Pods Review and Coupon

PODS is a company that provides moving and storage facilities to customers in the contiguous 48 US states, Canada, and Australia. PODS is actually an acronym that means Portable On Demand Storage. What makes PODS unique as a storage operation is that they use custom containers in a range of sizes that are stored and cataloged like larger shipping containers. The PODS site notes that “To date, the PODS network has completed more than 250,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded one million deliveries and has nearly 140,000 PODS containers in service.”

The name brand PODS themselves are storage containers that come in three sizes – 8 x 7 x 7 feet, 8 x 8 x 12 feet, and 8 x 8 x 16 feet. These PODS are moved by truck and then stored in an arrangement similar to shipping containers that you’d see in a port or other shipping hub, except that PODS are stored in secure local storage centers throughout the countries that PODS serves.

PODS offers a variety of services based on their unique white storage containers, centered around two main components: moving and storage. The basic idea is that a customer can place a container on their property as storage for as long as they need to, and then they can move the container by truck – either locally or long-distance – to the customer’s new home or business to be unloaded. The amount of time the container is stored is dependent on the customer’s need as well, with the additional option of secure storage in a PODS facility until the container is needed again. 

As noted before, PODS offers both home and business options for their containers. As the containers remain secure no matter their contents, storing files or other business materials off-site in a PODS container might be a viable way to free up office space in a smaller business set-up. Additionally, storing older or unused files or equipment can also free up some space for simply the cost of storage and space rental.

PODS was founded in 1998 and is currently based in Clearwater, Florida. Founder Peter Warhurst was a part of a larger family storage business and wanted to expand. He invented the PODS containers, which are built out of plywood over steel frames, with a lightweight rolling steel door and a durable polymer top that is translucent, allowing ambient light to pass through during the day. Warhurst also invented the hydraulic lift system known as PODZILLA, which is employed to move containers.

PODS was later acquired by Atlanta-based capital group Arcapita in February 2007 for $451.4 million. This began a series of partnerships for the company that have helped it grow, as well as streamline its processes. In terms of streamlining, a 2008 partnership between PODS and Wabash National centered around Wabash taking over construction of PODS containers. The newer Wabash-built containers are built to be completely recyclable. The larger-sized containers, at 12 and 16-feet, have been certified to withstand winds of over 110 miles per hour, even when only partially loaded.

In addition to business partnerships, PODS also supports various charity endeavors. Their biggest charity partnership of late has been with Toys for Tots, which collects unopened toys for needy children. As George Spowart, PODS vice president of marketing, said in a public statement, “This collaboration makes perfect sense.  Our large network of locations in 149 U.S. markets are ready to provide PODS containers to over 400 Toys for Tots collection locations.”

In addition to the Toys for Tots partnership, PODS has also provided containers to aid with disaster relief, including relief during Hurricane Katrina, the Malibu fires, and the recent floods in Iowa. Often, PODS will provide containers across the country to aid disaster victims and in many other types of emergency situations.

The charitable aspect of the company is just another part of PODS’ skill at presenting a community-friendly public aspect. With a family-friendly face – not to mention a website full of pictures of smiling families and other customers – PODS likes to present themselves as a member of the community, essentially another neighbor.

In recent years, some communities and counties have passed ordinances specifically dealing with where containers can be placed, as there are size and spacing requirements for placing a container that might impact neighborhoods negatively. These ordinances typically involve fees for placing a PODS container on a public street when a sufficient driveway space is unavailable. Some local governments have also instituted a permit-based system for the placing and storage of PODS containers.

Future plans for PODS involve expansion into other countries, with the recent sale and establishment of the first United Kingdom franchise, as well as increased technology for tracking containers in both the moving and storage process through a wireless GPS system via a partnership between PODS and Sprint Nextel. This GPS system will also be used to track trucks, and give drivers directions when needed for moving or deliveries.

You can mention PODS coupon 'R101' in order to save 5% off storage and moving fees.