Hmmmm...tips from 6 PCS's?
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Penske Truck Leasing They have new, well cared for equipment, guarantee your equipment reservation (what you asked for is what you get when you want it), offer free changes to the reservation (which allows you to reserve waaaay in advance saving lots of money and then change the reservation as needed), guarantee a diesel truck above 20' (again, saving money), offer free unlimited mileage (as opposed to a mileage quota), and are generally a good company to do business with.
UHaul does none of this!
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Always do a partial DITY. As specified above...my method is for the wife and I to start packing things early, and stop when we get tired of it. We don't pack things that we find valuable (free full replacement insurance with the gov't move), are a pain in the ass to pack...or things that we just don't feel like packing. Moving all the "easy stuff" my wife and I usually end up moving about 2/3'ds of what we own and have averaged making about 3 grand depending on mileage.
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Storage units Generally I am all for savin gevery penny I can...However on the last two PCS's the wife and I put everything we moved ourselves into a storage unit at our cost. Why? Well, if you have alot of stuff, having all of it in dissaray at you house at once can be alot to manage. We set our moves up so when the government delivers, we unpack what they bring...This enables you to get the basic house tidy and functional, then, as your time permits, you can go get a load of stuff here and there and then unpack it in a fairly organized house. This has saved us alot of hassle and discomfort. Also, if the government movers can't deliver for some time, it allows you to still have some of your house set up and maybe functioning while you wait. Well worth the 100$ for the storage unit IMHO.
-Know what you are entitled to Its your repsonsibility to maximize your PCS benefit. There are receipts worth keeping. When you get your advanced operating allowance and final payment, they are witheld at 28% (I believe). The idea is that the government wants to tax you on your
PROFIT. You can get some of this money back by knowing what you are entitled to.
The cost of weighing your goods twice (usually about 10$ total), the cost of renting equipment, gas (huge), tolls, oil, boxes, tape, dolly etc...are all direct moving expenses and will not be subject to tax witholding if you submit the receipts! Don't give away money that you don't have to!
Also wanted to reiterate some of the above...
5. Get the packers, loaders, unloaders lunch and drinks. It is hard work and these guys aren't paid that much. They will really appreciate it.
This is solid gold. Treat people decently. Cold drinks and a sandwhich go a hell of a long way to getting movers to give a rat's ass about your stuff...and its the right thing to do.
6. Don't hover, but keep an eye on the packers and loaders. Things like CDs, DVDs, video games, etc can easily walk away.
It is after all, your stuff...be polite, be courteous but protect yourself as well. Most of the movers I have worked with are professionals. Simple, salt of the earth folks...but hard working and professional. Some aren't.
You can usually get it done at big truck stops where you see the big CAT signs. Also, moving companies sometimes have scales you can use as well. Just have to open the phone book and find out where they're at.
