[lockstock]

We're beginning to gather quotes for shipping. It's all a bit vague because we don't know where or when exactly. One thing that is bothering us is the suggestion that unless you let the moving company do the packing you won't be able to get insurance. We haven't got a lot of stuff but I'd like to pack the personal items such as pictures, books and ornaments. Come to think of it, I want to do all of it except the furniture. Am I being unreasonable? (So uncharacteristic!)

[dharder]

We haven't got a lot of stuff but I'd like to pack the personal items such as pictures, books and ornaments. Come to think of it, I want to do all of it except the furniture. Am I being unreasonable? (So uncharacteristic!)

They told us it is okay to pack personal items into a box they give you, leave it open and just make a list of what's in there. They might have a glance and then close it, but wouldn't rummage through it. At least that's what we were told...

Ugggh, and one guy we had in for a quote got a bit 'sleezy': I was talking about a chest of drawers in our bedroom/office/living room (all one room) and the personal papers in there, and for some reason he must have thought about different things: he 'winked' and said something like 'I'm sure there is nothing in your bedroom that the packers haven't seen before'

Needless to say, I felt almost challenged to find something they hadn't seen before (but didn't). Also needless to say, we didn't go with that company.

Daniela

[jess]

We packed everything (including wrapping our furniture) using our own materials and boxes, and we were able to buy both total loss and itemized insurance. All boxes were sealed, but we had to number all boxes and fax an inventory.

We used Trans Global Moving (http://www.transglobalmoving.com/). After the contract was signed everything was actually handled through Global Ocean Freight (http://www.global-oc.com/index.html). (Don't know if it's better to go straight to GOF, but I think you can, so check that out).

Everything was fine with that shipper, except for 2 things. We had our container held up for a while on the dock while a ship owner claimed they weren't paid, and GOF said they did pay them. Once it was worked out GOF covered the storage fees at the dock, so I was pleased about that. Also we didn't care so much for World Wide Movers who handle everything on the NZ end. The first problem was an unusual fluke, and the second is something people say about several of the moving companies on this end. And some people have no trouble with World Wide...

So I would recommend them. Trans Global's quote for us in 2005 for a 20 ft container was about $6000 and for a 40 ft it was about $7000 (before insurance and MAF fees). That was far cheaper than we could get with the other companies who didn't want us to pack our own things.

Movingscam.com (http://www.movingscam.com/) has good info to check out on hiring a mover and movers to avoid. I think they have mixed reviews of GOF, but I was happy with them.

[jess]

OY - sorry - too late to delete my post above. I was in the US, and I see now that you are in Wales. My bad. Nothing I said is of much use to you. :o

[bartons]

No, it's not unreasonable - why let others do the job when you can do it yourself? We're doing all the packing ourselves (including furniture). I asked a few freight companies for a quote for a 20' container, the two ones coming back with a comprehensive quote were £2500 and £ 1900. That doesn't include insurance, MAF and anything like port fees etc., but we still think it's a good price. You've got three hours to load the container delivered to your door, that's probably the most stressful bit of the job...

[sizzlingbadger]

We're going through this now with local removal companies. Insurance for removal isn't included on our household removal like it is in the UK and if you want to take out removal insurance they sting you for packing yourselves :exit So we're having to take the option of full pack and move.

TBH we've moved 6 times and the best times have been when we've had a removal company come in and pack, you can oversee what they do and how well they pack, can pull them up if you like :D It does save a lot of stress on your part and they know the best ways of getting things done.

[Tia Maria]

Most companies and insurance policies I came across insisted items would only be covered if they packed them. After all if your best vase got broken they could claim it was due to your poor packing.

It might be that you could get cover against loss, but not breakages for self-packed items. If you don't have much stuff its worth considering how extensive you need your insurance to be anyway. Some people just insure against loss as the cost of extra insurance is more than it would cost to replace/mend damaged items anyway.

There were some things we packed ourselves as we didn't consider them breakable (books/toys etc), but we left the boxes open so they could write down the inventory for MAF.

If you do get somone to agree to insure for self packed items then make sure you get it in writing, rather than a "it'll be fine". Also check insurance really carefully, we got stung on the fact that they only insured by the calender month so if you wanted insurance from the 28th June till August 2nd, rather than paying for the 5 weeks covered, you paid for 3 months!

Cheers

Tia

[kanatakiwi]

We shipped from Canada so may be different rules in place there, but we packed ourselves with our shippers blessing, and they even had someone come and show us how to do it properly and safely for our valuables. Of our 22 boxes only one small thing was broken and it is easily replaced with one new pane of glass (it was a candle holder)
G

[thezorbster]

As Tia said above, you may just get insurance for loss of items. We're using Letton Percival for insurance (half the price of the shippers insurance) but is says clearly on their form that "If owner packed this insurance excludes breakage". Therefore, they will insure you, but for loss only.