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About PODS Reviews
PODS, or Portable On Demand Storage, helps customers with local, long-distance, residential, business, military and government moves. The company offers moving and storage services across 44 states, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Since it started in 1998, PODS has completed over 5 million deliveries. There are over 220,000 PODS containers in service, according to the company.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flexible storage rentals
- Affordable options
- No driving required
Cons
- No packing or loading services
- Unavailable in some states
Bottom Line
PODS is a good option if you're budget-conscious and don't want to transport your things yourself. Some long-distance moves can get pricey, but reviews consistently praise the company's convenience.
Featured Reviews
... I could not be happier with the service and was surprised at the reasonable cost… He explained everything he was going to do and then, unlike politicians, he actually did it, ...
Read full reviewOur move went smoothly. I received calls the night before and ten minutes before each arrival. The driver arrived on the day and time as promised. The storage unit was in good con...
Read full reviewAbout PODS
PODS is a company that rents out containers to those who are interested in a partially do-it-yourself relocation. PODS is available in most states; it doesn't offer services in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming. In addition to moving and storage services, the company also sells a number of supplies, including:
- Packing paper
- Tape and dispensers
- Lifting straps
- Rubber mover bands
- Moving boxes
- Mattress bags
- Stretch wrap
- Locks
- Moving blankets
How does PODS work?
PODS offers customizable moving and storage options using its containers, which come in three different sizes. You can choose to keep a PODS container on your property, store it at a local PODS storage center or have the container transported to a local or long-distance destination. PODS recommends getting a quote and scheduling service at least seven days in advance. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before container delivery.
PODS moving services
PODS has three container sizes: 7-foot, 12-foot and 16-foot. The full dimensions of each container are in the table below. PODS delivers the container to your address for loading. You decide whether you want to keep the PODS container on-site, have it moved to a local PODS facility for storage or have PODS move it locally or long-distance. You're responsible for loading the PODS container; the company can connect you with third-party professionals for packing and loading assistance.
Dimensions | Maximum weight | Good for | |
---|---|---|---|
Small container | 7' x 7' x 8' | 5,200 pounds | Studio apartment |
Medium container | 12' x 8' x 8' | 4,700 pounds | 2- to 3-room home |
Large container | 16' x 8' x 8' | 4,200 pounds | 3- to 4-room home |
How much does PODS cost?
The cost of moving with PODS containers is based on the number of containers you rent, the size of the containers, the distance of the move, the length of the rental and the time of year. You can expect a local move with PODS to cost up to $550. Most long-distance moves cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Monthly storage costs start at $149 a month. See estimated costs below.
PODS service | Estimated cost* |
---|---|
Local move | $350 to $550 |
Long-distance move | $1,000 to $3,000 |
Monthly storage | $149 |
*At the time of publishing
To get a PODS quote, fill out a form online to be contacted by a customer service representative. You can also call its customer service line to receive a quote over the phone. PODS offers discounts to members of the military.
PODS FAQ
Is PODS insured for moving?
Yes, PODS is insured for moving. The company offers two coverage options:
- Container-only insurance: This insurance covers damage to or loss of a moving container due to fire, smoke, vandalism, falling objects, car accidents, lightning, windstorm or hail.
- Contents insurance: This insurance covers both the container and the items inside the container. Note that it doesn’t cover damage or loss due to improper packing, burglary at your home or water damage.
Prices for coverage range from $10 per month to several hundred dollars per month, depending on the level of protection.
Are PODS climate-controlled?
No, PODS containers are not climate-controlled. They have a steel frame and aluminum panels, and they are weather-resistant.
Are PODS waterproof?
PODS containers are weather-resistant. According to PODS, they are designed to protect contents from rain and snow.
Are PODS allowed on the street?
It depends on the location. Contact your local municipality to find out if you need a permit to have a PODS container on the street.
Are PODS cheaper than U-Haul?
Generally, yes. Both options are cheaper than full-service movers.
How long can you keep a PODS container?
You can keep a PODS container for as long as you need it. The company rents out containers on a monthly basis.
Is PODS good for moving?
PODS is worth a look if you’re relocating and don’t want to pay full-service moving prices. The company provides containers, moves your items from one location to another and offers storage at local facilities. It doesn’t, however, do any packing, loading, unloading or unpacking. We like that PODS is widely available in the U.S., has three different sizes of containers, has a reasonable cancellation policy and works with both homes and businesses.
PODS Reviews
ConsumerAffairs has collected 3,092 reviews and 1,261 ratings.
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Reviewed Sept. 21, 2023
I should preface by saying I personally have not used PODS, but after our experience with them I never will and will advise everyone I know to avoid them. We spent a week and a half trying to have one of their containers removed from our driveway after closing on our house. It was impossible to reach the local facility and every call to the corporate number we were given conflicting information or told it would be “picked up within 24 hours.” (This happened 3 separate times.) At one point we were even told the container owner was deceased. We had our real estate agent and the seller’s agent also reaching out. Our agent went as far as emailing the CEO Kathy Marinello who essentially blamed us for the seller being shady with a rather snarky response.
“Sadly our employees are subject to customers who don't pay their bill, nor adhere to their contracted responsibilities. The seller left their garbage, refused to answer phone calls as well as pay their bill. Our employees ultimately are impacted by these consumer behaviors. In this case, your buyer received free garbage removal services. We received nothing for compensation to our great employees. But that is no concern of yours.”
While I appreciate leadership that stands up for their employees, perhaps consider going after the people that breached their contract for damages before blaming the people that used you for “free garbage removal services” and for your failure to factor in how to compensate employees appropriately when issues arise. A fish rots from the head down.

Hello, Shannon! We'd like to look into this concern. Could you please send the container number located in the bottom corner of the container to socialmedia@pods.com so we can investigate further? Thank you!
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2023
When I first setup my account with Pods in May 2023. I was given one price of what the remaining balance would be for the transport of my items to my new apartment. Then when I called in September 2023 to have them deliver my items the price was a extremely huge difference. I was told it would be a balance left of 500.00 back in May. Then in September I was told it would cost me over 2k to have it delivered and once delivered to the Pods location in the state I moved to. I would have to pay again another 200.00 just for them to deliver it to my place on top of the 2k they charge me to even have them deliver to the state I am currently in. I would not recommend them to anyone because of the misleading. Prior to setting this all up in May I asked them how much this was all going to cost from start to end so I would know how much it would all cost me.

Hi, there! We strive to be transparent with our pricing by outlining all charges in your order confirmation. To view that document, please visit MyPODS.com and log in to your account. If you'd like us to help walk you through your order confirmation, please give us a call at (888) 314-5136.
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Reviewed Sept. 15, 2023
PODS should limit itself to what it can best manage--local storage needs. I've been a PODS customer for four years and in three different states: NY, Oregon, and now--maybe, if they get it right -- California. Between online chat and telephone customer service, I spent thirty minutes on the phone submitting an order, which PODS confirmed by email: Deliver the container to California, make it accessible for unloading on September 14th. Three days after submitting the order I received PODS generated email message confirming additional changes I requested.
Here's the problem, I made no request for additional changes. PODS made an error and could not deliver on the promise it made. So, it made the modifications to my order and sent a message indicating I'd asked for them. I took me another 30-40 minutes to discover the nature of the "internal error"; "someone didn't show up" leading to delayed pick up, "Moving logistics..." problems... etc. industry jargon... etc.
This morning, I received another PODS generated message indicating my container would be accessible on the day I originally requested, September 14th. Yet, my account reflects access on the 19th--adding to the confusion. I had another chat and phone conversation with PODS reps. The customer service representative indicated PODS would reach out to me the next day with resolution and possibly request additional information. What additional information it could possibly need from me about the error it made that is not reflected in painful detail in the chat and recorded phone call transcripts, I haven't the slightest idea.
Today, I spent another 40 minutes on the phone with PODS to learn the POD has left its origin--six days after I submitted the order, 5 days after the original confirmed indication of when it would leave. It has been over 72 hours since I first submitted my report, I am no closer to resolution than I was the day I learned of the error. I reviewed the company on YELP and received a reply from their "reputation" department. Thus far, that response has been without substantive merit of any kind, merely an indication that "the team" is "familiarizing" itself with my account. Further, it's taken at least three different people to communicate just that. During this "familiarization," I pay for both a hotel room where there's at least a bed and an empty apartment while I wait for my belongings to arrive.
Based on my experience, here is what seems to be true--PODS can:* Store your items in a container you pack and secure;
* Deliver your container to you for your access in a timely fashion if you are local to its facility;
* Pick up your container in a timely fashion after you've accessed it from your residence--again, if you are local to the facility where your container is stored.
PODS cannot:* Process out of state moving orders in a consistently proper manner;
* Meet the material terms of agreements with their out of state move customers (note: in relocation logistics, dates of pick up, delivery, and access are material terms)
* Provide timely resolution to time-sensitive issues resulting in customer loss of time, use, and dollars.
* Give customer service reps the education and support they need to competently provide accurate, consistent information every time
Do better, PODS; do better or do local storage, pickup and delivery--alone.

We have been in contact with you regarding these concerns. As we shared, our team is looking into your concerns further and will reach out to discuss. Thank you for your continued patience.
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2023
I booked my pod in July for a delivery date in September. I had movers booked for a few days after, the day of the delivery, no one showed up. When I reached out to Pods they told me to wait until 9pm, still no one showed up. I was then told it wouldn't be delivered for another 3 days (came EOD on that 3rd day might I add, you would think I would at least be first on the delivery schedule, but no). I was not given a reason as to why it never showed up. I have since been told I would be getting a refund of around $400 for my troubles, given that I had to then pay more for the movers I had scheduled (DAYS after the pod was supposed to arrive). I submitted my claim starting 9/2. On 9/5 I was told someone would call me that week with an update once someone 'reviews' my expected refund. It is now 9/11, and I was told today it could take another 3-7 business days, but they would do their best to 'expedite my case to the case manager'. I have reached out to the point of contact, and heard absolutely nothing in return.
They claim these situations 'NEVER happen', yet my case manager must be absolutely inundated with similar experiences, or surely they would have gotten back to me by now. I wish I just spent the extra money and paid for professional movers. With the pod not showing up, this delayed my scheduled move in over 10 days, I can't even have a friend visit over a week after I was supposed to be completed with this Pod because they have no available pick ups. This company charges you to make ANY changes to your reservation and pick up / drop off dates, yet they can completely screw up and not deliver even close to the contract date and offer no solution or refund. I also reached out to their team whom they tell you to when writing a poor review to show that they 'care', and they assured me my case manager would get back to me soon, but still waiting.

Hi, Gabriella. We'd like to connect with you to learn more and address your concerns right away. Can you please email socialmedia@pods.com with your customer ID?
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2023
Pods overcharged me for their error on switching drivers' location on the amount of time allowed and their customer service is near impossible to connect return after you order the service and refuse to work with you to resolve issues.

Hi, James. We’re disappointed to see this. We encourage you to send us an email at socialmedia@pods.com with your customer ID and additional details so we may best assist.

Reviewed Sept. 7, 2023
We lived in an apartment complex and were looking for short-term off-site storage solutions to accommodate an upcoming move. Because we lived in an apartment complex and were moving out of said apartment complex on July 15th, we called PODS to put our belongings in a storage container and take said storage container immediately to warehouse storage. As soon as you move out of an apartment complex, all of your belongings must be removed from the premises. This is why we called PODS to understand the cost of warehouse off-site storage. We knew that we would be living in temporary housing for a few months, and would need our belongings stored in a POD offsite at a POD warehouse as soon as we moved out of the apartment complex were were living in.
I called PODS to arrange this request. I was abundantly clear that we needed offsite storage, and that both the final delivery date and location were unknown to us as we would need offsite storage for an undetermined period of time. The conversation lasted an hour, during which time the PODS representative asked us multiple questions about our move. In our conversation, the agent understood that we would need our POD to be taken away from the apartment complex we were vacating AS SOON as it was packed on July 15th, and taken to offsite storage.
We were quoted a monthly price for offsite storage in the amount of approximately $132.17 for the first month, and $189.95 subsequent months thereafter. We were also quoted pricing for “takeaway full and redeliver full” in the amount of $143, in which our fully packed POD would be taken to warehouse storage for an undetermined amount of time, and stored FOR us by PODS until we were able to determine our permanent residence in which the POD would be delivered back to us full for unloading.
This agreement was clear in our one-hour conversation with the representative. Additionally, I made several calls in the months preceding our confirmed booking asking about where the POD would be stored and if the warehouses were climate-controlled as I needed offsite storage. The need for offsite storage was always a part of the reservation and never in question on my end.
I received a phone call from PODS less than 24 hours prior to my move where they seemed confused about where the POD was going to be delivered once it was fully packed. I explained that the representative who set up our account was clear on the fact that the POD would be moved to warehouse storage until further notice from me. I explained they got our order wrong as not only did we not know where we were moving to, we ALWAYS needed offsite warehouse storage from them.
This error was not our fault as we made it abundantly clear to the POD representative exactly what we needed. Furthermore, the call should have been recorded, thus the evidence of our first call is documented to prove that we ALWAYS needed our POD to be stored offsite in a warehouse for an undetermined period of time.
Regardless of the mistake made by whoever set up our account, we have been charged more than what we were quoted for both “takeaway full and redeliver full” and for monthly storage. I filed a complaint and the representative named Ashely who handled the complaint didn't even review our initial call where were booked the POD and received quoted pricing for offsite storage costs. Do not do business with this company as they will not only arbitrarily bill you for unknown pricing increases with NO NOTICE, but they have no way of contacting them or speaking to a person without being on hold for over an hour. We will never use PODS again.

Hi, Micaela! We would like to connect with you to learn more and address your concerns right away. Can you please email socialmedia@pods.com with your customer ID?
Reviewed Sept. 4, 2023
Pods is very easy to use, you call them up and you select your preferred size. In my case they had three sizes when we were looking back in January of 2023. They had only two sizes available the 7 x 7 x 8 and then the really really big one. We knew we had sold most of our stuff and we did not want to move an entire household, so for us we chose the 7 x 7 x 8. So with that we contacted them, we scheduled them for the drop off and then we packed it up. It took us longer to Pack it than to unpack it because it was very strategic with how we were going to make so much fit in such a small enclosure and then we scheduled a pick up. They stored it for us for the duration.
We started with a six month contract 'cause we thought we were being optimistic thinking we would find our land and forever property in six months and then after that, they stored for us and it was up to us to give them our destination. We were not sure exactly where we were going to have them ship it to cause when we left Portland we did not know what state we were going tend up in. So we had to store it and then once we arrived here and had the property we scheduled to have it delivered. They dropped it off and then we scheduled a time where they would come to pick it up and we just had to make sure the pod was empty by that day.

Hi, Leroy. We’re disappointed to see this. We encourage you to send us an email at socialmedia@pods.com with your customer ID and additional details so we may best assist.

Reviewed Sept. 2, 2023
In life you never say never but I WILL NEVER EVER USE PODS AGAIN EVEN IF I HAVE TO CARRY MY GOODS. The worst possible company, if I can give them a negative review I would. Please read their contract very carefully, especially when it comes to the rights of the driver. The company doesn't have anything in US, all they have CEO and legal team in Clearwater, FL, everything else is overseas.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. It'll be shared with the appropriate teams to evaluate as we continue to improve the customer experience.
Reviewed Sept. 2, 2023
This corporation is completely out of touch with local communities. They assured me a pick up date when my month was up, however, local offices were not able to meet my deadline (again, not their fault). The corporation took an entire NEW month rental fee from my bank account. 10 PODS!!! This was approximately $2,000!! Snatched out! After I had confirmed a pick up date! Calling out Jaarren **. I called, I confirmed, I did due diligence and was denied reasonable workability for the situation. You can reach Jaarenn here: **. You are not a reliable company when you are unable to workaround local offices and/or blame the customer for the insufficient communications. Total and complete waste management. Again, HARVEY **. PLEASE inquire as to how you can snatch money from a personal account. Charging someone a full month for a three day delay because of corporate misconduct.

Hi, Alyssa! We’re disappointed to see this. We encourage you to send us an email at socialmedia@pods.com with your customer ID and additional details so we may best assist.
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2023
Contractor ordered a container to be delivered to my house on July 23rd. They finished their work and I decided I needed to rent it an additional month. I contacted PODS customer service and they said no problem that I could continue to rent the POD, for me to just open a new account and I gave the POD number. I called back to confirm and after 40 min wait on the phone. I explained the situation and was making sure I would not receive a new container delivery. Just keep the existing one. He hung up on me and then cancelled my order!!! The contractor called me and said he got a contract from POD to sign over his account to me. He said he had other clients and didn’t want the account signed over. I said I understood and the POD assured me that he didn’t have to and it would be billed in my name next time.
I called back and talked to a manager. She said my order was not cancelled. I said it did not show on my account information anymore. She checked with the prior customer service rep and said it was cancelled because it was the wrong price!! I told her I got a 30% discount being a new customer. She then told me to start a new order and I gave her the container number. She said I needed to talk to business services and was hung up on after the transfer. I called business services and spoke to Oliver. He said that there would be no problem with the order. Once the month ran out on the container rented by the contractor, everything would go into my name be billed. I was contacted by the local POD about delivering my new POD unit. I explained I wanted to keep the existing one. The local manager was very helpful and said he would cancel the order so I wouldn’t get a new one and he would have someone from operations contact me.
Kelly from operations called me and was very sympathetic and said she would try and get this resolved. I told her that I would have made other arrangements if they had told me all this in advance. Now they want me to pay $60 for notary and to get the contractor to sign a contract he was uncomfortable signing. I haven’t heard back. I got a email from business services that I have to get the contract signed. I have never been treated like this by any company in my life! The rude, inept people in your customer service are unbelievable. After 9 calls, 4 emails, I am still at a loss of what to do. I guarantee I will never do business with your company again and will get your company the reviews it deserves!!

Terry, we're disappointed to read you've had this type of experience. We want to be able to have this looked into further. Please email socialmedia@pods.com with your customer ID so we may best assist.
PODS Company Information
- Company Name:
- PODS
- Company Type:
- Private
- Year Founded:
- 1998
- Address:
- 13535 Feather Sound Drive
- City:
- Clearwater
- State/Province:
- FL
- Postal Code:
- 33762
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.pods.com
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