<p>I'm not actually accepted yet, but I'm probably going to go somewhere a plane ride away. How will I be able to get my stuff there? My clothes will be fine in 2 suitcases, but that's the checked luggage limit of the airlines I've been familiar with. FedEx or UPS maybe?</p>
<p>I think there's actually a FedEx service where you send your luggage to your destination ahead of time, but that probably costs a lot.<br>
For things other than clothes, can you just hit up a Target/Walmart/Discount store of your choice when you get there? That might be easier/just as cheap as trying to send all of your stuff from home.</p>
<p>How far do you expect to go? If you are going cross country where it is really not a good idea to drive even one way (that's what we did--rented one way and flew back after getting the kids set up at the beginning of the year, and flew to the school, rented a one way at the airport and hauled the stuff back home.), you would be wise to ship the lighter things like clothes, bring the important stuff on the plane, and buy some of the stuff there. It 's not like you are going to Outer Siberia. There will be a Target, Walmart, somthing within a half hour of the school most likely. Makes no sense to buy everything at your local Bed, Bath & Beyond and haul it to the school when you can order the stuff and have it sent or buy it at store nearby.</p>
<p>I'm basically talking about a medium-sized stereo system and a computer, along with assorted items of sentimental value. I'm not certain I'd want to check those in on a plane (of course, I'm not too sure I'd want to send them via FedEx either).</p>
<p>My son goes to college a 2 hr plane ride away. Although family members live near the school & we sent some boxes of stuff to them, the university provided info on how to ship stuff you don't want to bring with you on the plane. They also provided info on how to ship your computer to their computer center. But since my son wanted his computer in the dorm before I left (& before the computer center was open to obtain
the computer), I used MailBoxesetc. They packed the computer & mailed it to a Mail
Boxes near the college; they called me on my cell when it arrived and we picked it up while I had a rental car. It was not as much $ to ship as I expected. At the end of the school year, a packing service provides supplies so you can ship and store/ship and send home cartons of your things. In the fall, they deliver the boxes to you in your dorm or apartment. Only thing is this adds up over 4 years. My advice: pack lightly & buy things near your college. Just be sure to get to Bed B&B/Target/etc. early before move in day cuz linens, storage cartons, etc. sell out quickly.</p>
<p>We Fedexed 5 boxes to PA ahead of time so that they would be there when we arrived. The local Bed, Bath & Beyond held our order and delivered on the date we wanted. I worked out pretty well. D did not take a stereo...took a laptop and then added compact speakers to play music in her dorm room. It wasn't as bad as we had anticipated.</p>
<p>I onced shipped a computer from Dallas to Mcallen, near the border of Texas, using usps, and when it got there, the case was a mess. It had been shaken really badly during the transit.</p>
<p>How much does shipping stuff like computers SAFELY cost? Like if you were going to take chinaware or something.</p>
<p>i remember on the old board someone said that what they did was go with their son (which your parents are doing anyways, right?) and everyone is each allowed 2 pieces of luggage so they brought 6 suitcases and bought the other stuff when they arrived. (mini fridge, cd player, etc)</p>
<p>I don't know about birdofprey, but it sounds like he's in the same predicament I'm in. Ok, yes, buying non important stuff like blankets, pillows, comforters, furniture, whatever, we can do when we get there. But what about important stuff like our (in my case) monitor, sound system, computer, wall scrolls, hubs, switches, or routers (computer equipment)? This stuff won't fit in pieces of luggage and what if our parents can't afford to drive all the way out there? Is there no cheap recourse?</p>
<p>My family did what Filmxoxo17 was talking about. The five people in my family went = 10 Boxes of stuff plus carry ons. Then we bought stuff (chair, microwave, lamps, rug, etc.) after I arrived.</p>
<p>What airline?? Southwest actually allows three per passenger, so if you can fit it all in one more bag, or can have a parent check your liggage, you can take it all with you.</p>
<p>Otherwise, consider USPS parcel post..it's pretty inexpensive.</p>
<p>As a hippie might say, "simplify, man!"</p>
<p>When I flew four hours to my school freshman year, I only brought my laptop computer, clothes and toiletries all in one suitcase, while my parents packed my pillow and blanket in theirs. Once I got off the plane, I purchased my school supplies at the local student union. After I flew home for Christmas break, on the way back to school I brought along the non-essentials like my books, posters, video games and DVDs. It's far easier to overpack for college than it is to underpack...</p>
<p>1) talk to your roomate - you don't need too many stereos or televisions ect.
2) Books can be mailed book rate through the US Postal system (takes a little time but least expensive)
3) Pack electronics in their original packing if available.
4) See if the college lets you store things over the summer so you don't have to take them back and forth.
5) Consider the cost of shipping back and forth and compare it to buying (a better set of speakers for your computer instead of bringing a stereo - a $60 clock radio with CD - or what ever is too big for your suitcase.
6) It doesn't always have to fit in a suit case . Depending on box demensions and weight you could have a computer box as luggage.</p>
<p>In mid-summer, there will be many posts with all kinds of good information about this. The best advice is not to make any purchases 'for the room' until you speak to your roommate, e.g., mini-fridge, tv, vcr, microwave, stereo. Not many dorm rooms are big enough for both roomies to bring everything. If you absolutely have to fly, then the advice to simplify is excellent. I'm assuming at least one parent will be flying with you and between the two of you, you should be able to take your essentials. Bed Bath and Beyond has a service for college kids where you can order your bedding at a store near you and they'll have the order ready at the store close to your college. If you're getting a new computer before college, I strongly recommend a laptop, which you can easily carry on the plane with you. Laptops make a lot of sense for college kids for many reasons; space limitations in dorm rooms, ease of transport when going home for weekends and breaks, can be used in the library, common room, park, or class.</p>
<p>If you do have to ship things, it's easily done. We've used mailboxes,etc. and had four very large, and heavy, boxes shipped, with insurance, for around $200. Keep in mind that a lot of colleges will not accept shipments like this before the dorms officially open, so make sure you take what you'll need for the first couple of days, with you on the plane.</p>
<p>BofP, there will be whole threads about this in the spring, around May. If you look on the CC archive from last year, there are tons of good advice. Greyhound is the cheapest shipping, but you have to get to the bus station to pick it up. You are headed to Columbia, right? Honestly, knowing what your trip is, I would first talk to your roomate,then, I would seriously consider selling the stereo. Either get good speakers for the computer, an I-pod as a graduation gift, a clock radio sort of thing, or buy a stereo in NYC. Remeber anything you bring on the plane, you've got to get to the dorm, if you have it shipped to the college post office, you can carry to the dorm.
If you have a really high quality stereo that you want to keep, I'd question having that in a dorm anyway.</p>
<p>We are in the planning stages,too. I have considered driving up to Dartmouth, but it may be actually cheaper to fly because it is so far. Remeber there is a B,B andB in Mobile, we may order things there to be delivered to a store near the airport.</p>
<p>USPS Ground and/or FedEx Ground are both about the same cost. Both are substantially cheaper and faster than USPS Parcel Post. UPS and FedEx both provide $100 of insurance as well and you can buy more if you feel you need it. If you use a UPS Store (formerly Mailboxes Etc.) to pack your things for you, you'll probably pay more for the packaging than for shipping costs.</p>
<p>Common carriers (Roadway, Yellow, CCX, etc.) are an option if you have a lot of stuff to ship. Check your local phonebook for a Uline or similar company and get an EO (30x17x17) or EH (36x22x22) container to pack stuff in. Make sure you can move the box on the other end though. If you really think you have a need for this much capacity, LMK and I'll give you my email address and I can give you some detailed info on how to make it cheaper.</p>
<p>We have had 2 kiddos who went to school 14+ hour drive away (2-3hour flight and 2-3 hours driving also) - and UPS has become out best friend. We set up an online account and we all use it - (billed/payed out of checking account - share the password) - just about anything can go UPS and you can purchase extra insurance - they provide an automatic $100 coverage initially. Most schools have info on exactly where to ship it to - and many times you can address it right to the students dorm - at my DD's school it would arrive at the campus neighborhood dorm office and they would put a slip in her mailbox that she had a package.</p>
<p>Just some hints - try to ship big stuff - electronics - in the original box - if not - use good packing material to stabelize it - cardboard/air pouches/peanuts/etc.....black out or remove any other labels that have scanable stuff on them.
- measure the box - UPS will let you know if it is oversized
- use a good amount of clear packing tape - all edges
- weigh on a bathroom scale - go up 1 lb if in question
- on-line - make out the shipping label - fold in half and attach to the box and cover with clear packing tape - you may want to use colored paper for your label so it stands out.
- and drop it off at any UPS place - i.e. Staples is great - at my DD's school - she takes it to the campus neighborhood dorm office for pick up. We ship stuff back and forth frequently. (pick-up can also be arranged - tho they charge big time for it - we have also just handed the package to the UPS guy if we happen to run into him - so makes life very easy). Of course - you CAN take the stuff someplace - they will pack it for you and charge you for it - boxes can be expensive at those places too - so keep that in mind.)</p>
<p>When my DS graduated and moved all his stuff home - he could only put a small amount of his belongings into his little car - he shipped 13 boxes by UPS - they all arrived in one day - same day he got home also - cost $213!!!! Cheap compared to having rent a truck or going down there to get the stuff.</p>
<p>Due to limitd storage at school - DD and I ship her seasonal stuff back and forth - makes life alot easier all way around. So some stuff is best purchased closer to your destination.</p>
<p>My son is about 2500 miles away. Never considered driving. He packed all his clothing and personal stuff in a large duffle and large backpacking type backpack. All of his bedding and towels were purchased ahead of time at Bed Bath and Beyond and then picked up at the store in the town where college is located. He uses a laptop with extra speakers for his stereo and for watching DVDs. He leaves all his CD and DVD cases at home and puts them all in a CD binder. He has 80 CDs and DVD in a binder. He didn't take too many books. He rents a microfridge. If you go to school a great distance you learn to live simply.</p>
<p>I guess I'll look into laptops (I've always avoided them based strictly on the price/performance ratio, but there are obviously other considerations for college) and getting some decent 2.1 speakers once I'm up there. If I manage to get into Columbia, cangel, I already have the roommate situation worked out. :)</p>
<p>We have an old (small) microwave lying around the house which my parents had planned to be for my dorm room, but I gather that it'll probably be cheaper to get microfridge/microwave up there, especially if I can store it over the summer... correct?</p>