Cheapest way to get my stuff from NYC to Baltimore?
October 19, 2015 4:30 PM Subscribe
I need to move the following to Baltimore within a week or so: one guitar, an amp (about 15" square), an 8' x10' flat rug that rolls or folds easily; two 10-inch studio monitors, a 24"x8" x 2" keyboard, and a large suitcase full of clothing. I don't own a car and don't drive. What's a reliable way of doing this not-so-expensively?
Is there something like a "ride board" where I can hire somebody to drive this stuff down for me? Or about how much would it cost to ship all of this FedEx or some other way? I'm in NYC now and could accompany the stuff, or just go down to Baltimore on a bus separately.
(Greyhound Package Express gets terrible reviews!)
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:55 PM on October 19, 2015
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:55 PM on October 19, 2015
You can ship packages via Amtrak. Only to full service stations, but NYP and Baltimore are on the list, pretty sure.
Lots of information on AskMe
The other alternative that comes to mind is a "pod" moving system, but they're fairly expensive. If you can get everything boxed up and under Amtrak's weight limits per piece, I think it will definitely be the cheapest.
posted by Kadin2048 at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
Lots of information on AskMe
The other alternative that comes to mind is a "pod" moving system, but they're fairly expensive. If you can get everything boxed up and under Amtrak's weight limits per piece, I think it will definitely be the cheapest.
posted by Kadin2048 at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
Find a friend, or a friend of a friend, or a friend of a friend of a friend - with a car. All of that can fit in an average car. Buy them gas (75$) and meals ($30) and send them home with a bottle of booze ($40) for their trouble. If you don't have friends ask co-workers, relatives, etc. - someone in your extended circle should be able to do this.
Greyhound or Amtrak package express are fine in theory and I've used both in the past, but you still have to get your stuff packed and delivered to the station... and then from the Baltimore station to your new place. But there is no way I would trust either of those services with instruments.
posted by gyusan at 5:23 PM on October 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
Greyhound or Amtrak package express are fine in theory and I've used both in the past, but you still have to get your stuff packed and delivered to the station... and then from the Baltimore station to your new place. But there is no way I would trust either of those services with instruments.
posted by gyusan at 5:23 PM on October 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
Not sure about getting a friend or acquaintance with a car to handle this. It's at least a three-hour drive one way from NYC to Baltimore, so round-trip, you're taking a huge chunk out of someone's day.
posted by merejane at 5:59 PM on October 19, 2015
posted by merejane at 5:59 PM on October 19, 2015
I see requests like this on the Rideshare section of Craigslist. People need help moving stuff, pets, and even kids ( which I would never do). People also offer space in trucks and moving vans. It's an option to consider.
posted by cairnoflore at 6:01 PM on October 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by cairnoflore at 6:01 PM on October 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you don't have friends ask co-workers, relatives, etc. - someone in your extended circle should be able to do this.I came in to suggest making a post in MeFi Jobs!
posted by usonian at 6:21 PM on October 19, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Jahaza at 4:39 PM on October 19, 2015