Really Boring Stuff Only III: Resurrection

[lsiberian]

Finally catching a breath at work.

 

[Alex2507]

I might be going to T-Mobile. My Verizon contract ends soon, and looking at their available plans...they suck for how much they cost.

That's how I felt about T-Mobile. Those f^%&s drove me crazy with sh!t phones and then flat out lied to me. Bottom line is that they're all the same. The devil you know ...

 

[Alex2507]

Finally catching a breath at work.

That's what she said.

 

[fuzz092888]

We're not locked into anything so I decided to take a look at budget. Looks like we can get a 24' truck for only a little more money that what we're estimating uhaul to run. Plus it's unlimited miles. So the consensus seems to be that uhaul can be a bit sketchy. I'll look around a little more, but it looks like Budget might be better with unlimited miles.

I had a bad experience with uhaul a number of years ago. It seems all the franchise managers were trained or coached to extract extra money from customers for damages to trucks that had previously occurred.

They made it their business to take advantage of people who were busy, tired, and frazzled from moving. They tried to do that to me after I had helped my daughter move while she was in college. They got me on the wrong day. When I returned the truck, I had to argue for 2 hours while exhausted and drenched with sweat. I called the police, and when they actually showed up the manger gave in.

When you pick up the rental truck, do the walk-thru inspection slowly and carefully before you sign for the truck. Note every ding and minor scratch in the paint. Note every dead bug on the windshield. Take plenty of pictures that document the date and time. And when it's time to return the truck, get something to eat and drink before you go. They are trained to take advantage of people who are tired from moving.

I never did business with uhaul again after that trouble they gave me, and I'm only too happy to warn people about them. I've rented trucks from Budget Rental and never had any problems. I hope uhaul isn't still trying to rip people off. Be forewarned, and good luck.

Alex is right. Take I-287 to avoid NYC traffic.

Me, too. I don't remember thinking that it was an attempt to get more money out of me (but it's been almost 17 years), but rather an example of content incompetence that annoyed me greatly. It started with this - they gave me a truck that wasn't fully fueled, but rather only had a quarter of a tank. I mentioned it, the dude just said that it only had to read that much when I brought it back. I figured, "whatever," as I was driving the truck a total of something like five miles. Seriously. I lived by the rental place, and I was moving from one apartment to another one about a mile away. Well...the truck ran out of gas, so they said. Apparently, right after I had parked it at the new place, as it simply wouldn't start the next morning. The mechanic said the gauge was wrong and that they gave me the truck with basically no gas in it. I think that I just told them to take the truck with them once they got it running.

 

[Adam]

Almost bought some NHT 3.3s on eBay. I probably should have, but the person never really got back with what the shipping would cost, and now they're sold. Not overly responsive, but he probably had other people asking. The "Buy Now" cost was good - the only quote for shipping of $400 "but I'll look some more" was pretty high.

 

[fuzz092888]

I would've just bought them and figured it out later, but then again I'm the kind of a$$ hole who'll walk away from the purchase if the guy won't work with me on shipping. Ask Alex, I'm a tough negotiator

 

[Alex2507]

I would've just bought them and figured it out later, but then again I'm the kind of a$$ hole who'll walk away from the purchase if the guy won't work with me on shipping. Ask Alex, I'm a tough negotiator

Maybe you'd be better off driving through NYC. The traffic isn't that bad and it's a much shorter route.

 

[Swerd]

We're not locked into anything so I decided to take a look at budget. Looks like we can get a 24' truck for only a little more money that what we're estimating uhaul to run. Plus it's unlimited miles. So the consensus seems to be that uhaul can be a bit sketchy. I'll look around a little more, but it looks like Budget might be better with unlimited miles.

It's been a number of years since I did any DIY moves, I hope the info about budget rental is still true .

Spend a few bucks extra and rent a good hand truck, if it isn't included with the truck. Get an "appliance hand truck" like in the picture. If you have stairs to go up & down, these are great.

 

[Bryceo]

Adam one of you're pets?


Sent from my iPhone 5

 

[fuzz092888]

I've seen those hand trucks before and they sure are nice. I actually have one I bought from Sam's club and was thinking of just swinging by the hardware store and buying a ratchet strap.

For reference, and to get your thoughts on it

It's been a number of years since I did any DIY moves, I hope the info about budget rental is still true .

Spend a few bucks extra and rent a good hand truck, if it isn't included with the truck. Get an "appliance hand truck" like in the picture. If you have stairs to go up & down, these are great.

 

[Alex2507]

No stair climber ... no good. The one Swerd showed looked like it would be worth renting.

 

[fuzz092888]

No stair climber ... no good. The one Swerd showed looked like it would be worth renting.

Bah, what was all that gym time for, if not for hoisting a non stair climbing hand truck up two flights of stairs

 

[Rickster71]

I don't plug it in.... It charges from the gas motor, from braking, and (as Bryce mentioned) from the wheels if I'm coasting downhill.

You mentioned earlier the battery was low.
How do you think that happened if it charges itself?

 

[Adam]

You mentioned earlier the battery was low.
How do you think that happened if it charges itself?

The level fluctuates as it charges/discharges. It was lower than it normally lets itself get, though. I imagine that happened when the gas engine didn't turn on when I went to accelerate, and then the battery was draining as I was able to get through the intersection, wait for traffic to pass, and then get over to the shoulder. The A/C was (I think) still running. I don't know why the gas engine didn't turn on, though - it should have.

 

[Swerd]

I've seen those hand trucks before and they sure are nice. I actually have one I bought from Sam's club and was thinking of just swinging by the hardware store and buying a ratchet strap.

For reference, and to get your thoughts on it

I've used both kinds of hand trucks. I really prefer the type I previously showed. The legs with the small wheels fold into the frame and are out of the way. The conveyer belt type rollers on the back of the frame, just above the main wheels, allow leaning back on stairs until the rollers contact the stairs. That way I could drag a refrigerator up and down a flight of stairs with one of those trucks – alone. I'm 6 feet tall and slender. I have a reasonably strong back and legs and not very strong shoulders and arms.

I've also used a truck like you showed. It is large enough to load up with heavy weight objects, but the small swivel wheels broke under the weight. Also one of the large rubber tires leaked and was FLAT most of the time we used it! Who has a bicycle pump handy when they move? And even if the wheels don't fail, a truck of that design won't help you on stairs. That's why I recommend the appliance hand truck.

 

[Alex2507]

I'm 6 feet tall and slender.

... like a super model.

 

[Adam]

... like a super model.

Where's the Deuce when you need him?

 

[Alex2507]

Where's the Deuce when you need him?

Probably trying to get Swerd's phone number.

 

[Adam]

I took the day off (and tomorrow, too). Just had some chips and salsa...the salsa was labeled as "medium," but oh my. A bit on the spicy side, I'll say. I should have known better, as it was next to the same brand's Ghost Pepper Salsa.

Washing it down with a Fat Tire.

 

[fuzz092888]

Off to court. Whoopee