Archive for January, 2012
Portable Storage Units vs Renting a Moving Truck – Is There a Clear Winner?
When planning a move, one of the most common questions is whether a portable storage unit or renting a moving truck is the best option. Most people will say that one is always going to be better than the other, regardless of the situation. The truth is that there are a lot of variables to consider, which means that both options will prove ideal for different situations. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important factors to keep in mind when deciding whether or not there is a clear winner.
What Is Your Timetable?
The first thing the need to consider is what your timetable is. If you are going to try to move in a short amount of time, such as over the weekend then renting a truck will normally be your best option. This is because portable storage units tend to include monthly fees, regardless of whether or not you actually need them for an entire month. On the other hand, moving over the span of the weekend could be made easier by using portable storage units because you can start packing weeks in advance. This will ensure that the actual move takes very little time. Along the same lines, you also need to consider what your schedule is for moving day. If you are renting a truck then you are free to come and go as you please, however with a portable storage unit your day will be dictated on the availability of their drivers.
How Much Help Will You Have on Moving Day?
Another important variable is how much help you will have on moving day. If you are trying to move the entire house by yourself, then a portable storage unit is realistically your best option because it will take so long to load and unload. On the other hand, if you have a bunch of friends that are going to help or you plan on hiring a moving service, then a rental truck may be all that you need. Just keep in mind that the more you have to do on your own, the longer it will take and the more expensive renting a truck will become.
How Far Are You Moving?
The distance of your move is another important factor because it will largely dictate your total expenses. Portable storage units can be extremely convenient, however if you are moving large distances then they can quickly become expensive. This is because they will handle the driving. For example, if you are moving across the country, then renting a truck may be less expensive. At the same time, once you add in the price of gasoline, any overnight stays during the drive, and related expenses the prices could balance out in the end. Along the same lines, you also need to consider whether or not you are comfortable driving a moving truck on your own. This is specially true if you are planning on using a long 26 footer and towing your vehicle behind it.
Which One is Easier and More Cost Effective?
At the end of the day and there is no clear winner when comparing a portable storage unit to renting a moving truck. In general, the longer the move will take, the more cost effective as a portable storage unit becomes. Additionally, the farther you have to travel, the more affordable a rental truck becomes. While there may be no clear-cut answer, by taking a close look at these types of variables the best option will present itself.
Save 5% off a portable storage unit by using a Pack Rat promo code when you reserve your unit.
Door to Door Review
Door to Door Storage is a company that was founded in Washington State in 1996 by Tim Riley. Riley previously worked for Shurgard Storage Centers but elected to branch out on his own with his first business. He came up with the ‘You pack it up. We pick it up’ tag line that is now synonymous with the company. Door to Door grew quickly and within seven years it had reached the top 500 list of fastest growing companies in America. The company operates by giving customers a storage unit which they load. The company then arrives at a designated time and brings the goods to their storage facilities. A container is designed to fit the goods of one room in the home. The company also allows customers between 1-7 days to pack their possessions.
Pros
A number of storage companies hit the news for the wrong reasons as consumers complain bitterly about rude drivers and incompetent service which involves the losing or breaking of possessions. Dozens of customer reviews suggest that Door to Door is not one of these poorly operated companies. Everything about this company screams out professionalism from their customer service to their drivers.
One of the most notable things about Door to Door is their customer service. A number of moving companies seem to think that it is somehow unnecessary and this absolutely infuriates customers. It makes it appear as if they don’t really care about their customers and from previous moving company reviews, one wonders if it isn’t the case. Thankfully, Door to Door know exactly how to treat a customer. When you ring one of their offices, you receive a prompt answer from a human being within a short space of time. The phone staff are courteous, polite, helpful and efficient. They are great at altering moving dates to suit your schedule which is greatly appreciated.
In terms of price, Door to Door are considerably cheaper than the likes of UBox and PODS. The average cost of shipping all the possessions in a home across the United States is $1,500. Clearly, this charge will be much lower if your journey is shorter. Expect to pay between $60-70 a month per storage container if you elect to keep your possessions in one of their secure units. The drivers are generally punctual and a high percentage of customers said that their possessions made the trip without incident.
Cons
Door to Door is not perfect of course and there are a few minor issues. For example, consumers report that the company’s crates can get damp so you are advised to store clothes and linens in a secure plastic bag to protect them. Also, you need a permit to allow the Door to Door truck to park outside the house. The company helps you get these permits but the additional cost is a real pain.
Verdict
Overall, Door to Door is definitely one of the better storage/moving companies. They genuinely value customers and make a real effort to make the moving experience as painless as possible. It would be fantastic if they would clean the containers a bit better but this is only a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
Read more moving container reviews.
United Review
United Van Lines are currently the largest moving company in the United States. They are a full-service company and were originally formed in 1928. The current headquarters are located in St Louis, Missouri. United Van Lines have more than 400 agents constantly working all across America. They aim to serve every small town in the nation which is a difficult and worthy task. As they are said to be one of the best moving companies in the nation, United Van Lines claim to work extra hard to ensure that this position remains intact.
Website
Besides full service moving, United Van Lines have a host of storage facilities across the United State where your goods can be held if need be. They also offer the standard Corporate Relocation and International Moving services. United Mayflower Container Services is a part of the company and they offer you portable storage containers that should be large enough to hold the contents of an average 1,500 square meter home. United say they will deliver the storage container wherever you want, whenever you need it.
The company’s full service mantra includes several packages offering different services ranging from $195 to $1,395. For example, the top priced package includes additional valuation protection worth $30,000 which should give customers piece of mind. It also includes a move-in and move-out cleaning service. All packages include date change, claim assist, valuation protection from $5,000-$30,000 and ‘Straight Talk Gold Standard Protection’. You can choose between the mandatory 60 cents per pound of goods protection or a Full Replacement Value protection deal. To get a free estimate, all you need to do is fill in a relatively straightforward application form and United Van Lines will give quickly give a quotation.
Services
Although they are America’s largest and best known moving company, United Van Lines certainly receive mixed reviews from their customers. Customers are given a lengthy set of documentation to sign which can be difficult to comprehend. A number of customers have complained that their items were moved haphazardly with items carelessly packaged and broken. Of special importance is the fact that some customers were required to provide receipts for items that cost more than $100.
On the flipside, there are thousands of customers who are absolutely delighted with their United Van Lines experience and fully understand why this organization is viewed as the number one moving company in the United States. The agents who provide the estimates are honest, professional and willing to negotiate. Indeed, you could lower your quote by up to 10% if your play your cards right. It seems as if United Van Lines has one of the highest success rates in the industry when it comes to transporting all your goods completely intact with nothing missing. The majority of those who did lose items found that the claims process was quite simple, a pleasant surprise to most.
Overall, while United Van Lines have their critics, it seems to be a classic case of not being able to please everyone all the time. For the most part, they appear to give excellent service and have been recommended by a large percentage of their former clients. For now at least, United Van Lines looks set to continue their domination of the moving industry.
Read more reviews of moving companies.
Allied Review
Allied Van Lines is one of America’s oldest moving companies and was originally founded in 1928 as a cooperative-non profit company which was formed in the East coast. Allied merged with the North American Van Lines company in 1999, a shrewd move as this was their main rival up until that point. Three years later, Allied was renamed SIRVA Inc. and they now have their headquarters in Illinois. Like many other moving companies, Allied also offers a variety of other services including international moving and corporate relocation.
Website
The website tries to be colorful and vibrant like its competitors and everything is laid out neatly. They offer free quotes which includes orders to Canada and overseas. All you need to do is enter the origin and final destination ZIP codes, your name, address, phone and email to get your free instant quote. Interestingly, Allied also specializes in real estate. If you’re looking to move home, not only will Allied transport your goods, they will also get one of their real estate experts to assist you with selling or buying a home as well as advice on gaining financing for a house. There is also a host of helpful moving information on the site.
When it comes to moving home, Allied promises a range of options including choice of packing and type of moving services. The packaging options include full service, fragile and DIY. Full service involves Allied packing all your materials themselves with the best materials and packing experts in the industry. Items that are valuable or fragile have a special method of packing applied to them. DIY packing sees Allied provide you with boxes and materials and you pack everything to your satisfaction. Allied promises to load each item which will be listed before transporting it safely to the location. Their team also unload your goods for you. Additional services include unpacking your possessions and storing your goods for up to 90 days.
Service
Like an increasingly large number of moving companies, Allied fails to live up to their promises, at least in the eyes of the majority of their customers. Many former customers claim that Allied salespeople try to falsely estimate the weight of the goods as a means of charging extra. The company has also been accused of being a faceless corporation with no charm and salesmen who continually talk about having decades of experience without ever betraying evidence of this fact.
There are also a number of reports about items going missing in transit. This is something that can happen in the moving industry, even the best companies occasionally lose items. However, former customers claim that items go missing too regularly and the company’s complaints department does not take customers seriously. Many of the missing items are not located and a long, laborious application form must be filled in. Allied also has avoided a binding Not To Exceed contract for many years to the fury of customers.
It seems clear that although Allied is said to be an industry leader in the moving industry, a lot of work needs to be done in order to get customers back onside.
Read more reviews of moving companies.
Atlas Review
Atlas Van Lines is part of the Atlas World Group. Atlas Van Lines is a branch of the entire company that deals with moving home. Atlas’ headquarters are found in Indiana and the company enjoys annual revenue of almost $1 billion. Atlas Van Lines claims to be America’s second largest interstate motor carrier. There are more than 500 agents of the company operating nationwide with each van easily recognizable with the giant blue ‘A’ that is found on each one. The company’s mission is to provide quality specialized relocation, distribution and transportation services to their client base.
Atlas Website
If the website is anything to go by, Atlas Van Lines are an extremely well organized group. The site is clad in the bright, vibrant blue color which is associated with the company. Atlas offers a wide range of services including general household moving, international moving, self storage government and military moving as well as dabbling in corporate relocation. The site gives tips on avoiding scam companies including a page which tells you how to spot a genuine Atlas company.
The site even gives you information about contacting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration if you have been the victim of fraud. The site also talks about migration patterns, relocation pricing and fuel costs which may affect the cost of your move. Getting a free quote is extremely easy. All you need to do is offer some personal information such as your name, email, address, where you’re moving to and the amount of things you are moving. For this, Atlas asks you how many ‘rooms’ you are moving as a means of making a calculation. This is all well and good, but what is their service like?
The Service
One of the best things about Atlas Van Lines is their price guarantee. When they actually send an agent around to your home, he uses specific Atlas calculations to decide the weight of the goods. For example, a television may be deemed to weigh five pounds with a washing machine marked down as 80 pounds. Customers don’t tend to have a problem with this as the process saves a lot of time. The Not To Exceed guarantee means that Atlas can’t charge you more than the quote stated by their agent. Essentially, if you’re charged $1,000 but it should cost $1,500 because your goods weighed more than Atlas thought, they can’t renege on the original agreement.
However, the insurance they offer is confusing and the basic liability insurance of 60 cent per pound weight is woefully insufficient. If you had 1,000 pounds worth of goods, you would receive $600 in compensation! This is not Atlas’ fault but their terms and conditions could be more user friendly. Alas, Atlas’ moving service is not as fantastic as they would have you believe. Hundreds of customers have been withering in their condemnation of Atlas. The main gripes include the fact that your goods are not treated particularly well, the moving time is up to double what you were originally told and their communication with customers is average at best.
For all the promise showed by Atlas, it’s clear that they must do better to appease angry customers and provide a better overall service.
Read more reviews of moving companies.
Bekins Review
The Bekins Company was originally formed back in 1891 by a pair of brothers in Iowa. It soon expanded into Illinois and is said to have pioneered containerization in 1920. In fact, Bekins are also believed to have carried out the first transcontinental move in a motor van in the United States in 1928. It became an agent-owned company in 2002 and their headquarters are now found in Illinois. The Bekins Company has also become part of pop culture with appearances in Hollywood movies such as Legally Blonde.
Website
The first thing you see on the company’s website is their commitment to trust. Bekins claims to have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) (more on this later) and offers the usual array of services. They have a special Tradeshow service which is specifically designed for high value products, corporate relocation, international relocation, government and military moves and the standard Full Service residential move.
There are more than 250 Bekins agents located around the world. The company offers a free website estimate but you can also benefit from a free quotation with a Bekins agent coming to your home to check out the goods to be moved. They claim to offer flexible pricing and payment options and a dedicated point of contact which will help you when it comes to planning your packing, loading and delivery dates. This all seems fantastic on paper but when it comes to the crunch, does Bekins Company really deliver?
Services
There seems to be a common theme regarding Bekins and it’s only partly positive. According to the majority of customers who have used Bekins, the drivers are exceptionally good. These drivers are hard working, polite and make every effort to ensure that your possessions get from A to B in great shape. This is a major plus point for Bekins Company. Sadly, it also appears to be the only bright spot on the horizon. There are numerous reports of agents who are less than honest and try to charge for extra weight after agreeing a quotation. The discrepancy between the final charge and original quote is said to be as high as $800.
The agents are said to have a tendency to be great until the deal is closed. Then, customers find it almost impossible to reach the agent. Even the movers don’t escape criticism as they are branded as ‘slow and lazy’ by a wide range of angry consumers. It seems strange that they have an A+ rating with the BBB when the BBB themselves state that Bekins Company has the most complaints attributed to any moving company in several states. Even if the BBB allegations are proven to be false, the number of complaints relating to Bekins Company are not.
Sadly, for all their promises, it appears as if Bekins Company is yet another organization that falls well short of the service it should ideally provide. There are a few positive experiences recorded by customers but these are greatly outweighed by the negative comments which are easily found online.
Read more reviews of moving companies.
New Promo Codes for Portable Self Storage Units
EasyStorageSearch.com has several new coupon codes to help make your move more affordable. Use one or more of these codes to make your 2012 move a bit easier:
Save 5% off 1-800-Pack-Rat or Pods portable storage units by using a PackRat promo code or a Pods promo code.
Save 10% off a Budget moving truck rental with a Budget truck rental coupon.
Public Storage is the largest provider of self storage units in the US. Save 5% off your next storage locker rental with a Public Storage coupon code.
Lifetime Sheds Review
Lifetime Sheds are constructed using polyethylene plastic for the walls, the roof, and the floor as well as the doors. The sheds are reinforced with steel in the doors, roof and the walls to give it additional stability. By combining the use of steel and polyethylene, Lifetime Sheds has outstanding durability and will hold up well in high winds and bad weather. The outside frame is UV ray protected that will help prevent cracking and damage from the powerful rays of the sun. The materials are powder-coated which helps prevent cracking, rusting and discoloration. Lifetime Sheds are strong and durable and maintenance will be very minimal. Your Lifetime Shed will last for many years to come.
The exterior finishes of the Lifetime Sheds are attractive wood-grain textured panels. No painting is ever required and the simple maintenance consists of hosing it down from time to time. The sheds include a shatter-proof, high impact plastic window to allow natural light in. There are screened vents to provide proper ventilation.
One of the unique features that Lifetime Sheds has is interchangeable panels for the side walls. If you don’t find the size shed you are looking for, you can purchase extension kits to customize the shed by adding additional panels to make it larger. These extension kits are sold separately. One thing you do have to check in to is that when you add extension to the sheds that make it longer then recommended your warranty will be altered. The company recommends and guarantees only particular sizes for the sheds. So if adding extensions is necessary, be sure to read the company guidelines on extension kits so you know what your warranty will cover.
Lifetime Sheds offer a variety of accessories to customize your shed. Battery-powered lighting can be added to your kit, as well as steel-reinforced shelves. When ordering your Lifetime Shed, you can add the accessories you need.
There are so many sizes and prices for Lifetime Sheds. And with the option to purchase extension kits, the choices are great. Some of the Lifetime Sheds available are as follows. You can get a Lifetime Shed sized 7’ X 4.5’ for around $829.00. This shed is great for storing small tools and automotive supplies. It is also perfect for storing pool supplies and pool toys. It is great to store inside a carport or patio. It comes with double wide doors which allow for easy access. The larger Lifetime 8’ X 10’ storage shed runs around $1,100. This shed comes equipped with shelving units and peg strips to help you organize your tools and things. It is a great size for the backyard. The Lifetime 15-Foot Wide Shed runs for $1,799 and has double doors in the center of the shed. It is 15’ X 8’ and features 2 windows with shutters. It comes with several shelving units and peg strips. If you don’t need it for storage, this Lifetime Shed will make a great play house or fort for children, or a great workshop for dad. Lifetime Sheds also has a variety of Garage Sheds. There is an 11’ X 21’ garage shed that has plenty of room to turn into a workshop, or to store your recreational vehicles or riding mowers. The carriage-style doors allow you to open up the entire front so that you can move your large items inside. This one will run you around $4,000.
Once you have ordered your Lifetime Shed from their website, your new Lifetime Shed is shipped directly to you. Assembly is required. There are step-by-step illustrated directions, and all of the hardware needed to assemble the shed is included. It is recommended that you have someone there to assist you in assembly. It is definitely a two man job to assemble one of these sheds.
If a new backyard storage shed is in your future and you are looking for a great styled and durability, then Lifetime Sheds is certainly something to look at. The ability to customize your shed to fit your needs is a great feature.
Learn more about Lifetime Sheds at Lowe’s.
Arrow Sheds Review
Arrow Sheds are an affordable option for your backyard storage unit. Looking at the other options available for storage, like public storage units or Pods, Arrow Sheds costs less in the long run. And your stuff is stored on your property so you simply just walk to the back yard to get the things you need. With storage facilities, you have the added inconvenience of having to drive to them in order to get the stuff you need.
Arrow Shed construction is very durable. Arrow Sheds are made of galvanized steel, so they are one of the most durable sheds on the market. Galvanized steel won’t rust so you can expect a long life from your Arrow Shed. Galvanized steel will hold up better in bad weather, and the necessity for continued maintenance on it will be limited.
You are given several choices for the sheds finished exterior. You can choose from baked enamel, electro-galvanized steel, pinewood or vinyl. You may want to choose the finish that best matches your homes outside décor. In addition to selecting the exterior wall finishing, you can also pick the roof style. Choices are sloped, gabled or gambrel. The ability to customize your Arrow Shed will help it blend in with the existing structures on your property.
There are many sizes and prices to choose from. The Arrow YS47 is a 4’ X 7’ compact storage space that runs for around $378. This model is designed like a lean-to, and helps save space in your backyard because it can lean right up next to a wall or fence. A great shed that is perfect for storing lawn equipment is the Arrow Utility Building. This 8’ X 3’ storage shed has 4 shelves and a tool hanger rack that will help you keep your gardening tools organized. The Arrow Woodlake model is a 10’ X 8’ storage shed that runs around $398. This model offers 413 cubic feet of storage space. There are double doors on the front that allow you to store large yard equipment. One of the larger models is The Sheridan which is a 10’ X 14’ shed that has double doors to allow easy access, and plenty of room to store large items.
The Arrow Sheds can be purchased online at their website or at participating retailers. Some of the retailers who carry Arrow Sheds are Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot and Shed Nation. Pricing varies depending on where you purchase your Arrow Shed from. You can even check on Amazon and eBay to locate the best price.
Assembly is required, but is very easy. Arrow Sheds are pre-fabricated steel pieces that are put together with a screwdriver and some pliers. There are easy to follow directions, as well as customer support available to you by phone. You can also visit their website if you run into any problems assembling the shed. The website has a great video to demonstrate how to properly assemble your new shed.
Depending on your city’s code and ordinances, you may need to get a permit to put a shed on your property. So, to be on the safe side, check with them first. Most times it depends on the size of the shed you want to install. Arrow Sheds have either a 12 year or a 15 year warranty.
If more storage space is what you need, or if you are looking for a shed to turn into a playhouse or workshop, Arrow Sheds will have the perfect sized and styled shed to fit all of your outside storage needs. Customize your Arrow Shed to match the existing structures on your property. Don’t let another year go by without finding a solution to your storage shortage, check out the Arrow Sheds.
Learn more about Arrow Sheds at Lowe’s.
Rubbermaid Sheds Review
Rubbermaid sheds are made of thick, heavy-duty plastic called polymer resin. The sheds are pre-fabricated and available in many different sizes. Because they are manufactured with polymer resin, there in no maintenance or painting required. There is no need to worry about rotting, rust or weather damage. They are waterproof and will hold up in bad weather. They resist denting as well.
Unfortunately, there are not any customizing options with Rubbermaid Sheds so matching your home’s exterior isn’t possible, unless your home looks like a Rubbermaid Shed. You can add shelving packages to your Rubbermaid shed. But as far as color or style choice, there isn’t any.
There are two different types of Rubbermaid Sheds to choose from. There are Vertical sheds or horizontal sheds. Rubbermaid Sheds come in many sizes.
There is an extra small Vertical Storage Shed which has 17 cubic feet of storage capacity. It is 2’2”w X 1’7”d X 5’7”h that run around $250.00. This shed would be a great choice to store painting supplies or cleaning supplies.
The Rubbermaid Big Max Jr. Shed has 147 cubic feet of storage capacity. It costs around $499.00 and 82.8in w X 39.6”d X 91.2”h. It includes lockable doors and wide double door entry. The doors are steel reinforced to give them added security. The Big Max Jr. is perfect for storing all of your lawn and gardening equipment. You can easily organize your trimmers and mower. Add shelving to hold your gardening pots, gloves and spades.
The Big Max is 325 cubic feet or storage. It is 6’9”q X 6’9”d X 7’7.5”h. The Big Max includes 2 skylights, lockable steel reinforced doors and 2 front windows. The Big Max would be a great place to park your riding lawnmower. Hang your rakes, shovels and blower to keep your floor space clutter free. Add your children’s bicycles to free up some space in your garage.
The Big Max Ultra offers 467 cubic feet of storage space. There are 2 windows and 2 skylights to allow plenty of natural light in. This shed is unique because it is equipped with double doors on the front as well as the back. There is plenty of storage space to keep your outdoor equipment organized. Dimensions are 6’9”w X 10’2”d X 7’6”h. The Big Max Ultra is only available through The Home Depot.
The Roughneck Large Storage Shed is a great shed to use for storing bicycles, skateboards and other outdoor games and equipment. It has 159 cubic feet of storage capacity and is extra deep. The dimensions are 55”w X 76”d x 77”h.
The horizontal storage sheds are a great alternative to the standard sheds if space is limited. There are several horizontal storage shed options with Rubbermaid Sheds. There is an 18 cubic foot horizontal storage unit that costs around $200. These sheds work great on patio’s, porches and decks and can be great storage space for pool supplies or pool toys.
The pre-fabricated shed needs to be assembled. Assembly is quick and easy. The roof and walls simply snap together and then are secured by screws.
Rubbermaid Sheds can be purchased at many of the local retail stores, like Wal-mart, Target and Home Depot. Locating a good price on the sheds is quite possible. They are already reasonably priced, but you may be able to find them on sale. You have to check their website because not all Rubbermaid Sheds are available on the website.
Rubbermaid Sheds are certainly an option for your storage needs they are reasonably priced and are very, very durable. They do, however, lack in style and the ability to customize them to match the structures currently on your property. If you need the extra storage space that a backyard shed can bring and aren’t too worried about the appearance, the Rubbermaid Sheds are a great buy. Visit their website, or check your local hardware and home improvement stores to locate the Rubbermaid Shed that is perfect for you.
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