BethandAndrew

Tempted to get an Air Freight quote now
Beth x x

Wheeler-Jones

My all - just want to put my two cents worth in as I WORK at Pickfords and can put to rest some of your fears (I hope).

Thanks to ianhutch and kirstyp for the above comments - I would like to add that Pickfords is a member of the BAR (British Association of Removals) and that the same applies to anyone currently with a shipment on the go. I would also like to stress not to discount them as a removal company, especially to Australia/NZ as our rates are really competitive here - we use Allied Pickfords in Australia and they are currently completely unaffected by the Pickfords UK cashflow issue.

Please continue to support Pickfords. Please also remember that what you often hear in the media is not actually the full picture. Pickfords being such a recognised brand name will likely be snapped up and continue trading.

This type of thing happens all the time in business - ownership changes and usually the public is none the wiser - banks are owned by other banks, small companies are absorbed into bigger companys...Coca-cola owns your favourite brand of water! I have a feeling one of the other moving companies has leaking some of the dodgier sounding details to the press in the hope that people will panic and cancel and then book with them! You can obviously see in the past 6 pages this has happened and one guy has cancelled his move at a additional cost.

So I hope this post of mine alleviates concerns of a few - you could always spin this and use to your advantage and try and get a discount for the 'fear' factor.

I am an international move co-ordinator and I will be shipping my OWN effects in about 10 weeks when I too move to Australia - would I really ship my stuff with them if I thought it was going to be a problem??

billywhiz007

Ive been reading through the threads, Ive been in the Removal industry for over 25 yeards, and an Agent for Pickfords,

yes they are in a short term trouble, but so is the majority of the UK removal industry,

other Companys are very happy Pickfords are in the mire ! believe, not all that glitters is gold ! some very large profile companys are in very much the same position !


Just be careful who use ! and dont think because they have a glossy magazine they are going to be any better than one who does not !

KingGussie

wow that seems a pretty big statement Billy.

I hope there a no lawyers on this thread.

Good luck to all I know i am comfortable in my choice.

OLIVERPAUL

Hi Beth, no need to be a minefield. We have used Britannia Movers International a couple of times. They have offices all over the UK and tel. no. 08456006661 will connect you to their nearest branch.

They are members of BAR, the leading trade association and your move will be fully protected to ensure delivery, no matter what happens. Their staff were very helpfull, friendly and efficient.

They appointed 'Simon' as our Move Manager and he made the whole process really simple and stress free and gave us regular progress reports. We were recommended by a friend to use them and have no regrets.

Their HQ email is www.britannia-movers.co.uk

Good luck.

BethandAndrew

Thanks for all the replies
The way I feel about using Pickfords is simple........I wouldn't put my money into a bank which may be in trouble, so I wouldn't use a shipping company which may be in trouble either. Commen sense really.
Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh to any Pickfords employees......it's just my opinion at the moment.
Beth x x

Wheeler-Jones

Hi Beth - no offense taken and I understand your point.

The UK removals industry as a whole has been seriously affected by the down turn in the housing industry and we are not the only company to be suffering - we are just the first to have it out in the open and as a big name it's big news - smaller companies will be having much worse trouble with cash flow, but you probably wouldn't hear about it.

Everyone has there preference with moving companies and one that has an amazing experience can be followed by someone that has a bad experience.

I just hope that ianhutch doesn't have a bad move with John Mason after changing it as that would be Murphy Laws if it was me.

Good luck to all. Off to look for a new job now (kidding!)

BethandAndrew

ROTFLMAO
Glad you still have a good sense of humour.........you may need it
I do believe that all shipping companies are being affected with the housing industry, just bloody typical that the shippers we were going to use hit the headlines first!!!
Thanks to Theresa for emailing me John Mason's phone number
It's 020 8667 1133 for anyone who needs it.
Beth x x

billywhiz007

Well I hope there are ! like I said I own a very large Removal Company. very well known in our specialist operations.

Now Pickfords have been very honest in putting their hands up to a Global problem, up to recently they were our best payers, on time by BACS,

The Trade Association British Association of Removals, the majority of good Movers are members of the trade association, ( I am ) but believe it counts for nothing if they go bust,

There is a Bond that can protect Customers, but read into the small print, go on look ! Not worth a carrot is it ?

Make your own minds up John Mason is a very Good Company, but I probably know more about them than you !!!!!!!

Who do you think is behind the bad press for Pickfords ?????????

Simple way for your own peace of mind is, pay by Credit Card,

Simple !

Happy Moves

Billywhiz

BethandAndrew

We have paid all of our credit cards off so only have our bank debit cards to use, or we could write a cheque, so we won't have that as protection.
So thanks for making me feel even bloody worse than I already do!!!!
Beth

billywhiz007

Im not out to make you feel bad ! believe me pickfords owe me more money than you ever will believe !

im just a bit miffed by some in this thread who are making Pickfords out to be a bad Company, There are Movers out there who are in as bad or worse ! I know, because Im in the trade !

good Luck with your move, I dont personally believe that the private customer will suffer, trade suppliers like myself will probably get hit, Ive got a few Pickfords jobs en route with my company, do I deliver them ?

what do you think ?

Billywhiz

BethandAndrew

Sorry, we're all effected really aren't we?!!!
It's hard to know what to do for the best right now.......hope things work out for you though,
Beth x x

bubblegum_babe

Seeing as you are in the business I thought you'd be the best person to ask...

If I sent my shipment over from the UK to Oz and while at sea the company I used went bust what would happen to my shipment of goods? and what action could/should we take?

Wheeler-Jones

Hi Billywhiz - iin answer to your question - if they are my customers please deliver

Thanks for your comments though - from comments I have seen in this forum in the past you can do alot worse than Pickfords - and even though I am leaving to move overseas soon, don't want to see anything bad happen to this company just because people panic.

As you said in another post and something I have mentioned to, the reports in the press most likely came from a competitor with a little info that thought they would win a bit of business from us, this being tough times and an even tougher time of year for moving companies.

Anyhoo - I am sure next week this will have blown over and people will be told what is ACTUALLY happening.

mr mover

My daughter is lmports co-ordinator for Allied pickfords here in Adelaide, the overseas Sirva cash problem has no effect on AP here in Adelaide, and is not likely to Ap are doing very well here due to the fact they have the huge Bhp -Biliton contract....................mm