1-800-PACK-RAT Review (2024)
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Booking the right moving company is vital to a stress-free move to a new home. Whether you book with a full-service moving company or a container provider, understand what each option entails before deciding on the best moving company for you. 1-800-PACK-RAT is a reputable option for self-service moving. It supplies all-steel weatherproof containers for use in local or interstate moving, as well as on-site and secured storage. Learn more about this container shipper’s offerings below.
Highlights of 1-800-PACK-RAT
*Not available in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Pros and Cons of 1-800-PACK-RAT
Pros
- Provides all-steel weatherproof storage containers
- Has flexibility around pick-up and drop-off dates
- Offers $10,000 in protection for all long-distance moves
Cons
- Is located in only 30 states
- Charges hidden fees, according to negative customer reviews
1-800-PACK-RAT Services Offered
1-800-PACK-RAT is nominally a moving container company. However, you can book other essential moving services through this provider. It’s an attractive option for DIY moving and on-site storage during home remodels. PACK-RAT locations can accommodate moving and storage needs within a 100-mile radius. You’re likely in the range of one of its locations if you live in a state it services.
Container Sizes
1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes:
- 8-foot container: This container holds one to two rooms’ worth of furniture with a 4,000-pound maximum capacity.
- 12-foot container: This container holds two or three rooms’ worth of furniture with a 6,000-pound capacity.
- 16-foot container: This container holds three or four rooms’ worth of furniture with a 6,000-pound capacity.
If your move requires more space, you must book multiple containers. This could quickly double or triple the cost of your container rental.
Local Moving
Unlike U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT offers local moving as an option. And, unlike PODS, all container sizes are available for all move distances. When you book any relocation through PACK-RAT, your container comes with a 30-day rental. Local moving service includes flexible loading and unloading times and shipping times.
Long-Distance Moving
You can stage interstate or cross-country moves with PACK-RAT containers. With container rentals, you get a more hands-off shipping process. We like the added benefit that you don’t have to drive your belongings to your new home in a moving truck.
All long-distance moves come with $10,000 of insurance coverage for your belongings. You can add tiered coverage through PACK-RAT’s Silver Plan. Coverage starts at $34.95 per unit per month ($5,000 in added coverage) and goes up to $149.95 per unit per month ($75,000 in added coverage).
Storage Services
You can book a 1-800-PACK-RAT unit for as long as you need it. All storage and moving quotes from this provider include 30 days of storage. This storage can be on-site near your residence or at a secure, climate-controlled PACK-RAT facility. When keeping your unit near your home, clear adequate parking space for it. Although the storage containers are portable, they have a noticeable footprint and may make on-site storage less than ideal in apartment complexes.
Insurance Coverage
You can purchase tiered insurance coverage through PACK-RAT’s Silver Plan. This coverage applies to any moving request and is scaled as follows:
- $34.95 per month: $5,000 in added coverage
- $49.95 per month: $10,000 in added coverage
- $59.95 per month: $15,000 in added coverage
- $79.95 per month: $25,000 in added coverage
- $119.95 per month: $50,000 in added coverage
- $149.95 per month: $75,000 in added coverage
Auto Shipping
Although PACK-RAT doesn’t offer vehicle-shipping services directly, it partners with a reputable provider for this add-on service. You can book shipping for your car, recreational vehicle (RV), boat, or other vehicles through Mr. Car Shipper on the PACK-RAT website.
Moving Supplies and Labor
In addition to its general moving and storage services, PACK-RAT also serves as a vendor for moving supplies, including the following:
- Bubble wrap
- Dish barrel boxes
- Packing paper
- Packing tape
- Standard moving boxes
- Tie-downs
- Wardrobe boxes
You can book moving labor through 1-800-PACK-RAT’s partnership with HireAHelper. Hire movers at either end of your move for packing, loading, or other moving-related tasks.
1-800-PACK-RAT Cost
The cost of your PACK-RAT move is determined by your move size, distance covered, and unit rental period. Initial quotes include 30 days of storage, pick-up and delivery fees, transportation, and a baseline of $10,000 in contents protection coverage for long-distance moves.
On average, a monthly rental costs $260 to $320 per unit. This price range accounts for varying costs in certain locations and different unit sizing and availability. You can get your own service quote by submitting contact and move information on PACK-RAT’s website. To place your final reservation, you must book via phone call and submit your credit card information. Your credit card information is used to take a $500 deposit five days prior to any long-distance move.
We noted that shoddy pricing practices were mentioned in many negative reviews. These included surcharges for fuel on longer moves that weren’t disclosed during the booking process. In addition, the insurance plans available for purchase may not be reliable, as negative reviews reported slow claims processes after the damage occurred.
1-800-PACK-RAT Reviews
We reviewed more than 100 Trustpilot customer reviews for 1-800-PACK RAT and found that many customers appreciated the quality of the provided storage containers. Protection plans and flexible pick-up and drop-off dates also featured heavily in positive customer reviews.
Negative reviews mention that certain branches didn’t adhere to quoted pricing and that delivery dates weren’t honored for units for both moving and storage. Look at reviews for your local 1-800-PACK-RAT branch before booking. Due to its service area, quality will vary greatly from state to state.
How 1-800-PACK-RAT Compares to the Competition
See our comparison table below to compare other moving companies.
Company | Logo | Star Rating | BB Rating | Link |
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B | VISIT SITE | |||
A | VISIT SITE | |||
B | VISIT SITE | |||
A+ | VISIT SITE | |||
B | VISIT SITE | |||
A+ | VISIT SITE | |||
A+ | VISIT SITE | |||
A+ | VISIT SITE | |||
A+ | VISIT SITE | |||
A+ | VISIT SITE |
Our Recommendation
Whether you decide to go with a full-service moving company or a container provider such as 1-800-PACK-RAT, undergo a thorough quote and vetting process before booking. PACK-RAT is a quality, affordable option for smaller moves thanks to its DIY service model. Service quality is highly dependent on location, though, and we read several poor reviews that mentioned a lack of punctuality during pick-up and delivery windows.
Positive PACK-RAT reviews highlight its units’ barn-door-style openings that allow you to maximize the space, while the weatherproof construction provides solid protection for your belongings. We recommend a full-service mover for large moves, but PACK-RAT is a reputable choice for smaller-scale, less-taxing relocations.
1-800-PACK-RAT FAQ
Can I reserve multiple PACK-RAT storage units?
Yes, you can reserve multiple PACK-RAT storage units. You can reserve as many containers as you think you’ll need when you book with this provider. However, this could substantially inflate your pricing. Booking a single container is a more cost-friendly option than full-service moving, but booking multiple containers can quickly approach similar pricing figures to large van lines.
How do I access my goods at a PACK-RAT storage facility?
You must schedule a time to access your storage container in a secure 1-800-PACK-RAT service center. This should be done at least 24 hours in advance and can only be scheduled within set business hours. All facilities are climate controlled.
How long can I keep my containers?
You can keep your all-steel storage containers as long as you require them. All unit rentals have 30 days of storage included in the base price. You can extend your rental indefinitely to suit your moving needs.
Do I need to purchase content protection?
Consider purchasing additional contents protection coverage if your move includes high-value goods. All long-distance moves with this container provider come with $10,000 in content protection per unit. Added coverage is available directly from PACK-RAT.
How We Chose the Top Moving Providers
We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.
Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.
We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.