Moving a small number of boxes?

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations.  I finally got my visa (and there was much rejoicing! yay!) and so I've been trying to plan the big move.

I'm planning to move, at most, 10-15 small packing boxes of stuff.  It's too much/too heavy to ship UPS or similar, and when I've contacted moving companies, they're tending to quote for a minimum of 100 cu.ft., which is way more than I need.

Has anyone had experience with a small move like this?  Judging from their website, it looks like Upakweship are the only ones who do pricing for smaller lots like mine, but if there are other companies that people have used, I'd feel better getting a second quote.  Plus, they haven't gotten back to me yet, which annoys me. : /

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

When I moved here I filled about 5 boxes and sent them USPS.  If I remember correctly it cost about $400 in all.  How much does your chosen airline charge for additional baggage?  It's often cheaper to pay for an extra few suitcases filled with essentials than it is to mail or ship boxes.  Or you might even fill Rubbermaid-type containers, zip tie them shut, and fly them as extra baggage.  I've seen people do this and it looks like a good idea. 
Best of luck to you!!   

I used UpakWeShip for an even smaller move - only 3 boxes and was fairly happy with them.  The person I dealt with in the US was absolutely fantastic, but when the boxes got the UK, it was a bit difficult to track them and get in touch with anyone.  I ended up calling the guy back in the US and made him do the chasing for me, which he did.  Everything arrived in good condition (eight weeks later!)except for one thing that was broken (but I think my packing was to blame).

That being said, if I had to do it again, I'd have paid for excess baggage charges as June suggests.

See, that's the thing.  If it were going to be 5 boxes or less, I'd either mail them or do them as excess baggage.  But it's going to be probably 10 at least, and once I'm in Glasgow, I'll either have to take the train, then the ferry, or fly on the tiny Flybe plane.  Neither option really works with that much extra baggage.

I guess I'll keep trying to get in touch with UpakWeShip. 

Thanks!

I'll either have to take the train, then the ferry, or fly on the tiny Flybe plane.

Oh dear!  No, I wouldn't want to maneuver that much luggage very far either.  I hope UPakWeShip works out for you.   

What about bringing them as excess baggage and then arranging local shipment onward from Glasgow?

I have shipped boxes from USA using the US Post Office, which ended up being the cheapest of all others, oddly enough but true.  I wish there was a way to ship boxes from usa to uk for cheap, but so far guess that doesn't exist.

When we moved over, we did the excess baggage having a total of 10 suitcases each, which AGAIN ODDLY ENOUGH WAS CHEAPER than shipping them via anyone or any place.  Excess baggage is cheaper or was with BA than Delta, but that could easily have changed.

What about bringing them as excess baggage and then arranging local shipment onward from Glasgow?

I'm probably going to have to do this, even if I go with UpakWeShip or another carrier.  There are only one or two companies that will deliver to the islands without charging extortionate rates, and I'm not counting on UpakWeShip to find one of them. 

The problem with doing it as excess baggage is, again, how do I get them out of the airport and to the depot?  Sounds way more trouble than it would be worth.

I'm probably going to have to do this, even if I go with UpakWeShip or another carrier.  There are only one or two companies that will deliver to the islands without charging extortionate rates, and I'm not counting on UpakWeShip to find one of them. 

The problem with doing it as excess baggage is, again, how do I get them out of the airport and to the depot?  Sounds way more trouble than it would be worth.

Try to find a man with a van if you can.  My BF is from Mull and his parents still live there.    There's a guy out there who makes his living driving to and from Mull/Oban/Glasgow to pick up and drop stuff off.  We've sent out Christmas trees and loads of stuff through him and he is pretty decently priced.

just a thought for you.........you can take the ship over with unlimited luggage....i had 18 pieces of luggage, boxes, etc

I had thought of taking a ship, but then I wouldn't be able to leave until April.  And it still leaves the problem of how to get my stuff all the way from the south of England to the Outer Hebrides.  If only the U.K. had U-Haul.... though I suppose the fuel prices would break me that way.

woadgrrl let me know what you end up doing.  I think that I'll end up with 10 or 15 boxes myself.  DF and I are going to take bits and pieces over after our visits to try and cut down on that number though.  It's a bit easier for him to take and extra bag or two though because I always have to leave from work. 

There are car hire companies that have vans available.  Maybe your DH could meet you in Glasgow, rent a van, and drive you and your stuff.  That would leave the issue of where to return the van--does Enterprise have an office near where your DH lives? 

There are car hire companies that have vans available.  Maybe your DH could meet you in Glasgow, rent a van, and drive you and your stuff.  That would leave the issue of where to return the van--does Enterprise have an office near where your DH lives? 

Unfortunately, no.  Also, I'm the only driver in the household, so he wouldn't even be able to hire one from the local garage and drive that to Glasgow.

woadgrrl let me know what you end up doing.  I think that I'll end up with 10 or 15 boxes myself.   

I'll let you know, but keep in mind that, if you aren't moving to the back of beyond, then you'll have a few more options.  The suggestions that people have made above would be fine suggestions if I were moving to London, or even the central belt.  Or even just someplace on the mainland.

What about sending them to yourself from your entry point into the UK? Maybe you can use parcelforce or one of the other shipping companies.  I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap, but I think you are in the classic scenario of cost versus hassle.  Good luck.