smoothhound1

The story about Pickfords, as far as I can see, came from a report in the Times. The report states that Sirva Inc, The parent company that ultimately owns Pickfords and other companies, filed a chapter 11. This story has not been started by another remover as far as I can see. Despite popular belief I believe that most of the other removers, especially the larger concerns, are not gloating about Pickfords current issues. I speak to removers on a fairly regular basis and the subject has come in to conversations over the last few days. I am no expert on this but it would appear that Pickfords have lost quite a few branches over the last couple of years and tried to centralise the operation to cut costs. Branches were being run with no manager on site for the day to day operation. I also understand that they have made large losses year on year over the last few years. No business can continue indefinately if it has money flowing out faster than it is going in.

I can't comment about service levels previously or current as I have never used them to undertake a move for me.

If you are moving around the world you know how many companies are out there trying to get your business. I for one have always been happy to use Britannia. I have always had a professional, knowledgeable and polite person handle my moves. They have good contacts with agents all around the globe and offer very good advise.

I have looked at a statement that has been posted on the Pickfords web site. If I was considering moving with them before this the statement would do nothing to enhance my confidence.

We all have to make choices in life. If I was having to make a choice now as to which company to use it would not begin with P.

Wheeler-Jones

Freaky - I used to work in the coordinating centre in Canada with the Australian Allied Pickfords agents - if she was working there between April 06- April 07 she may remember me - I used to look after their BHP exports from Canada and USA. Didn't really deal with the Adelaide office much.

I am in the process of trying to get work over in the Brisbane office as we speak for when I arrive in June! Small world.

Chanelle

billywhiz007

to be honest I think you are 99% safe, Pickfords would not let your effects be held up, they might have a few issues with a third party carrier like myself though, what that means is Pickfords use quite a few sub contractors, if Pickfords are going bust (and they have not yet !) maybe the subcontractor does not want loose more money.

if you paid on a Credit card great, dont worry,

Billywhiz

billywhiz007

You have knocked the nail very firmly on the head ! well done !

There are firms out there who are out to scare you and make money out of the Pickfords crash, Im not out to name any, but read bewtween the lines, there are firms out there that belong to a huge franchise, why ? because they are stronger as being part of a large group, by themselves, well ?

The BAR and a Credit Card, Not Debit Card is all you need for peace of mind !

by the way, when Northern Rock went belly up a while ago there was another very well known Bank who were in a simular situation, they managed to keep the on things, whose next in the Removal Industry ?

Billywhiz

mr mover

Chanelle , i will send her a copy of this thread...although she has just started with Allied after doing imports and exports with GRACE , her partner is a contractor with AP doing mostly the Adelaide to Roxby Downs run 1500 km round trip............cheers mm

billywhiz007

Just a small addition,

The BAR has written to all members telling us to shut up ! Pickfords are not in trouble ! and by saying so a BAR member can be held in dispute !

So read nothing into all this, The BAR says Pickfords are fine, and that there are other BAR firms out there who are going to be in serious trouble for saying that Pickfords are !

So you know now whom to blame !

Billywhiz

smoothhound1

Billywhiz007 who do you work for? You appear intent on blaming other removers for Pickfords misfortunes when it is clear that the company has been losing a lot of money for the last few years. It would appear, "reading between the lines", that you protest to much? Speaking to contacts within the UK removals industry I understand that this is historically not a busy time of the year? Some companies have more work than others but that is generally down to the skills and professionalism of the management teams, as it is in all business. My contacts are telling me that there are not a lot of removers going out of business but in some cases business is slow, but the general consensus is that it will improve as it always does?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/bus...cle3359910.ece

This link should take anyone who is interested to the story placed on the Times web site. There is no mention of other movers in this report.

If Pickfords companies/branches around the world have contracts with large companies or not if the parent company goes under it will have repurcussions on the business as a whole. Some people appear to think that this is a witch hunt against Pickfords, but a chapter 11 has been filed and that for any business is not a good sign.

I am new to this forum and came on because a colleague thought that this particular discussion would interest me. I have no axe to grind as I am not planning on moving again for a couple of years at least but if I was and I was not already loyal to a particular mover I would want to know as much about the current situation as possible.

Steve Lawson

I think smoothhound1 ought to remember that Britannia is not just one firm, but a kind of co-operative/society set up to compete with Pickfords nearly 20years ago. Britannia is just a franchised name. One of the Britannia franchise companies in Hertfordshire went bust last year, yet this was not on page 1 of The Times.

The housing crisis seems to happen in the UK about every 7-10 years as the money-men manipulate the markets and politicians allow it and encourage it. The fact is that relocators will pay an Estate Agent thousands and begrudge the moving firms fair return on large capital investments for trucks, men, training, materials, etc. And everyone want to move at once (in the summer, at weekends, during school holidays, etc. - so peaks and troughs are difficult to manage for everyone). Movers then often don't have the reseves to ride out a financial storm during a trough in the market. Seems to me that is where the Americans that own Pickfords have driven the firm, but Pickfords will not go bust!

As they are currently experiencing difficulties, my friends in Pickfords tell me that you will get the best price and service available anywhere - jobs are at stake (that always focusses the mind).

If you don't want to trust a mover presently, you can always look at a do it yourself option and pay as you go, without having to lay out deposits for the whole door-to-door job. There is a UK company who specialise in this, and if anyone wants their details, you can just email me. Otherwise, if you've used Pickfords, sleep well - they will be fine!

smoothhound1

Steve Lawson
Not wishing to get into a slanging match with anyone as that serves no purpose but if my information is correct Britannia is not a franchise. I understand that the group is made up of individually owned companies that got together to form Britannia and that those individual companies are shareholders and owners of the group?

My point in the other posts is that the current economic climate is not the route cause of Pckfords problems and to suggest that other removal companies have caused the situation is absurd.

I have no information about the Britannia company in Hertfordshire, as I have had no dealings with them, but would suggest that it was not as large a concern as the Pickfords situation and did not merit a report in the Times?

Steve Lawson

Thanks for your observation Smoothhound1, no hard feelings here.

I think bad reporting by The Times is a consequence only of the need to sell newspapers. I don't blame you for reading into the article irrelevant and untrue assertions. Pickfords are gonna be sold and will be British owned again. At least that is what everyone expects and hopes will take place in the coming days (see the latest reports in The Times)

You may like to appreciate that not only is Pickfords a founding and current member of British Association of Removers; it also has a Financial Guarantee which secures advance payments for customers, just as the collective BAR (including Britannia Movers) also offer.

Shippers and overseas suppliers should not be concerned as in the unlikely event of liquidation, Pickfords bills should be paid by the off shore financial deposit. Many of my friends and former colleagues will lose their jobs, but the shipments will be delivered in accordance with the guarantee which safe-guards the advance payment. That is how it works.

By the way, if you want the details of the Britannia firm that went bust owing money last year, I'll be happy to pass them on - but not in this forum, as it could be seen as opportunism. People wishing to use any BAR member (including Pickfords) should do so with confidence. Good luck with your relocation.

seamus3

That BoS bond WILL NOT rescue your goods from wharfsides or shipping lines if they go bust.

And checkout their IEBSSSC bond in Delaware - doesn't exist..

Steve Lawson

It would be interesting to read the proof upon which you make these assertions Seamus. It is illegal in UK to mis-sell financial products, so I have have every confidence that the financial bond would work out. This is just scaremongering.

posh10

well just found this thread. got pickfords coming to give us a quote on thurs, in to minds now, but also got Robinson's and PSS coming. Going to cancel pickfords i thinka nd call John masons instead.

Cheers all

Seamus3 My boy is called Seamus he's a cheeky 5 yr old lol !!!!

KT8

My understanding is that Britannia are a consortium - a national group of family owned and run removal companies.

I used Britannia Appleyards, based in Rotherham when I moved last year. My mum had used them previously when she moved to France and they were excellent. I did have a quote from Pickfords but there was no comparison to Appleyards. They offered a much more personal and caring service.

Wheeler-Jones

Please don't cancel - it's still business as usual here at Pickfords! We are most likely going to have details about a new buyer in the next few days.

I am personal and caring I work at Pickfords and would've given you great service!!