Two ways to do this that transfer it directly from Chicago to you:

1. Fly to Chicago, hire a small moving truck, load it yourself and drive it back. This way you know EXACTLY where the stuff is at all times, and exactly how it was packed. Except for the time it takes, this is the cheapest option.

2. Hire a packing and shipping company that specializes in antiques to crate and ship the pieces. They will ship it by a normal trucking company, maybe air freight. But each piece is in a wooden crate, not just padded in a moving van with minimum wage laborers hanlding it.

During my working years, we moved every several years and experienced many, many movers in many different parts of the country. No matter what kind of "guarantees", promises, etc., they talk about, it is a given that stuff will get damaged and/or lost. Of course, you'll get reimbursed on the basis of so many cents per pound. That's little consolation for your prized antiques. We also learned that many of the crews that came to move us consisted of one experienced mover and several very inexperienced workers, some of whom the crew chief picked up on the way to our place -- literally off the street corner. I can personally vouch for the practice as I had a summer job while in high school working for a moving company. I will grant that was several centuries ago and may not be done today.

When we made our last move some 15 years ago, we rented a U-Haul and moved all our antiques, valuables, and breakables ourselves. It was a 3 hr. drive each way; not like what you face. We made a trip each weekend for about 2 months. At least we had some comfort in knowing that we triple and quadruple wrapped everything and padded the furniture to the hilt -- way more than any movers would have done. Our van loads were also no more than half-full.

If you do go with a commercial mover, read the fine print. You will be shocked by the prices and dumbfounded by what the company is truly responsible for. Reminds me of earthquake insurance. Costs an arm and a leg, and you get to foot the first 10% - 20% to boot. Since all (well, most)of the movers do interstate moves, they are covered by the Interstate Commerce Commission laws and rules, so they all have practically the same contract. If you have "high value" items, as your antiques will be, you might be invited to purchase extra insurance coverage at exorbitant rates. Check with your own homeowners insurance company as they should be able to offer you a much better deal. As a sidebar, if you wonder why the rules and laws seem to be so much in favor of the companies instead of the consumer, guess who pays big bucks to lobbyists to insure that laws and rules are passed or not passed in their favor.

Well, enough for this rant. I don't mean to sound totally cynical, but just wanted you to hear from one who moved a total of 16 times over 35 years. I sincerely hope you also get responses from folks who have experienced a solid, reputable company that you could provide you references of clients they have moved successfully. You'll pay a lot, but at least you'll have a couple of options to consider.

Good luck!

If your articles are so expensive then it is advice not to take any risk, better get the service of professional packers and movers for shifting the furniture.

Regards,
sarah_9

This has been happening quite frequently lately. It is almost always a spammer advertising something. They have to run a search for subjects pertaining to whatever they're advertising to get the thread to bump up. If you look above at the first posting that is current you will find there is a link to a business he wants to promote. I've run into several on different forums and it is getting to be aggravating. I used to only look at the date of the last post to see if it is still active but now have to remember to look at the original posting date as well. Bummer!!!

I'd like to do the opposite of "shine a light" on these companies!

KarinL