Recently found out I'll be moving from Dallas to Houston in the next few weeks for a job. (I couldn't be more thrilled to be heading back to Houston, but that's another discussion. And no, unfortunately the job is not in sports, for those who know me haha.) The company gave me extra money that I could use for a UHaul or movers, but I'm trying to decide if that's wise. I'm fine with my furniture (more specifically, big couch and bed, stuff I can't possibly fit in a car), but I'm not in love with it or anything. To move stuff like that about 250 miles... anyone with moving experience know around how much that would cost? Basically, I'm wondering if I'd be better off potentially selling my stuff for cheap on Craigslist here, and then buying new furniture in Houston. But I've never used a UHaul/movers before, so it's hard for me to make a cost comparison. (Also, if I were to get a UHaul, how difficult are those to drive?) Thanks for any help.
done the uhaul dallas to houston move a couple times Its not that bad. Should run you under 200 bucks. Uhauls are easy to drive The only problem is if you have heavy stuff like washer and dryer, those are a total pain especially if you arent in nba shape. Make sure u get some buds to help you move
Kind of depends on the quality of furniture you currently own and/or what you would be looking to purchase. I think it cost me like 100 bucks+gas to get a good-sized uhaul from New Orleans to Houston. That was ~4 years ago though - no idea what the rates are now, and gas is obviously way more expensive.
Lifting things in and out of UHaul trucks are the biggest pain. Get one with one of those extendable ramps (they might all have them for all I know). Driving them is not a big deal. You get used to not being able to see in your rear view mirror and just check the sides. It is more expensive for a one way trip than just to rent one for a day, but it isn't too high. Probably could do it for around $100-150 I think.
I know you want this to be about moving expenses, but glad to see you coming home! I'm thinking a beer at a local establishment that shows Rockets game is in order!
Every time I've moved my stuff by Uhaul, I invariably nick up my furniture. I've had pieces I wanted to keep in a move and, by the time I've arrived, I don't really want around anymore (but kept anyway since I'm a cheap b*stard). I'm not arguing to not do the Uhaul; I just like talking about myself.
Definitely. As for the rest, hmm, $200 or less really isn't that bad. Obviously I'd have to line up movers in each spot, but shouldn't take that long -- it's only two big pieces. Definitely sounds far preferable to buying a new couch and bed. Thanks guys!
Just a little side note about uhaul. I rented a uhaul to go from dallas-houston-dallas so I could take back some furniture and pick up my king size bed. I had a contract with uhaul for a certain amount of days and a certain amount of miles, none of which I even approached exceeding. All goes according to plan and I drop off my uhaul truck. Fast forward 40 days and I get a call from some guys saying they are a collection agency and I owe them $1100. I thought it was just a phone scam trying to get my credit card number so I tell them to stuff it and hang up the phone. The same number continues to call me everyday so finally I punched the number into google search and found out that its a collection agency for uhaul. I call them back and the lady tells me I owe $1100 for turning in a truck.... 25 days late. Let me remind you that this is a 20 FOOT 10,000 POUND TRUCK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. It is not something that can be misplaced. In fact, I dropped it off in front of the store; they would not even be able to operate their business without moving this truck first thing in the morning. I ask the debt agency how this is possible and they give me the run around until finally suggesting I call uhaul locally. I call and after a 40 minute conversation with perhaps some of the dumbest people one could ever expect to meet in a lifetime I am told that the employee that checked in my truck no longer works there . . . . I know what you are thinking. DrewP, what did they say after that? The answer is: nothing. The manager on the line stopped after making that point, as if to say that because the employee was gone it is my fault and there is no recourse. I ask "What does the fact that she doesn't work there anymore have to do with me?" Her answer: "Well the situation is impossible to adjust without her input" ... ... Finally, after another ten minutes of getting the go around, the manager says I need to call national. I call the national phone line and get put on hold for 30 minutes. After telling someone my story, they say , "oh, well you need to talk to blah blah blah department, let me transfer you" I sit and wait and wait and wait Two hours later my cell phone dies while I am still waiting on hold. My charger was at my girlfriend's house. To sum up my uhaul experience so far: Charged me $1100 for no reason .... check Instead of calling me, submitting it to a collection agency ... check 4+ hours on the phone with unhelpful people and not accomplishing a single thing during the duration .... check
