A Spanish Adventure | |
buyer beware - removal pitfalls
12:13, Tuesday 25 May 2010
.. 0 comments
.. Link
I have had to think about an appropriate title and I do not wish to scar monger but just mention our problems.
You never know when curved balls are thrown full belt at you and you have to completely change your plans and what you had organised as far as removals. I have made some threads and feel that you should always try anything but be prepared. Famous last words, We prepared for one situation, all things taken into account, process complete. Change of situation in Spain, throw all our planning up in the air and hoy it to the wind. Got to love the place :D
Where we were taking a container out with all our goods in,that had been sorted for one situation it all changed and we had to find a new place, we searched for somewhere that would take the container but either roads were not suitable for the sort of wagon or the house was not suitable in location or style for our needs so back to square one. Having found a place that fitted our needs it just could not accommodate the container as wires ran along the wall lines but at about 20ft off the ground, we had to accept defeat and change the way of taking our goods out.
Research started :huh:, many companies contacted, quotes taken, situation explained in detail and time scale discussed and finally a company was choosen. read all their bumpf, spoke to them reiterated our situation and was happy with them this is where it becomes buyer beware. I have no doubt that of the millions of people who have moved over the yrs a huge chunk of them had no problems but they are not us or you.
Day arrived, they arrived at said location and our first thoughts were their vans are not big enough, concerns dismissed as no problem. We started helping them load the vans so we could monitor what was going on I started to number boxes, theory what goes on should come off , concerns dismissed as not needed and boxes were loaded, trailer went lower, van went lower and questions were asked by us regarding weight- guess what "yep" concerns dismissed.
I know that when you get older you become a little less on the ball but you do not become down right stupid, you know where things were put when you helped put them there, you know when things go on, when you were the one to move them from the container to the trailer and you know what stuff you own and have packed away or so I thought how wrong was I.
Goods packed, general chit chat to the guys loading it as to what happens now, the van is loaded and is that it. The main man said one thing but according to his partner this conversation never happened and what we did and saw is a figment of our imagination so if you are loading a van always take photographic evidence just in case you have things go missing.
Arrived in Spain, goods arrived or at least most of them did and unloading started. To help the guys out we helped unload the van and strange things had happened, goods that had gone onto the trailer were now on the van, things that were on the back of the van we removed from the front, trays that were put in singularly became tied together but this seems to have been incorrect on our behalf. We are confused and mistaken, things that were put on did not come off, but according to them it did not go on or has been stolen by our neighbour for their barbecue.
The contents of the boxes that are missing according to them is and I quote. "[I]I'm sure you would not like it if I inferred that maybe you just wanted to fabricate an insurance claim., or just confused as to what you had in storage all those months (without an inventory) or that your father's lost the plot"[/I].
We know what major items we packed into what boxes but how many of us know what we use a packaging to secure them, all those odds and ends that we just chuck in as the box is open. Well it seems that you should maybe take photographic evidence of each box prior to sealing it or do not seal it and make sure they look at all the contents before they load it, it seems that it is the only way you can prevent being called a lier. :(
The company according to them has NEVER had this happen before in the 10 yrs of them doing this job so it has nothing to do with them and basically tuff, somewhere, someone has taken our goods and no amount of small print get out can make me feel any better about the losses, it is not the fact that they have gone, it is the fact they they are saying it did not go on in the first place and that they did not do what we could clearly see was done.
So Buyer beware, forget the small print it does not matter anyway if you pack your own boxes as they have the get out clause of you packed it, you lump it, pay them an extra XYZ thousand pounds for them to do it and you may, just may be able to hold them accountable.
Does anything go to plan
06:10, Monday 12 April 2010
.. 0 comments
.. Link
Well it is now April 2010 and still here in happy old Blighty. Nothing seems to go to plan, the move to Spain last year ended abruptly when we were basically guzumped about a week before we moved. Container bought, stuff loaded, geared up for the trek but it all came to an abrupt stop with the news.
But all things happen for a reason and not being deterred from moving we started all over again with looking. We decided to do things differently, we had time to redecorate our house in the UK, decide what we wanted to with the house once finished and took more time to see where we are going.
So nearly 12 months on, a little bit older, a lot wiser and still with the drive and the determination to go for what we want we are on countdown yet again. It took several more trips out to Spain, a total change of area and a reassessment of needs but we have found somewhere. We were looking at the Granada region but have decided on Malaga province, we are still looking at inland but not quite so far inland.
This time we have chosen a small finca so I can have my chickens and livestock, I will still able to work from home and it is closer to the sea for when family visits, so as it goes it all happens for a reason.
So here we are yet another 5 weeks till d-day, container all packed but no way of getting it onto the finca as the power lines run at about 14ft off the ground along the wall and Spain does not seem to have access to a hiab wagons so we are having to send it by removal firm.
Where do the family and friends come from
11:05, Wednesday 1 July 2009
.. 0 comments
.. Link
Have you found that when you mention moving abroad how many family and friends you suddenly get, relatives you have not thought of in years let alone seen, come out of the woodwork and selflessly volunteer to visit you, (like you want visitors 2 days after you have moved, when your up to you hair line in boxes and that stuff you could just not part with). Friends (very loose term) that you avoided at school, who have added you on network sites see you are going and like flies round a fresh pat become best friends and offer their services (once you have moved of course), but never actually commit as to what services they are or how long they intend to stay. So do we sneek out of the UK, telling only people in confidence then making them sign something close to the offical secrets act or do we hold a big party and invite them all, then refuse to wear deordorant hoping that the smell will put off any ungenerous offers of visitors (well ! that is now my choice). At the moment I fancy the party, just so I can torture their sence of smell Back to basics
02:40, Tuesday 30 June 2009
.. 0 comments
.. Link
It is very strange when you decide to move and you start to look at all your belongs, how we go through different stages. I have made the decision to move and now comes the hard the work, parting with our goods (years of clutter really) but ,it is strange how we become attached to our STUFF, we justify keeping it with really silly reasons (the dog might need it when he reaches old age, it belonged to the neighbours grandmother, the fact that they gave it you should say alot, So we start with the easy stuff, leaflets-pizza etc, the things that have gathered in depth and dust on the tables (good start), old paperwork that you always think you should keep (paid bills, bank statements leading back a decade, dog vacinations certificate usually from our pet that passed away years before and all those bits that we keep for the sake of it). Then we go through the kitchen and chuck out odds and ends but keep most of it because it could be worth a fortune on cash in the attic and then the wardrobe gets a quick glance, out go the shoes we have not worn for 20yrs and clothes that even the moths pass over, but again we keep most of it ( as we are moving I will lose that weight and get into that outfit 2 sizes to small so I will keep it Now we have been busy and threw out at least 1 black sack of paperwork, about half a dozen clothes items and that cracked mug that has sat at the back of the cupboard we are feeling decidely pleased with ourselves and think that was easy enough. We next make THE phone calls, having scoured the internet for transport companies that will take our belongings to our destination, we call them up and ask for their advice on what we need to do and finally we get down to the price, having picked our selves off the floor when they give us the quote we realise that we have to rethink what we are taking. The start of the adventure
11:43, Sunday 28 June 2009
.. 0 comments
.. Link
For 20 yrs I have wanted to move abroad but with kids, life and all things in between it has never happened. So 20 yrs on here I am about to start a very Spanish adventure. Last week on a whim I flew out to Spain found where I fancied going and then flew back. In 5 weeks I move, so I am now on count down (talk about setting myself a task). So what your going to read is hopefully the ups and downs of my Spanish adventure, the frustrations with the move, the downs of leaving family and the highs of starting something new. It is never easy making changes but I learned when I ended up divorced that sometimes life throws you a curved ball and it is how you deal with it that can make you stronger or destroy you to your very foundation. The divorce destroyed me but also gave me the confidence to look beyond the we and more at the I. Having now raised 2 children to adulthood, seeing one of them start their own family it is now time for me to do what I have always wanted to do (gee I sound like Shirley Valentime but no Greece). So this is where it all starts and if I can give others the courage to pursue their desires what ever that is then it is worth it. You only live one life and to live what is left with regrets for what you never did makes it questionable.
|
About Me My Profile Archives Friends My Photo Album LinksCategoriesRecent Entriesbuyer beware - removal pitfallsDoes anything go to plan Where do the family and friends come from Back to basics The start of the adventure Friends |
.
) .