[james the mechanic]

Well most of them are in; some of the companies can’t be bothered to return my calls.
As you have probably gathered, I’m busy obtaining estimates from shipping companies at present. I have self packed and everything is itemized and now in storage at a self storage unit at Gatwick. It’s all going to Napier, currently my estimates range from an amazing £2190 to an equally amazing £4100 all estimates are for door to door service of a 20ft sole use container.
Bellow are a list of my estimates thus far and my notes, I would really appreciate peoples comments / feed back particularly if you have used the cheaper ones.

John Mason Tel:020 8667 1133 £2800. Came across as, total simpletons. I was totally put off after personal recommendation.

GB Liners Tel: 01432 272274 £2700. Very helpfully, Stuart came across as a genuinely nice guy.

ALS Worldwide Tel: 01903 724385 £2190. Small company Andy McTaggart seems like a nice guy, he says he wants the job & he’s the only one who is actually shipping to the port of Napier & then NZ van lines. Has anyone used them? ALS that is not NZ van lines.

Brittania Tel: 0845 600 6661 £??? I called them three times still I await their call back.

PSS Tel: 020 8686 7733 £3368. It’s all basically too much trouble for them, I got the impression rightly or wrongly that they don’t want the job.

Crown Relocations Tel: 020 8839 8000 £??? I rang them they said they would call back I rang them again; they again assured me they would give it their up most attention.

Doree Bonner Tel: 020 8303 6261 £2614. Andrew nice guy called back when he said.

Anglo Pacific Tel: 020 8965 1234 £4100. Ignorant, arrogant and a rip off, I wish I kept her name.

Alpa International Tel: 0845 296 6058 £3000. Nick Clark helpful guy did say there was movement in the price & that I would like to do the job.

White & Co Tel: 01489 774900 £??? Couldn’t put me through to anyone when I called now it seems they can’t call me back, which doesn’t bode very well.

Allied Pickfords Tel: 0800 287 229 Due to previous bad experience with them; I would basically rather put a match to all my possessions, than ship with them.:laugh

All coments welcome:nice1
James

[colandros]

we were quoted around £3500 for a 20 foot container, that included them packing and door to door delivery.
damage insurance was included but not marine insurace. so i think yours are about right

[jo b]

James

ask ALS what shipping line he uses then you can check out how good they are. Most all use similar so the quote seems pretty good. From personal experience it;s the small print makes a difference.
NZ Van lines slashed our settee unpacking not thier fault but because it was packed properly by Anglo. That said when we tried to claim on insurance Anglo said that we weren't covered. Apparantley they had changed their policy but lucky for us they hadn't told us so we hadn;t since the new policy agreement...........Thankfully was a bit of a chase to get the money.

Check ins quotes too.

Jo

[Familyofmonkeys]

Don't forget to find out what is included in the quotes. Did they all have similar volume estimates. If not, and you end up having more that they estimated, you could be charged extra. Are all quotes for sole use container, or just total volume in shared containers as space becomes available? Also, do the quotes include a set MAF inspection fee or not....some companies add this in quote and others will bill you this end. There is no way they will know what MAF will want to look at, so you could pay alot of money for someone to spend 5 minutes looking at your stuff, as they usually try and charge you an 'averge' fee.
As said...check out insurance too....and read the small print VERY carefully1

Personally, in my experience I would pick the company you liked the best then tell them you want to put your business their way, but say that they are not competitive....see what they come back with. These rates ARE negotiable......they will also depend on shipping times. They CAN get your stuff over here more quickly in sole container (ours took 6 weeks) but will charge more unless you bargain. Before you commit...check what slots they have on which boats and when your container will depart. If they can't tell you...ask why not, your stuff could sit in UK waiting for last minute available space...might/might not be delay then which could mean more expense this end!

[james the mechanic]

Hi all,
ALS use Maersk shipping line.
All estimates are for the same volume 900ft2, all sole use of a 20ft container.
Insurance wise I’m quite happy with Orbitprotect, who charge 2.2% of the value and cover breakage even if self packed.
I asked them not to include MAF fee where possible but it was clear that was well beyond some of them.:laugh
Best wishes & many thanks :nice1
James

[jo b]

Sorry my above quote should say didn't pack the settee properly (I was v tired last night)!!

[jo b]

James also try Letton percival in Liverpool for the insurance I think they charge 1.5%.

[james the mechanic]

James also try Letton percival in Liverpool for the insurance I think they charge 1.5%.

Do they cover breakage even if self packed? I thought not.
many thanks :nice1
James

[james the mechanic]

UPDATE

White & Co Tel: 01489 774900 £2550 I called them back once again.

Crown Relocations Tel: 020 8839 8000 £4139 After a total of three calls I was put on hold and the phone went dead. I called back, spoke to Casey when I explained that I wouldn't use Crown because they had not returned my calls as promised and I had had to call four times to get a price, she started arguing as to whether it was three or four calls I had made. (Like that would make all the difference) She near-on ranted about it being Crowns target to respond within 48hrs, it was basically rather sad.:no I simply cannot imagine how they can justify the price.

Brittania Tel: 0845 600 6661 £2365 It took three calls also and they too never returned my calls, I was left on hold for ages but in the end, spoke to Tina who was both efficient, helpful and pleasant.

So has anyone used ALS Worldwide or have any comments about them?
I might call Doree Bonner back and have a haggle I'm a bit put off Brittania by the non returning of calls, I realize people may think that, a bit sad but if I'm having to chase them now, what will it be like once they have my money?

Thank in advance:nice1
James

[james the mechanic]

UPDATE
I have opted for ALS Worldwide for several reasons…
Number one they are actually shipping to Napier: in theory that means we could stand on the lookout on Napier/Bluff hill (which overlooks the port and town) and watch the ship dock / unload.
Number two Andy McTaggart the MD (small company you deal with him) appears to know his stuff and has tailored the job best to our needs. (I am helping load the container & have self packed etc.)
Lastly but not least they are cheapest.
We are loading on the 20th (next week) so fingers crossed and all being well we should see the ship dock on the 16th February next year.:nice1
James

[NickB]

Here is my quote today from John Mason Co. Can't fault the service, emailed after 11pm, got a call 9.15am, email quote 20 minutes later!

"From collected residence Ringwood, Hampshire to delivered residence within 30 mile radius Auckland port. Normal access both ends. Volume not exceeding 490 cuft - 14 cbm......GBP 2150.00 plus insurance".

[incredible hulse]

We used Doree Bonner and the container actually went into Napier and then was trained down to Welly. They did a good job overall although went missing a bit when I battled with Grace on the MAF fees.
Their insurance was poor at paying the claim on the couple of items that were damaged. (I'd used their insurance on some things and Letton Percival on others)

[Familyofmonkeys]

Here is my quote today from John Mason Co. Can't fault the service, emailed after 11pm, got a call 9.15am, email quote 20 minutes later!

"From collected residence Ringwood, Hampshire to delivered residence within 30 mile radius Auckland port. Normal access both ends. Volume not exceeding 490 cuft - 14 cbm......GBP 2150.00 plus insurance".

Can't fault John Masons.....we found their service in UK excellent...very proffesional and competitive price. Big issues with their partner The Moving Company this end. There are tons of comments on other threads....why not have a search before you make up your mind!