[Dinnaefash]

Hi, all

Have been trying to search NZ sites for prices of white goods, without success. :( Previous thread suggests $1-2700 for a washing machine in NZ. :eek How much are dryers, and dishwashers?? (Bringing the fridge freezer with us.)

Thanks!

[veronica]

right, just grabbed the paper to see what ads there were for white goods. 5.5kg load washing machine top loader $1099.99
4.5 dryer $749.99
package of 5.5kg washing maching top loader and a tumble dryer too $1059
fridge freezer $1229
upright freezer $1029
if I come across any others I will put them in.

[Raeven]

<choke!!>

Ok, that's it -- we're taking both refrigerators and the freezer. We were going to sell them, but not to replace at those prices, egad!!

Thanks for the information, veronica!!

All the best, Rae

[veronica]

Yeah and looking at the picture they didn't look very big either I have said it before in other threads,

If you have it, and its sound, and it will work here bring it.

The cost of replacing stuff really adds up. We have left most of our stuff at home becasue we have a daughter still living in the house while its up for sale (she has also copped the job of packing up most of it too). But the little costs as well as the big costs really add up. had to buy silly things like string, sellotape, dustpan and brush, brooms, washing up bowl clothes airer as well as a second hand fridge and microwave etc. so the more you bring the better

[richsadams]

Hi Rae and All :cool

Appliances are smaller and more expensive here. (Keep in mind, it is an island country and almost all things have to be imported.)

One word of caution if you're moving from the U.S. though...space. Most NZ homes are smaller than U.S. homes and they are built to house appliances that are sold here. The refrigerator space in the kitchen will (in general) not handle a U.S. model.

So before dragging everything over (and paying a hefty price for the shipping plus the transformers you'll need to run them) give it some thought.

Here's an example of how it might be better to buy new when you get here.

1 Refrigerator, 4 years old - cost new US$800 Valued now at $250
Transformer $100
Shipping $200

As you can see, you'd spend $300 to bring a $250 appliance that might not fit and may only have a couple of years of life left anyway. (The shipping cost might be offset by using a container door-to-door, but if you're using a moving company they will still charge by weight.)

We brought our nice, big refrigerator and are sorry we did. Now we have a nice fridge sitting in the garage with nothing to do. :no

We bought a new Fisher and Paykel model...not top of the line, but very nice for about US$750 (with a discount as we purchased several other items at the same time). It's not as big, but it fits and is today's technology.

You could also consider buying used...there are a lot of used appliance stores here.

Unfortunately U.S. washing machines and dryers will not work in NZ (see NZ Vs US Electronics posting).

Just some thoughts on keeping mistakes and hassles to a minimum! ;)

[Raeven]

Hi, Rich!!

You're always such a welcome sight! Thanks for the cautions... I'm having a hard time deciding on the white goods issue. Your analysis helps -- no surprise there!

In our own case, not knowing we were going to move to NZ so soon (our original plans were to go, oh, sometime in the distant future), we just purchased all new appliances within the last year. This included washer, dryer, 2 refrigerators, microwave oven and upright freezer. Before anyone gets the idea that we're conspicuous American consumers, I must point out that all the appliances replaced were 20+ years old... anyway, based on all I've learned here on the forum, the washer, dryer and microwave oven are non-starters. However, the refrigerators and the freezer look like they'll work in the place we're hoping to purchase in NZ. Still some question on one of the fridges, but a quick measurement by the estate agent in NZ will answer that question!

Ok, so enough about electronics -- how are you guys getting on? We're all hanging for the next installment of Rich's Adventures in Tauranga. Would love an update when you get a few minutes!!

All the best, Rae

[SoCal Gal]

Shout out to Rich! Could you please tell us about receiving your container, a full story like your shopping/car buying, etc. updates, pleeeeeeeze!!
I am so curious about the whole container process, no detail too small!
Thanks!! :cool

[richsadams]

Hi Allison and All :cool

Quick reply about the container thing...it's a very small deal really, at least it was for us. The moving company showed up with a typical diesel truck/cab with a container in tow instead of the normal moving truck trailer.

We used a 40 ft. container (emblazoned with COSCO and some nice graffiti on the side so we could recognize it later :laugh ) and after packing everything up, they loaded it all in just like a regular move....perhaps a bit tighter, don't think you could have slipped a credit card in between things when it was all in! When everything was inside there was still a bit of space left so they built a "false wall" at the end out of timber and plywood so things wouldn't shift around...you know how gentle those wharfies are with things! :eek

We decided to put our belongings in storage for a while after we arrived. So the container was delivered to Tauranga where it was unloaded into the moving company warehouse and stored in very large crates. Later they brought everything to our new house, unloaded it and that was that. (Except that most of our boxes are still to be unpacked. :roll: ) The refrigerator contracted a bit of mildew over a couple of months, but everything else was just fine. No need for extra mildew insurance.

So all-in-all it wasn't a big deal really. And the great thing is...with the exception of one glass bowl that was broken, and as far as we can tell about the rest...nothing was damaged! :clap Our treasured heirloom, a large grandfather clock, was in perfect shape too. I've moved across town and had more things ruined. These guys were incredible from start to finish.

The company we used was Allied Pickfords (Allied Van Lines in the U.S.). They are a tad more expensive than some, but we can't say enough about how great they were. We were able to get items out of storage before they were delivered and like I said, nothing was amiss. Everyone was professional and very friendly…even when we asked some real bone-headed questions :oops: ! Wow!

Hope that helps a bit...you can have a cup of tea and relax now. :mrgreen:

[Annierobrigado]

you know rich, you could work part time as immigration adviser and moving organizer or something. you really went through everything and now your experiences are a treasure all of us planning to go there would kill to have! (not literally! :mrgreen: )

thanks for the advice. i am on my listing what to bring stage. i guess i will be packing the small stuff - tape, string, pliers, screwdriver, etc - in triplicate probably so i don't have to go to the store for about 1-2 or 3 months. (heeheehee, and we havent submitted our eoi's yet! :oops: ) how's that for excitement?!

annie

[richsadams]

Cheers Annie!

Glad to be of service as we know all too well what it's like to be on the other side of things and not knowing exactly what to do or expect. :eek Hopefully this will be good Karma and help us get our PR!

I'm actually getting some articles published on Escape Artist,

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/61/Moving_To_New_Zealand.html

My latest piece is due out in the next few days. It'll be dry reading for the experienced denizens of this forum, but for "newbie’s" and others thinking about getting out of the U.S. or elsewhere, it might be of interest. Thinking of writing a book too, but the audience is a bit small and narrow...kind of like New Zealand! Maybe an e-book for now who knows? I'll get to it in between unpacking! :laugh

[Annierobrigado]

hi rich

i like reading the articles in escape artist too! will visit that site and see yours.

about your book... go go go! and we can have it in my coffee shop for leisurely reading over a cup of steaming freshly brewed coffee with some croissants or pastries... eeeh, here i go, dreaming again. nice to imagine, though, yes? its free anyway :yes

(is it rich as in richard? or just rich?)

annie

[Raeven]

Hi, Rich,

Thanks so much for putting our minds at ease over the shipping aspects of this move!! I'm taking your advice (as usual) and we're planning to use Allied. Actually, when they came along to give us a quote, they were extremely professional.. the guy had this cool little computer where he plugged in estimates of our belongings as we went through the house, so he was able to give us a fairly accurate estimate of weight and cost on the spot. He then pulled out his little portable printer and gave us a written summary. Very impressive!!

I'm surprised your post made no mention of MAF or their inspection of your container.. was it such a non-event?

Congratulations on your upcoming publications!! I wouldn't miss reading them for the world. And why not a book? A limited audience, but I'll bet it's growing!!

Thanks again, and so pleased to hear that everything arrived in good order!!

All the best, Rae

[SoCal Gal]

Thanks so much, Rich, this is exactly what I had hoped to here! Put me down as another fan of Allied! I'm just getting more and more excited about being able to take it all!!! :cool

[MelissaLG]

Rich, thank you so much for your description of your experiences with the container process. We just had our quote from Allied in the US and like Rae's experience, the guy who came to us was very professional. I thought the little computer scanner he used was a pretty cool tool. Just like taking inventory! The guy even sent me a handwritten thank you card in the mail prior to us receiving the actual quote letter. A nice touch.

I feel pretty good about the quote-- about $10 or $11k to move 6500 lbs of goods plus our truck which is another 6500 lbs. Rae, is that consistent with the quote you received?

I also would be interested in hearing about your experience with Customs/MAF. Not only are we wondering how closely they inspected everything, but we are wondering about whether you got hit with any taxes or duty (I cannot recall whether you already have obtained residency or LTWV, if so this would not have been an issue for you obviously). But we definitely will be arriving in NZ prior to obtaining residency or LTWV (we arrive in January but just got selected Sep 15) and so we are concerned we will be hit with big fees for tax/duty. I have heard from some people that as long as the items are used, don't worry about it, but official Customs policy (and the Customs people I called) say differently (no residency or 2-year work visa, no exemption from tax/duty). So we are wondering, do we need to put everything in storage in the US prior to shipping, so stuff does not arrive until after we (hopefully :hopeso ) get residency? That could be months from January! Anyway, whatever insight you have on this would be appreciated.

[Raeven]

Hi, Melissa,

We were quoted $8,800 for a 40' container which at the time, included a car. We have since sold the car (boo hoo, yes, Rich, it's sold!!), so hopefully it will be a few nickels less than the $8,800. This did not include insurance but did include packing up this end. I think we had roughly 4,500 lbs. of stuff, but I'll have to double-check that when I can find that paperwork!!

Hope this helps! - Rae

[richsadams]

Hi All :cool

Sorry to have left out the MAF/Customs aspect...as yes, it was a non-event. Phew!

Allied handled everything. Before our belongings arrived we filled out a declaration form the moving company supplied and listed a few things we thought MAF might want to know about including golf clubs, some faux trees, a couple of chairs with cane seats, etc.

If you're moving to NZ permanently (24 months or longer) you are allowed a one-time "no import duty" shipment of personal belongings. Since we arrived on long-term work visas (P.R. Visa should come through in a month or two :hopeso ) as Melissa points out, Customs was interested in our shipment. :booby

We had a letter from our immigration consultants stating that we had an invitation from the NZIS to apply for permanent residency and we were in the middle of buying our house. So the moving company asked for copies of the letter and our contract for the house. Of course we were a bit concerned but the very next day they said Customs cleared everything overnight! :nice1 A couple of days later they said MAF had a quick look (not sure they even came out by the sound of things) and that was it. Phew again!

Your quotes from Allied are right in line with our actual costs. The inventory computer/printer thing they use is pretty cool. (It helped us to list our personal belongings for "chattels" insurance later as well.) However the fellow that gave us the estimate had no knowledge of NZ rules and regs...not his fault I suppose, but it would have been nice if he'd at least had the knowledge you guys have! :laugh

Oh, sorry you decided to sell your "baby" Rae...know the feeling all too well. :wah But take heart, they do have cars here too!

[MelissaLG]

Rae and Rich,

Thanks for the additional info! Every little insight helps!

Melissa

[Yogi]

How much is a big huge obscene American refigerator with freezer comaprtment and the lot likely to cost in NZ? They seem to be around UKP 1000 here upwards at the moment.

Cheers,

Yogi.

[richsadams]

Hi Yogi :cool

The big, huge, obscene American-style refrigerators are not very common in NZ, but there are a few side-by-sides that fit the bill. They sell for around NZ$2K to NZ$3K. :eek

The thing is that, as previously mentioned, most NZ kitchens aren't built for them; the space is just too small. By American standards the one we brought was just average size and it wouldn't fit in our new house. :(

We're coming to find out that many Kiwis shop for groceries every couple of days and that's why the refrigerators are a bit small by American standards. Most Americans shop once a week or so and fill up the shelves. It must be hard for Kiwi families with lots of wee ones!