[Billy]

Hello

I've been invoiced by this company, the NZ agents of Doree Bonner, for this dubious item. This is specifically not the MAF inspection fee, which is something completely different.

Has anyone else been charged for this? I've checked my contract with Doree Bonner, and this is not listed as an exclusion to what has already been paid by me.

Any feedback gratefully received; I've sent an email to Doree.

Cheers

[Smiler]

Billy

I've spent all day dealing with MAF, I can now apply for a job with them I know so little.

How much was the charge? Does it mention a zone or permit?


Who are the agents here for DB?

D

[Billy]

Hello

They have called it a MAF Permit fee, but it is not something that goes to MAF; in their blurb it says it is to cover their (Grace) costs of conforming with MAF requirements.

I read that as being part of their overall service, which of course I've already paid for.

Cheers
Billy

[Moorf]

I would also email / telephone MAF - seems to me there are a few outfits who play on immigrants scant knowledge of MAF's operations and try and get in a few "fees" here and there....

Added: Just read your 2nd post, I'd ask them exactly what is entailed .... out of interest, how much did they charge for pushing paperwork around?

[foolsgold99]

I wouldn't pay it

[Avalon]

Id get Dorree Bonner to sort it out. The companies here make no bones about applying spurious charges and scamming new migrants.

What is so depressing is that it just keeps going on and on.

If DB dont play ball (and they should) - then the same applies as in Smilers other thread on this subject.

All you should be paying for is the MAF inspection fee - which if I understand from when we cam over is a FIXED fee anyway. You should not be paying any other operating costs as that is covered in your original contract.

One way to perhaps think of this - do this company expect you to pay thier Phone Bill? Any other costs they incur in the operation of thier business? Bear in mind - they already have a cut of your money which Dorree Bonner paid them to subcontract. If they want more - they need to take that up with DB, or get better negotiators - not scam you for it! (Ranting again - sorry :mad: )

[Smiler]

Billy
Don't pay. We had to pay $1400 and were held to ransom by NZVL. They had our stuff we needed it. Promised copies of Invoices etc and now refuse to.

If you haven't paid, don't until you get a satisfactory explanation. Do you have the name of your MAF officer? If so you can mail him at MAF separating their names with a dot.

D

[Billy]

Thanks for all these speedy replies.

I will post the response I get from DB; I dont intend speaking with the Grace people, as my contract is with DB.

The fee is $131.56 plus GST; a suspicious amount.......

[Smiler]

Whats the betting they will call it disbursements? That old chestnut. ;)


D

[moosee]

Hi I'm new to this site and we are in the process of getting quotes and Doree Bonner r due out soon and would like to know if you managed to resolve this matter regarding the MAF Fee and also whether you would recc them as a shipping company. :confused:

all recc welcome also.

many thanks to you all we have found lots of useful info here.

CHEERS !!!!

:cheers

[Billy]

I emailed Doree Bonner, and they said they would pay it.

Our shipment is due tomorrow, so we're getting excited after an 11 week wait (delays due to Christmas).

The packers left a mess in the house - packing materials etc. I didn't see it myself but our house-sitter was none too pleased.

I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.

Cheers

[Avalon]

Moosee,

Do a search on forums like this for MAf Fees. Theres a lot of info to take in, but most importantly you NEED to know which company is going to be handling things on the NZ end of the move.

No matter what the UK companies will tell you - its the NZ companies who are going to crap all over you. You need to know which to avaoid.

NZ Van Lines - not with 2 barge poles stuck together
The Moving Company
Probabaly Grace International from what Billy is saying.

Any contract - read carefully any paragraphs about Maf Fess and extra charges. Make sure you KNOW what this means. Id probably go so far as to highlight any such terms and sign it - so that everyone knows that you are aware of no extra fees other than MAF INSPECTION FEES.

Even bettter - get a contract written that says you will pay maf directly on reciept of MAFs own invoice made out to you.

Whatever you choose to do - Get Educated on this - its the best defence against being scammed.

[Nienke]

Unfortunately I'm stuck with the moving company, so I'll make use of your tips Avalon, thanks!

[Avalon]

Neinke,

Good luck - and if you experience ANY problems (or even if you dont for that matter) could you post on here about them? It all helps - good and bad - for those who still have to make the decision.

Hugs

[Nienke]

I will Avalon!
I did mention all the complaints I read here to the Dutch moving company we will use, and the owner was really suprised to hear about it. He said that he had never had any problems with the Moving Company, that he knew the owners of the Moving Company personally and would 'put his hand in the fire' (Dutch expression..) for them.
Maybe I will make him keep his word on that one, depending on what our experience will be in NZ.... :laugh

[moosee]

Thanks Avalon for your reply and great advice.
it seems everything we do regarding our move has got a minefield attached to it. I think by the time I get to NZ my mind will be so befuddled i'll need to be sectioned. :confused: :raebanana

Also unsure of where we will end up at the mo but starting with Auckland where Moose(Martin) has poss job Offer, Next Is the Bay Of Plenty, Then our final choice is near Upper Hutt where there is another poss job offer. Anything on these locations would be fab.

We are hoping to be out in June'06 but just waiting to see if we can sell the house, now that's another issue again.

Cheers all for a great site.

Anna ;)

[Billy]

Our shipment arrived yesterday. The Grace guys were very good, friendly and efficient. We're not staying in this house too long so most things will stay boxed.

There were 3 pairs of boxes given the same number by Doree, very confusing. Everything seems to be present, but they shipped things we told them not to, and we had other things that could have come but for lack of space.

A couple of things were broken, no big deal, I'm sure the insurance will cover that.

Overall, I dont think I'd recommend Doree Bonner, for us they didn't live up to their much-lauded ISO9001 and all their other certifications. On the other hand, their quote was the cheapest of the bigger companies.

The MAF chap was here today, no problems. He said he'd yet to have any real problems with people from the UK, he reckons we're all well advised about what to expect.

Cheers

[moosee]

Thanks Billy for the info it's much appreciated and i hope things go well for you from now on.

:nice1

Cheers

Anna