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jim4244
7th October 2005, 05:44 AM
Just want to tell you of our experience of the removal firm AngloPacific.

Basically the promise the world, but once you pay it all goes downhill!

We moved out to NZ March 2005 and decided to use AngloPacific after comparing them to 3 other international removal companies. They we not the cheapest, but appeared to offer the best service.

We were told that it would take 3 days to pack the house, including a car, into a 40ft high cube container, which would be dropped outside our house.

The first day went without a hitch, real nice crew, worked really hard all day.

The second day was less productive. 5 guys turned up and spent a great deal of time smoking, joking and on their mobile phones for most of the day. I pulled the foreman to one side and told him to give them a kick up the arse before I did. He told me not to worry as they had everything in hand. He told me that the container would turn up at 10am the next morning and that ithad to be loaded by 2pm. The truck driver would then leave for the port with all our worldly goods on the back.

The third day came. At 9am 2 guys turned up. I asked where the rest were and was told that 5 more guys were on their way. They were due at any time. The container arrived bang on 10am, still no sign of the other 5 guys.

Midday came and I started helping the 2 AngloPacific guys load the container. I phoned their offices and told them the situation. To be honest they sounded as if they didn't give a toss!

At 1pm the 5 guys arrived and promptly announced that they were going to lunch!

Now I spend a great deal of time in the most dangerous areas of the world, so I'm not backwards in coming forwards. I left the entire removal crew in no doubt that the were to do their job! It was costing me £12,000 for AngloPacific and I expected a £12,000 service.

At 2pm the container was not loaded.

At 3pm the container was still being loaded. Found one of the removal guys "Chris" laying on the floor in our sitting room on his mobile to his girlfriend

At 4pm the container was still being loaded. Was told by the foreman that they had forgotten the tools they needed to build the crate around my wife's 1 year old BMW that was coming with us. Had to borrow tools from my neighbours!

At 5pm the truck driver started shouting and swearing at the AngloPacific guys. He was supposed to have left our house 3 hours previously!

Now we were flying from Heathrow that night on the SIA 10pm flight to Auckland. So now time was ticking away and we had a 2 hour drive to the airport.

At this stage I even offered the AngloPacific guys a bonus payment if they pulled their fingers out.

At 5.30pm the removal crew announced that they were ready to load my wife's car. They then drove it up ramps, which damaged the underside of the car and crashed it into the side of the container!

My wife was in tears our 4 children starring in horror and me on the brink of committing murder. Our good friend suggested that now was the time to get into the waiting taxi and go!

part 2 to follow LOL

Glenda
7th October 2005, 08:17 AM
What a nightmare! Trust you got to the airport in time?

There was a thread 18m/2 years ago about someone whose car and furniture arrived in NZ covered in mould, and AP would not pay up. Some forumites (particularly in Oz forums) refer to AP as "Anglo Pathetic". Then again, others have had no problems at all and thoroughly recommend them.

:(

jim4244
7th October 2005, 10:31 PM
Glenda - You have fired me up regarding the crappy sevice offered by AngloPacific!

We arrived at Heathrow and by the time we had checked our luggage the flight was boarding. Flew SIA, a great airline!

Sent an e-mail of complaint to AngloPacific regarding the problems we had experienced, form Singapore.

When we arrived in NZ and I managed to get on line found that I had received a very non commital reply about how they had provided a quality service.

I then managed to get hold of the Managing Directors name and e-mail

He was annoyed that his staff had given out his contact details, but said that he would investigate. A couple of days later he changed his mind and said that he considered the matter closed?

I contacted the British Association of Removers, who in turn contacted AngloPacific. BAR got back to me telling me that Steve Perry was conducting the investigation himself.

When our 2 containers arrived in NZ, the one with my wife's car in had no silicone inside. This made all our belongings smell musty, with mould on some items. Also, additional damage had been caused to her car by packing boxes being placed against the cars body work. 6 weeks on a ship and the boxes had obviously rubbed against the car, removing the paint right down to the metal.

The other container had my car inside, which I had dropped off at the AngloPacific yard in North London. There was a hole in the top of the container which had let water in. There was also a scratch along the near side which went the whole length of the car. Obviously one of the idiots at AngloPacific had squeezed along the gap between car and container, with his belt buckle scraping along the car!

The insurance eventually paid out, but in the long run we were out of pocket!

10 months later we have still not heard from Steve Perry or anyone at Anglo Pacific

My advice to anyone planning an international move is simple - DO NOT USE ANGLOPACIFIC!

Jim

Mr Brillo
9th March 2006, 06:59 AM
Have just had a quote from AP for a 40ft high cube. Just under £9000. This story has totally put me off them. Anyone got suggestions of a good alternative in the midlands??

jo b
9th March 2006, 07:10 AM
Hi Mr Brillo

I used Anglo, 40ft around £7k.

They were fine, although van lines here slashed my settee. I think he had been given a new stanley knife that day.

Jo

Mr Brillo
9th March 2006, 07:17 AM
Hi Jo b
Having read so many posts about good and bad experiences with shippers, just shows that its a bit of a lottery.

Did you haggle with shippers?

We have been quoted 3% insurance - seems a lot to me, but we've got some antiques that I would hate to be unable to replace.

Any other suggestions of other movers in Midlands / Manchester area?

Debbie
9th March 2006, 08:27 AM
We have recieved this last week a quote from Anglopacific

exclusive 40' HC (high cube) to ship household effects not exceeding 1537 cubic feet + my toyota to either Auckland or Wellington

£6440.


We won't be using them because
1) the rep tried to pursuade me that there was an argreement with the shipping compainies that all household containers are stowed in the hull of the ship and not top cargo! Therefore my wine should be OK to ship.
2) when I phoned their office to confirm that the quote was right, (the same price for Auckland or Welli) I was told that it was BUT the price could change right up till the day the container left the port if shipping charges changed. Now I expect a moving firm to put their prices up if shipping prices rise but I thought If I had a quote it would be good for a set period, (say 30 days or 4 weeks) but apparently not.
3) This thread confirms my views on them.



JIm I hope you got an apology and the insurance sorted with AP at least.
Debbie

jo b
9th March 2006, 11:09 AM
Hi Mr brillo

for insurance there is always this company as you don't need to use the shipping companies insurance

http://www.lettonpercival.co.uk/contact.html

We know of 2 other people who have used Anglo and had no problems either. Swings and roundabout with all of them.

Best thing to do is go through the Yellow Pages and get around 4 quotes.

That way you get a feel also barter with them they always come down in price.

Jo

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