Tudey

I am moving from CA to WA in a few months and I told my husband that my sewing machines will be traveling in my car. We are using PODS for the move but I want to be sure my machines are safely where I can reach them if I need them!

Cybrarian

Just want to add, being transferred by a large company that has an ongoing contract with a moving company (so there is incentive to do a good job), or being moved by the gov't or military is very different than an individual contracting with a company. Even with extra insurance etc claims are a nightmare. Pack & take them and all your computer stuff with you!!

sJens

We used Mayflower in a move too and they stacked furniture on top of our new TV and it was smashed/broken beyond use. My new machine I would find a way to pack it in my car.

SewingSew

Oftentimes, the quality of the job is contingent on the work ethic or skill of the worker. No matter who the moving company is, you're taking a risk. The one person you can really trust is yourself.

nativetexan

yes, take it with you! with all the things my movers lost and totally ruined, my sewing machine actually got here.

Jan in FL

I moved from Florida to Washington state a few months ago. I had no choice with such a long move. I have a high end Brother embroidery machine that I had only had about a year. Fortunately, my dear, dear husband insists that I keep the original boxes for a couple of years when I make a large purchase (in case we need to ship them to be repaired or returned or something). The movers moved my longarm, embroidery machine, 15 needle embroidery machine and my Janome. Additionally, I had a brand new Koala that I have been dreaming about for many years. I worried and stressed the entire time. I am happy to report that all are in perfect condition. I packed the embroidery machine myself. I discussed with the person who was packing my sewing room how fragile and important the other pieces were to me. He took great care with each piece. In fact, when I unpacked the boxes, not only was there packing paper around each piece, he had also wrapped them in moving blankets. He made sure that these pieces were placed on top of the rows when stacked in the moving van. I had also stressed (even more than with my sewing room) over them packing and moving my china. It was my dear mother-in-law's china and she got it when she was married. It's one of my most precious gifts from a favorite person in my life who is no longer with me. I explained and they understood. All was well in the end. Also, most importantly, *****make sure you declare each piece specifically on their insurance form along with a value**** They had me list high end and specialty pieces if anything needed to be considered for insurance purposes. There were a few items that did need repair/replacement - expect that - but fortunately none of my china or sewing room lovelies were among them. Good luck to you and enjoy your new home! I am having fun setting up my sewing room in my new home. We are choosing flooring and wall color now. Then I get to figure out where I want everything permanently placed. I've never had this luxury before and can't wait for the finished product! Happy New Year!!!!

Sophie2

I moved from upper Michigan to Florida in July. I took my machine with me in our truck in the travel totes. It was for my peace of mind. Our movers were great, but they did put some heavy boxes on top of some lighter boxes. We had no damage, but I was more at ease with the machine with me. I did have to spend a couple nights at hotels, but we made sure blankets (not quilts) were packed around our things so from the outside of our truck it was not easy to see what was in our truck. Good luck with your move.

sewbizgirl

Don't let it out of your sight.

Austinite

I've had movers damage stuff in a cross-country move as well but I still let them take care of my DSM. My most expensive machine was a grand, which is a ton of money to me, but still less than the medical bills should I injure myself while moving it myself, and it's a common machine so it's easily replaceable. Your mileage may vary. I trimmed our hedges myself and severely injured both my wrists several years ago, it would have been less money and a whole lot less suffering to have a landscaper. See my point?

VickiM

Ditto on everything she said! We moved from Fl to N.C. in Aug. & all 6 machines, 4 computers, & the guns all came with us in the car! Our movers were good, not much damage; but those things we moved. Also had a delicate doll case that they moved & I asked them to be especially careful with it. So they marked it "Top, load last & first". Nothing was on top of it & it made it here just fine. I would definately make a 2nd trip only being 4 hours away. In our case we didn't have that option. We moved about 3 hours from you.