POD-type moving from SoCal to Houston-area (apartment, movers, college)

[Sampaguita]

Has anyone recently moved from SoCal to the Houston area via PODS or Smart Moves?

We are trying to find this type of moving option. I'd like to get a couple of more quotes before making a decision.

What's important to us is air-ride trucks that the containers would be transported on.

Any recommendations for auto transport and Houston-based truck "un-loaders"?

Thanks!

[texasboi]

Smart Move quoted me $3500 from NJ to Houston. They drop off your pods, at which I needed 3 for an apartment for some reason and free the first 28 days. After the 28th day they charge you for what you needed. I asked for loading help and to store it in NJ until I was ready to move. This broke the price up. If you want them to store it in Houston before you even get there then you owe the whole amount minus unloading. You can get quotes right online. I heard Smart Move is the most reasonable but i'm not sure about the transit and car transit question.

[Supermac34]

Dang, couldn't you just pay a moving company that much and have them do the work for you?

[Sampaguita]

We were quoted approx $3500 for our move with Smart Moves; national moving companies came in between 6-8k.

I think we're going with ABT moving as they've quoted 1k less than Smart Moves but we're going with their trailer rather than their relocubes.

[LostInHouston]

Originally Posted by Sampaguita

We were quoted approx $3500 for our move with Smart Moves; national moving companies came in between 6-8k.

I think we're going with ABT moving as they've quoted 1k less than Smart Moves but we're going with their trailer rather than their relocubes.

I've heard good things about ABT. Most of their drivers are pretty good at showing you how to properly load your goods. Of course the downside is it won't be as easy (or as cheap) to store the goods if the need arises... as everything would have to be handled a second time, whereas with PODS they just plop the cube in a warehouse. I'd recommend checking out movingscam.com for info on reputable movers/auto transporters. I used the forums there to select a mover to do my move from Connecticut to Houston 1.5 years ago and couldn't have been happier. I worked a summer during college as a mover, so I know how shady people in that business can be... and that was for a very reputable company. Do your homework on autotranporters as well because there are just as many scammers in that game as there are in the moving game.