1-800-PACK-RAT Review

PACK RAT has limited availability compared to their competition. They do not serve MT, ID, ND, SD, or NE. That said, they do provide excellent service everywhere else in the US. As with all move types and moving companies, there are pros and cons that come with trusting your move to PACK RAT. We have done all the leg work to help you determine whether this company is the right choice for your move. In this article, you’ll find out about PACK RAT’s:

• Transparency: PACK RAT has fairly straightforward pricing, with a few hidden fees on long-distance moves that you should be aware of.
• Pricing: Price points vary from region to region, but their prices for different-sized containers are clear. Overall, they are on par with industry average pricing.
• Services: As with many moving container providers, your service options are fairly plain, with no frills. That said, the company does offer solutions for labor assistance should you need it as well as storage options.
• Reputation: In any customer service-oriented field, the customer is always right. We’ll walk you through common praises and complaints for the company in their customer reviews.

1-800-PACK-RAT vs Competitors

Here’s a quick look at PODS compared to some of its biggest competitors:

1-800-PACK-RAT Transparency

Our 1-800-PACK-RAT Review: 90%

Industry Average: 80%

PACK RAT provides plenty of information on their site and is very clear about their pricing and service options. Overall, the company is highly transparent. Here’s what you should know:

• Online Quotes. You can get a free estimate online to budget your move cost. The estimate includes container delivery fees, 30-day rental fees for all units, and the cost of transporting them to your new home or to another storage facility.
• Carrier vs Broker. If you do happen to be located in one of PACK RAT’s service areas, they will handle your move—although, you may be on the hook for drive distance from their local facility. If not, they will refer you to their partner company, U-Pack.
• Price Negotiation. Unlike some moving container companies, PACK RAT is more flexible when it comes to working with its customers on pricing. When booking a move by phone, you will be able to negotiate a price, within reason.
• Discounts. Discount codes and promos are usually available to use. Customer service reps will often initiate the provision of discounts if the client does not. This company more than makes up for its limited scope by greatly improving the customer experience in this way.
• Hidden Fees. There are some hidden charges and fees that can come with using PACK RAT, like the fuel surcharge for long-distance moves. Customer reviews indicate that this is a surprise charge, which no one on the customer service team had disclosed earlier. Clients should also be wary of changing delivery times within 24 to 48 hours of a move. Doing so could incur an extra charge.
• Cancellations. Cancellations come with even steeper fees. If you cancel 48 hours or more before your move, you will not have to pay any extra fees. If you cancel on the intended delivery date, however, you may be required to pay the full cost of your unit. One client reported having to pay $250 per unit, plus a great deal more because of the distance they lived away from the PACK RAT facility.
• Insurance. The basic PACK RAT moving or storage packages do not come with insurance coverage. It will have to be purchased separately. You can insure your household goods at progressively higher costs, up to $75,000 worth of coverage. These insurance policies do not protect you in the event of normal damage, while in transit. They are for worst-case scenarios only. For instance, if the truck carrying your container were to get into an accident, resulting in major damage to your things, the policy would pay out.

1-800-PACK-RAT Cost

Our 1-800-PACK-RAT Review: 90%

Industry Average: 85%

Moving containers can be one of the most affordable ways to move. Compared to other providers, 1-800-PACK-RAT cost is generally on-par with industry average. Here’s what you should know about PACK RAT’s pricing:

Local Moving Cost

The following factors will impact your cost with 1-800-PACK-RAT for local moves:

• Container size (8, 12, 16 ft)
• Number of containers
• Distance from a PACK RAT facility
• Move Date

Pricing includes drop off, pickup, and 30 days of storage. You can elect to have your unit picked up and taken to a storage facility during this time. If not, you can use the full allotted window to pack and unpack your container.

Here are a few sample quotes we received for local moves of different sizes:

Request a free quote to find out exactly what your move will cost.

Long-Distance Moving Cost

While it may be more expensive than renting your own moving truck, moving long-distance with 1-800-PACK-RAT is still more affordable than a full-service mover. Plus, you will not have to assume total liability for every aspect of your move. For many, this is the perfect balance between DIY and full-service convenience.

Note: Only the 8 ft and 16 ft container sizes are available for long distance. The 12-foot container is only available for local moves.

The primary factors that will impact your cost for long-distance moves with PACK RAT include:

• Container size (8, 12, 16 ft)
• Number of containers
• Distance from a PACK RAT facility
• Move Distance
• Move Date

Here are a few sample quotes we received for long-distance moves of different sizes and distances:

Request a free quote to find out exactly what your move will cost.

Storage Cost

If you’re simply renting units for storage, you will be charged an initial delivery fee, plus monthly storage fees. Previous customers suggest an average price of $280-$300 per month, which includes $80-$90 for delivery and around $200 per month per unit for storage.

Insurance Cost

You may want to consider purchasing insurance for your move. The minimum coverage that you can buy is a $9.99 per container, per month. This only covers you for potential damage to the container itself while in your possession. If you want to upgrade that plan to protect your possessions as well, you can purchase the tiered Silver Plan, which includes:

• $5,000 in contents protection: $34.95
• $7,500 in contents protection: $49.95
• $15,000 in contents protection: $59.95
• $25,000 in contents protection: $79.95
• $50,000 in contents protection: $119.95
• $75,000 in contents protection: $149.95

These prices include the Damage Waiver insurance for the container at $9.99

1-800-PACK-RAT Services

Our 1-800-PACK-RAT Review: 85%

Industry Average: 75%

As with many moving container providers, your service options are fairly basic with 1-800-PACK-RAT. This helps to keep your moving cost low. That said, the company does offer solutions for labor assistance should you need it, as well as storage options.

1-800-PACK-RAT Container Sizes

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes, offering plenty of flexibility when planning your move:

Local Moving & Storage

All local move quotes come with a month of free storage. This means that you can have your moving container dropped off at your home to load at your own pace. You will also be able to unload in a similar fashion if you time your move properly. There is no stipulation on where you are required to store your container. Whether you want it on-property for your entire move or in a secure storage facility, PACK RAT can work with you.

Long-Distance Moving

As a company that handles long-distance relocations, PACK RAT is registered with the FMCSA, just like their full-service competitors. They are slowly expanding their service areas to compete on a more even footing with those operators. A word of caution: if your move is on the fringes of PACK RAT’s service area, you may have to pay extra fees for pickup or delivery. If either end of your move is totally out of any service area, PACK RAT will refer you to their partner, U-Pack.

Moving Labor Assistance

You are free to load and unload your container yourself, which can save you money. But you don’t have to do the work if you don’t want to. You can work with PACK RAT’s partner, Hire A Helper, to source labor—or you can hire labor through a third party.

If you choose to work with Hire A Helper, you simply need to fill in your move date(s) and zip code(s) to see a side-by-side comparison of all laborers nearby. Of course, you have the option of hiring them for the load, unload, or both. This service also contracts labor help for packing and unpacking. No matter how little or how much help you may need, it is all right at your fingertips.

Moving Supplies

PACK RAT offers moving supplies for sale. Depending on your location, they can either deliver or ship your supplies to you for free. To eliminate some of the guesswork in pinpointing how many boxes you may need, there are a number of pre-made packing kits that have been tailored to fit each size of moving container that PACK RAT carries.

1-800-PACK-RAT Reputation & Customer Reviews

Our 1-800-PACK-RAT Review: 95%

Industry Average: 80%

PACK RAT’s service record is fantastic when both ends of a client’s move are relatively close to its facilities. Customer satisfaction seems to go down as moves drift away from these centralized hubs. This is most likely due to unexplained or hidden fees for fuel and extra distance traveled.

Here’s the rundown on common praise and complaints for the company:

• Pro: Container Quality. 1-800-PACK-RAT reviews commonly praise the quality of the container construction. The solid metal outer shell is above industry standard, as many similar companies employ plywood construction under a thin metal shell in their units. Inside, the support bars are raised from the walls. This gives the extra clearance needed to use any kind of tie-down straps you deem necessary when securing your things.
• Con: Fuel Surcharges. Fuel surcharges are a common source of contention among those who move with this company, as they are not typically disclosed by service representatives during the quote process. This is typically added to moves that have end points further away from a PACK RAT facility.
• Pro: PACK RAT is a great option for small load moves and for smaller long-distance moves. Clients who can handle their own moves love the way this company structures things to keep their services as affordable and convenient as possible.
• Con: Communication. Customer service representatives are described as friendly overall during the initial booking process. But several reviews note difficulty with contacting their reps once their move has begun.

For many moves, the affordability and loading/unloading flexibility far outweigh the cons of fees and communication. If you decide to book with 1-800-PACK-RAT, you should ask your representative or booking agent about any potential hidden fees up-front. Their representatives have a reputation for working with clients, so being as communicative as possible during the hiring process is key to a smooth move.