Shipping your precious belongings

andy · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:34 am Post subject: Shipping your precious belongings

I am suprised this subject has not come up before. I took a long time deciding who to use when shipping my things. I found that forums like this one didnt seem to say much on the subject.
It is a really big choice and I recommend you dont make it lightly.
I myself had a really bad experience and am hugely out of pocket despite paying for 'piece of mind insurance'. From my experience, dont be fooled into thinking that the nice people that come to give you the estimate actually care. As soon as they arrive they pack things like glass picture frames all in a box with no padding. Then they take anything that cost you alot or means alot to you and throw that in a box too. When you get to the other end its all smashed and dented and your CD rom doesnt work. Thats where the piece of mind kicks in right? NO they are adamant that it was all like it when you left and thay are entitled to pay you out £4.97 for a tool that cost you £150.

Please be carefull. It would be nice if other people could recommend or not as the case may be so that all the soon to be migrants on this forum can be given an insight.

bigshotla · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 17 Nov 2003 Posts: 16

Oooh, great subject. I'd also love to know how much it costs to ship a household.

I know when we moved from Canada to the US, we went with a very big, reputable moving company. I've never heard a good moving story. They all seem to be nightmares. If someone has a good one, love to hear it.

karltsmith · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:26 pm Post subject:

Good thread Andy,

I am using Crown Relocations....expensive but I am assured good....time will tell. I recommend that anyone with a digital camera or video records the condition of each object with a date on the photo/video showing that days paper and date so there can be no argument later. As part of their service Crown will a) pack and note the condition of objects as they are packed b)will store goods for one month free of charge before shipping to allow you a head start if needed and c) will unpack and position items at the other end or store them. I am actually arranging to supervise the packing either personally or by having a member of my family present when the container is loaded. Since they or their agents are the only ones to have handled the goods during that time they must be responsible.......shouldn't they. Naive maybe but what choice have you got!

Recommend we all give feed back on the good and especially the bad companies!

dan-ish · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:46 pm Post subject: Shipping

A slight tangent, and more of a question than an answer.

Everyone seems intent on shipping all their belongings 12,000 miles away to NZ. Is this because they all have significant emotional value, they cost a lot of money etc? Confused

I have always thought that when I go to NZ I will sell as much of my stuff as I can and buy new stuff when I get there. Obviously, you are not going to get much for you old furniture, but it can be put towards new stuff in NZ (which is a bit cheaper). And the money you would save on not shipping stuff can go towards it too. This would of course negate all the worries about computers, breakables, getting broken.

There will be some items that can't be parted with, but they can be sent on a share of a container if necessary.

Just an opinion and it is probably because I have very little furniture/belongings to speak of at the moment...?
Confused

What are your thoughts?

karltsmith · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2003 2:30 am Post subject:

Hi Dan-ish 'me ole brummie mate',

What you say is true if you have relatively little however once your belongings go over about 12 cubic meters on a groupage shipment it costs just as much as a full container. Guide price for 20' FCl to NZ £3200-£3700.00 excluding insurance.

For a family of four like us a full container is the best option. You have to weigh up the replacement costs of things and indeed some things you will just not get in NZ!

The choices are also limited particularly where furniture is concerned!

Check out some of the prices of things by visiting altavista.com or go to the warehouse http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/ or farmers http://www.farmers.co.nz/info/ .

Another tip is to travel out via America e.g via LAX. This way you get a stonking 60 kg baggage allowance per passenger (in two pieces of luggage).

For us that means we can in theory take nearly 1/4 tonne by air. Problem is how do you physically get it all through the arrival gate on your own while your wife looks after the 2 year old twins?

CAN ANYONE LEND ME A HAND????????? I'll buy you a jug of Lion Red!!!

Clink

Robert · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2003 5:11 am Post subject: Shipping Costs

Hi

I got three quotes, from £2400 to £2800. All exclude insurance. This is for a 20' sole use container from Bolton. (approx 1000cu Ft)

Insurance is negotioable - usually it costs 3% of the shipment but it can go lower (I paid 2.5%)

I am packing all the boxes myself as I am sure that things will be less likely to be damaged. I also know what is in each box (exactly) described in a way I understand. I am sure customs will see it differently but...

For insurance, this means I am only covered if my consignment is lost entirely (ie the ship sinks) BUT - the whole lot is covered by my home insurance (for loss, theft, accidental damage) until it gets onto the ship as long as I use BAR approved shippers, even if I pack it all myself. It would cost me £800 more to have the lot packed for me and one has to wonder how likely it is that that much worth of my goods will actually get damaged. fingers crossed

Still, I have never valued objects so much. Perhaps your opinion would be at odds regarding value!

One more note - most shippers want all the money in advance of booking your place on the ship so have the cash to hand.

Rob