Zippy Shell Incorporated

They do not have a good network in other states and keep billing you even when your container has left storage. I gave them notice well in advance to move my container from Virginia to Texas but it took them almost 1 month to do that after calling and e mailing them a number of times. In Texas I had to hire a truck to pick my items as they’re partner in the DFW area in Texas wanted to deliver my container after 2 weeks. They are only after your money and not interested in providing a reliable service. I have been charged for storage even thou my container is not in storage. Pathetic Service!

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2500

Listen, friend: DON'T. Don't even think about using Zippy Shell / 1-800-Pack-Rat unless you want weeks of your life lost to helpless frustration while this horribly negligent and deceptive company puts your and your family's life on hold and repeatedly lies and jerks you around about the status of your moving container. But don't just take my word for it--Google "BBB ZIPPY SHELL" for dozens of stories as bad as mine (some worse!) logged by the Better Business Bureau.

Only once before in my life have I felt compelled to post an online review (a positive one, ~9 yrs ago), but my recent experience trying to move cross-country with Zippy Shell was so bad I am now speaking up on every review site possible so others are aware. The short version is that they didn't even ship our unit for 27 days after they said it would (with no communication of delayed status--every time I called their customer service I got run-around excuses and empty promises), and this was after we were sent an email about a "confirmed delivery date" that came and went (though they charged me the 2nd half of the total before the unit reached the destination warehouse--in violation of the contract!); in the meantime my wife and I are having to care for our 2 year old in an empty place and I can't get started on my work without the shipment.

They ended up refunding me less than a quarter of the original price--not nearly enough to be worth the 3 additional weeks of aggravation, but just enough for me to rationalize that it's not worth taking any more of my time and energy to sue them (which I was fully prepared to do at that point).

Again, moral of the story: DON'T. Don't ever, EVER use Zippy Shell--you will regret it.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4000

Please do not consider using Zippy Shell. I have lived in nine different countries, and I have never experienced anything as bad as Zippy Shell.

I ordered a move from California to Michigan. The salesperson I talked to initially where very “professional” and “service-minded.” I told him we were moving a 1-bedroom and a 10 feet storage. He said I would need the 15-feet container. I asked him several times if he believed that was enough, and he ensured me their containers easily would take that. As I compared prices, Zippy Shell came out as giving the best price, and also, according to their website, the process looked very smooth and fast, 7-10 business days according to the salesperson. Huge mistake.

It started on the day of the move from CA. The movers came out, looked at the stuff, and immediately said, “everything won’t fit; you need to call Zippy Shell for another container.” Interestingly enough, the movers said that “this is how Zippy Shell is doing it.” What they meant is that they sell a container that’s too small, and then they leave the customer to buy an extra container on the day of the move.

As my daughter and I were flying out later that day, we had to solve this issue. I called Zippy Shell and eventually got to talk to a Manager named Nathan. I asked how they would help me solve this to get all my belongings over to MI. He told me I had to get another 15-feet container paying up another $2250 that day. When I asked the prices for a small 10-feet container, he said they had stopped using them and hadn’t updated the website yet. However, the website still offers a 10-feet container..

Nathan didn’t do anything to help us. He only wanted the money for the second container. I told him that it wasn’t right for me to pay double the price I had initially signed up for. If I had known that, I would have picked a company that offered a lower price and, as it turned out, better service. Nathan then asked me, “do you want another container or not. I can have it out there sometime tomorrow”. I tried explaining to him that we had flight tickets leaving that night.

I then asked him if we could take a U-Haul and move the belongings that didn’t fit to a Zippy Shell warehouse and have it shipped later. Nathan then came back and said it would cost me for a local move if I drove the stuff to their local warehouse, around $2000. At that point, we had no other choice than to urgently find another storage for the rest of our stuff, put it there and fly out the same evening. Thanks to the moving people (NOT ZIPPY SHELL) for apologizing on Zippy’s behalf.

The container left the apartment in CA on November 23, 2020. There is no way to track the container, and you are just left hanging. I called Zippy Shell, and they said it would be delivered latest December 11, 2020.

On December 7, 2020, I received an email confirming that my container arrived and please let us know when we can deliver. I called and said I wanted the delivery asap. I then received an email confirming that my delivery was scheduled for December 24, 2020….

I called and again was met with no understanding, poor customer service, and no efforts to try to come up with an alternative solution. I will now have to rent a U-Haul, go out to the warehouse and get the stuff myself. Interestingly enough, they kept saying both in CA and here in MI that they could not contact the warehouse. However, when I asked to pick it up myself, they could suddenly contact them.

This is absolutely the worst experience I have had during all my moves. Once they have sold you the initial container, they will not care about you as a customer. I even had to call to confirm they received my container at the origin as they never communicated anything.

This is the first time I write a review in my entire life, but I feel so strongly about how Zippy Shell treated us after signing on the dotted line.

I want to urge everyone that considers using Zippy to think long and hard and look for alternatives. The service is as poor as it gets, and the initial price that looks good will end up much higher than expected. For me, it was double the price that we agreed on!

Walk away from Zippy Shell!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4500

This is a service company without the customer service. They outright canceled our (signed) agreement and didn't pick up my stuff, and after more then an hour talking to their reps, I found out because my move would cost more to service then they anticipated at the time of the quote. They outbid a competitor to get my business, and because of the delays related to them pretending like they thought they might do my move, ended up going with the other company but more then 600 dollars more then the original price. ZippyShell was like "Oh well, we said we'd do it for more money too." Worst, worst, worst company experience I can remember. Feels like an outright scam. Their real name is 1800 packrat and they do business under that name as well. Make sure to avoid both. Moved alot because of the military and I would recommend U-pack and then PODS for self service moves. Can't go wrong with U-haul/Penske if you can make the drive.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2800

Never use this company. We were lied to from the beginning. I requested a move/delivery date which was agreed upon by the company. 2 days before the move I was informed that the delivery date was to be determined and would be at least 2 weeks after the quoted date. This is after they have charged me half the amount and at a point where i couldn't get another mover fast enough. For 17 days my family had no furniture at all (beds included) and the company did not care a bit. They wouldn't give any answers or work to have the furniture there when agreed upon. Eventually I was given a $250 discount for the labor to unload but come to find out that that didn't even cover the entire labor needed so I still had to pay more for that. They don't have the resources, ability, or desire to compete with other companies and I recommend not using them.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3900

WA - PA My experience was not one I wish to remember. The initial sales representative I spoke with said she would be available for contact throughout the process if needed and after I signed the contract I never heard from her again meanwhile I never even received a confirmation email. The pod was picked up a day late. The pod arrived late even though I was given a confirmation of delivery meanwhile it hadn't even arrived at the facility yet. Once I was able to get a true confirmation it still came a day late. On top of all of this there were additional charges for gas costs which I was aware of but the insurance coverage was not included until the end and I ended up paying way more than was explained to me. Overall very dissatisfied and a 6% refund on $5,000+ move after countless calls and missing our things for almost two extra weeks and no attempted reach out from the company. I do not plan to use this company in the future. Also the frame of the pod was smashed in a couple of places damaging some our items.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5100

There was initially no issues with picking up our possession, scheduling. the crew who came to load complained that they had to walk in grass and it would "mess up my new shoes" and didn't want to use their hand cart because it would also need to be cleaned after. As for delivery, that has not been completed yet. They called initially saying that they would be unable to deliver to the address I provided when they were hired. And told me that I'd have to dive the 2 hours to pick it up myself. Obviously I hired them due to not being able to move the items myself. They then offered to reschedule service to the following weekend. That day they did not call, but when I called just after noon (a morning delivery was promised) I was told that the crew called out and they were unable to deliver that day. They knew and did not even call me to inform me. I am now awaiting a second rescheduled delivery in 2 days and if it is not delivered I intend to file an insurance claim, as well as legal (theft) charges. Their staff was both unhelpful and not understanding in why I may be so upset with their lack of service.

TLDR: do NOT hire this service, you are better off loading your possessions onto a bicycle and riding that...

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5200

Wow.....

The price is right but wow...... The customer service is absolutely terrible. Recommend this company to people you don’t like. Saturday- your shell will be delivered between 8-12. 12= no shell. Customer service your shell will be delivered between 1-3. 3 = no shell. Customer service has no way to track or reach out to the third party delivery service and find any information out regarding delays or issues. Sunday- no shell. Monday morning it finally arrives. Honestly you’d get ahold of the cable guy easier than these people. Supervisors are few and far between and apparently don’t like to return calls. I would never ever recommend this company to anyone. I’ll update this post as needed as my belongings haven’t yet been picked up or delivered. It can’t get any worse..... or can it? I’ll update this as it transpires.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4000

The company has been horrible as far as customer service is concerned. We made a request for a time when I would actually be available to unload after work (1pm) which they said they would process but never informed us it was apparently denied. So they arrived early (10am) with no prior warning or heads up and we were not able to get our stuff at that time with me being at work. So the driver left just before I got home. A supervisor I talked to “apologized” but said my only are to pay another $1,500 for them to come out again (with a $50 removal from the fee, woohoo!) or come get it ourselves which I cannot do since the pod is over 4 hours away outside of South Dakota. I’m being punished for them dropping the ball. I don’t recommend this company to anyone. The stress has been unbelievable. We still don’t have our stuff yet.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4500

After reviewing other relocation options, I hired this company for my move from Seattle to Central Pennsylvania. I wanted to avid the stress of driving a truck while towing my car across the country, and had a lot of furniture and sentimental items that could not fit in my car.

Customer service was hit or miss, although some agents were very friendly. During my initial booking I was told my stuff would arrive 10-14 business days after it left Seattle (May 1), and I would receive an email/call so I could schedule the drop-off time. I was told I would have three hours to unload. Zippy offered unloading services, but the rates appeared to be 2-3x other loading/unloading help in the area. The agent that signed my moving agreement ignored follow-up emails I had with questions. I did not learn until after arriving in Pennsylvania that once my shell arrived at the storage facility here, it could be 5-10 days before it would be delivered. They then give you a vague window of time, so is impossible to try and hire local unloading help.

My time frame was 10am-1300, and at 1300 I received a call that the drive was here. However, an empty zippy shell arrived, instead of one with all my belongings. Currently trying to reschedule for stuff to come on the 24th. We will see how this goes. Very little faith in the company at this point in time.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4000

Helping our daughter move across country we found Zippy Shell. If moving across country look elsewhere, I would not recommend Zippy Shell to move you across the street. What they lack in professionalism they make up for it in being unreliable. Their company is blessed with a lack of communication and their problem solving abilities consist of saying “I’m sorry” which they say a lot. Our cross country move was scheduled for May 10th and apparently they only work with 4 movers in the Seattle area and when the local movers truck broke down their solution was to move the moving day to the 13th and to say “I’m sorry” . My daughter had to fight for this date as they wanted to schedule it on the 27th. It didn’t matter that this delay resulted in her family rescheduling their flight to Seattle, an extra night in a hotel and additional expenses plus a car rental. Oh but a discount of $200 which was less then ½ of a percent discount from the total cost of the move was given for the issue.

Expected delivery day was 10 business days from pick up, 20 business days later her stuff arrived in Oklahoma at their storage site. This was after several calls, and being told at one point they had not heard from their driver for 6 days!! No concern was shown for their missing driver or that all of her worldly possessions were MIA. Due to this issue a discount of $150 was given, with both discounts ($350 total) this super amazing discount was still less then one percent of the total invoice from Zippy. But they did say “I’m sorry” I hope their driver was ok.

At this time she asked to have access to her stuff, She did as asked per the contract and gave two day notice. She was told she would be charged a $150 access fee. This fee is not disclosed on the website or on your contract. I guess we should of read between the lines. She was done dealing with them at this time and asked for her stuff to be delivered to a family member’s home (her apartment is not ready) She was told that she needed to provide them with a 14 day notice to move her stuff. Hmm, her contract said 7 days which she had to point out. It was scheduled for a Saturday but changed to a Monday which they knew she had to work that day. I guess for Zippy Shell calendars are hard to understand, but they did say “I’m sorry”.

She finally had her stuff! But all her stuff was covered in grass, dirt and black soot stuff. Boxes were damaged, some crushed. She is still going through boxes and knows she will find more surprises.

So if you love working with a company that doesn’t know how to communicate, problem solve, read their own contract and sneak in undisclosed fees this is the company for you! They are nice and only a little condescending when working with you so do keep that in mind. I’m sorry my review was not shorter and hopefully I only took up less then 1% of your time.

Move size: Studio Service cost: $4172

It will have taken over a month for our stuff to arrive from Tucson to Baltimore. We had it picked up 6/8, it arrived in their Maryland facility on 6/29, and they will deliver it to our house on 7/16.

We are living in a mostly empty house because all of our belongings are in there. This has been an absolute nightmare. When you call customer service, no one seems to know anything and they just tell you what you want to hear.

Please please please read these negative reviews and listen to them. This is an unprofessional company who contracts out to other companies.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4500

Do not, under any circumstances, use Zippy Shell (also operates under the name Pack Rat). We ordered a Pod a month before needed. The day the pod was to be delivered we were told it couldn't be done because they had not pods available. We were told that the earliest date of POSSIBLE delivery was the day it was originally to be picked up and we were to move. Who runs a business like this when they cannot even keep track of their inventory versus their client needs? Very, very poor business practice. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1200

Zippy has a few people working for them that are personable and sharp, but the initial impression from the sales person has nothing to do with their performance. I had two containers picked up at different times for an interstate move. They don't show up on the scheduled day and they don't deliver on the scheduled day. You may or may not be able to get through to them by phone, and they are adept at giving the side shuffle when you ask where your container is.. Our first container was dropped off and it was packed with someone else's garbage when we opened it up. Had to wait another day for the next clean container and there's no apologies from anyone but the driver. The second container didn't get picked up until after we had moved out. Didn't show when scheduled and no notification. We moved from California to Washington and the first container showed up a week after the scheduled date, the second container still hasn't shown up (It was scheduled for a delivery three days ago). I've probably logged about 20 hrs of time on the phone with them, but none of it has mattered. They don't do anything except say they'll look into it. That is if you don't get tired of waiting on hold. In another day I'll call the sheriff at the the facility they use in Puyallup Washington and see if I can get some response that way. Seriously, DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! It's essentially criminal the way they operate.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6200

Corporate is terrible. I will never use or recommend Zippy Shell. First, they delivered the wrong container a month and a half later. They had lost our container and couldn't locate it for 2 full days, when they said it was in Cali. But the next day when I called they said it had been in Cleveland. Not even Zippy Shell can keep their story straight. All the while their communication was not very good. I had to call them to get an update on where my container was. After going through all of this, they won't give me a full refund. They offered a few hundred dollars, a fraction of the thousands of dollars I paid to ship my container across the country. I will never trust this company. Not only did Zippy Shell bring the wrong container to my house, lose my container, and not provide good customer service, we had mice poop in our container and on our belongings. I previously used PODS and they delivered the right container at exactly the time they promised.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5020

Used to move from Minnesota to North Carolina. They contracted with movers to pick my belongings up on July which went fine. I called them on August 5th to get an update only to find that my belongings were still in Minnesota! Asked to speak to a supervisor/manager for answers and was told they have to submit a form and I'd be called back, we'll as of today August 9th, no one had called so I call and my furnishings are still in Minnesota. Contract I signed said transit would be 7-10 business day. I wait on hold for Supervisor, Nathan finally answers and keeps giving me the same canned response, "We're working on getting your stuff out today". What! Per the contract, tomorrow will be day 10 and it's not even in transit!! He could not even say for sure if my stuff would be leaving Minnesota today. I asked for a call either way and he responded, "he couldn't promise a call back. What a crappy way to do business! I would never use this company again,, nor recommend them. I believe they are unprofessional and untrustworth.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4400

The price and flexibility were appealing. But once they picked our stuff up - they have failed to deliver on a single commitment outlined in the contract. Our stuff was supposed to be delivered 5 days ago. Leading up to the promised delivery date I was told repeatedly that they were on schedule (even though up to the day before delivery our stuff was still in Oregon). When the due date arrived, our stuff finally arrived in Montana. But ZippyShell refused to provide a delivery date, stating that the local company would provide that within 48 hours. 3 days have come and no one has contacted me to confirm a delivery date. I've called customer service (again) and Zippy Shell is still refusing to provide a move date. They also refuse to call the local moving company and keep telling me "we're working on it." They have refused to let me speak to a supervisor. And we've received multiple hidden charges that they keep charging to my card without approval. If you need cheap and you are super flexible with SUPER LOW expectations for customer service - then this is the company for you. But if you want clear costs/timelines/and professional service you will want to use another company.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $13900

We ordered our container two months in advance. Our container was due to arrive Jul 23 2021 800 am-1200 it didn' t arrive during this time period so my husband called again and we were told that it wouldn't be delivered until 8:00-10:00 pm the container arrived at approx 9:30 pm. We were told we were scheduled to have the container picked up Monday July 26 again 8:00 am-12:00 no one picked up the container so we called again and was told the container would be picked up at 4:00-8:00 pm needless to say it is now July 26 12:17 am and no one picked up our container and that will probably delay our delivery date. I hope our container gets picked up before our house closes so the new owners don't have to deal with a container in their driveway.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6500

When I called initially back in June to schedule my move, I told them I had a 3-bedroom home. They did not relay that one cage is for a “3-room home” or maybe she didn’t get what I was saying. But when they arrived on July 29th, the cage was NOT big enough. So they couldn’t take all of my things. They also couldn’t send a second cage same day. I managed to FINALLY get in touch with customer service after literally having waited on hold twice for over an hour, they were apologetic and said they’d schedule a follow-up cage right away. That was inconvenient, but fine. I asked that someone call me and let me know when they’d be there because I was not in the state where my things were in storage and would need to make arrangements. They not only sent someone without clearly contacting me, they did it twice while I was hours away. I finally called the local office and scheduled a time with them. I was told Wed the 11th of Aug at 10am. It’s a 4-hour drive to meet them for me and a second day off of work, but I got here. They didn’t get to me until 4pm, and I still had to drive back home and go to work the next day. When I say I will never use them again, I mean NEVER. The customer service has been subpar at best.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5000

This company does not deserve a SINGLE star. As someone who works in retail, I know how important it is for businesses to acknowledge when they have made an error, and both make it right and show empathy to customers. Zippy Shell is a fraudulent, unethical business model. Your initial sales consult will be comfortingly easy, and you'll leave the conversation feeling reassured. Then, the moving begins, and you'll realize that you've been WOEFULLY misled.

If you want to read more, I've detailed our experience with Zippy Shell below. Otherwise, here's my advice:

I hate running. I literally never run unless I am chased. So here I am CHASING YOU. RUN RUN RUN AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY. You'd be better off hiring a pack of carrier pigeons to move your stuff, they'll be more enjoyable to deal with and more reliable.

DETAILS:

- After our consult and a lengthy conversation about our belongings, we were ensured that one container would accommodate our belongings. Our Moving Agreement specified a container delivery date, container loading date, and a container pick up date.

- The containers were not delivered on the planned date (even though it was confirmed in an email from ZippyShell). Rather, two movers and an empty truck arrived a full business day earlier (5/24) than the date scheduled and aligned on in our moving agreement (5/25/2021). No notice was provided of the change in moving date, nor the fact that the expected pod/container was not being delivered. Upon calling ZippyShell customer service on 5/24, we were told that we had no choice but to move that day, and that they could not accommodate our scheduled moving date (5/25). Little effort was made by ZippyShell customer service to right the experience. They offered us $100 off, a wholly unsatisfying attempt to remedy the error, as both myself and my partner had to take an unexpected and unplanned day off from work. I have seen no invoice showing that the $100 off was even applied to our bill.

- Halfway into our unplanned moving day, the movers alerted us that our belongings would NOT be able to fit into the planned single container, as the associate ensured us would be the case. Not only did ZippyShell neglect to take responsibility for misleading us, they could not ensure a second container. In extensive conversations with ZippyShell, they told us that they could not get a second container to us until 5/26 or 5/27, days after our scheduled move out. We were closing on the house the morning of 5/26, and could NOT be in the home past 9 AM on 5/26.

- With NO help at all from ZippyShell, the gentlemen moving us personally decided to help us and retuned to our home with the second container, as ZippyShell refused to work with us, even though the situation was entirely due to ZippyShell’s own errors. Further, we were made to pay incrementally for the second container – AND we were charged updated freight/transportation costs.

Think it ends here? I wish. The move-in process has been even more infuriating. We were supposed to move into our new home on 7/15, and so far are on day 5 in an empty apartment despite multiple verbal scheduling conversations with the ZippyShell team to confirm the move in date. They decided to book our move in on 7/23 without consulting us, or considering that we have JOBS and need notice to be able to take off work. This leaves us in an empty apartment having to eat out and sleep on an air mattress (that alone costs $100) for over a week -- nevermind the actual medical damage they are causing me, as I have a fractured back that requires specific care. OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BODIES HAVE SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMPANY.

They've offered me $150 for the inconvenience, despite the fact that I've spent nearly $6K with them when I was originally quoted $2,400.

WHAT. A. JOKE.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6000