PODS® makes the grade with moving and storage tips made simple for college students

Aug. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- (SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – With 14 years and more than two million successful deliveries under its belt, PODS® is offering college students entering the fall semester tips to ensure a smooth, stress-free move before they make their way into their new college residence.

“The move away from home to college transition is an exciting and emotional time for students and parents” said Steve Yapp, owner and operator of PODS serving the Tri-Counties. “PODS is here to help future undergrads with a relaxing moving experience to their new living space by offering reliable moving and storage options.”

The leading moving and storage company will run a social media contest from Wednesday, Aug. 1, until Sunday, Sept. 23, through participating franchises’ Facebook pages with an ‘Ultimate College Pad Makeover’ giveaway as the grand prize. Facebook fans may enter for their chance to win at www.facebook.com/PODSSantaBarbara.  

Before students make the big move, here are some simplified moving tips to avoid common mistakes:

10 Tips for Parents and Students

1.   Check out the college or apartment complex website for moving information and resources ahead of time. Use a checklist of suggested items to bring and keep the packing process focused and streamlined.
2.   Begin packing belongings a couple of weeks ahead of time to keep last minute stress to a minimum. Instead of cramming everything into a car with only room for the driver, rent a PODS® container one week prior to the moving date and let PODS deliver everything to the new destination. This provides a relaxed schedule for both parents and students.
3.   Have a friend, roommate of fellow student moving to the same school? With enough room to spare, share the cost of a PODS® container and POD-pool to school.
4.   If you will be sharing a dorm room with one or more fellow students, contact them ahead of time. Discuss personal styles and work together on making the dorm room a “home away from home.” Discuss larger items such as microwaves and TVs to avoid duplicates to maximize space.
5.   Upon arrival to the new living destination, give the folks at PODS a call for a scheduled delivery of your container within 24 hours. Unpacking is easy thanks to ground-floor accessibility.
6.   Be realistic and don’t over-pack. Find out the dimensions of the room(s) that will be occupied. Consolidate and don’t bring items that won’t be needed.
7.   Important rule of thumb for packing boxes: pack heavy items such as books in small boxes and lighter items such as towels and linens in larger boxes. Be sure to label each of your boxes on all sides.
8.   Make sure items are safely protected during the move. Items most likely used for packaging include: bubble wrap, packing tape, plastic stretch wrap, cushion foam, wadded up newspapers and old blankets and towels.
9.   Do not store flammable toxic materials, perishable foods or live plants.  
10.   Ask family and friends in advance for help transporting belongings in and out of PODS® containers. If no help is available, a local PODS representative will have a list of reliable movers available for an affordable cost.

About PODS

Steve Yapp is the owner of three Tri-Counties PODS franchises that serve residents and businesses in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.  

Dedicated to the local community, Yapp’s franchises have donated hundreds of PODS® containers to nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Los Angeles counties since opening their doors in 2005.

A partial list of recipients include: Boys & Girls Clubs, FOOD Share of Ventura County, Casa Pacifica, Toys 4 Tots, California Strawberry Festival, Ojai Music Festival, Relay for Life, C.H.P. Holiday Toy Drive, Salvation Army, Santa Maria Good Samaritan, Oxnard Downtown Management District, Boy Scouts of Ventura County, California Visitors Center, Simi Valley Days, the Oxnard Salsa Festival, and Catholic Charities.

Founded in 1998, PODS Enterprises, Inc. currently provides moving and storage services to more than 250 million consumers in 48 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom through its company-owned and independent franchise network. To date, the PODS network has completed more than 380,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded 1.9 million deliveries and has more than 144,000 PODS® containers in service.

PODS® secure containers are constructed of a steel frame and are available in three sizes: approximately 7-by-7-by-8 feet, 12-by-8-by-8 feet and 16-by-8-by-8 feet. The 12-foot and 16-foot containers have been tested to withstand winds of more than 110-mph when partially loaded. Newer PODS® containers have the same steel frame construction but are completely recyclable panels made of steel skins and a high-density polyethylene core.

For more information, go to: www.mylocalpods.com