Young inexperienced mover going from Atlanta to Albuquerque for internship

[Jtultra]

Hey everyone,

I am a student at Georgia tech and I have a summer internship with GE for 10 weeks in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I'm looking for the most economical and convenient way to relocate to the area. The company is willing to compensate me for a flight to New Mexico or mileage and lodging compensation if I decide to drive. They do not cover any other moving expenses. What I'm moving is very minimal, I will only be there for about 10 weeks and then I come home.

The things I need to move:
2000 Toyota Celica GT-S
40" LCD TV
electronics for the TV (about a medium sized box full)
Full Size Bed (optional)
Small Desk (Optional)
Cloths
Small 1 shelf filing rolling cabinet (optional)
Computer (Printer, speakers, 20" LCD monitor)
Floor lamp
Office chair
Possibly a Reclining Chair
Maybe 1 or 2 medium sized boxes of random stuff
***I'm willing to leave the desk and bed at home and buying them once I get to New Mexico and selling/donate them when I leave to come back home***

Distance: 1500 miles

I absolutely do not want to drive my car and I'm willing to pay more to avoid it at all cost.

My first day on the job is tentatively May 18th, but they are flexible since it may take sometime to move. With that, I plan to arrive May 16th or 17th

Now ideally, I would like to ship everything with a mover and fly to New Mexico. This option seems to be about the most expensive, the cheapest I found so far is with ABF for $673 partial trailer option or a Relocube for $762. These are both Terminal to terminal options. Door to door is $995 and $1085, respectively. I'm still looking around for a car shipping company, I've been looking at Coast to Coast auto and Golden Key express, but they have not gotten back to me with a quote yet. I'm assuming between $750 to $1000?

I'm trying to find an even cheaper alternative, I feel that Renting a truck and a dolly is the cheapest and just drive there. Hopefully I will be reimbursed for mileage. Penske, Budget, and U-haul still run about $1,000 for a 10' truck and Dolly. I think a 10' truck is still way to much space for what I need, therefore I feel like it may not be worth it.

Another option I've been thinking is Packing as much stuff as I can in my car (minus the bed, desk, and chairs) and just ship my car. I would fly there pick up my car and buy the items I did not bring with me from home. I think this option is very risky, I don't feel very comfortable in putting a $2000 TV and $1000 worth of electronics in a car that I won't see for about a week. But this option seems to be the cheapest and most cost effective for my situation.

I was also thinking about renting a 24' truck and putting my car in the truck, but that seems risky as well (more so dangerous).

Does anyone have any ideas or advice???? This is coming very soon and I have to figure something out quick.

Additionally, does anyone have any advice on how to pack a TV for a move?

Thanks for the help!!!

[cjhutch]

For 10 weeks you probably come out better searching craigslist in the vacation rental or sublet/temporary section. There is no reason to move a 40" Tv for 10 weeks. Why do you need a office chair and lounge chair? If you need a TV that bad you would probably come out better just buying a little 27"-30" when you get there and then selling it off a week before you leave. Moving a TV is not cheap at all, especially if it's a LCD or Plasma.

[SampaGuy]

1. Buy a cheap trailer off craigslist.
2. Stop being a pussy and drive! Its a celica!
3. Sell trailer when you come back

I moved to Germany for a year with only 2 suitcases and my guitar! What youre moving is very minimum, its only 10 weeks, but youre taking your 40" TV LOL

[IndianStig]

Pack that car up and drive.