advice TOTVers gave me.

So here is a rerun of "Move via POD?" I hope it helps someone else.

Boomer

Re: Move via POD?
 

I talked to the PODS people and they say you can put a POD in your driveway (private property) to unload it but you can't park it in the street in TV.

Re: Move via POD?
 

We used http://www.minimoves.com/aboutus/about-us.html A good alternative for smaller loads. They are nationwide they quoted a great price. I did a lot of research before deciding. We were very happy with their service.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I used upack.com to move from CA to TN. The cost was $2300 for 16 ft in a large ABF trailer. Couldn't be happer with the service plus you don't have to pay for any gas. It was way less money than Pods, u-haul or any of the others.

Re: Move via POD?
 

DK, thanks, I'll look into that since I'm coming from CA to TV. Good cost, but what's an ABF trailer (oh I'm so girlie!).

Do they load and unload too?

Kath

Re: Move via POD?
 

Arkansas Best Freight

Large trucking company

Re: Move via POD?
 

Chuck, I'm LMAO, you always answer my stupid questions. You must think I'm such a girlie, welll, duh! I am!

Thanks for the info.

Kathie :redface:

Re: Move via POD?
 

That's not a stupid question - how many people know what ABF stands for, it could mean anything.

Being girlie is OK with me (I have much experience with my wife, two daughters and three granddaughters)

Re: Move via POD?
 

ABF is one of the largest trucking companies in the US. Basically they drop off a 28 foot trailer. You load it, they pick it up and take it to your destination and drop it off. Then you unload it. I hired a couple guys on each end to load and unload for a very reasonable fee. Whatever space you don't use on the truck they fill it with commercial freight separated by a bulkhead you put up after you load it. You only pay for the space you use. Upack got very high customer satisfaction ratings unlike some of the other movers I checked and I checked every conceivable way to get our stuff from CA to TN. They were right on time and did exactly what they said they would do. It was a no brainier for us and much less expensive.

Re: Move via POD?
 

Here's a couple pics to the trailer being loaded.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/pics/abf1.jpg


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/pics/abf2.jpg

Re: Move via POD?
 

wow, that's a big trailer.. and the cost was comparable to a POD it seems? I might have to check them out

Re: Move via POD?
 

It would have taken me at least two pods which would have been $3k maybe more. We used 16 feet in the truck.

Re: Move via POD?
 

We have no personal experience with PODs but know people who have (not in relation to a move to TV). They were happy with how the move itself turned out but afterwards recognized that it was a pretty pricey experience in contrast with other moving possibilities. For what it's worth....

Re: Move via POD?
 

I figure 2..16 foot pods at 80 plus cubic feet (each or 160 total) is slightly more than a 26 foot Penske truck which can supposidly carry 6 plus rooms. Am I right or wrong??

Re: Move via POD?
 

caroline, pods are 8x16 = 144 sq.feet each,
but likely about the size of the truck,

I have some high furniture (entertainment center), the penske truck is only 6'2 I think , fyi

Re: Move via POD?
 

I just visited the Penske guy locally, and about three times during the conversation, he kept saying... ***but we can always deal, that MIGHT be negotiable****

so you may get a better rate, be sure to ask for it.

I'm looking at about $1200 for Penske vs $2500 for PODS,
not moving real soon so still considering other options

Re: Move via POD?
 

John
You have to be concerned with Cube dimensions and when I called PODS they told me the actual interior deminisions of a 16ft POD taking into consideration the beams are
186 inches long, 83 inches wide and 90.5 inches high. Whe you say likely the size of a truck..what size truck? My figures show 2....16 foot pods are slightly bigger (200-400 cubic ft space wise depending upon how you calculate the pod space) than a 26ft penske truck. Again this is Cubic ft not sq ft dimension.

Most of my large furniture (Entertainment center and dining room china) breaks down into sections.....but still VERY heavy!

Re: Move via POD?
 

784caroline,
yes, cubic feet is a key, but I'm also very concerned about height since my entertainment center doesn't break down (at least height-wise). It's about 6'8 and I don't want to lay it sideways. PODS seem quite workable but a tad expensive compared to some other alternatives.

I'm not yet sure what I'll use, I've got a little time to think on it.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I just booked 2 pods from N. VA to TV and it will cost approx $3100. My problem is I just hope (like fingers crossed) that we get rid of enough of "stuff" that we can fit it all into 2 pods. WE have some very heavy stuff so a moving company that uses a weight based scale...well no thank you...that plsu the fuel surcharges thay are now hitting you with.

A Penske 26 footer would be ALOT cheaper....but I dont think a 26 footer would fit all I have, risk of drivining somethign you are unfamiliar with, inconvience since you are not ground level for load/unload purposes PLUS as someone mentioned they have a height restriction. The real issue would be the hassle since I have 2 cars ..I would have to fly back home and then drive another 2 days stay in a hotel ...just to complte the move ....not worth it. With PODS I mean everything is scheduled and I can delay delivery for when I am ready and hire the unloaders for a specific day here in TV.

One problem with PODS is that they do not rent furniture pads or blankets as Penske does. (you can buy them from PODS but they are expensive) HOwever you cannot JUST rent Furniture pads from Penske for the pads are invoiced and controled wiht the truck rental. SO in addition to renting boxes paper and bubble wrap I now have to "buy" 2 dozen Furniture Blankets...found a place on the net called Maddox Trading who had 5 lb weight moving blankets on sale for about $65 per dozen shipping included!

Anyone have a better place to buy or rent Moving pads/bankets...or better yet anyone have some????

Re: Move via POD?
 

I am doing the same thing, only we've already ditched most of the furniture. My house in TV was in property management, so it's furnished. Knowing my better half we will be spending a lot of time and money upgrading the rental stuff, but it's good enough to start.
We're basically moving one pod with a few pieces of furniture and a LOT of boxes. The pod is leaving on Saturday, 6/21, and will be dropped on my driveway in TV on 6/30. I have the guys coming to unload on 7/1. The pod will be gone on 7/2. Quite different than in NY, where the pod has been in my driveway for 2 months!
We also bought lots of bubble wrap (on-line) and boxes (Home Depot) and 6 blankets on-line. They were about $10 each, but they are huge and thick. I don't know about their weight, but if the ones you are looking at are even near what I got you are getting a great deal. I don't remember where I got them (I ordered thru Amazon, but don't remember who actually sent them).
I agree the pod is the way to go - street level and the convenience of pick up and delivery seemed well worth it. The whole thing, including insurance, from NYC to TV will cost between $2400 and $2600 (including 2 months rental while packing).
Perhaps other ways are cheaper, but this one seems to be the least amount of headache for me. And at this time (selling the old house and settling into a condo in NY and the house in TV) I have more than enough to keep me busy.
By the way, the pod does hold a lot of stuff. Pack it all the way to the ceiling as they say. And if possible, use the same size boxes. Makes for much more efficient stacking!

Re: Move via POD?
 

I also bought 2 dozen furniture pads from Maddox and they were good quality. I live in N VA, but most of the pads are still in TV. I am flying down in a few weeks and driving my truck back here and will bring all but a couple of them back with me. Don't know your time table, but if it works I would lend them to you. But you really need to pad furniture well to prevent damage so $130 for pads is cheap. I first did the U Haul 17 foot truck and I rented 5 dozen pads with that plus my 2 dozen. But I always pad things well. Like every bureau would take 2 pads, end tables one, wraped table tops and table legs in pads, etc. When I got there I had zero damage. Did the same thing with the pick up truck and no damage either.


Good luck with the move.

Re: Move via POD?
 

l2ridehd - I arranged with Arthur Martin to help empty my pod. Thanks for the tip!

Re: Move via POD?
 

Steve/I2ridehd
I also need to get "unpackers" in TV. With Arthur Martin I assume you need to reserve their services in advance. How are they priced..BY hour number of unloaders ? Were they able to handle the heavy stuff?? How long did it take to unload ..I think you said you had one pod??

I am using http://www.emove.com to identify loaders in N VA ..(using Minero Movers to load who have received great ratings) have not checked on their services for arrival in TV.

Re: Move via POD?
 

I used Arthur Martin. I had a 17 foot U Haul that was packed to the very limit to the point I was sticking things on the very top as I was trying to close the rear door. And it was all furniture and boxes. Mostly furniture though. Bureaus, hutch, tables, sofas, beds and also very heavy stuff. I brought the lighter things down later in my pick up.

Their cost was $50 an hour for two men. Both were strong and able to move heavy things with ease. They had the entire truck unloaded, furniture set up, table legs installed etc. in 3 hours. They showed up on time and worked hard. I gave them $200 as they were very careful with everything, always laying pads down and never put a scratch on anything. Very satisfied and would use them again if needed.