[Cuechick]

Hi All,

I am looking at making one last big move in the fall. From Atlanta to So. California, where I am from originally. I have made two long distance moves 2xs previously. Both times I rented a truck and with a friend did the labor and made the trek... however, I am just too old for that now. I am planning to drive my small truck and cat but ship the rest of my stuff.

I am already working hard to pare it all down... yard sales (one in June and probably another in September), ebay, donating and tossing... I probably less than most being a single gal. Though maybe more than some (a collector and lots of fragile things)... anyway. I would love some recommendations of good long distance movers? Of course I want as cheap as possible but I also want reliable and professional. I heard about smart boxes... I guess like pods? Anyone have any experience with them? Or Pods?

Cautionary tales and warnings? Yes please! My big fear is having a company hold my stuff for ransom while they try to jack up the price.  

Thanks in advance...

 

[Jane917]

I am such a fan of your blog! I am also originally from Southern CA, but made shorter moves at a time. My last long distance move was from MT to WA. It took lots of planning. We had a moving company move all the stuff. It was not as expensive as we thought it would be. Remember to look at tax advantages, depending on the reason you are moving. We got rid of lots of stuff, like you are. We drove over some of our most valuables a few months ahead to stay in the care of friends. You will not likely have that luxury.

I love the idea of the PODS that they set up in your driveway, but I don't think they were available when we moved. Get estimates from lots of companies. You are moving from a big area to a big area, so that will help keep your costs down.

Be prepared with a cashier's check for the total bill before they start unloading your stuff. The company will let you know how much money they expect on delivery. Best advice: Make it an adventure!

 

[ashleygirardi]

I used PODS for my move from the bay area to chicago, and they were great. Very professional and extremely timely. They'll even store the POD if you need extra time to find a place to live. You do the loading/unloading yourself but they have recommended contractors if you need additional help. My husband was deployed when it came time to unpack so I hired movers recommended by PODS to unload. I had no problems.

The only downside is PODS can be a little pricey (my move was courtesy of the US Army so I didn't concern myself too much with the cost) but they are very convenient.

 

[Shellybean]

Thinning things out is ideal. I have 4 kids and while our long distance moves haven't been quite as big as yours they but have been 500+ miles and we have 4 kids and 2 dogs. It's hard to get people to part with their crap but this time I'm going to be merciless and  make them get rid of the junk. I'm really hoping DH will agree to sell a lot of our furniture and buy new when we get there.

We haven't used movers yet but I'm really really really hoping that it works out this next move. We don't quite know where we are going for sure (dh is being relocated for work it's just not been nailed down where they want him most) but I'm thinking it will likely be Las Vegas from Southern Illinois. Or to Corpus Christi Texas or Western Kansas. All bigger than any of our past moves. It would absolutely heaven to have someone come in pack everything in boxes then move everything out, drive it to the new house and then unload it. I can handle the unpacking. lol

At the very least I'm looking into PODS or something similar. I don't know if I can hack the Uhaul thing again. We won't have anyone on the other end to help us.

 

[Cuechick]

Thanks for the suggestions and help so far. At Jane917, do you remember who you used for your move from MT? Oh and I am thinking who ever I use I will talk to the pr dept to let them know I will do a review blog post! Hope that will help things go smooth,,,

I found this site reccomended by Clark Howard a local consumer advocate:

http://www.moving.org/

It is an advocate type site.... that helps your weed the good from the bad.

 

[Jane917]

Thanks for the suggestions and help so far. At Jane917, do you remember who you used for your move from MT? Oh and I am thinking who ever I use I will talk to the pr dept to let them know I will do a review blog post! Hope that will help things go smooth,,,

We used Mayflower. Where are you going in So CA? A blog post is a great idea!

 

[Cuechick]

We used Mayflower. Where are you going in So CA? A blog post is a great idea!

I am looking at the Pasadena area... but am still deciding... I am heading out next month to do some "ground work".

 

[Val2]

Hi there
Make lists. Because you will forget things to do. I have moved from South Africa to the UK, then to Bahrain, back to the Uk, over to USA, all over the USA and now over to Spain. Moving is a very stressful time, take time for yourself to chill out and relax but definitely make lists of things to sell, dump etc, change of address, utilities off and so on. Best of luck in your new home.

 

[Vegas_Asian]

my dad has been in the military for over twenty years (he's retiring in seven days) and we have a lot of moves (including international).

my tip when using a moving company....Take photos of the condition of your larger more expensive items. If damage takes place you have before and after evidence.

 

[candggmom]

Old Army wife here who has moved more since he retired than when he was active duty!  I've used Allied & Mayflower both and had no problems with either.  My best piece of advice so that they don't try to hold your stuff for ransom is:

Call 3 moving companies and ask them to come over and give you a free estimate.  While the representative is there make sure he/she knows you will be using the estimate amount as the final price and make sure they sign the estimate.  This does 2 things; makes sure they don't lowball just to get the job and keeps them from jacking up the price at a later date!  Make sure when you sign the estimate that you write something to indicate this is the final price.  Make sure your signature and theirs are dated, keep a copy and you should be good to go!

I don't know the legality of all this but it has worked for me over the years!  Good luck with your move!

Kathy in NC

 

[Cuechick]

All very good advice... love the photo ideal Vegas, easy for me and very smart. I actually read a bunch of horror stories about Mayflower & Bekins. I think some of the bigger name companies use a lot of sub contractors, maybe they all do and so experience really depends on who you get. The moving.org site is very helpful, I have learned a lot on it and will defiantly get the in-home estimates.

It's times like these that I really wish I was Samantha Stevens!

 

[*DrDLN* (dr.s.dhillon)]

We moved from North Carolina to N. California.  Here's the warning; and then advice. The nightmare was moving company.  They are called moving 1 claim to be based in Atlanta.  Never, never, never even talk to them. It was nightmare. The most corrupt company worst than even a third world thug. They lost my boxes, they broke things, and I wasted time filling the forms for that and all they agree to was $200.  And you know what. Even that was scam, they make me sign to relieve them and never sent a penny.  It upsets me just thinking about that. Not because of money I lost but that such people exist in this world.

Any how, my suggestion will be to use the mover that some of your friends or relatives have used. That's what I did with my cars and got exactly what we expected. Good luck!

 

[Cuechick]

Thanks for the warning...! Can I ask who you used to transport your car and how much was that?

 

[mamiller]

I moved from NJ to NC and ended up renting a truck and then hiring someone on each end to load/unload. What surprised me was the cost of the load/unload on each end. It was about $75.00 (including tip) on each end for two guys at each place.  The best $150.00 I ever spent. They were great.

 

[Cuechick]

I moved from NJ to NC and ended up renting a truck and then hiring someone on each end to load/unload. What surprised me was the cost of the load/unload on each end. It was about $75.00 (including tip) on each end for two guys at each place. The best $150.00 I ever spent. They were great.

How did you find them? Did you use a service to hire them? I have always gotten a u-haul in the past but I just don't know if I can do it again. I am considering it but I still have my truck to get there and I don't want to use a trailer... ugh!

 

[mamiller]

I believe it was through this site. http://www.moving.com/ It really was something like $25 an hour, which struck me as being really inexpensive. I went into it expecting the worst and was so happy to be proven wrong. I ended up using the same type of service once I was down here to move some stuff into a storage facility. I figure now, if I need to move a TV from one room to another, I might just spend the $25.00 and have the guys come over and move it.

 

[cork_dork_mom]

We've had two cross country moves and both times United Van Lines were our movers. They packed everything up then unloaded & distributed the boxes but I chose not to have them unpack. They even moved a '67 Chevy on the first move. I would highly recommend them.

If you have them pack up you need to be there. Always questions to answer and detials to work out.

Have a safe move!

 

[*DrDLN* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Thanks for the warning...! Can I ask who you used to transport your car and how much was that?

I don't recall from the top of my head, if I find I can post. I am out of town too. But the cost as I recall was about $1700 for two cars at that time. Good luck!

PS: The only reason I recall movers is because I tried to follow but finally gave up; because it was too upsetting to think that such businesses exist and get away with this kind of fraud. May be I am novice; and these are more common than I believe.

 

[Marie August]

When I moved across the country, I used media mail to ship all of my books and dvd's. The price is very reasonable.

 

[Cuechick]

We've had two cross country moves and both times United Van Lines were our movers. They packed everything up then unloaded & distributed the boxes but I chose not to have them unpack. They even moved a '67 Chevy on the first move. I would highly recommend them.

If you have them pack up you need to be there. Always questions to answer and detials to work out.

Have a safe move!

So grateful for that reccomendation. As far as packing, I will do it all myself. I actually kind of like it and am way too anal to let anyone else do it!