We are moving from Durham to Chicago and need a moving company. You hear so many awful stories-- so I'm a bit reticent about just finding a place online. Do you have any suggestions? Have you heard of other people, friends from your department, etc, leaving Duke with a good company? Or people who have had some kind of nightmare, or even just some bad experience? Price isn't a major concern, but of course it factors in.
Any suggestions or advice are much appreciated!
Best,
Jill Rickershauser, Department of Political Science
jcr12@duke.edu
ABF - U-Pack
I moved to Durham from Upstate NY. I used a company called ABF U-pack that was by far the cheapest and most flexible (including uhaul!). As the name implies you have to pack everything yourself (or hire movers outside the company) but they are extremely flexible with timing, their staff is courteous and helpful, and you don't have to deal with driving a big box truck and towing your car. The price includes all taxes, fees, gas, etc.
They have two basic types of moving services:
1) They rent out space in full sized tractor trailers by the foot ($55/ft with a minimum of 5 ft). Their driver will drop off the trailer at your property and you have up to three business days to load. When you're finished you call them up and they will dispatch a driver to pick it up. In a few days it will be delivered to your new residence. This is a great option for a large move where you are moving a large house/family - it is also the cheaper option. I didn't use this because a) I lived in an apt complex and I didn't think the management would appreciate a tractor trailer and b) I lived in an apartment and didn't have *that* much stuff.
2) Relo-cubes! This is what I used and I would recommend them to anyone. It was more expensive than the trailer option, but cost less than a Uhaul truck would when I factored in gas. Relo-cubes are basically PODS only they are shaped to fit easily into a single parking space. This was great because I moved from an apartment complex to a townhouse on a residential street - space was at a premium. ABF estimated I would require 2-3 relo-cubes. I was going to get two and just make it fit but they said they would deliver 3, but only charged me for as many as I used! Pretty sweet, eh? They allow three days to load and three days to unload. If you are done early just call them for a pickup. If you need more time they might be able to arrange that too. Once they are called for a pickup you are free to leave - no need to wait for the driver. I liked this because I was eager to get on the road. They were able to deliver my stuff to my door even though I was on a tiny residential street with parking on both sides. All in all it was a really positive experience. Everything arrived intact and if I ever have to move long distance like that I will probably use them again.
Things to know:
-With the relocubes you have to provide your own locks - you really need 2 locks/cube for your stuff to be secure. I was able to buy a set of 4 locks at Home Depot for under $20
-It will take a few days for your stuff to arrive - be sure you bring basic stuff with you or are prepared to spend a few days with friends/family/at a hotel/your very empty new residence. I brought down a futon mattress, sheets, plates, books, etc when i signed the lease and left it in my new apt (it was vacant at the time).
-YOU have to CALL to let THEM know you are ready to have your stuff delivered - don't expect them to call you when your stuff arrives. My only complaint about the company is they didn't make that clear enough to me so I waited a few extra days for my stuff.