Griffangus

Hi All,

I was wondering if I could tap into the collective mind of everyone here (for personal benefit ).

I have several companies coming to give us quotes on the shipping of our possessions from Horsham to Perth later this year (once the house sells ) and I was wondering if any of you who have already been through this have any hints, tips, questions you wish you asked or advice that you wouldn't mind imparting.

We have the following companies coming to quote:

Doree Bonner
AngloPacific
PSS
Crown

Thanks for your time

Dilwyn

mydogbitjesus

pay close attention to what each of their quotes actually covers.
I've found that you pay their fee and then you get to your destination and there's all sorts of devanning, delivery (above second floor etc) and customs charges slapped on top and once your in your new country away from the original shippers there 'aint squat you can do about it.
P.

Mamma Minty

We used Cadogan Tate who were brilliant. The sales guy who came round the house was very nice and answered many questions - especially about our fridge freezer. (Apparently had to find out about type of gas etc) But the packers we had over the two days were amazing !!! Nothing was too much bother for them and they did a fantastic job. Would definitely use them again ....... if we ever moved from paradise !!!

Amazulu

We used PSS (from Woldingham to Perth - not far from you) and they were very good. Arrived on time, took the time they said they would, packed container very well, delivered to us in Perth when they said they would (give or take a few days).

Recommended.

Pollyana

I can only comment on one of them, and can honestly say I would never touch that awfully pathetic company again with a barge pole......

kirstyp

Hi Dilwyn,

Be sure to check your quotes when they arrive to see that all the movers are quoting on the same volume as 1 surveyor might give a slightly different volume to another, so this will affect price. Also check they are offering the same service i.e. transit time, type of service (groupage / exclusive) and what is and more importantly what is NOT included.

Make sure you show them all the same things and point out what ISNT going. Dont forget to include things in the garden, garage or loft.

Try to give as much information as possible about access at destination to avoid any extra costs if there are problems (if you know this already..).

Ask about their quality accreditations, are they members of the BAR Overseas group (offering you a financial guarantee if anything happens to their business) and are they and their Destination Agent a member of the FIDI network (you can check the BAR (www.bar.co.uk) and FIDI (www.fidi.com) websites too).

Also dont forget to ask about insurance and their terms.

Good luck with your move and hope the house sells soon!

Kirsty

Griffangus

Thanks everyone for your input. Very much appreciated!!

Gee I wonder why I put myself through this stress - it was easier when the wife and I moved to the UK from Zimbabwe (a suitcase each and £800)......

Buzzy--Bee

I put this little report together some time ago about my experiences shipping with John Mason -

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=474957

Hope that helps

Buzzy

Safin

find out if the actual men packing know what the person doing the quote does.

We have 3 blokes show up, two of which had never done an overseas/australia move before and had no idea what was allowed to be packed and what wasn't. One never seemed to have packed a box before! I rescued more than one item they were literally throwing into boxes.

Also found their inventory to be P**s poor. They packed all sorts - even from different rooms- into boxes and failed to identify even largish items.

This was Robinsons in the uk

Kingseat

I'd leave Anglo off your list. Loads of people have had problems with them - us included. I wouldn't use them again although the unpackers they employed at this end did a fantastic job!

When they come be VERY clear in your mind about what you are taking and what you are leaving behind.

On packing day if anything is not to be packed then you must put something on it saying so.....we ended up with 1 box in our container with the yellow pages and phone book in it. I was most pissed off as my kettle was therefore in the overspill

The AP pacific boy who was packing my son's bedroom also decided to rip his wall paper off because he thought the winnie the pooh transfers were to go with us to Perth!

Vash the Stampede

It is not uncommon for subcontractors to be "re-badged" by the company which hires them (I have worked for companies which do this). There's nothing wrong with it in principle, but it can be misleading.

petensue

We also used PSS from Littlehampton to Perth and I would recommend them also.Sue.