Meghan is a guest blogger. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of U-Pack, the blog.upack.com staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.
So I was sitting around, shooting the breeze, talking about some of the craziest and most irritating Christmas traditions I've come across (or partaken in) through the years, and as I reminisced, it occurred to me that it would be a disservice to the world not to share my thoughts. So here you go; the ten most unusual, crazy, and irksome holiday happenings I can think of.
1. Christmas Sweaters. I used to sport the fashion on occasion. Okay, practically daily in December. But I usually chose tasteful and subtle numbers that weren't too flashy (and didn't actually flash) o... Read More
One benefit customer's love about U-Pack is the ability to easily track their shipment 24/7 while it's in transit. There seems to be so much more peace of mind in knowing where your belongings are and when they're expected to arrive at your new home— especially if you've selected the money-saving estimated transit option. Though you may not have a specific day it has to arrive, it stands to reason that it's at least helpful to know what to expect as it's traveling.
So U-Pack offers two ways to track your shipment:
By phone. Just call 800-FOR-ABFS (800-367-2237). Enter "1" for express tracing, then enter the "PRO number" for your shipment (this is the number on the sticker at the top right corner of your Bill of Lading). When you call, our automated system will ... Read More
I've been helping customers move with U-Pack for 6 years, and I can verify that moving is one of those life events that's different for everyone. That's why it's important to choose a moving company that offers moving options to fit your situation— keep the stress to an absolute minimum!
In the past, moving meant just two options: drive yourself, or pay for a completely full-service move. Talk about limitations! Whether you're moving for work, to be closer to family, or just for a change of scenery, how you choose to move is likely the biggest detail in the planning process. Having several moving options available means you can select how you move based on your moving budget and physical capabilities (a win-win situation). So what choices are available now? Here's a list of U-Pack moving options to pick and choos... Read More
Pennsylvania history— because it's always good to know where you're going
If you're moving to Pennsylvania, you probably already know that the Keystone State played a large role in the shaping of our country. With so many monuments and attractions commemorating America's past, you'll be able to immerse yourself in the rich Pennsylvania history that's found in every corner of the state. It's just a quick starter course, but here are some of the most intriguing details about Pennsylvania history:
Ever heard the phrase "south of the Mason-Dixon Line", but weren't exactly sure where it referred to? The Line actually runs along Pennsylvania's southern state border.
Oregon is a state that has it all— the western coastline, beautiful mountains, and thriving cities. If you're moving to Oregon, you have lots to look forward to! Since we know you'll want to fit right in with the locals, U-Pack has gathered a few little-known facts about Oregon to help you out.
Facts about Oregon:
Nike, Inc., the most widely recognized sports brand in the world, is headquartered in Washington County, Oregon.
Beverly Cleary, author of the popular ’Ramona Quimby' book series, is originally from Portland, Oregon— you'll even find statues of the famous characters in Portland's Grant Park.
Things to do in Arkansas— welcome to your new home!
If you're moving to Arkansas, you'll have a lot of new places to explore! Once you're settled into your new home, you can plan a few outings to discover your new state. But first things first— did you know that ABF U-Pack is actually headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas? (That means you can definitely take my word for it when I suggest a few must-see places in The Natural State!) Here's a short list of things to do in Arkansas:
Visit the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas to take in a sporting event. I'll admit that I'm ... Read More
Sometimes, I hear about a customer's U-Pack experience that is just too cool to keep to myself. This is definitely one of those times! Check out this true story:
Michael McGrath and his family were gearing up to make a move cross country with U-Pack. After packing and loading up their belongings, the McGraths were finally ready to hit the road. During their drive from Texas to California, they decided to stop at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX for a little sightseeing along the way. After taking a few photos, the McGraths jumped back on the road and continued west.
A Tornado Picture for the Books! Severe weather can strike anywhere, anytime. That's why we wanted to share this tornado picture from the September 8th storms, sent in courtesy of employees at the ABF terminal in Dallas, TX. It's very frightening when severe weather hits, and we're happy to report that our Dallas employees weren't harmed.
The term ’Texas tornado' has been used for everything from song titles to team names, but we think this tornado picture shows the true meaning of the term— don't you think?
First, most of our trucks only have one seat. Seriously. The trucks are called ’Day Cabs' which means they are only meant to be driven for the day. Our drivers only drive the maximum amount of time allowed by law and these trucks have no sleeper compartment.
This brings me to the second point. Our drivers drive from ABF terminal to ABF terminal. Therefore, more than likely they won't take the most direct route to your destination. For instance, it is quite possible if you are moving from Jackson, MS to Orlando, FL your shipment will go through Atlanta. Obvio... Read More
Many years ago (before U-Pack) my husband, my young daughter, and I made a move. We were young and financially challenged and I was VERY pregnant. We couldn't afford a full service mover and really we didn't have enough stuff to justify a full service mover. Normally, when we were moving across town, we just borrowed someone's truck and made several trips.
Anyway, one of our moves was further away than just across town so we decided we would splurge and rent a truck. We would actually get everything moved in one trip! My husband was very focused on loading everything correctly to ensure the truck would ride properly. Load all the heavy appliances first and moving boxes last.
The term ’Self-Move' pretty much explains what a self-move is. Basically, it's a move that you do yourself, right? Well yes, but there are different types of self-moves.
The Basic Self-Move You pack, you load, you drive, you do everything. An example of this would be a rental truck service. You pick up the equipment from the rental truck location, you pack and load it, you drive it to your new home, you unload it and you return it to the rental truck location. With this type of service you're responsible for fuel charges, mileage, insurance, damage to the vehicle, taxes and all other transportation charges.
The Premier Self-Move You pack, you load, and someone else drives and provides the equipment. An example of t... Read More
Did you know that Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the United States?
U-Pack has a new Spanish Website and Spanish speaking representatives to assist customers moving within the United States and into and out of Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico.
You've probably noticed that the trucking industry has its own lingo…which can be like a foreign language to the Average Joe. Take a look at a few commonly used terms…you might be able to impress your friends on your next road trip:
Terminal – Fancy trucking term for "office" or "branch" Commercial Freight – Brand new manufactured items (ex: computers, TV's, exercise equipment). On a household goods move, we put commercial freight on the back portion of the PUP (see definition below) that is unused by the U-Pack customer. The good news is that we make sure it doesn't include anything dangerous or smelly so it doesn't affect your goods. Bulkhead – This is the divider wall you put in after your goods are in our trailer. Watch how a bulkhead is ins... Read More
I think everyone knows what a full-service mover and a rental truck is and how they work - common knowledge for most. But, there's a fairly new moving phenomenon out there called a "You Pack, They Drive" service (which happens to be what ABF U-Pack Moving is).
The name of the service is a pretty good description of how it actually works. The company provides the driver and the equipment and the customer does the packing and loading. With U-Pack in particular, we bring either a Trailer or a ReloCube to your home, you load your stuff, we pick it up and drive it to you... Read More
When I talk to customers on the phone, one of the challenges is "listening between the lines". We help figure out what you need to do and how U-Pack can make that happen.
Some customers just need a moving quote from City A to City B in different states. Those calls are the most straight forward, although I do hear some funny stories at times- like a caller with an exotic bird that "doesn't fly and it doesn't fly" (don't feel bad, it took me about 15 seconds to catch up with what she meant, too). She wanted to use U-Pack so she could drive herself and her pet in the comfort of her own car.
For other people moving and storage is a main concern. Customers use U-Pack to store items for a variety of reasons. Some are going on... Read More
