Beachbound

Good info to have!! Thanks so much Ladies. Now I am really wondering if bed bugs & other critters are really a problem? What about them getting into boxes that have soft goods in them? I don't even want to think about shrink wrapping everything!!!!

QuilterChick

You might want to investigate other POD type companies as well. I read about the PODS being wood and a type of OSB board on the interior which can harbor bugs, cockroaches etc. OMG, my worst nightmare and I'm sure yours too. i believe "Pack Rat" and ABF Freight have those little pods that are all steel. Make sure that you disinfect it and spray with Home Defense by Ortho all over the interior before putting anything in there. I have always used a mover because I have no way to pack a pod by myself, or unpack, and put a NO INFESTATION clause in the contract before hiring them. Make them guarantee their truck is clean. But would consider using a pod type if they were cost effective.

marymay

I used them when I moved from Seattle to Fl. Great company to work with.

marycontrary

We used POD's when moving from Texas to Iowa. Did a lot of the packing and loading ourselves, but when it got to be too much we hired movers from a local company (like Two Guy's Will Move You) to help out. Had them pack my kitchen also. We had a three month delay before our new house was completed when we were living in our RV, so storage was necessary. We had 3 pods total, and were able to order when we wanted one delivered, load it, and have them take it away to storage. Then we'd have the next one delivered, and so on. Our pods were stored in their facility in Texas until we were ready for them. Then they were trucked to an Iowa storage facility, and again we were able to have them delivered one at a time. We kept track of what was in each pod, and unloaded what we needed the most first. Once again, we hired some local movers to move the big stuff into the house.

If we had hired a big truck moving company, they would have had to pack and load the truck, go to the storage facility and unload, and then reload and transport 3 months later. The storage and loading and reloading was going to cost a big bundle. With the pods and hiring movers for help with the heavy stuff and packing the kitchen items, it was way more cost effective than the big movers. And our belongings only had to be loaded and unloaded once. And we knew that only our belongings were in those pods. Way less chance of breakage (if you pack well) and loss with pods. One more thing, storage of pods is in an enclosed warehouse facility, so no worry of weather damaging anything.

IAmCatOwned

I've heard many, many complaints about PODS regarding longish storage - mice damage, roach infestation were both common. I have no personal experience. Here's a link with complaints. I would NEVER work with this company.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/pods.html

butterflies5518

Wow, what horrible experiences these individuals encountered. No way would I allow anyone I know use them.

Woodster

I feel like a professional mover myself, having moved over 35 times in my 31 years of marriage (husband is a builder!)
We have used everything, sans PODS for moving, from the nationals (NEVER again) to do it yourself - younger days!
Our latest move from Idaho to NC, we used ABF, and had good luck. We also saved a lot of $$ in the process. We did
all the packing ourselves, and as we were going into a rental also, had to double pack - one set of boxes for storage, one for using for 6 months. We separated the items in the garage - one section storage, one rental.

ABF drops off a trailer box at your residence (in the street) and leaves it for 3 days. We hired a local mover to take
the items from the garage and pack them in the ABF trailer rental stuff in first, then storage after. On the third day,
ABF came and picked up the trailer and drove it across country to our storage facility. There we hired a local mover
to unload and pack the storage unit. We then had a couple of days to load up the storage facility truck and take our
boxes to the rental house (ours was furnished, so we could do the boxes ourselves). You could always have the local
mover pack your local use truck and unload as well. Your choice.

We had good luck with moving this way, and would do it again (oh, please, no). It's no wonder I never get anything done!!

BuzzinBumble

Dody - so glad you asked the question because we've been wondering about this too and you are getting a lot of great information from the folks here!

Beachbound

The quilt board ladies are the best with sharing great info!!! I visit other forums but no one is better than my quilters

KentuckyWoman

Moved one year ago using one of the pod systems. I had a great experience. The tips about sealing the bedding and upholstered items is ALWAYS a good idea - but that won't protect your clothes from insects and mice. Perhaps purchase and pack repellant in each pod. We used Moth Balls and Flea Collars...(But I don't know what actually repels mice or insects??? try this link http://www.earth-kind.com/learn/mice...ners-or-scams/ )

Our things were in transit for only a short period of time and then in storage for just under 2 months. If I was going to do it again (and I was going to be living somewhere temporarily)... I'd pack "things I need now" in one pod and "things I'm going to leave in storage" in all the others.

don't be afraid of it. Just hire professionals to pack the pods (and even your boxes if you don't know how to do it correctly) - that's what we did. Quick delivery/pickup on both ends. Our things in storage were in great shape.

but be sure to check on the storage rates.... some include storage and some add large extra charges.... When moving and comparing your rates - it's not all "apples".... sometimes there are "oranges" too! (and a few nuts like me...)