Moving from Pennsylvania to Washington with PODS: My Honest Review
As told to moveBuddha
- Hassan H. moved from South Park, Pennsylvania, to Bremerton, Washington, in April 2022 as part of a Navy permanent change of station (PCS), covering 2,608 miles with about 4,500 pounds of furniture and boxes.
- After comparing quotes from three container companies, he chose PODS, and his move from Pennsylvania to Washington cost $4,500. The total cost reached $5,090 after he hired a local crew to help with unloading in Washington.
- This is Hassan’s story, shared as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
The following account is based on a conversation with Hassan H., who moved from Pennsylvania to Washington in April 2022 using PODS. We’ve edited the conversation for length and clarity.
In early April 2022, I received permanent change of station orders from the Navy. With less than a month to prepare, my family and I needed to move 2,608 miles from South Park, Pennsylvania, to Bremerton, Washington. I was determined to handle the move myself rather than go through the military.
I called a few local movers and looked into several container companies, then compared options using moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to find the best combination of price and service. After reviewing three quotes, I went with PODS.
My PODS experience at a glance
rating
4.8 / 5
- Communication: PODS didn’t communicate effectively once my container was in transit. Nobody could tell me where it was or give me a firm delivery date.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: The $4,500 quote from PODS was accurate going into the move.
- Timeliness: My container arrived 40 days after pickup, far longer than I expected.
- Loss and damage: Nothing was lost or damaged during the move.
- Would I use PODS again: No. Between the communication problems and the 40-day wait, I felt I paid too much for the level of service I received.
My move at a glance
| Moving from | South Park, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Moving to | Bremerton, Washington |
| Distance | 2,608 miles |
| Moving company | PODS |
| Moving quote | $4,500 |
| Actual cost | $5,090 (includes the cost of the movers I hired in Washington to help with unloading) |
How I started planning my move
I learned about my PCS less than a month before my scheduled move date. Fortunately, my family and I were only moving about 4,500 pounds of boxes and furniture. Since I was handling everything myself, finding a service provider quickly was a priority.
I called local movers, checked out a few container companies online, and compared their prices and services on moveBuddha.com. Early on, my biggest concerns were the long cross-country drive and the safety of my valuables and breakables.
rating
4.8 / 5
Why I chose PODS
After hearing stories from other Navy service members about items that got lost or damaged on their military moves, I was eager to avoid that experience. Moving containers were a natural fit. I could take my time loading and unloading, and leave the cross-country driving to professionals.
After comparing quotes from three container companies, I chose PODS based on price and reputation. The $4,500 quote included transportation and basic insurance coverage. Once I reserved my container, PODS assigned a Navy Relocation Specialist to oversee my move.
I was initially impressed with PODS’ easy quote process and professional communication. As move day drew near, I prepared by decluttering, packing loose items, and spending time with family and friends.
Pickup day
PODS delivered my empty container on schedule on April 22nd. Because I had as much time as I needed to load the container, my helpers and I spread the process out over four days. With the pressure off, we took our time disassembling, protecting, and loading everything safely and securely.
On the afternoon of the fourth day, I called PODS and scheduled a pickup time. I rewarded my crew with refreshments and post-move beverages for a job well done. At that point, nearly everything had gone according to plan, but that was about to change.
While my container was in transit
Communication with PODS became harder to navigate after my container was picked up. I called multiple times to ask about delivery dates, but nobody seemed to know where my container was or when it would arrive in Bremerton.
After a tiring cross-country drive of our own, this lack of concrete information made it difficult for my family to make plans and get settled into our new place.
Delivery day
PODS delivered my container 40 days after it left Pennsylvania. Since the late delivery had already put us behind, I hired a two-man moving crew in Washington to speed up the unloading process. The movers worked efficiently and put everything where I needed it.
The downside was an extra $500+ that I could have avoided if my container had arrived on time.
What I would have done differently
If I could do everything over, I would have let the Navy handle my move. Barring that, I’d hire a full-service moving company instead.
Waiting 40 days to receive our household goods added significant stress to an already difficult transition. Looking back, I believe other movers could have transported and delivered our items in half the time it took PODS to complete the job.
Final thoughts
PODS fell short of my expectations for both service and communication. My move could have gone better, and I know other PODS customers have far better experiences. But between the communication issues and the 40-day delivery delay, I wouldn’t use PODS again or recommend the company to someone planning a similar move.
Planning a long-distance move? Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to compare quotes from vetted movers and find the right fit for your budget and timeline.
Our take
Between the delivery delay and communication issues, Hassan H. wasn’t happy with his PODS experience. But is this the typical PODS experience?
During the pandemic, delivery delays were the number one complaint industry-wide. The massive increase in online ordering and a shortage of truck drivers caused chaos in the trucking industry.
On average, 71% of long-distance moves report some kind of delay. While delays around this time were the norm, the 40 days it took PODS to deliver Hassan’s container is well outside the average. His aggravation is understandable.
We haven’t seen a pattern of delivery delays comparable to Hassan’s across other PODS reviews, so it appears his experience was not the typical PODS experience.
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