1-800-PACK-RAT Container Review

If you’re moving soon, you have a lot of tasks to cross off your to-do list. One of the most important ones is figuring out how to get all your belongings to your new home quickly and safely. Fortunately, there are moving companies that can help you out with this, and one of those options is 1-800-PACK-RAT. This moving company can provide you with storage containers that will fit all your stuff on moving day. If you want help deciding if this is the right moving company for you, check out our 1-800-PACK-RAT storage container review.

Overview of 1-800-PACK-RAT

First, it’s important to get an idea of what kind of company 1-800-PACK-RAT is. In short, this company will drop off a portable storage container for you to fill with your belongings. They’ll then send a driver to pick up the container and deliver it to your new home so you can unload it. As such, this is not a full-service moving company, so plan to hire moving helpers if you need assistance loading and unloading your furniture and boxes.

The first three 1-800-PACK-RAT offices opened in North Carolina in 2003. Since then, the company has expanded to more than 50 locations. The increase in locations across the country has allowed it to extend its services to include long-distance moves, not just local moves. So whether you’re relocating across the country or just across the state, you can rent a storage container from 1-800-PACK-RAT for your move.

What Does the Average 1-800-PACK-RAT Storage Container Review Say?

There are so many moving companies to choose from that it can be hard to narrow down the best option for your needs. But you can get a good idea of what to expect by looking at the average 1-800-PACK-RAT storage container review. Luckily, reviews on this company are easy to find, and most are positive.

So, what does the typical 1-800-PACK-RAT storage container review say about this moving company? Many reviews mention the high quality of the steel containers, as well as the ability to keep the container for as long as you need during your move. This lets you pack at your pace.

However, some reviews have mentioned that if the company gets busy, drivers might not be able to deliver your storage container to your new home on the day you need it. This has led to some people being left without their belongings for days or even weeks. As a result, you should make sure you arrange a drop-off date ahead of time or have a backup plan in case the company can’t deliver your items as soon as you get to your new house.

What Are the Pros and Cons of 1-800-PACK-RAT?

Like any moving company, 1-800-PACK-RAT has some pros and cons to take into account before you make a decision on the kind of moving help you get.

Pros:

• Sturdy and weatherproof steel containers
• Offers free contents protection insurance up to $10,000 for long-distance moves
• Lets you keep the container for as long as you need to
• Price matches PODS

Cons:

• Doesn’t have as many locations as other major moving companies
• Often more expensive than similar moving businesses
• Long-distance moves aren’t easy to set up

What Are the Available Storage Container Sizes?

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three sizes of steel containers- the same as PODS. Here’s a look at how much each container fits so you can decide which one is right for your moving needs.

8-foot container:

• 404 cubic feet in size
• Can hold up to 4,000 pounds
• Fits 1–2 rooms of furniture

12-foot container:

• 620 cubic feet in size
• Can hold up to 6,000 pounds
• Fits 2–3 rooms of furniture

16-foot container:

• 830 cubic feet in size
• Can hold up to 6,000 pounds
• Fits 3–4 rooms of furniture

How Does 1-800-PACK-RAT Work?

If you’re thinking of hiring this moving company after reading this 1-800-PACK-RAT storage container review, you will want an idea of how the process will work. You can start by going to the company’s website, where you’ll see a form to get a moving quote.

The process will be a bit different depending on whether you’re planning a local move or a long-distance move. You should also note that this moving company offers storage options, so you can have a driver pick up your container to keep at a nearby location for as long as you need.

How Does 1-800-PACK-RAT Work With Local Storage Container Moves?

When you go to the website, you’ll see a quote form. Once you put in the following information, you’ll get a quote for the move:

• Zip code of your current city
• Zip code of your destination city
• Desired delivery date
• Email address

The results you see will give you prices for each storage container size. You’ll notice that the price is for the month, meaning you’ll be charged the same whether you keep it for a week or 30 days. This can be helpful when you need some time to either pack and load the container yourself or want to schedule moving help for loading and unloading.

Once you decide on the right storage container size, you can reserve it online for your local move. You’ll need to answer some questions about where you want the container dropped off, such as on your driveway, in a parking lot, or on the street. You’ll then choose your delivery date and time and decide if you want to buy insurance for the move. At that point, your local move will be booked and ready to go.

How Does 1-800-PACK-RAT Work With Long-Distance Container Moves?

1-800-PACK-RAT makes it easy to schedule a local move, but it’s not as simple if you’re moving long-distance. In fact, if the zip code of your destination city doesn’t fall within the boundaries of a local move, you won’t be able to get a quote for moving help online. Instead, you’ll be directed to contact the company.

This means you’ll have to spend some time on the phone planning the move with a representative. Granted, it’s not difficult, as the company strives to make your long-distance move easy. The process will be the same as it is with local moves, as the storage container you choose will be dropped off at your house, where you’ll load it at your own pace.

Then, on the scheduled pickup date, a driver will pick up the storage container and drive it to your new home. Once you or your moving helpers unload the storage container, you’ll request a 1-800-PACK-RAT driver to pick it up. So while the reservation process isn’t all online as it is with local moves, the long-distance moving process is still rather easy.

How Much Does 1-800-PACK-RAT Cost?

Cost is a pretty important part of planning a move, so no 1-800-PACK-RAT storage container review would be complete without mentioning the price. In general, this company is known for being a little more expensive than other moving companies on the market.

However, it does price match PODS. And there’s often some room for negotiation when it comes to price. As a result, don’t be afraid to tell the customer service representatives if the price is a little over your budget, as they might offer discounts. 

As with other moving companies, the price varies depending on how much stuff you have to move and how far away you’re moving. You can use the quote form to get an estimate of what it will cost for your local move. Depending on where you’re moving in your state, it will likely cost a few hundred dollars. For instance, if you need a 12-foot container to move to a city 50 miles away, it’s about $375.

On the other hand, a long-distance move across the country would likely cost a few thousand dollars. Be sure to call and get a quote — and then compare the total to other moving companies — before you decide on which business to use for moving help.

What Are the Downsides of Using 1-800-PACK-RAT?

One of the main downsides of using this company is that there aren’t locations in every state. Even the states that feature this company often only have one or two locations. This might make it difficult to plan your move, as you’ll need to make sure there’s a location near your current home and your future home to keep the price of the move reasonable.

In addition, while it’s easy to plan a local move with 1-800-PACK-RAT, long-distance moves take more effort. You can’t just reserve the container online or even get a simple online quote, as you’ll have to call the company first. This means the reservation process isn’t as streamlined as it could be.

Should You Choose 1-800-PACK-RAT Over Other Moving Storage Container Companies?

The bottom line is that this company has some unique benefits that you might be looking for. In particular, if you want to pack and load your belongings at your own pace — and you need up to a month to do it — this may be the right moving company for you. It’s convenient to have a container just outside your house that you can load when you have time.

This option also works well if you’ll need storage for a while, such as if you’re downsizing to a smaller home or will be moving in with someone temporarily and don’t have room for your furniture yet. You can simply let 1-800-PACK-RAT know how long you need them to store your storage container and then pay the monthly storage fee until you’re ready to get your belongings.

If these benefits sound good to you, 1-800-PACK-RAT may be the right choice. However, if you’re planning a long-distance move and you don’t want to have to work with a customer service representative, you might consider a different portable storage company. The same goes if there isn’t a 1-800-PACK-RAT location near your current or future home.

No matter which moving company you choose, you can always get moving labor help with packing, loading, and unloading your belongings.