First things first. The last question I got answered by you folks I
could NOT figure out HOW to pay you! I wanted to, I said hey I want to
pay for my answer and could not figure out HOW to get you money!
Please let me know! I dont want to stiff anyone.

 Now my question: I have gone on line and its just too confusing: At
the beginning of 2005 in January, I want to move about a half of a
normal bedroom worth of stuff, no big furniture, mostly
books and personal items - a computer, maybe a small knick knack shelf
or three, from Los
Angeles to Springfield/Branson,  Missouri.

I want to drive if its cheaper; I actually enjoy driving. 

What is the cheapest/most reliable way to do this? Use the big van
rental lines like
Budget or Uhaul? I would rather NOT go the big corpoation route if
possible. But I am not sure I can trust the smaller less known options
and are they trustworthy: will they give me support on the road if I
have equipment problems. I will need to two a small Nissan Truck
behind me.

What is the best option for me price vs. reliability?

Thanks.

Hi bowserbag,

I have moved cross-country twice in the last 6 years.  I checked
commercial movers, sharing a container, and trucks.  Renting a truck
is by far the most inexpensive way to transfer your belongings from LA
to Springfield.  I used Budget Truck rentals both times. After getting
quotes from 2 competing companies, they were the cheapest for the same
equipment.  I told them the other 2 quotes, they bid under it, last. I
also did it well in advance.

I suggest you do the same thing, as soon as possible.  When you call,
be sure you tell the representative you are getting a QUOTE, not
making a reservation. Be sure to ask about roadside assistance.  It's
free at budget, although I would not be surprised if it was free at
U-Haul and Penske as well, --after all, they DO own the equipment.

Have addresses and specifically, ZIP CODES ready.  This way you can
pick up and drop off the truck very near your starting and ending
points.

Give each company the same dates of travel.  Based on your description
of the items you wish to move, I think you can move it all in a cargo
van. The trucks are kept in excellent shape both visibly and
mechanically.

The entire ordeal can be over in about 30 minutes.

Call U-HAUL's national number:
1-800-GO-UHAUL (1-800-468-4285)
Get a quote and ask for a confirmation number, which means when you
call back you will get the same price.

Call PENSKE's national number
1-800-GO-PENSKE (1-800-467-3675)
Get a quote and ask for a confirmation number. 

Finally, call Budget: 
One-Way Reservations: 1-800-428-7825
Tell the representative you have a quote from U-Haul and Penske. Tell
them if they can beat the lowest one, you will make a reservation. 
They may ask for the quotes and confirmation numbers.  Give them
willingly.  When making your reservation, be sure to ask for the phone
number and address of the location to pick up your truck.

You will need a credit card to make a reservation.  It does not need
to be yours, and it will not be charged, unless you fail to pick up
the truck without CALLING TO CANCEL. The charge is usually $50.00 for
failing to cancel a reservation.

This method has worked for me twice, although last time, U-Haul was
very close.  In any event, make a reservation with the cheapest
company.  Ask about a deposit, you get it back when you drop off the
truck.

You will not be required to pay until you pick up the truck.  After
you have successfully made your reservation, call the location you are
going to pick up the truck and "touch base" with them.  Tell them what
time you will be coming in and ask if they accept your preferred
payment method.

Keep in mind you will have to pay for gas during your trip.  You will
be required to return the truck with a full tank of gas.  Don't make
any sidetrips, you are allotted a set number of miles for the trip
before the mileage charge begins.  In other words, it's about 1,400
miles from LA to Springfield, MO.  your allotted number of miles will
probably be about 1,475.  Any miles you drive OVER 1,475 will be
chargeable at .70-? cents a mile.  Ouch. (This number will be told to
you, and it may be more or less than .70) The mileage allotment will
be enough to make it to your destination, but not much more.  This
doesn't mean you can't stop for food, or at interesting destinations,
as long as they are close to the freeway you are traveling on and
staying on the shortest-distance route.

Here's some web sites you may find handy:

U-Haul
http://www.uhaul.com/ 

Penske 
http://www.pensketruckrental.com/

Budget
http://www.budget.com/

Zip Code Lookup
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

Mapquest - Driving Directions
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?
I use mapquest all the time, highly recommend it.

Please let me know if there is any other way I can assist you via the
"Request For Clairification" feature...


~~Cynthia

Search Strategy:
Personal experience.

---

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 14 Dec 2004 20:48 PST

bowersbag,

I forgot to mention that when a 'Google Answers Researcher' posts the
official ANSWER in the ANSWER BOX, it automatically triggers payment. 
The other question you were refering to has now been officially
"ANSWERED" by my collegue "pinkfreud," see her Comment below...

~~Cynthia

Hello, bowserbag (love the name!)

I cannot help you with your question about moving, since I know very
little about that subject, but I wanted to let you know that I have
just posted an official answer to your earlier question about payola.
This will compensate me, for which I thank you very much.

I had left the question open because I was hoping that we could find
additional info for you. Unfortunately, books on the history of payola
are surprisingly scarce.

~pinkfreud

If you choose to rent from a big corporation, you should make sure
that if you sign up for a truck, the company is actually guaranteeing
that you'll get a truck on the day you want it.  U-Haul does not;
Budget does.  The Budget that I rented from was great.  It was a
family-run business.  Everyone was very nice there, and they came up
with a truck for me on very short notice.

Thanks as I said earlier I read the book by Jerry Cagle. He's a rat.
But your input provided real value to my efforts to write this book
and I want to thank you for all your time and research.