Taking bike and belongings back east... freight?

[CZroe]

My lease will be coming due soon and, when it does, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be moving back east to WV or GA. I have bills and don't really have any money for the move (just what would have gone to rent... ~$600).

I have a lot of stuff in storage with Big Box Storage, which they can ship via Yellow Freight cross-country, but their current rate is over $1,600. That's more than three times what I would even consider reasonable. There must be more economical options. I can ride the bike but I'd want to ship my computers, parts, 65" TV, etc. If I'm shipping via some kind of freight service anyway, it may make more sense to ship the bike with it and take a bus. Riding the bike comes with its own costs (needs valve service, brakes, rotor, and gas/motel). Bus fares aren't nearly as cheap as I remember them being. I see that it costs more than flying stand-by if you don't buy in advance! I was checking Greyhound but where else should I check?

I need suggestions on how to do this as cheaply as possible so I can start planning. Any ideas?

[n4mwd]

Moving is always a major hassle. The cheapest way to move: Put everything you own on Craig's list and convert it to cash. Then walk.

But if walking 2000 miles isn't your thing, you should still sell as much stuff as you can part with. Donate old clothes, etc. Use the proceeds to buy a decent pickup truck or car with a trailer. Put the Ninja and everything else that's left on the back and head east.

Another option that you could look into, but I'm not sure if it will work for you is to check with a trucking company about what they charge for shipping a 4 foot pallet cube. Just dump everything unbreakable in there and nail it shut. Use more if you have to. You could probably get one shipped cross country for about $600.

As a last resort, use the post office's flat rate boxes to ship the heavy stuff and FedEx Ground to ship the lighter stuff.

PS: Beware moving companies. They have a tendency to give you a rock bottom quote and then hold your stuff for ransom once they get there.

[dubojr1]

How about a U-Haul Truck. Roll the bike in there too and head on over. Get the smallest truck possible and the "one-way" charges shouldn't be too bad. May need a little more than $600 for charges and fuel though. Avoid gasoline powered trucks if you can. The diesel powered ones should get a little better fuel economy. GL!

[Jesse8931]

U ship is pretty awesome!

[kcaja1]

Originally Posted by CZroe

My lease will be coming due soon and, when it does, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be moving back east to WV or GA. I have bills and don't really have any money for the move (just what would have gone to rent... ~$600).

I have a lot of stuff in storage with Big Box Storage, which they can ship via Yellow Freight cross-country, but their current rate is over $1,600. That's more than three times what I would even consider reasonable. There must be more economical options. I can ride the bike but I'd want to ship my computers, parts, 65" TV, etc. If I'm shipping via some kind of freight service anyway, it may make more sense to ship the bike with it and take a bus. Riding the bike comes with its own costs (needs valve service, brakes, rotor, and gas/motel). Bus fares aren't nearly as cheap as I remember them being. I see that it costs more than flying stand-by if you don't buy in advance! I was checking Greyhound but where else should I check?

I need suggestions on how to do this as cheaply as possible so I can start planning. Any ideas?

+1. I've moved few times long distance and the best way is sell/give away as much as you can coz some stuff will cost more to move than the things themselves. Look at the bright side, you can now get new stuff at your new place.

[CZroe]

If I go to WV, my "new place" would be pretty temporary too. I expect that I'd be in GA in less than a year, but I'll probably leave my stuff in WV until the next time one of my family members there comes to visit (they can bring it along in the truck).

If I sell my PS3 (original 2006 model) and TV (65" LCD), I'm not going to be able to afford another of either. It's not easy to find another original-model PS3 and my PC is pretty unique too. Heck the PC P&C PSU alone was $530. I may sell the Wii or my extra motorcycle stuff, but I still need things like my motorcycle stands and other newly-acquired tools (no convenient Harbor Freight in Newnan, GA or Bluefield, WV/VA).

Originally Posted by dubojr1

How about a U-Haul Truck. Roll the bike in there too and head on over. Get the smallest truck possible and the "one-way" charges shouldn't be too bad. May need a little more than $600 for charges and fuel though. Avoid gasoline powered trucks if you can. The diesel powered ones should get a little better fuel economy. GL!

I looked into that when I bought the bike in WV and intended to take it back to GA that way (I ultimately just rode it home with no experience). There were all kinds of limitations for a 1-way trip and it wasn't available for most vehicle types. I think you were limited to 50 miles a day beyond the immediately surrounding states! It would not have worked out.

[n4mwd]

And there is always these people:

http://www.pods.com/

I'm not sure if they are within your budget.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

And there is always these people:

http://www.pods.com/

I'm not sure if they are within your budget.

They're the same kinda things as Big Box (portable boxes that can be warehoused or transported). Thanks though. I wonder if they, too, use Yellow Freight.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by CZroe

They're the same kinda things as Big Box (portable boxes that can be warehoused or transported). Thanks though. I wonder if they, too, use Yellow Freight.

Everybody I know that has used pods has loved them. They bring what boils down to a shed to your residence. You take your time loading it. I would guess that the Ninja could fit nicely inside. Then lock it with your own padlock and they come get it and deliver it to the new address. I don't know how they get it there, but I'm thinking freight train. The only problem is that if anything breaks, its your problem not theirs.

Also, the thing about TV's and most electronics, is that you can usually buy it cheaper now than 6 months ago. Also, moving companies that "insure" your belongings only do it by the pound. So a 35 lb TV at $0.50/lb would probably not make you happy if it broke.

Honestly, I think I would be considering selling the TV to get the bucks to ship the rest in a PODS. Its probably cheaper to ship the Ninja and fly than pay for a bunch of Motels at $100 a night - not to mention how sore your butt will get.

[CZroe]

I had an infuriating experience on their website before you said that. They would only tell me that they don't service a certain zip code but would NOT tell me the closest zip codes that they would service. The "look up zip code" option just brought up a USPS search page that would let you look up any zip code, serviced or not. So, I put in an Atlanta zip code 600 miles away from my intended destination and I find only then does it tell me that I picked a "black out date" and it has a new calendar that clearly shows the unavailable dates in red. WHY DIDN'T THEY SHOW ME THIS BEFORE?! Also, they REQUIRE your email even though they DON'T email you the rates. In fact, when you get through all that BS, and you click "Get Rates Now," it takes you to a pages telling you that you are almost done and that you need to call a long distance specialist. DO THEY NOT KNOW WHAT "NOW" MEANS?!

[oroboros]

Moving sucks...
Posted via Mobile Device

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Jesse8931

U ship is pretty awesome!

Do you mean U-Pack? So far, they are looking the most attractive.

Originally Posted by drsketch

why not get a uhaul or pensky. tow your car from behind(4 wheel tow, not 2 wheel drag tow) and put bike and belongings in box truck.

I don't have a car and U-haul costs more than my stuff is worth and comes with crazy restrictions. Believe me. I tried to get one when I purchased my bike out of state 600 miles from home.

Originally Posted by oroboros

Moving sucks...
Posted via Mobile Device

You got that right.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by CZroe

I had an infuriating experience on their website before you said that. They would only tell me that they don't service a certain zip code but would NOT tell me the closest zip codes that they would service. The "look up zip code" option just brought up a USPS search page that would let you look up any zip code, serviced or not. So, I put in an Atlanta zip code 600 miles away from my intended destination and I find only then does it tell me that I picked a "black out date" and it has a new calendar that clearly shows the unavailable dates in red. WHY DIDN'T THEY SHOW ME THIS BEFORE?! Also, they REQUIRE your email even though they DON'T email you the rates. In fact, when you get through all that BS, and you click "Get Rates Now," it takes you to a pages telling you that you are almost done and that you need to call a long distance specialist. DO THEY NOT KNOW WHAT "NOW" MEANS?!

That just means their web designers are idiots. Call them in the morning and see what they say.