Least expensive way to move via a Pod or other options?
October 20, 2015 8:05 AM Subscribe
I am moving from Boston to Chevy Chase, MD. What is the least expensive way to move via a Pod or other form of moving? I called U-haul and PODS, and both were around $1,600. Is there and alternative? I am moving out of a small studio in Boston. I do not own a car.
Is there a way for my items to be picked up from a moving company that might have extra space on their truck, or a sight that takes bids? thanks
I am a student, so not a lot of money for this move.
I am a student, so not a lot of money for this move.
There's also ABF's U-Pack service which is probably about the same cost as UHaul. PODS is typically the most expensive.
If you have a small amount of stuff, then one thing you can do is rent an Enterprise van. The mileage is free, so you drive it from Boston to MD, unload, drive it back to Boston and return it, then take a train back to your new home. I did this once on a multi-state move and even with the plane fare saved about $500 compared to a one-way UHaul. But all your stuff has to fit in a panel van.
posted by dis_integration at 8:13 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you have a small amount of stuff, then one thing you can do is rent an Enterprise van. The mileage is free, so you drive it from Boston to MD, unload, drive it back to Boston and return it, then take a train back to your new home. I did this once on a multi-state move and even with the plane fare saved about $500 compared to a one-way UHaul. But all your stuff has to fit in a panel van.
posted by dis_integration at 8:13 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've used U-Pack twice and it has been great both times. Be careful, though, it's a big trailer and you may need a permit to park it at your address. The U-Pack people have GREAT customer service, though, and will let you know what you need to do.
I moved about 1000 miles both times I used U-Pack and the quote was less than what I would pay U-Haul for a one-way rental. Much cheaper overall since I also wasn't paying for gas.
posted by rachelpapers at 8:21 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I moved about 1000 miles both times I used U-Pack and the quote was less than what I would pay U-Haul for a one-way rental. Much cheaper overall since I also wasn't paying for gas.
posted by rachelpapers at 8:21 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm moving from Chicago to Vermont, and just paid about $750 for a Penske truck. Agreed that they're the cheapest.
They have a discount if you order online, and a AAA discount - I didn't have AAA, but it was worth it to sign up just for the discount... I ended up breaking about even, but got a AAA membership in the process.
posted by papayaninja at 8:36 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
They have a discount if you order online, and a AAA discount - I didn't have AAA, but it was worth it to sign up just for the discount... I ended up breaking about even, but got a AAA membership in the process.
posted by papayaninja at 8:36 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Door-to-Door and ABF-Upack pods are significantly cheaper than PODS (I can't speak for Uhaul pods though).
I've used both for cross-country moves, and while both shipped just fine, Door-to-Door's customer service is patchwork and sketchy…but, they're way cheap. It was so cheap that it was worth a couple terrible customer service calls. Double check to see if they service your area; most metro areas are covered by their service, but there's some gaps. ABF-Upack was a bit more expensive, but their pods are straight up metal instead of plywood, and their customer service is tops.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:03 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've used both for cross-country moves, and while both shipped just fine, Door-to-Door's customer service is patchwork and sketchy…but, they're way cheap. It was so cheap that it was worth a couple terrible customer service calls. Double check to see if they service your area; most metro areas are covered by their service, but there's some gaps. ABF-Upack was a bit more expensive, but their pods are straight up metal instead of plywood, and their customer service is tops.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:03 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I know this isn't what you asked, but have you considered selling/giving away most of your stuff and shipping the rest by UPS/USPS/FedEx? That's how I moved from New York to California after finishing undergrad.
posted by matildaben at 9:41 AM on October 20, 2015
posted by matildaben at 9:41 AM on October 20, 2015
Response by poster: Sure, but I am finishing grad school, so I have so nice things- lol. Is there a site that I can go to and have folks bid to move it?
posted by TRUELOTUS at 9:44 AM on October 20, 2015
posted by TRUELOTUS at 9:44 AM on October 20, 2015
I've used ABF and was super happy with them, the driver went above and beyond and the company seemed well coordinated. They would be my first call now.
posted by Dashy at 9:48 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Dashy at 9:48 AM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I moved again, I'd use ABF U-Pack - you pay by the linear foot to fill the front of a trailer, then they lock it up and load high-value items in the rest of the trailer. I paid about $1100 to move a 2-bedroom apartment with a bunch of furniture and probably a literal ton of tools from AZ to VA. Mid-month is also cheaper and their customer service is fantastic.
Bag any linens you have - we had to wash all of ours on unload because of a cigarette smell.
posted by bookdragoness at 10:52 AM on October 20, 2015
Bag any linens you have - we had to wash all of ours on unload because of a cigarette smell.
posted by bookdragoness at 10:52 AM on October 20, 2015
Nthing ABF Upack. Used them in April and they were the best. Their customer service is great and you can do a pod type thing or a part of a truck. It was way cheaper than Pods and a better customer service experience by far. Good luck!
posted by FireFountain at 1:55 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by FireFountain at 1:55 PM on October 20, 2015
Amtrak Express Shipping might be worth a look, as it's apparently pretty darn cheap. One of my friends moved from Portland (Oregon) to Chicago a few years ago, and shipped everything that way. The biggest headache with this is gonna be coordinating getting your stuff to and from the train station.
posted by floweringjudas at 10:02 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by floweringjudas at 10:02 PM on October 20, 2015
The site where people bid to move your things is www.uship.com/movers/. I've never used them but I considered them.
The only problem with ABF u pack is you need to have space to park that trailer at the curb, and they swear they can't double park. I got around this by using their terminal to terminal service and renting a truck to shuttle my things from their terminal to my apartment.
posted by mgar at 7:32 PM on October 21, 2015
The only problem with ABF u pack is you need to have space to park that trailer at the curb, and they swear they can't double park. I got around this by using their terminal to terminal service and renting a truck to shuttle my things from their terminal to my apartment.
posted by mgar at 7:32 PM on October 21, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by killdevil at 8:11 AM on October 20, 2015