msmas
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posted on February 7, 2001 06:41:34 AM new
I am hoping that, with the collective knowledge(wisdom) on this board, someone can point me in the right direction. I want to move from Indiana to California and will be taking my personal "stuff" but no furniture. The cost of a one way U-Haul, plus gas, is not cost effective. I could buy all new stuff for less than it would cost me to drive it out there! Does anyone know of a CHEAP way to ship boxes of personal stuff? Someone told me that I can send it as a "space filler" with someone else's shipment and I would be charged less than $1 a pound. I have no idea where to start looking for this type of shipping.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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december3
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posted on February 7, 2001 06:52:39 AM new
I'm not sure this is what you want. We used them for a house full of furniture but they did mention something about partial loads.
abcmovex.com
You also might want to check with some of the bigger moving companies and see what they offer. Atlas, Mayflower ect.
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krs
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posted on February 7, 2001 06:58:41 AM new
Save your money. The quota of Indianans has already been filled.
Try Arizona?
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msmas
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posted on February 7, 2001 08:29:27 AM new
Nice to hear from you KRS.... but this one is a Californian who just wants to go HOME!
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Linda_K
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posted on February 7, 2001 08:49:55 AM new
A Hoosier who wants to go to California? Are you sure? 
If you haven't already done so, I'd call two or three moving companies and ask to have an estimator come and give you an idea of what they'd charge. The estimates are free. They usually charge by the weight of the load.
A cross country move is a great time to get *rid* of any unnecessary 'stuff'.
I'll be surprised if you find anything that will be cheaper than using a U-Haul type company. But I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that someone here can offer you help. 
::humming:: Back home in Indiana......
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Linda_K
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posted on February 7, 2001 08:53:04 AM new
msmas - Oh, going back home....well okay...::humming:: California here I come, right back where I started from.......
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on February 7, 2001 09:59:54 AM new
Have you priced more than one do-it-yourself type rental? I priced a comparable sized truck to move from Idaho to California, and came up with these rates:
U-Haul : $850
Ryder : $325
I have no idea why there is such a difference.
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Shoshanah
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posted on February 7, 2001 10:52:24 AM new
Mr.P.H....Hi there ....Could it have to do with how much (or little) maintenance is performed on some of those trucks???  (Just kidding)...
msmas How about using a Train? Or do they still do that? Call Southern Pacific or which ever line is still operating...if any...Or am i THAT old  And don't forget: plenty of candles and flash-lights...
********
Gosh Shosh!
About Me
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boysmommy3
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posted on February 7, 2001 10:55:39 AM new
We recently moved from California (made room for ya) back to Washington. I researched all avenues for moving and found out the following:
Moving Companies
Way too pricey espcially when you then add up your own gas to drive your vehicles etc.
LTL Haulers:
Less than load haulers - just look up trucking companies online or via the tele book and ask them what a ltl load would cost and do they run that far. What you would be doing is buying a partial load. The rate is normally around $1 per mile. The problem - you have to find a hauler that runs that route and then wait (could be up to two months ) for a partial load to be available. You then have to make sure you are there to load the truck and get to California to unload etc. - timing is key. If you can find a load and work it out and you do not have a vehicle to drive there - you could do this pretty cost effectively.
Rental trucks:
RYDER*RYDER*RYDER -
Awesome truck, heat/air, 4 seats with belts so if you have kids great. You can also rent for a small extra fee a trailer to haul behind the truck for your vehicle so no wear and tear on it. They were the cheapest rental and had the best trucks. U-Haul actually has a horrible maintenance record and their rates are high as are Hertz. Drove great and I personally did most of the driving and the trailer behind the big truck was a piece of cake.
If you order a Ryder truck online you also get a discount.
Good luck
Rental trucks
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snowyegret
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posted on February 7, 2001 11:40:42 AM new
We just moved from Fl to Pa. After calling around, the best deal was Penske. The truck was clean and in excellent shape, and we did get the vehicle dolly.
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msmas
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:45:53 PM new
SHOSHANAH: I never considered a train! I called AMTRAK and they will ship up to 500 lbs(per load)for only $39.00! No limit on the number of boxes... only total weight. Boxes can't be larger than 36 inches square. All I have to do is deliver the boxes to the terminal. That means I can fly (or go by train myself) AND send all my stuff for about 1/3 what we originally estimated, and, I won't have to deal with traffic. I had no idea that their freight rates were so low. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Thanks to all for your suggestions. Get ready California....I'm comin back!
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