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Anyone ship stuff about 1000 miles?

A

anonmouseuser

Senior member
Hi,

I will be relocating to SF from Seattle in the near future to start my new job. I'd like to figure out the next best alternative to driving a u-haul 1000 miles and see if I can ship my things using a freight carrier. Most of my things can easily be boxed and are comprised of things such as books, cds, clothes, dishes etc. However, I do have a motorcycle which I would like to transport as well. I would estimate the total transport weight to be 1000 lbs max.

Has anyone shipped using a commercial carrier? If so, any experiences you can share with me would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.


 
I shipped my audio equipment (4 pieces, about 400 pounds) using a freight carrier. Relatively straight forward and cheaper than renting a U-Haul truck and doing it myself. All I did was have everything boxed and they picked it up from my parent's place and delivered it to my place about a week later. Pretty straight forward.
 
Working at the "large Redmond software company", the "large eastside telecommunications company" or the "large Seattle online retailer"?
 
Originally posted by: Savij
I shipped my audio equipment (4 pieces, about 400 pounds) using a freight carrier. Relatively straight forward and cheaper than renting a U-Haul truck and doing it myself. All I did was have everything boxed and they picked it up from my parent's place and delivered it to my place about a week later. Pretty straight forward.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Do you mind sharing how much you paid? Also, what company did you use and would you recommend them again?
 
Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Working at the "large Redmond software company", the "large eastside telecommunications company" or the "large Seattle online retailer"?
Click to expand...

haha. It's the last one. 🙂
 
depends on how much of this stuff you actually have. most people's estimates are actually quite low. I hired United Van Lines to move the stuff from my 1 bedroom apartment, and my girlfriend's apartment from Chicago to Berkeley. I estimated about 1200 lbs; it ended up being about 1600 lbs.

Books, and we have a shit-ton, are serious weight. the move from Chicago to Berkeley cost about $3k, and was well worth it. We packed, they carried out of my building, loaded truck, delivered and placed inside house in Berkeley.
It took almost 2 weeks for the stuff to get there (because of distance, time of month for them to schedule other deliveries, etc), but it wasn't much of an issue for us as we didn't even have a place for it to be delivered--needed to find a house/apartment after we moved. So, it worked out for us, was quite painless, and the best moving experience I've had--And I tend to move just about every year (mostly local, though)
 
Originally posted by: zinfamous
depends on how much of this stuff you actually have. most people's estimates are actually quite low. I hired United Van Lines to move the stuff from my 1 bedroom apartment, and my girlfriend's apartment from Chicago to Berkeley. I estimated about 1200 lbs; it ended up being about 1600 lbs.

Books, and we have a shit-ton, are serious weight. the move from Chicago to Berkeley cost about $3k, and was well worth it. We packed, they carried out of my building, loaded truck, delivered and placed inside house in Berkeley.
It took almost 2 weeks for the stuff to get there (because of distance, time of month for them to schedule other deliveries, etc), but it wasn't much of an issue for us as we didn't even have a place for it to be delivered--needed to find a house/apartment after we moved. So, it worked out for us, was quite painless, and the best moving experience I've had--And I tend to move just about every year (mostly local, though)
Click to expand...


I am pretty much in the same situation. If I estimate Chicago-Berkley to be ~2100 miles and you paid $3000, then Seattle-SF is about 700-800 miles which will run me roughly $1000-$1200 for the same amount of stuff. This seems like a far better deal than going with a u-haul. I am won't be a hurry to get my stuff so thats not an issue at all. I'll check out United on Monday. Thanks.
 
I used to have an online moving brokerage. Your move is a typial minimum move with a little extra for the bulky motorcycle. I'd figure $1000~$1500.
 
My advice is to go to your local Home Depot and scan the parking lot for movers. They're cheap.

Seriously though, get the most expensive and best service you can find because the move thing is all tax deductible. Mayflower trucks are all over the place.
 
Originally posted by: anonmouseuser
Originally posted by: zinfamous
depends on how much of this stuff you actually have. most people's estimates are actually quite low. I hired United Van Lines to move the stuff from my 1 bedroom apartment, and my girlfriend's apartment from Chicago to Berkeley. I estimated about 1200 lbs; it ended up being about 1600 lbs.

Books, and we have a shit-ton, are serious weight. the move from Chicago to Berkeley cost about $3k, and was well worth it. We packed, they carried out of my building, loaded truck, delivered and placed inside house in Berkeley.
It took almost 2 weeks for the stuff to get there (because of distance, time of month for them to schedule other deliveries, etc), but it wasn't much of an issue for us as we didn't even have a place for it to be delivered--needed to find a house/apartment after we moved. So, it worked out for us, was quite painless, and the best moving experience I've had--And I tend to move just about every year (mostly local, though)
Click to expand...


I am pretty much in the same situation. If I estimate Chicago-Berkley to be ~2100 miles and you paid $3000, then Seattle-SF is about 700-800 miles which will run me roughly $1000-$1200 for the same amount of stuff. This seems like a far better deal than going with a u-haul. I am won't be a hurry to get my stuff so thats not an issue at all. I'll check out United on Monday. Thanks.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: It really worked out well for us. The local Chicago company that hauled for United were spectacular to work with. I honestly paid much higher than with another "quote," but the others were super sketchy. To the point of:

Me: I don't understand why you can quote some 1500 less than anyone else? Don't you have to pay the same transit tarrifs as anyone?

Crazy Lady: No. Our business does not work that way. These tariffs do not apply to us.

Me: Come again? If you're transporting across state highway, you pay transport tariffs.

Crazy Lady: We don't have to. Not our business. Look, we have 5 years of experience! I guarantee you our quote.

me: these other guys have 150 years of experience...and aren't felons...


so yeah, it pays to do your research. Had I gone "cheaper," my stuff would have either been held hostage for extortion, or been sold to the Illinois governor for "favors." Chicago...

The United Van people were great--they even sent us a Christmas Card!

 
A couple of years ago, I actually moved from Berkeley to Seattle. I used Door to Door Moving - http://www.doortodoor.com/

They drop off large moving crates 7'x7'x8', you pack it yourself, they'll pick it up and deliver them to your new place. I used three crates and it cost me around $2000(will have to check the exact am). They also give you 10-15 days of free storage.
 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
A couple of years ago, I actually moved from Berkeley to Seattle. I used Door to Door Moving - http://www.doortodoor.com/

They drop off large moving crates 7'x7'x8', you pack it yourself, they'll pick it up and deliver them to your new place. I used three crates and it cost me around $2000(will have to check the exact am). They also give you 10-15 days of free storage.
Click to expand...

doortodoor seems like a great deal and right now they are offering $50 off in addition to 1 month of storage. Thanks!
 
Originally posted by: anonmouseuser
Originally posted by: zinfamous
depends on how much of this stuff you actually have. most people's estimates are actually quite low. I hired United Van Lines to move the stuff from my 1 bedroom apartment, and my girlfriend's apartment from Chicago to Berkeley. I estimated about 1200 lbs; it ended up being about 1600 lbs.

Books, and we have a shit-ton, are serious weight. the move from Chicago to Berkeley cost about $3k, and was well worth it. We packed, they carried out of my building, loaded truck, delivered and placed inside house in Berkeley.
It took almost 2 weeks for the stuff to get there (because of distance, time of month for them to schedule other deliveries, etc), but it wasn't much of an issue for us as we didn't even have a place for it to be delivered--needed to find a house/apartment after we moved. So, it worked out for us, was quite painless, and the best moving experience I've had--And I tend to move just about every year (mostly local, though)
Click to expand...


I am pretty much in the same situation. If I estimate Chicago-Berkley to be ~2100 miles and you paid $3000, then Seattle-SF is about 700-800 miles which will run me roughly $1000-$1200 for the same amount of stuff. This seems like a far better deal than going with a u-haul. I am won't be a hurry to get my stuff so thats not an issue at all. I'll check out United on Monday. Thanks.
Click to expand...

After moving a couple of times by myself, and twice now with the help of just my father-in-law (2bdrm apartment, with beds and dressers and heavy stuff), I swore I would never do it again. I mean it too. Next time we move I'm hiring a couple of guys to do it for me, may cost more but I enjoy being able to walk upright without pain.
 
Originally posted by: anonmouseuser
Hi,

I will be relocating to SF from Seattle in the near future to start my new job. I'd like to figure out the next best alternative to driving a u-haul 1000 miles and see if I can ship my things using a freight carrier. Most of my things can easily be boxed and are comprised of things such as books, cds, clothes, dishes etc. However, I do have a motorcycle which I would like to transport as well. I would estimate the total transport weight to be 1000 lbs max.

Has anyone shipped using a commercial carrier? If so, any experiences you can share with me would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

My shipment was moved by allied van lines moving company. The whole experience was made very easy.
 
Don't know about big items like the motorcycle, but when I moved my wife from California to Pennsylvania, we used UPS. Nothing was broken or lost because I packed it all myself and ended up costing a few hundred dollars as compared to the thousands which is what we were quoted by several moving companies.
 
I shipped an automatic transmission from San Francisco to somewhere on the east coast before. Total weight including the transmission and the pallet was about 200lbs. Cost me about $100 to ship it a couple thousand miles. The company I used was called Forward Air, they have a terminal located at SFO airport here in SF, you would just need to find out if they have a warehouse close to you.
 
http://www.upack.com/

They drop off a trailer, you fill up your portion with whatever you want. Then they fill the rest with other freight, send it to SF, unload their freight, and drop it off at your new residence. You unload.
 
Just be very clear that depending on where you move into the city to get all the acceptable permits. You may not be allowed to park a moving truck without a permit because it will block the road and, more importantly, block in cars that are parked along the curb or block people's garages. Try to work out the logistics before you move because if they ticket the moving truck (if you do a full-service move) you will be responsible for that ticket.

Also, check the grade of wherever you decide to rent from because if you do the "crate shipping" (pods, abf moving, etc) method, they have to be put on a flat surface. I live on a 12% grade. Moving was a pain in the ass.

I am assuming that by San Francisco, you mean San Francisco proper and not the greater bay area. Obviously, the farther you get from the city (and really just the city center, e.g, nob hill, north beach, parts of SOMA, hayes valley, haight, etc) the less of a problem this becomes.
 
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