1-800-PACK-RAT Moving Review 2024

1-800-PACK-RAT is a middle-of-the-road DIY option compared to other DIY and container moving companies we reviewed. Though the company stands out for the fact that it doesn’t charge a fee to pay with a credit card, it offers few services beyond moving the container, it isn’t available in every state and it has a relatively high number of customer complaints to the Better Business Bureau.

» MORE: See our picks for the year's best full-service moving companies

1-800-PACK-RAT basics

1-800-PACK-RAT is a container-shipping company that is headquartered in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It operates in 34 states and Washington, D.C. The company also owns Zippy Shell, which is a similar company with similar offerings.

How 1-800-PACK-RAT works

In basic terms, the company delivers the container to you, you load the container however you want and then you either keep the container on your property, have the company move the container to one of its own storage facilities or have the company take the container to a new address.

Container choices

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three sizes of containers for cross-town, interstate and cross-country moves. The containers are made from steel, are weather-resistant and have barn-style doors. They are lockable as well.

Pickup and delivery options

You schedule your drop-off, pickup and delivery dates on the company website or by calling the company.

• The company says it can deliver an empty container to most people within 48 hours. (Note that several states do not have a 1-800-PACK-RAT location, however.)

• You need to clear a space that is at least 55 feet long, 14 feet high and 12 feet wide in order for the truck to drop off and pick up the container.

• Getting a specific delivery AM or PM window (“premium delivery”) will cost you an extra $50 per container. The company pays $50 per container if it is late.

• For long-distance moves of less than 1,500 miles, the company typically takes up to 10 business days to move your full container from 1-800-PACK-RAT facility to 1-800-PACK-RAT facility.

• For long-distance moves over 1,500 miles, the company typically takes 10-14 business days to move your full container.

• If you’re not in a rush for your delivery, the company offers “a flexible transportation option” with a discount.

International moves

1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t do international moves, though the company does operate an Ace Moving and Storage division that claims to do international moves. However, the division’s website offers virtually no information to consumers about their services, service areas, pricing or other requirements.

Storage

This can be really helpful because many people who move may need extra time to find or prepare their new homes.

We like that 1-800-PACK-RAT containers are fundamentally their own storage units that can stay on your property for as long as you need. But for an extra fee you can also have the company store your container in one of its 65+ storage facilities, which all have 24/7 surveillance. That can provide an extra layer of security versus leaving the container outside on your property or other location.

You can access your stuff while it’s in storage, though you have to make an appointment to do so a day or two ahead of time.

Packing and unpacking

1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t provide packing and unpacking services, but it partners with third-party service providers that may be able to do this for you.

» MORE: Where to find cheap or free moving boxes

Car and vehicle shipping

1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t ship vehicles, and you can’t put a car inside one of the company’s shipping containers. It partners with third-party partner Mr. Car Shipper.

Customer satisfaction

1-800-PACK-RAT scored relatively low in the customer service portion of our rubric. We evaluate customer service based on Better Business Bureau rating for the company and the number of complaints to the BBB and Department of Transportation. This company had a very high complaint ratio relative to other companies we reviewed.

1-800-PACK-RAT cost

Like most moving companies, 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t provide actual price quotes online. The quote depends on several specific-to-you factors, such as:

• How much stuff you have.

• What size container you want.

• Where your stuff is going.

• When you want to move.

If you cancel

If you cancel your order within five days of the initial delivery, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

Things 1-800-PACK-RAT won’t allow

1-800-PACK-RAT will ship a lot of things, but not everything. Don’t put these things in a container:

• Food.

• Plants.

• Gasoline.

• Kerosene.

• Flammable or toxic substances.

• Important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, financial documents, etc.).

What if 1-800-PACK-RAT damages my stuff?

You have to pay for any damage to the container while you have it. But there are two types of protection you can buy from the company.

Basic plan

• What it covers: Damage to the container (not the stuff inside the container). 

• Cost: $9.99 per month per container.

• Beware: The coverage doesn’t apply if the damage is intentional, or if it occurs because you didn’t pack things properly or because you put prohibited items in the container.

Silver plan

• What it covers: Damage to the container as well as the stuff inside the container if the damage is due to fire, lightning, wind, hail, smoke, ice, snow, sleet, vandalism, falling objects, warehouse collapse, collision or overturn of truck, water overflow, overturned container and burglary (if the container is at a 1-800-PACK-RAT facility). 

• Cost: Depends on how much coverage you want; $34.95 per month for $5,000 of coverage, for example, or as much as $149.95 per month for $75,000 of coverage.

• Deductible: $100 per claim ($2,500 if the damage is due to a “named storm” such as a hurricane).

• Beware: The maximum amount of coverage is $75,000. 

Another option is to get third-party insurance for your move. Sometimes movers will sell you a policy. Your homeowners insurance might also provide some coverage.

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