Q. How does the spring move-out typically work for students in the larger residence halls?
A. Students come to satellite stations in the dorm lobbies and buy supplies like boxes, tape and bubble wrap. After packing the boxes, they bring them back to the station in a blue bin which can be borrowed from the front desk. The station attendants provide a ticket to fill out for each box. (One copy of the ticket is attached to the box and one copy goes to the student.) Students usually repeat this process over the course of several days. The Pack & Ship stations are open only in the afternoon. To see a list of dorms that offer stations, with dates and hours click here. Students living in a dorm with a satellite station do not need to pre-register. Just come to a station any time we're open and you'll be served.
Q. What if a student is moving out or needs supplies before the first day a station opens in the residence hall?
A. In this case, order supplies and pick-ups online. Click to the "Supplies" and "Services" tabs above add the desired items to your shopping cart and check out.
Q. What if a student in a dorm with a station has to leave in the morning before the station opens?
We will not do pick-ups in dorms that have station hours later that same day. Therefore, if you have belongings that you need up until the morning of your departure, either bring them to our Ann Arbor store, or leave them with a friend who can take them to the station when it opens. Just make sure the friend has your contact, payment information and values for insurance.
Q. What about students living in residence halls that don't have satellite stations or are in off-campus housing?
A. These students can request services from this site. Order packing supplies by clicking the supplies tab above and we will deliver on or before the date requested. You can click here to order pick-ups or click the services tab above. Supplies and pick-ups can be ordered at the same time or separately. Pick-ups generally happen between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Q. How many boxes should I order?
A. The average student uses 4 Large, 3 Medium boxes, 1 roll of bubble and a roll of tape. We suggest you order a few more than you think you'll need so that you don't run out. We will buy back any unused boxes at full price. A roll of tape is sufficient for taping up to 8 boxes.
Q. Does everything need to be boxed or covered?
A. No. But JP&S must pack fragile items for you in order to insure them (see more on insurance below). Additionally, large, non-fragile items such as bikes, desks, futons, beds, rolling drawers, plastic totes and refrigerators do not need to be boxed. However, if they are not packed, they might get dirty or scuffed. Insurance covers the content of the items and functionality, but not their appearance. For instance, plastic drawers and totes often lose wheels and occasionally crack. Large furniture pieces and refridgerators may get scuffed. Tape is often used to keep doors/drawers from opening in transport and can leave an adhesive film when removed. Futons and mattresses can get dirty. If you're concerned, box or cover the item yourself or pay for us to cover them for you. If you don't ask for a covering we will assume you don't want one.
Q. How should I store or ship a duffel bag?
A. We strongly recommend emptying the contents of the duffel bag into a large box along with the folded up bag. This significantly reduces the possibility of damage to your belongings.
Q. How do I store roller/plastic drawers, under bed containers and other plastic totes? Do they have to be boxed?
A. No. All of these items can be stored as is. Economize space by packing other belongings inside them. Drawers with rollers should have their wheels removed, if possible, and stored in one of the drawers. We will shrink wrap or tape the drawers shut. Plastic containers can be grouped together in bundles so that they are approximately 18” x 18” x 24” and therefore are charged the standard storage fee ($30 for up to 4 months).
Q. How are belongings stored? How do you make sure nothing is lost?
A. All items are identified with a label that the student fills out. Nevertheless, it's helpful for students to mark all items with a full name on two sides using a fat, dark marker; for furniture, etc., write the name on a piece of masking or shipping tape. Once we have all of a student's items at our warehouse, we shrink wrap them onto a pallet for storage.
Q. What if I want to leave dirty bedding or winter clothing?
We offer over-the-summer cleaning services. Ask for a cleaning ticket, and mark the box or bag "TO BE CLEANED" on three sides of the box with a fat, dark marker. See our cleaning page for prices.
Q. How do you charge for storage and what is included in the storage cost?
A. Each item is priced separately. A standard large moving box (18”x18”x24”) weighing less than 50 lbs. costs $30 for up to 4 monts of storage. The price includes pick-up, storage for the entire summer, $50 of insurance, and campus-wide delivery in the fall. It does not include the cost of the box (A large box is $4), but you are not required to use our boxes.
Q. Can someone come to the room and provide an estimate before we use your services?
A. Unfortunately not, but you can visit our storage pricing and packaging pricing pages to help get an idea of your probable costs. The average bill for a student using our storage service is ~$250. There is no minimum charge.
Q. Do you pick up from the students’ rooms?
A. We do not come to the rooms, although we will make exceptions for handicapped students.
Q. So, if you don't come up to the rooms, where is the pick-up point? And what about large, heavy items that students can't manage alone?
In the residence halls with stations (see above), the station in the lobby is the pick-up point. For all other locations, we pick up from street level. For large, heavy items, dorms provide pull carts. Otherwise, students need to line up friends who can help them get their things down to the pick-up point. Because the spring move-out season is so condensed we don't have time to come to each room and help the way we do at other times of the year.
Q. Will John's Pack & Ship pack for me?
A. We do not pack personal belongings or non-fragile items such as books, clothing, or bedding. We do pack fragile items such as TV's, stereo equipment, DVD players, and microwave ovens--in fact, we must if you want them insured against damage! We cannot insure anything fragile that we did not pack professionally unless it's completely packed in the original packaging. Again, unless you have all the original packaging materials, do not pack fragile items yourself. When we pack for you,we build custom boxes and use foam-in-place, bubble wrap, and/or styrofoam. We assume 100% liability for damage to any item entrusted to us for packing.
Q. Where are the fragile items packed?
A. We transport them to our store in a box and package them there.
Q. Can we use our own boxes?
A. Yes. You will save on the cost of the box, but storage fees are still charged according to the size and weight using 18”x18”x24” and 50 lbs. as the standard.
Q. Can we just buy packing materials and not use your shipping or storage services?
A. Yes. We sell boxes, tape, and bubble wrap at each station. We can also deliver supplies ordered on line--please note that we do not deliver to dorms that have stations once the stations open up for the season.
Q. Should we use the climate-controlled facility?
A. It is not necessary, even for electronics or clothing. Our warehouse is dry and comfortable. However, we do offer climate-controlled storage for people who prefer it.
Q. Are my belongings insured?
A. All shipped parcels are automatically insured for $100 and stored items for $50 each. Additional insurance may be purchased for $1 per $100 of value. Insurance can be confusing for students. Review in advance how much insurance to purchase. Particle board furniture is not insurable.
Q. What does the insurance cover?
A. Liability for each parcel is limited to the market value of the item up to the amount indicated on the ticket. If no value is listed, the default value is $100 for each shipped item and $50 for each stored item. Fragile items packed by students without all the original packaging materials are insured for loss only. The cost for shipping/storage is not refundable for insurance claims.
Q. How long do I have to make a claim?
A. 30 days from delivery.
Q. How much does it cost to ship something?
A. A typical large box weighs 40 pounds. The price for shipping it to IL is $36, to NY or NJ is $42, to FL is $49 and to CA is $69. Visit the shipping prices page for more details.
Q. What are my shipping options?
A. Our primary carrier is UPS and it is usually the most economical, but we have accounts with all major carriers.
Q. How long does shipping take?
A. Boxes to most destinations arrive within 3 to 7 days of shipment. During the busy move-out season, we do not always ship the same day the package is received, especially if it needs professional packing.
Q. Is it OK to ship some things and store others?
A. Yes. A separate ticket is filled out for each box/item.
Q. When and where are the stored items returned?
A. Items are returned to the student's new residence in the fall. Students specify a delivery date and address on the activity ticket. If the new address or move-in date is not known at moveout time, contact us before August 1st with this information. There is a penalty for late notification (see receipt).
For students moving back into a residence hall (dorm), please contact us now to discuss your delivery options (734-665-2664)
Q. Do you offer in-room delivery off campus?
A. Normal delivery is to the front door for houses or to the apartment door. The KAT, XO, Tri Delt and KKG sororities allow early in-room deliveries. If you're moving into one of these sororities, we will contact you during the summer to offer in-room delivery service. SDT requires in-room delivery which we will collect in the summer when we call to get your room number.
Q. What if I store my belongings and later decide to not return in the fall?
A. We can either continue to store your belongings for an additional prorated fee or ship them to a forwarding address. Shipping fees are determined by destination.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. Cash, check, and major credit cards.
Q. Can a student use a parent’s credit card?
A. Yes, but the student must have all card information, including the billing address and security code from the back of the card.
Q. What if students only needs storage for a few days or weeks?
A. Students who will stay in Ann Arbor for spring and/or summer term often need short-term storage. With a fat, dark marker, clearly mark the delivery date on three sides of each box and on top as well as the words "SPRING TERM." Your order will be brought to our store, rather than the warehouse, and delivered on the specified date. Be sure to alert the person who takes the item(s) to the special circumstances. NOTE: Since a majority of our costs are associated with the labor involved in pick-up and delivery, the prices for short-term storage are the same as for the entire summer.