Moving Truck Rentals Don't Make Moving Easier, part I
When was the last time you moved? And when you moved, did you end up renting a moving truck? For many of us, the answer to the second question is yes, unless of course we had very understanding friends who love to drink beer and eat pizza and don't mind their truck being borrowed and used. Whether you're dealing with moving truck rentals in Boston, Austin, Seattle or Los Angeles, the process is typically the same though. You can call around (often to places such as Uhaul or Budget) and begin the tedious process of getting rates, deciding on which size moving truck you'll need, where to pick it up, drop it off, dates, times etc. Some times the process can be seamless, but most times it turns into a bit of a headache, especially if you live in a more rural area where choices are limited. Before jumping head first into renting a moving truck though, consider some of the other moving options, of which there really are only two to consider: paying for the services of a moving company, or using a moving pods company. What are the pros and cons of each? In this article we compare renting a move truck versus utilizing moving pods. Rental Moving Trucks:
Time is of the Essence! You know the saying, “Time is Money”. Well, it couldn't be more true in this case. If you miss you're drop-off time, be prepared to pay for it. Big trucks are hard to drive! If you are at all uneasy about driving big rigs, than renting a moving truck is not going to be a fun experience. Smaller trucks are much easier to drive, but they also limit the amount of things you can pack and move. Even small moving trucks can be intimidating and almost all are quite difficult to see out of. Gas! Sure gas prices have subsided...for now. Still, most of these rental moving trucks get very poor mileage. Depending on the size, you're looking at anywhere from 8 – 12 miles per gallon. If you're driving long distances those costs are really going to ad up! And don't forget about refilling your tank. You would think this wouldn't be an issue. Basically all you need to do is put back in what you used. Not so! Although you may know exactly how many miles you drove and how much to put back in, if you fail to fill the tank up exactly as it was, you're going to be shocked by the moving feeds & penalties the moving truck rental company is going to charge you. Lots of moving trucks are in pretty bad condition. This is good and bad. Good, because you probably don't need to worry about getting it dirty or scratching the interior or exterior. Bad, because now you have to worry about just getting to your destination. There is nothing worse than spending hours, days, even weeks packing a moving truck, only to break down somewhere and have to do it again with a new truck! High loading platforms – unlike moving and storage pods, or even a self-storage unit, just about all moving trucks require you to either lift, drag or push household items up to a higher surface. Sure they provide ramps to walk up, but as we all know, these can be tricky, especially when it's raining! Pick Up & Drop Off – All other issues aside, it's important to understand that no one is delivering this moving truck to your front door. You need to go pick it up and drop it off. Even in cities, where there may be a half dozen discount moving truck rental options, it's very likely you'll have to hop in your own vehicle and drive many miles to go find it. And picking it up may be the easy part. With penalties for late returns, you then have to drive back to this location for return.
Extra (hidden) Fees – Time limits, mileage restrictions, gas fees...if you're renting a moving truck, read the fine print because you will uncover numerous little add-on fees and unexpected surprises that can really drive up the cost of a moving truck
Moving trucks aren't all negative of course. The major reason for renting one is typically cost. Compared to all the options, this is typically the least expensive...or it was. When you consider everything we've mentioned above, you may be surprised to hear that moving and storage pods are in many cases, more affordable. Because you know what, time is money! So what are some of the benefits of moving and storage pods you may ask? There are many, including:
Easier to Load and Unload – moving and storage pods sit only a couple inches off the ground, making loading and unloading them very easy. No need to risk your life walking up a ramp, or straining your back trying to lift that 42” plasma TV. Less Hurry! - most moving pods companies offer a lot more flexibility when it comes to dropping off their portable storage units and the amount of time you have to pack them. Matter of fact, some may give you up a to a MONTH to pack your belongings, at no additional cost to you! Flexible Storage Options – have you ever found yourself actually trying to fill a storage unit or moving truck, only because you paid for it and you want to get your moneys worth? Here again, moving pods offer a huge, money-saving benefit. Most moving pods companies will only charge you for what you use! Reserved two pods but only used one? You get a refund. Plain and smple. Time Is Money! - When it's all said and done, your time is worth a lot. Moving pods offer a very good alternative to rental moving trucks as they will save you lots of time, and in the end, even some money.
Door To Door Moving and Storage has helped making moving easier since 1996. Our portable storage containers and moving pods offer an alternative to hiring expensive moving companies and moving truck rentals, whether moving one way, across town or across the country. Visit us at http://www.doortodoor.com