1998
PODS Founded
PODS pioneers the portable storage industry, introducing a new model for moving and storage services.
2015
Ontario Teachers' Acquires PODS
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan acquires PODS for $1 billion from Arcapita, marking major industry consolidation.
2018
1-800-PACK-RAT & Zippy Shell Merge
Major industry consolidation as two competitors merge under Virgo Investment Group ownership, creating shared liability exposure.
2019-2020
Consumer Complaints Surge
Sharp increase in BBB complaints and online reviews documenting hidden fees, billing fraud, and service failures across all major companies.
2021
Kathryn Marinello Named PODS CEO
Former Hertz CEO takes helm at PODS, bringing Fortune 500 experience to address operational challenges.
Illegal Call Recording Begins
1-800-PACK-RAT starts recording customer calls without consent in California, leading to future class action lawsuit.
2022
Weinstein v. Zippy Shell Filed
Federal lawsuit filed in Florida District Court (Case No. 6:22-cv-00042) against Zippy Shell for contract disputes.
McKeehan Class Action Filed
Class action lawsuit filed against 1-800-PACK-RAT for illegally recording customer calls without consent.
2024
Carlyle Group Acquires Pack-Rat/Zippy
$525 million refinancing deal: Carlyle invests $180M in preferred equity, JPMorgan provides $345M in debt facilities. Virgo Investment Group exits.
$1.6 Million Settlement Approved
McKeehan v. 1-800-PACK-RAT class action settles for $1.6 million. Affected customers receive up to $600 each.
PODS Franchise Dispute
46 franchisees demand share of $41.4M U-Haul trademark settlement. PODS refuses, claiming sole ownership of settlement rights.
2025
Industry Investigation Published
Comprehensive consumer protection investigation reveals systematic billing fraud affecting 3,000+ customers with average losses of $4,850.
Ongoing Consumer Protection Actions
Multiple regulatory complaints filed with CFPB, FTC, and state attorneys general. Potential new class actions forming for systematic billing violations.
27
Years Tracked
$44.6M+
Total Settlements
3
Major Acquisitions
3,000+
Consumer Complaints