PODS® Reviews
Lots of promises over the phone but they don't fully disclose their costs: Quoted me 2 fees for about $400 but charged me 3 fees for over $500). They send a lot of emails but their communication over the phone is difficult because you always end up talking to a different person. Sometimes, they were helpful with requests, but other times, they fell short and did nothing. I just don't like the experience and won't use them again.
I rented a 16-foot PODS container, which was just right for a 1200-sq-ft apartment (no appliances). The driver showed up during the window I was provided, and the container was clean and empty. He was able to easily place the container in the parking spaces I'd hoped for, and he was very friendly yet professional. The container was picked up on the day + timing I was provided in the email.
Make sure you get all the information you need from the customer service agents you talk to on the phone. They literally told me on the phone I don’t have to be there on the day of the container drop-off, and that there would be people loading the container and picking it up for me. Lies. There is so much coordination needed for the container drop-off and I regret not being there in person. They also don’t provide loaders so that was insane to say I don’t have to be there to load the container. I didn’t learn anything about the parking permit required for the PODS container on the street, the time that the PODS would show up, the actual space constraint needed for the container (the space needs to accommodate not only the container but also the TRUCK) until THE DAY OF. I had to call several times to get all the information I need out of several different customer service agents. For such an EXPENSIVE service you’d think they provide more information upfront. Good discounts provided by some agents though. Be very careful with this service.
For small load moving ( ours an 8x7 box 3) met our delivery and pickup schedule but with three hour windows for delivery and pickup. This requires customer to schedule delivery one day, another to load or unload with mover assistance, and a third day for pickup of empty pod (customer not needed for this activity). Pod does offer small loads to not be loaded with other parties moves on a larger van.
I rented two pods based on their recommendation and that wasn't enough. Had to get a storage unit last minute for items that didn't fit in the pods. Customer service was awful to deal with - took over 45 minutes to schedule delivery when they canceled my original delivery date (was supposed to be a Saturday and they didn't show up, so it was then scheduled for the following Tuesday). Each time I had to speak with customer service, it was a very exhausting experience because you have to keep repeating yourself, they didn't understand that I needed to change from storing on my property to needing PODS to store at their facility due to closing on my new home was pushed back, and they increased the price by almost double and when I questioned it then all of a sudden they stated it was a mistake. Just a poor experience all the way around dealing with PODS
Once the actual pod driver was on the way, it was great- but they changed my reservation less than 24 hours before the pod was supposed to arrive! It was such bs. If I cancel or move things within 24 hours, I get charged a fee but if they do and I have to extend my lease with my landlord, move the movers, change my time off of work- I get nothing from them! I get it that they are short staffed, but based off of my conversation with the delivery driver they've been short staffed for a while and knew more than 24 hours in advance. Farther notice would have been appreciated. I don't think I would use pods again after this.
PODS is always great and this was another hit. Unfortunately, they didn't have my phone number and my mother had given them incorrect information about where the container was going so it was put on the trailer backwards of how it needed to be. (I figured that might happen so went out and told the guy to just drive through part of my yard and... after having me sign some documentation... it was done). Easy peasy. They also picked it up while I was gone.
