[hosebergine]

We're borderline for a 20ft sole use container and are considering groupage on a 40ft. Anyone got any advice / thoughts on groupage v's sole use?

Alternatively how do I rationalise our belongings by the size of an average 3 seater sofa? All suggestions welcome, except sling the sofa - I've thought of that one already ;)

[Janey]

It depends who told you you are borderline we had 5 quotes 2 said we would be over and 3 said just right in fact we could get another sofa in! I suggest you go with 20ft and have in mind something you may wish to discard at the last minute!

[clairelouise]

Same as Janey. We were told to condense right down, and we would never fit all our stuff into a 20' container. We had just under a third spare in the end!!!! :eek:

Wish I had brought more now!

If you need to leave some, just have a list on stand by. The chances are it may all fit in anyway.

[veronica]

if you are packing the stuff into boxes yourself just pack it well filling all the nooks and crannys. don't leave any space in boxes as that creates something that could be crushed. pack down what you can, if it comes apart easily flatten it. you can get a load in a 20' container and theres less chance of things going astray.

[icemaiden]

Strangely enough, we've just been told the same thing by Allied Pickfords? Is that the same with everyone else? We're getting a quotation from Crown in a few days.

[NZ Hopeful]

Strangely enough, we've just been told the same thing by Allied Pickfords? Is that the same with everyone else? We're getting a quotation from Crown in a few days.

They told me I had tons of space in a 20' so I don't think it is a ploy on their part, they have also just requoted me and it was £500 less! So they seem pretty genuine to me :)

[hosebergine]

seems like a lot of us in the same boat. We've had Crown, Allied Pickfords and PPS round. One was something ridiculous like 10 cu ft under the maximum and the other two are coming out between 100 and 150 cu ft over. To give you an idea, one said that a tea chest was 5 cu ft and a washing machine 15 cu ft.

Either way we're looking pretty tight and it is giving me a right old headache. Hurrrrrumphhhhh

[YouMeAndThree]

seems like a lot of us in the same boat. We've had Crown, Allied Pickfords and PPS round. One was something ridiculous like 10 cu ft under the maximum and the other two are coming out between 100 and 150 cu ft over. To give you an idea, one said that a tea chest was 5 cu ft and a washing machine 15 cu ft.

Either way we're looking pretty tight and it is giving me a right old headache. Hurrrrrumphhhhh

You could pack some things in the washing machine. Turn coffee tables upsidedown and pack the void. Compression bags for duvets, towels etc.

Just keep some boxes of "if we can't take it it won't matter" and leave them till the end.

We were told we were right on the limit for 20', although in the end we decided to take the car so had a 40'.

[hosebergine]

I think I may have to watch over the packers and encourage them to pack tightly!! I'm sure they'll love me for it!

[victoria24]

dont forget that if it is packed to the brim, the contents are safer as there is less chance of movement. we have been estimated as 1001 cu ft by pickfords and pss bloke said about 8-900 cu ft! i think we'll go with pickfords as they are more flexible and more knowledgeable but i'm waiting for the pss quote first to see how far apart they are in price, service and size estimate.

[Janey]

They will be cheaper Pickfords in my opinion are a rip off Neil try Plymouth Area removers direct PSS subcontracted and I could not fault them!

[grady]

hello hosebergine,

I work for Pickfords, so am familiar with your dilemma, as outlined in this blog, many choose to priortise the loading to leave a few less essentials until last, this can work
reasonably well, though it is better if the less essential items are mainly smaller pieces
as logistically larger items need to go into the main body of the freight to get better space utilisation.So as you reach the last few feet in the container you would need to make a call on the sofa, the crews would always to happy to offer advice how much will go.

Another opportunity would be to use the groupage system, Pickfords are able to quote
to place a larger 40ft container at your residence, load all your items outside your home, then return to our warehouse, load other smaller shipments - the container then goes direct to the dock. This system removes the risk of any pieces not going, so you
get peace of mind on this and are able to see everyting is loaded at your residence.
It is also very cost effective as some of the container costs are disbursed over more shipments ie haulage fees and terminal charges, plus of course you only pay for the freight space you utilise.
So this method could resolve your dilemma and save you money!

Grady

[IanW99]

Another option could be to go sole usage of a 20' container and go groupage with anything left over.

No idea on the costings but certainly something that you could discuss with the shippers, I guess it would depend on if you are likely to only be going a little over, or way over the 20' mark.

Ian