What Moving from New York to Florida with U-Pack Actually Cost Me
- Steve moved from Garden City, New York, to Weeki Wachee, Florida, in 2022 to start a new job and settle into a new home, a 1,110-mile move covering two bedrooms of furniture, boxes, and valuables.
- After comparing two quotes, he hired U-Pack, and his New York to Florida move cost $2,582, exactly what he’d been quoted.
- This is Steve’s story, shared as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
This account is based on our conversation with Steve, who moved from Garden City, New York, to Weeki Wachee, Florida, in 2022 using U-Pack. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
I’d known six months before my pickup date that I was leaving New York. A new job and a new home were waiting for me in Weeki Wachee, Florida, and I needed to move a couple bedrooms worth of furniture and boxes, along with a few items that needed extra care: a statue, some artwork, and several musical instruments and amplifiers. Nearly everything was already packed in a storage unit, so the main task on move day was loading it into the ReloCube.
Finding a mover took about a day. I started by reading reviews on the PODS and U-Pack websites, then found moveBuddha and submitted estimate requests through their moving cost calculator. Two quotes came back by email. U-Pack’s was the lower of the two.
My U-Pack experience at a glance
- Communication: A few things could have been communicated better, but U-Pack made up for it with prompt, professional service at both ends of the move.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: No hidden fees and no surprises. My final bill was $2,582, identical to what I’d been quoted.
- Container placement: No issues at origin or destination. At both stops, the driver asked where I wanted the container positioned and which direction I wanted the doors to face.
- Timeliness: U-Pack hit every service commitment at pickup and at delivery.
- Would I use U-Pack again? Yes.
Why I chose U-Pack
After comparing two quotes through moveBuddha, I chose U-Pack because their price of $2,582 was the lowest. Their reputation helped, too. U-Pack operates under ABF Freight System, a name I recognized, and their shipment tracking feature gave me confidence that I’d know where my belongings were throughout the 1,110-mile trip.
I didn’t purchase any additional services and went with U-Pack’s basic liability coverage of $250 per container. I wasn’t particularly nervous going in, but I did want everything safe during transit, especially the instruments and artwork.
rating
5 / 5
My move at a glance
| Moving From | Garden City, New York 11530 |
|---|---|
| Moving to | Weeki Wachee, Florida 34614 |
| Distance | 1,110 miles |
| Moving Company | U-Pack |
| Moving quote | $2,582 |
| Actual cost | $2,582 |
Getting ready for move day
After booking with U-Pack, I didn’t need any additional help to get organized. Shortly after I reserved my container, U-Pack sent a helpful email that covered parking requirements and packing and loading tips, with links to tutorial videos.
As my move day got closer, I received a pickup confirmation by email and a follow-up phone call a few days before my ReloCube was scheduled for drop-off.
Pickup day
After loading my container, I called U-Pack to schedule a pickup. I’d been told to expect a call-back confirming a pickup window, but that call never came. All I knew was that the driver would arrive between 8 AM and noon, as stated on the contract.
Fortunately, I was already up when the truck pulled in just before 8 AM.
That morning, I’d planned on adding the comforter I’d slept on the night before, but the driver loaded the container onto the truck while I was in the bathroom. I ended up spending an extra $70 to mail it separately. I don’t blame U-Pack for that, but a heads-up before loading would have made a difference. I would have preferred a narrower pickup window and a call when the driver was on his way.
Besides the drivers who dropped off and picked up my ReloCube, I had no direct contact with anyone at U-Pack. Since everything else went as planned, that wasn’t a problem. But the communication around pickup timing is the one area I’d flag for improvement.
Delivery day
My container arrived in Florida on time, nine days after it left New York.
The day my container arrived in Florida, a U-Pack representative called to confirm delivery for the following day. That morning, I got a text letting me know the container was on its way. Before unloading, the driver asked how and where I’d like it positioned.
U-Pack didn’t follow up after the move, but I did call a representative to schedule a pickup once the container was empty.
Final thoughts
rating
5 / 5
I would have liked a shorter pickup window and a call from the driver before he arrived. That gap cost me $70 and some last-minute stress I didn’t need. But those are the only real complaints from an otherwise smooth experience.
U-Pack delivered on time, charged me exactly what they quoted, and handled the container professionally at both ends. Even though a few items weren’t packed very well, nothing got damaged. I’d use U-Pack again.
Ready to see what your move might cost? Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to compare quotes from top movers.
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Steve’s experience:
- Place sensitive items toward the back of the container: At delivery, Steve noticed a small amount of water had seeped into the front of his container. Nothing was damaged, but if you’re moving fragile or moisture-sensitive items, keeping them toward the back puts them as far from the door seam as possible.
- Use small and mid-size boxes instead of large ones: Smaller, sturdier boxes are easier to maneuver inside a ReloCube and stack more efficiently. Large boxes take up more vertical space and are harder to load tightly.
- Be ready before the pickup window opens: U-Pack’s service windows can be several hours wide, and drivers may arrive at the early end. If you have any last-minute items to add, have them ready before the truck shows up.
Want to learn more about U-Pack? Check out these posts:
- U-Pack: A Complete Review
- How Much Does U-Pack Cost?
- What is a U-Pack Relocube?
- PODS vs. U-Pack: Which should you choose?
- Moving Experiences: Janna’s Move with U-Pack
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