16 ft storage pod for moving- HONEST REVIEW- (cost and tips on how to pack)

We've used pods and Pack rat in several moves and customer service has been great with both, but PRICE is what sets them apart. Pods has always charged us way more than pack rat, which has always been fair. This time around moving, when I called pods first they gave a 9k quote to move from Texas to Florida in late August for a 16ft and 8 ft pod. I called Pack rat and they came in with $6800 for the same exact thing. It's still a lot but it's the same service. Pods then called me the next day, I told them Pack rat beat their rate and they got disgruntled on the phone and promised to give me the same rate but I stayed with pack rat since Pods was charging me 2K higher to begin with. They only brought their price down once I gave them proof pack rat gave me a better rate and they gave me the same exact rate. They just said how they had superior customer service, but I haven't seen a difference. So just shop around first as an fyi and don't commit to anything up front. It's about time pods started matching the rate.