Anyone here use PODS to move?

[Rick Lee]

My move to AZ is looking more and more like it will happen in early 2008 if not sooner. I don't know if my company has a generous relo package or not. My guess is they give a lump sum and tell me to figure it all out myself. On the PODS website it says they only offer 8x8x16 units for longs distance moves and one of them from here to Phoenix is around $3900. I have no idea what I'm going to do about three cars and the bike. Anyway, does anyone have any stories about this company? It can't be anymore expensive than having movers come do it all for me and I can still lift just about everything I own with help for a few things.

[VaSteve]

RL, there are a bunch of those companies. PODS is probably the best known. Check on insurance. I had people move me from my townhouse in Alexandria to my new house. It was $1500 and they worked like slaves. They totally underbid. Don't know the cost for x-country. I'm sure it'd be high, but most places will estimate for free. I'd call a realtor and get a recommendation.

I'll drive the 993 out there for you

[MotoSook]

One container for $3900 seems like a lot. PODs is gear more for local moves, so a large mover is likely to be able to take all your things and maybe one of the cars and the bike in one trailer for a less (given the number fo containers). I saw a Honda Accord in a moving truck once, so a 993 or 3-series should fit. Otherwise you'd probably pay $1500 for one vehicle on an open hauler.

Bid it out like Steve said...or do what Richard Pryor did, and hire a driver

[dad911]

They screwed my sister. Missed her house on delivery, then would not reschedule for 2 weeks. Held her stuff ransom for excess charges, and would not even give her access to get some clothes and necessities.

[Rick Lee]

I will probably "hire" a friend to drive the 993 out. I want to ride the bike out. That leaves me shipping either the Mini or the 330i and having the lady drive the other one out. I have a 1300 sq/f condo and not too much stuff. So I hope the move won't be crazy expensive.

[nigel911]

Recently moved from FL to CO, used North American Van Lines for the household goods. came in at just over $4k door to door. The guys worked their asses off, wrapped every item individually, dismantled beds / furniture etc, drained powerwashers etc. No breakages or damage. Even re-assembled everything and put each item in the correct room. Money well spent.

Moving cars is a different matter, a true nightmare. Shipped the P-Car enclosed, delays in collection due to breakdowns, heart attacks etc. Then he broke down 60 miles from the new house, went to collect the car to find he had strapped one axle down using the brake lines; no brakes. The other car is still in the drive waiting for collection - 6 weeks so far...

Good luck.

[Seahawk]

Rick,

I'll drive the 330i out for free. I do a lot of business in Las Vegas and Arizona, the the trip is paid for.

I love to drive cross country.

[Rick Lee]

Man, $4k for that far a move doesn't sound bad at all. I guess I'll bidding this job out.

Paul, that sounds great. Will let you know. Maybe you can put the guns in the trunk that I can't carry with me and don't trust the movers to mess with. The 330i is hardwired for radar detector and iPod and has plenty of good hiding places for handguns.

[911boost]

Rick, when I moved from MN to Co (granted not as far as you are moving), my company paid for everything which was nice, but we used Allied. Once they packed the moving truck with all of our stuff, I drove my 1966 and 1995 Mustangs into the back of the truck and strapped them down with them, so I knew it was done properly. They actually wanted me to drive the cars in, which I was fine with.

My wife and I then drove our other 2 cars out to Colorado. It was little bit more expensive, but to be honest, it was woth the extra $ for me, since I didn't have to worry about how they were going to get out to CO.

On an unrelated note, when did you trade in the R for the GS?

Bill

[Rich76_911s]

Instead of using pods look at ABF freight. The drop off a 24 ft trailer at your house, you pack it up, they move it, drop it off at the new destination, you unload it. It was a lot cheaper than pods. I was really happy with their service. I would even consider driving the mini or 993 out for you. I've got family I can visit in Phoenix.

*EDIT* sorry I first mentioned abs, it is ABF.

http://www.upack.com/default.asp?refnum=ABFSERV

[Rick Lee]

I sold my R1150R for $1k more than I paid for it end of April and picked the GS up a week later in NC. It was in perfect condition until I dumped it in a parking lot in NJ last Friday, really messing up my wrist in the process.

Anyway, I would love to ride the GS out to AZ and have the lady drive her Mini out. But I don't know if she'll go for that.

[911boost]

Ouch damn, that sucks. I dumped my GS in my work parking lot, not too long after I got it, fortunatley it only messed up the tank and didn't harm me.

Hope you heal soon.

Bill

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The only person I'd ever trust for moving is myself. One of the reasons I don't ever move, because it sucks so bad, it's so draining and such a waste of time. Easy to say "just pay someone to do it", but I can't/won't trust anyone else. Too many horror stories out there.

[911boost]

Jeff,

I grew up as a Navy brat, so we moved over 10 times, so I have seen just about everything. I packed everything I was really worried about myself, and transported my guns etc in the car with me.

In the end, I agree it is a huge pita. Not having to carry sofas, dresses, beds etc up and down stairs, makes it worth while to pay someone to do the grunt work. I was very pleased with Allied, and would use them again as they didn't damage a thing.

Bill

[Rick Lee]

Thanks guys. This is some real food for thought. Maybe I'll even make a dime or two off this when the company gives me a lump sum.

My fall last week was a very slow parking lot tip-over. I was trying so hard to save it, but was just not positioned right and was losing the battle. I heard a click in my wrist and the strength just went out like a light switch and down she went onto the Touratech valve cover protector. Dinged up my left vario case a bit too. That night at the Rush concert, I could not lift a 12 oz. beer with my left hand. I'm regaining strength every day, but won't be lifting at the gym for a while longer.

[911boost]

My parking lot wreck was also very slow, but when the bike started going over, I let it, or the position I was in would have resulted in a snapped leg I think.

One of the changes (besides the motor that I like) they made to the R1200GS's was the design of the gas tank and removable panels. The old GS has that huge tank that dents super easily.

Glad it is feeling better.

Bill

[Joeaksa]

Rick,

Had a friend who used a PODS to move from San Diego to Phoenix. Worked very well with his move. Agree on the cars, find someone to drive one.