Anyone know how I can cheaply ship large items (parents estate) from CA to siblings in Missouri & Alaska?

Question

Items include: furniture, art, china, silver, clothes

Answer 1

To Alaska, Lynden does a better job (less damage) than Carlile, but still, pack VERY carefully.

Ask the relative if anyone they know is moving up (maybe a new company hire or kid coming back from college). Then go in together on a moving van. My 18-foot U-haul was about $2500 from Seattle to Alaska plus gasoline. Alas, Ryder (who rents nicer trucks) is not an option to Alaska.

Another possible play would be to find someone in the market for a new car or truck up here. The local dealers really hammer us on price so you save a few thousand by buying "Outside". Of course, you spend a bunch on gas getting here (about 3500 miles from Central California).

Only ship the sentimental stuff. Practical things will be far cheaper to sell off and repurchase locally (let Wal-Mart ship it up).

Alaska Airlines has air freight rates (which vary based on the items). Furniture from CA to AK was about $40 / 100 pounds. Printed matter was $76 / 100 pounds.

For Missouri, check common carrier rates. Cheapest to crate it yourself, but expect they'll pile things on top. It will be cheaper than a moving company, but more work. But get a bid from a moving company for comparison. You might just decide that building your own crates, etc, isn't worth saving a few thousand.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Shipping large items is never cheap. The least expensive is probably renting a U-Haul and driving it there. I would tell them to come and get the stuff, because unless you move it yourself or use a good moving company (not a freight hauler) you might have a lot of damage by the time the stuff arrives.

Answer 3

I have found the best and easiest way to ship large items is through www.Shippi.com. They charge you by the weight of your shipment and I have not found anything cheaper.

Answer 4

Sell it all and send them a check or tell them your plan and let them come get that they really want out of the estate.