How can one move 1000 video tapes from Virginia to Colorado? (job, truck)

[cathy J.]

My brother-in-law recently accepted a job in Lakewood, Colorado. The job started on May 15th, he didn't even know he had the job until the 10th so the move was very rushed.

Meanwhile in Virginia he had left behind at least 1000 video tapes in storage. Last night he wanted us to mail him those tapes to Colorado but that will be, well it wouldn't be cheap. Selling the tapes, say on Craigslist for example won't be an option since many of the things on these tapes are copyrighted such as his collection of American Bandstand ( Dick Clark Productions will SUE big time over that ). Simply to throw them out, considering some of those tapes dates back to 1976 well it is kinda like asking to throw out one's collection.

What is the best way ( and cheapest way ) to send these tapes from Virginia to Colorado? Use a trucking company such as Roadway? Or should my husband and myself simply make plans on driving to Colorado with tapes in tow?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Get a video capture card, convert them all to digital, and mail him a hard drive with everything on it.

[TempesT68]

Does he really NEED all these tapes? I'd just ask him to name the ones he absolutely must have. If he can't even remember, then those tapes are not that important. Otherwise you can box them and send them ups. Any regular tapes you can just sell on craigslist or just give them away.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by cathy J.

My brother-in-law recently accepted a job in Lakewood, Colorado. The job started on May 15th, he didn't even know he had the job until the 10th so the move was very rushed.

Meanwhile in Virginia he had left behind at least 1000 video tapes in storage. Last night he wanted us to mail him those tapes to Colorado but that will be, well it wouldn't be cheap. Selling the tapes, say on Craigslist for example won't be an option since many of the things on these tapes are copyrighted such as his collection of American Bandstand ( Dick Clark Productions will SUE big time over that ). Simply to throw them out, considering some of those tapes dates back to 1976 well it is kinda like asking to throw out one's collection.

What is the best way ( and cheapest way ) to send these tapes from Virginia to Colorado? Use a trucking company such as Roadway? Or should my husband and myself simply make plans on driving to Colorado with tapes in tow?

I agree with the poster regarding converting the tapes. As you probably know this type of media will degrade with time and with storage, that will even hasten it with the temperature extremes.

My other suggestion would be if you plan on visiting him soon, just ask him what he really wants to keep, pack those and go. It will be MUCH cheaper than mailing them via Rodeway. Plus, mailing that quantity could damage the tapes. In time, he could convert what he wants to keep onto DVD and it will last indefinitely.

[cathy J.]

Originally Posted by Gil3

I agree with the poster regarding converting the tapes. As you probably know this type of media will degrade with time and with storage, that will even hasten it with the temperature extremes.

My other suggestion would be if you plan on visiting him soon, just ask him what he really wants to keep, pack those and go. It will be MUCH cheaper than mailing them via Rodeway. Plus, mailing that quantity could damage the tapes. In time, he could convert what he wants to keep onto DVD and it will last indefinitely.

My husband called Roadway today, even they were against using them by warning him that the tapes could be damaged.

As far as quality goes, funny, by watching them the older tapes from the 70s & 80s were of better quality than the ones from the 90's. Maybe things were better made then. Like the reel-to-reel tape I had bought at a yard sale about five years ago. The tape was of some meeting ( Lions Club ? ) from 2/7/59. The audio was so clear one could not only hear the traffic outside but even people flicking their lighters and smoking cigarettes. Among the highlights...two women were talking about the "recent" death of Buddy Holly while some man had said in the background "..who in the hell was he?" and another woman bragging about her husband making $5,000 a year. Anyway the audio was so clear, it was almost like I was at that meeting in 1959. Guess its in the way of how one takes care of things.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[MaryleeII]

If he does ship them, is he aware of media mail rates with USPS? Its slower, but much cheaper. Personally, I would ditch them.

[caligurltotx]

I was gonna say media rate with the post office is your best bet. Check the maximum weight post office allows (I remember 70 lbs), and then ask what the rate would be to his zip code. Good luck!

[froggin4colorado]

1000 video tapes? I think I own less than a dozen movies on DVD/VHS. Ask brother if he can emotional cut himself from them and toss them. Would he rather have the $ or the tapes? If he would like to get rid of a couple hundred dollars to ship them, then by all means spend it. Otherwise, keep the money and ditch the movies. Its just stuff and you can always replace stuff.

[CliffordM]

Media rate with the Post Office is a good idea. But does he have the space to store a thousand tapes there? I quite liked @EscapeCalifornia’s idea o convert them to digital and mail him the hard drive; tedious but effective long term.