Our 20ft container arrived on Thursday. Most of our stuff was packed by Crown and taken to storage on 17 December. We drove to the warehouse in leeds (from newcastle) to add a few things on the 4th January. Husband needed some of his records for djing over xmas and new year. He was very anxious about leaving over 1k worth of records and headphones on the floor of the warehouse for Crown to add to our box. The ship left the following week (not sure of date). The ship arrived in Brisbane on the 25th Feb waited until 14 March to get cleared through customs without any problems. The lorry arrived thursday morning and only took a couple of hours to unload. Had a bit of a 'oi - get off my land!' scenario with a neighbour. And the fact that the lads had backed the lorry into the 'private property' sign and bent it, didn't help matters. But it was sorted with a bit of diplomacy (the Crown lad must have had customer service training!). Later we had a bit of a bonding session with the previously irrate neighbour by sympathising with him about what a bunch of bastards the council are. We are going to have to contact Crown about sorting the sign out. It has taken us the best part of 3 days to unpack (not anticipated). Everything has arrived safely - including the bloody records, thank god. Only one breakage - a crack in the glass of a picture frame. A couple of choccy bar wrappers in the packaging - thanks to the uk packers ha ha. But, Crown has been fantastic throughout. Very professional. Kept us updated and informed. Although they were the most expensive option, they have earned the extra money.
Rachel

Hi Rachel,

thank you for your report, you make it all sound so easy!!!!

We had wondered how easy it would be to add to our shipment, did you have any bother with that?

Good Luck with your neighbour, I bet they are really nice people actually, just sussing things out. I was a bit like that when my new neighbours moved in- loads of noise, kids screaming etc but we are really good friends now.

Enjoy your unpacking must be nice to have your things around you again,
Chris

Hi Chris
It was easy! The hard part was waiting for the stuff to arrive and surviving with the bare minimum. One place setting each - had to wash a plate every time you wanted to eat! Renting furniture is expensive, about 450 pounds for 3 beds, 2 sofas, a desk and a washing machine for 5 weeks. Adding to the shipment was really easy. We had to drive down with the stuff, so I suppose it depends how close to the warehouse you live. Apparently people do it all the time. The neighbour is actually a really nice bloke. Wouldn't argue with him though! He's been here for 40 years and is obviously a bit annoyed about the 'new' expensive housing that has sprung up around his property in the last six years. He was using the land as his own until the council sold it to developers. There has been court battles etc. Nevermind, I suppose it is one way to meet the neighbours!
Rachel

Great info thanks, did you gets quotes from any other companies or just Crown. I had Crown out givings us a quote last Thursday and got someone else coming this Thursday. Did you take their insurance, and if so, did you take the optional extras will the mould & milldew cover etc....

WE put up with this sh**t every day, when you get to oz, it wont change.....mm

Got quotes from PSS, someone else can't remember. We took out insurance, but individual stuff because it worked out cheaper. We insured the record collection and few other items including some mould and mildew cover.
Rachel

Not sure what you're getting at?
Rachel

hi there,
glad to hear all your things arrived safely. i have just booked with crown relo. they are coming to pack averything on april 22nd. it is all being shipped to sydney. we leave for oz on may 1st and hope to be in sydney by end of june/early july so hopefully how things will be ready for us when we get there. i dont want to be too long without my things. we r not taking that much and have been quoted £810 for 151 cubic feet. good luck in your new life
cheers

Hi
Any chance of a website for Crown?

http://www.crownrelo.com/web/relo.nsf/index.htm

is there an option for them to unpack and put together stuff that has previously been dismatled ( beds etc) ?

I'd guess at yes, them seem to offer to do everything else for you

Yes, they do. We are using Crown - it cost us approx. 6000 pounds for belongings from a four bedroom house, study and double garage to be sent - that also included 2 months storage and unpacking at the other end. I have to say that Crown have been very flexible with us, changing packing dates at short notice etc. and are now storing our belongings for longer in the UK until we decide where we want to be in Australia - all that took was a phone call

Neighbors driveways land etc, ............ mm

the removalist is required to unpack to bench top, [pbr ctns only], all items dismantled by mover must be re assembled, all removal debris to be removed [paper etc] READ your contract ................ MM