Moving on the cheap - any advice?

continentalgal · 31 July 2007 at 11:52AM

Hi all! This is my first post so if my question is in the wrong place, it should be excused as newbie faux pas!? Here's the deal: I'm going to start uni in September and will have to move from London to Aberdeen the cheapest way possible!

I'm a mature student (no parents to pay for it) and have been on benefits due to illness for the past few years so funds are almost non-existing. I'll be trying to get rid of as much stuff as possible but will still be left with several boxes (clothes, books, CDs ... the usual) and a cycle.

I'd be happy for any suggestions as weird as they may sound, like, I was wondering if I should send the boxes by courier which - depending on the company - is around £10 for up to 30kg? Also, came across a website that (allegedly) specialises in student relocations. According to their online calculator, I'd have to shell out around £330 for the move ... gulp! :eek: Does anyone know of cheaper companies?

So ... any ideas??

lellie · 31 July 2007 at 2:52PM

Carry it in a big bag (those checked laundry bags are good) or suitcase on the train in a couple trips? If you book in advance you can probably get cheap rates.

continentalgal · 31 July 2007 at 4:35PM

Hi lellie, thanks for the brainstorming - I should have mentioned that I have a back injury and am no longer able to carry heavy stuff, so, unfortunately, not only do I have financial but also physical restrictions

Have there been any posts to the subject of moving on this board? I haven't been able to find any - I'd appreciate if someone could point me to it. Really, anything would help ... I'm just a bloody foreigner and absolutely unfamiliar with the whole thing: what companies to contact; can I negotiate price with them, is there a place where I could find rideshare buddies, etc.

Meatballs · 31 July 2007 at 4:40PM

Copy CD's onto computer/laptop and leave them behind...

Just take one large suitcase of clothes.

You should be able to get all your student belongings in one car (small clio, with backseats filled). Borrow a cycle holder?

If you dont drive persuade a friend to come up for some student partying/holiday in aberdeen?

melipona · 31 July 2007 at 5:00PM

Put an advert on the Aberdeen free cycle board saying "Free Boxes" when the hordes of frugal Aberdonians respond try and persuade one of them to transport you to Aberdeen on his return journey, ( he wont do this for nothing so you will have to be a good negotiator, maybe sweeten the deal by offering a dram or two of a good malt, strange but the more malt you offer the stronger your negotiation skills seem to become)
then when you get to your new home give him the empty boxes.

You will have got to Aberdeen with all your belongings.
You will make a frugal scotsman even happier for getting something for free, he will talk about it for ages in the pub.
You will have made a friend for life by sharing a dram
You will have got rid of your boxes.
You will have supported the freecycle initiative.

Best of luck

continentalgal · 31 July 2007 at 5:25PM

melipona wrote: »

Put an advert on the Aberdeen free cycle board saying "Free Boxes" when the hordes of frugal Aberdonians respond try and persuade one of them to transport you to Aberdeen on his return journey, ...

great idea! :rotfl:

( ... strange but the more malt you offer the stronger your negotiation skills seem to become)

interestingly enough, this seems to apply to my English as well

, um, although, come to think of it, the Scots probably couldn't be bothered less with that, no?

lellie · 31 July 2007 at 6:24PM

aww if you can't carry maybe hiring a car would be the best bet. must be a friend that drives if you can't.

continentalgal · 1 August 2007 at 8:20AM

lellie wrote: »

aww if you can't carry maybe hiring a car would be the best bet. must be a friend that drives if you can't.

Is it possible to hire a car if you don't have a credit card?

As for the friend: I don't have any - none who I could/would ask to take me to Aberdeen anyway. I didn't want to get too sappy in my first post but I've been pretty much living under a rock since I got sick, and there hasn't been a lot going on socially. Hence the post for help/advice in the first place!

lellie · 1 August 2007 at 11:57AM

hmm sadly it doesn't seem possible to rent without a credit or debit card? Do you not have either?

Stubert · 1 August 2007 at 12:02PM

Re: hiring a car. would it not be more suitable to hire a small van? possibly one with a tail lift to help with your back?

i assume anybody over 21 (and possibly with 3 years of holding a license) could hire a small van.

danielle24 · 1 August 2007 at 12:08PM

What ever you do, be VERY careful with removal companies offering to "part load" your belongings - i.e. take your boxes and several other jobs in the same van which in theory is great because it's so cheap but in reality if you get the wrong company they'll run off with your money - just happened to a pal of mine moving London to Glasgow. I'll try and find the name of the company for you from my friend.

Moving on the cheap - any advice?

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