Moving a bike from MA to MD
Question:
I'm moving from Lowell, MA to Laurel, MD in early September. Among many other things I have to move is my VF700F Interceptor. For a number of reasons I'd rather not ride 440 miles down, so I talked to Ryder, U-Haul and Penske about renting a truck for a day. They all wanted me to rent a 12'-15' truck for four days, which would cost something like $300-$400. This seems a bit steep, so I'm now looking for a better/cheaper way to get the bike down. Suggestions?
Answer:
A 440 mile ride you *have* to take, so there's no "I really oughta be doing something productive" guilt-factor? I drool on your dilema. If those prices you're quoting are for one way rentals (they sound like it) you'll get a much more favorable rate if you rent a truck locally for a weekend, drive it down, and drive it back. I'm facing the very real likelyhood of a major move from Champaign, IL to Boston, MA. The company will be paying for the move. Originally I was planning on doing the move myself with a couple friends and a rental truck. Maybe even hire a packing service to come in and box everything to make loading the truck that much easier. That was then. Now time constraints and other details are making the idea of hiring a professional moving company more and more attractive. But I've never done this before. The only way I know how to move is with a Ryder truck, a few friends, and a couple cases of cold beer waiting at the new place. I'd appreciate it if you could share your moving stories with me. Any tips and tricks that would be good to know. What about horrors? What did the movers do to your stuff? Was any of it missing when you got to the new place? What sort of insurance do they offer? How do they determine the rate? Is it a certain price per pound per mile? Who determines that rate? I've heard about companies that tell you it will cost X dollars to move, then when they get the stuff to your new place they tell you it's really 2X before they'll unload the truck. Will I be better- or worse-off because I'm moving across state lines (and over 1000 miles) ? As far as "stuff" goes, I've got two rooms worth of furniture, plus a kitchen and bedroom too, including an upright piano. What about the stereo and television? My stereo is possibly my largest single investment after my car. Should I trust it on the truck (in the original packing boxes) or should I load it into my car? If the company is paying for it, you should always use a moving company. The procedure is very simple. Figure out what you must take with you and what you do not want the moving company to move. Put that stuff in one place with a BIG "Do NOT Touch" sign. Better yet, have it already loaded in your car. Moving companies have various scales based on what you are willing to do. Since this is a company paid move, have them do it all, packing and moving. Then stand back. The movers will come in, pack everything and move it. The movers have been known to pack your garbage if you leave it in the house. Get a recommedation from your company on who to use. Companies often have arrangements with specific moving companies. Even if they do not, the moving company will give you better service if they know it is a company paid move. Personal moves generate repeat business on an infrequent basis but company moves can generate frequent repeat business. As a result you will get better service from the moving company if they know it is a business move. This is most evident if there is any claim for damaged or lost goods.
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