[Sarah & Alex]

As most of you will have experienced (or about to experience) the hell of transporting your household goods to the otherside of the world.

I thought a poll to distinugish the Good from the Bad and the Ugly, might help those of us still trying to narrow down our chooses for the best removal company to use.

Please can you add to the poll if you can recommend a good company to use. Any other comments of good / bad companies are welcome!!.

[Caroline and Dave]

Not sure why this didn't get much responce but we found out something that might be of interest re Crown Relocation.
They (As far as I am aware) are the only firm who have their own fleet in New Zealand. All the others use agents such as NZ Van Lines who they have no control over.We have spoken to several people who have shipped their goods over from the UK and of those who had problems they were happy with the UK end but not with the NZ end.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Pickfords have their own NZ teams, but unless you are a multi-billionnaire then you probably won't be using them if the quote we got from them is anything to go by compared to others.

[Sam B]

We're using Lanes of Cornwall, who are affiliated to Brittania Removals. They have been v good so far, very professional.

[Marie P]

Hi we used GB Liners [not BG Liners as in the poll :roll ] ,the guys were great at both ends ,nothing damaged or broken .

Our GB liners were based in Altringcham ,Cheshire.

Marie x

[zardell]

I have to admit that we found both Crown and Pickfords quotes way too expensive too.

We brought over a 20' container for £3,120 with Robinsons who use Conroys Removals at this end.

Both Crown and Pickfords quotes were around the £4,000 - £4,500....:(

Julie

xx

[Pip]

I completely echo Dave and Carolines comments. We were very happy with John Mason, and all our goods were really well packed, but dealing with the Moving Co at this end was a complete nightmare. In hindsight, I would not necessarily go for the cheaper quotes, as by the time I'd added in all the spurious bills for moving co's time in assisting in MAF inspections etc and the stress factor, people like Crown start to look more reasonable!


That said, I know lots of people had no problems..think we were a bit unlucky with the whole moving process!

[gil]

We used John Mason, very good and no problems. Also used The Moving Company. They were brilliant and in fact, so good that we ahve just used them again to move all our stuff from the rental to our own home.
Gil

[diforsyth]

We used Whites to get our container from Jersey to Auckland via the UK. It was then passed to Moving Co who could not have been better.

I'm a firm beleiver in "you get what you pay for". We paid a middle of the road quote and at both ends we had people who seemed happy in their jobs and took pride in what they did - I take that to mean they receive a fair wage and are content with their employers.

If the money is not there to share around then it's the staff at the bottom of the ladder that suffer which is in turn passed on to the customer:( .

David.

[nippa&pippa]

Same as Pip, John Mason is great in UK side, but Moving Co is rubbish. Maybe it is only Christchurch's branch (Pip and I had Christchurch's Moving Co) is the problem unless did anyone find Moving Co in other areas is bad too?

[Brijan]

Ticked other
We used Brittania, no problems, the men that packed us up were great

[beano_bill]

the hell of transporting your household goods to the otherside of the world

Please can you add to the poll if you can recommend a good company to use. Any other comments of good / bad companies are welcome!!.

I would love to tell you all about the joy we're having at the moment with our removal co., but I don't want to tempt fate :no

Its fun :( .......lets leave it at that for the moment

Boxless Beano

[vixxann]

Just bumping this thread up to see if we can get some more opinions????
I'm going to get quotes from a few but would like to hear any comments on various companies.

[Sarah Edburton]

Hello,

We've just had three quotes from Britannia, John Masons and GB Liners. Two have said that there is no way our stuff will fit in a 20ft container whilst the other said it shouldn't be a problem. I'm worried about which to use. I have to say we don't have any massive furniture eg no wardrobes, only 2 small sofas, no fridge but we do have a lot of books and CDs.

The 2 companies concerned said that an average 3 bedroom house with 2 kids (ie us) would nearly always need a 40ft container - is this everyone's experience as most of the people on this forum only seem to have used a 40ft container if they are taking a car or other heavy equipment/machinery?

Thanks for your help:yes

[peebles16]

Hi Sarah
Again haven't done this yet as we are still to move but our quotes have all been for 20ft containers and we're pretty much same as you two adults and two kids based on stuff we have this seemed fine. We had some friends who went out a couple of years ago with a lot more furniture than we have and the still managed in 20ft container - scam for more cash??:confused:

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi
I disagree with what 2 of the companies are saying. Please say which 2 as it would be interesting. The average 3 bedroom house will fit in a 20ft container. It sounds like they are trying to get more money out of you. We have 2 x 3bedroom houses plus a garage and we are having a 40 ft container no problems so it sounds a bit odd to me what you are saying. A couple more quotes are the best option


Dave and Caroline

[IanW99]

We also used a 20' container for 3 bed house without any problems.

You would need a lot of books to fill a 20' container :laugh

Ian

[Belmont Babes]

also quoted 20' container for 3 bedroom house by whites and crown so far. Awaiting mason's next week. You sure must have a lot of books and cds or they sure want to make a fast buck?!

[stejude]

We had 3 that said a 20 ft container, and then the most recent has said a shared 40ft as we dont have enough for a 20 ft of our own. We travel light!!!

[jackie m]

We had a 20ft container 3 bed house,2 adults 2 children & boy we had a lot, hubby had his double snap on tool cabinet & a motorbike !. The guys at pss said it was better packed tightly & boy was it packed tightly so there is less movement when on the ship. So like the others say I would question the need for a 40ft one.
Jackie

[jubjub]

The 2 companies concerned said that an average 3 bedroom house with 2 kids (ie us) would nearly always need a 40ft container - is this everyone's experience as most of the people on this forum only seem to have used a 40ft container if they are taking a car or other heavy equipment/machinery?


We had a 4 bed house and it fitted into a 20ft container. We had about 200 cds and probably double that in books. two couches, two big beds, dining furniture, washing machine, fridge freezer, very big desk (and thats just the big bits of furniture, there was loads of small peices too). All the furniture that could come apart, was taken apart and flatpacked to make it all fit. I would think its unlikely that you really need a 40ft...

[Familyofmonkeys]

Same as Pip, John Mason is great in UK side, but Moving Co is rubbish. Maybe it is only Christchurch's branch (Pip and I had Christchurch's Moving Co) is the problem unless did anyone find Moving Co in other areas is bad too?

We also found moving co were rubbish in Auckland, but John Masons were really great.

We had a large 4 bed house and needed a 40ft container....far too many books and toys. We also had a lot of bookcases as well as the usual beds, sofas etc.

[Sarah Edburton]

Thanks for all your replies - really helpful. At least it gives me something to use to go back to the two companies and ask them what's so unusual about our house although I'm thinking it might be the 800 CDs we have and at least as many books!

The two companies who said a 40ft container was required were John Masons and GB Liners.

Thanks again

Sarah

[Caroline and Dave]

After having several companies around we have chosen our movers, And that is Crown. They were not the cheapest but they were also not the dearest.
Pickfords get that honour and I have to say for what they charge they are a shambles. It has taken 2 months to get the quote from them after their rep called and I have sent several emails chasing them up and phone calls only to be told my move coordinator no longer works for Pickfords and that is why our quote did not get sent. And that is before they get the job. Heavens knows what they would be like if we gave them the Job.I would say that first impressions are the most important.
We decided on Crown as they were the most thorough. were the only firm that will arrange with our local council for a waiver to park the container outside our house. All the others said we would have to do it.And they assure me that this price is the price we will pay and no added extras. None of the others would guarantee this. The only extra cost we may have is if MAF insist on sending something for cleaning but is very unlikely.
And the other good thing about Crown is their offices are in Albany.

Dave and Caroline

[Carey]

Had 4 quotes; 2 companies, Pickfords and another local one called Weston and Edwards have said we need a 40ft container adn have give high quotes. 2 others, Britannia and Pss said could manage a 20ft but then would have to apy extra for left over stuff. Huge variations in cubic foot estimates of our stuff...how can it be so different. Brtannia guy very scathing of PSS who sub-contract, use un-trained staff etc etc. Wasnot impressed with Pickfords guy or local guy; other 2 reasonable. Got to get the job first before makng any decisions!

[peebles16]

Hey folks
It's between Anglo Pacific and Allied Movers for us - any opinions?? Anglo Pacific seem cheaper but not so well organised whereas Allied Movers seemed very efficient but quite expensive
Thanks
Karen

[Woolfie]

We have just had PSS today to review and we are awaiting the quote. I feel i need 3 quotes but are unsure who to contact as i dont want quotes from movers who arn't interested and will waste our time. Has anyone got experience of PSS? So far the estimator semed very reasonable/competant.

kind regards

Woolfie

[Gemini]

We used Excess International at the UK end and they were fine, seemed efficient and turned up and did packing without any problems. We have the Moving Company (Wellington branch) this end and I'm not so pleased so far. Our goods were collected in the UK 21st September, they finally arrived in NZ 4th December and Maf want to inspect our two vacuum cleaners. The whole lot is being held up until the inspection on 11th December. The Moving Company insist our goods can't be inspected at our home, they say they aren't exactly sure of the inspection date for us to attend there. I rang Maf direct who say they have us booked in for 11th and they quote $50 inspection fee, $70 travel fee, the moving company have invoiced us for $184.50 and still don't know when they can deliver our things.