To pack or not to pack.......This is the question

wilson182

Is (or has) anyone else considered packing their own personal stuff for shipping.

Arguments for and against anyone?

Nice One

Raeven · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:10 am Post subject:

Hi, wilson,

We're doing a combination of both our own packing and letting the packers pack things. My reasoning: I'm probably better and more efficient at packing non-breakable things (towels, linens, CDs, books, junk) and can take my own time to prepare an inventory, which will help everyone enormously both during and after the shipping process. My scheme is to number the boxes, then prepare a spreadsheet itemizing in detail the contents of each box. This way, only the shippers and hubby and I know the contents of each box, which hopefully will discourage any "sticky fingers" along the way. I also plan to line each box with plastic garbage bags, to minimize water damage and protect packed items from any desanitizing that might occur -- not that I expect it, but I've heard horror stories!

The minus side to packing your own stuff is that the shipping company will not insure it. But most of these items are -- to me -- either irreplaceable or not of sufficient worth to spend funds insuring. I can live with any minimal damage.

For breakables, we have arranged for the packers to do all that. They do it all the time and are likely better at it than I am. I will be typing my detailed inventory as they pack each box (don't I sound like the Moving Lady from Hell??). Everything breakable will then at least be minimally insured. I'm still trying to decide if I will take out additional insurance, but leaning against it. Most of our furniture items are either inexpensive, reclaimed from the junk heap or irreplaceable family heirlooms. No way we could replace the stuff if we wanted to.

I also plan to separate items into different rooms: One room for things we are personally taking with us, so they are not to go on the container; one room for items we are not taking, so they are not to go on the container; and one room for things we are taking on the container but MAF will want to have a look for sure, so load these onto the container last, please.

Then all items will be loaded onto the container for shipping.

Hopefully this is what you meant when you asked; otherwise, I've just wasted your time to read through all this!!!

Good luck with your move!!

All the best, Rae

Tanya · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 6:04 pm Post subject:

Rae

As the ship does through hot and cold climates, won't lining the boxes with plastic cause them to "sweat" and ruin what you are trying to protect??

It's a question not a statement - just wondering???

Tanya

wilson182 · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks Rae

Thats exactly what I meant, and I picked up some handy hints on the way. Nice One

Raeven · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject:

Hi, Tanya,

I agree, it's a very valid point, and I am going to look into packing some kind of absorbing agent (like those little moisture absorbers that come in pill bottles sometimes) to pack into the boxes as well. I think they sell them here at Home Depot.. if not, I'll check with the packers before I get too far into this caper!! I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks for raising a legitimate concern.

Probably the best thing to do is to warn the shipper to not try and bring you some crap container. One friend shared that she and her husband had to insist the packer send back the first container their shipper provided as it had, as I recall, over 14 leaky spots in it. The shipper willingly complied, but it delayed my friend's moving plans for several days -- gave them fits in rescheduling their own plans for flying over. I've heard also to make sure the packer knows you want an insulated container. Helps a lot with the huge temperature swings.

I'll post more tips on this stuff as I go through the process, as I hope you and wilson both will do as well!

Glad there was some useful stuff here for you, wilson!

Rae

N&S · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:37 pm Post subject:

Hi Rae

We've been informed by our packers that they require 3 copies of any inventory. For customs and their processing purposes.

Just a thought for you if you are writing your own. Obviously you can just photocopy it.

Sadie

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

Hi Rae,

I think I'll follow your lead and pack the personal items myself. Like you say, there are things that are not worth anything much in monay but are worth a lot on memories, and I'd rather pack them myself and be sure I've done the best possible to protect them.

I'd almost been persuaded by the men who come to quote, that I should leave it all to them, but I wasn't comfortable with it, so this has helped me decide what I'd be happiest doing.

Thanks for the helpful tip.

Flomsk (aka Dianne)

N&S · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:19 pm Post subject:

Hi

Well. I am right in the middle of packing. The packers are coming on Monday, shortly followed by the men in white coats, who are coming to take me away.

I think i'm losing the plot. It is a lot harder that I thought it would be to decide what's staying/going.

We've essentially go 3 piles.

1. Faith - definately coming
2. Hope - we'd like to bring if we have enough room
3. Charity - to the Charity Shop you go.

Oh and a Skip, Skip, Skip to my Lou - which is everything for the skip (it keeps my 3 year old amused!!!!!

We're sorting everything and the packers are packing it all up for us.

I'd better get back to it.

Sadie

michelle · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:29 pm Post subject:

I'm going down the "let them pack it" route. They provide all the materials that are going to protect the contents best. Moisture is a real problem because of the temperature changes etc and our shippers are providing all the stuff to try and prevent mould etc.

I did mention that I might try the vacuum pack trick with towels beding etc but they said dont because a very small amount of moisture in the plastic could cause mould.

We have managed to get insurance that protects against internal damage to electrical stuff as have heard this can be a real problem. We paid 3% for all risks cover but not covering everything as some stuff just isn't worth it.

I would have thought that anything you pack yourself would be excluded from an insurance claim.

Another consideration is how long it would take to pack, for us it would involve extra days that we just dont have at the moment as we are both working up until we go. It undoubtedly saves you money but you could potentially loose that saving if things get broken, you have to hire vans, buy appropriate packing material take time off work.

Rae you made some good points, like the one room of don't touch stuff and asking for inspection stuff to be packed last.

Michelle

Raeven · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:29 pm Post subject:

Hi, Dianne,

Glad you found some wheat in all that chaff!! (Why are my posts always so gassy??) It's a secondary consideration, but packing your own things might save a few nickels, too. Or shillings, as the case may be!

Sadie, I feel your pain!! Packing up is always nightmarish.. no matter how organized you are, you keep running across bits that defy reason and logic -- you know you should throw them away, but oh dear, you've had it such a long time, and.. and... and... where's that wine??

Has anyone else noticed it's never the menfolk who post on these threads? When my DH came over from Australia, he arrived with 2 suitcases and a box. He had fully divested himself of nearly 50 years' worth of debris. How do they do that???

Yours in puzzlement, Rae

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 1:33 am Post subject:

My packers are coming on Monday as well and they are packing everything, not that there is much anyway only 3 cubic metres estimated. As you say it is an absolute nightmare trying to decide what to keep and what goes to charity, what to sell and what to dump.

My nephew came and took loads of stuff as he's just finished Uni and is setting up home with a friend - perfect, I've been to the dump 3 times, to the charity shop 3 times and I've still got stuff to get rid of. Nutcase

It's not as if I haven't done this before having lived in Hong Kong for 2 years and Saudi for 4 years, but this time I'm finding it very hard, as hopefully we are going for good this time. I am going to be strict with myself in NZ and not hoard anything ever again!!!! Famous last words.

Raeven

Just thought you should know that we got rid of shillings back in 1971 - we're pounds and pence people now.

Sometimes wonder how we managed to add up in the old pounds, shillings and pence way

wilson182 · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 4:55 am Post subject:

BJ · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 5:21 am Post subject:

Hi All

I'm a man and as such would like to ask you all a couple of questions you might find a bit silly. We have only just started to apply for PR.

1..Can you tell me how long doe's it take for your container to get to NZ?
2..Where are you going to stay when you arrive, ie B&B or rental ect? and for how long before you buy.

Thanks All
BJ

michelle · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 5:31 am Post subject:

Hi Wilson

I am over cautious because the one time I'm not is when something happens.

I suppose it all depends what sort of stuff you are taking if its lots of mechanical stuff, the mechanical derangement insurance is good. There was a post on here talking about a TV that looked perfect but was wrecked inside.

The other thing with insurance is the excess its about £100 so some stuff isn't worth insuring unless its a total loss claim, at least thats my way of seeing it.

Make sure you get some of the packing that protects against moisture, not sure if normal bubble wrap will do this.

Work out exactly how much you are saving and weigh that up against the value of your stuff.

Not sure if the above waffle helps

Michelle