I see I misread the instructions for the satisfactory movers poll, and had voted for Other, thinking I would be then be given a choice of specifying good or bad. I've rectified that by voting for Other in the unsatisfactory poll .

Member ABCDiamond - http://britishexpats.com/forum/member.php?u=18491 has just posted a link from the Unsatisfactory poll to this one, so for completeness here are links to both polls:

Poll: Satisfactory Movers?

Poll: Unsatisfactory Movers

Further to my relative's disappointing experience, it seems the UK company did hand-over to another UK company which then handed off to a freight forwarding agent in the destination country. This agent insists he was not told of any unpacking to be done, and was only going to deliver the boxes themselves.

This has still to be resolved, but meanwhile I've thought of some principles that I should have advised my relative to follow before instructing the movers.

1. retain 20-30% of the agreed price until removal is satisfactorily completed
2. get written (not verbal) confirmation of who final moving agent will be
3. get written agreement that time is allowed to check the inventory
4. test the mover's contact numbers work at night, weekends, public holidays
5. refuse moving-out or moving-in dates that preceed a holiday

[=I should have advised my relative to follow before instructing the movers.

1. retain 20-30% of the agreed price until removal is satisfactorily completed
2. get written (not verbal) confirmation of who final moving agent will be
3. get written agreement that time is allowed to check the inventory
4. test the mover's contact numbers work at night, weekends, public holidays
5. refuse moving-out or moving-in dates that preceed a holiday

[/QUOTE]
Good luck .............................. mm

I used http://www.shipit.co.uk/ aka 1st Move international.

I think they were well priced and charged per m3 (or part of) and shrink wrap your gear to a pallet (I shipped about 3m3 so good for ppl who arent shipping a whole house of furniture)

I packed myself, they picked it up for me and did some additional wrapping and dismantling of a table etc which was good of them). My stuff arrived on the day they said it would. I was contacted 2-3 days beforehand like they said i would be. I had to chase them a couple of times but no big deal, ie they give you a rebate on buying boxes which I had to chase them for the money, but the deposited it into my account as soon as I mentioned it.

I sorted the delivery myself here in Brisbane, a company next door to them did it for $65! Well cheap!

Let me add, there is a bit of work to do this side, and extra costs too, such as landing fee's custom fee's. I think it was about $400 and the delivery cost.

I wonder what ppl pay for the Brisbane delivery costs if they get the all in package. I think I did well for all in GBP1100 from Edinburgh to Brisbane door to door inc. insurance.

My only wish was I shopped around on ins. I paid 3% which was about GBP300 and it doesnt cover much as I packed my owb stuff (therefore only covered for loss) I hear you can get it for 1.5% so its worth checking.

Used PSS - 11 weeks from London to Canberra. 63 boxes/packages of various sizes - nothing damaged.

They used Chess Hanleys in Oz to ship our stuff to Canberra and apart from having to tell the guys at this end it was agreed our bed, sofabed and dining table would be re-assembled (which they did once it was explained), the whole thing went without a hitch. They unpacked what we asked - would have been a nightmare to unpack everything in one go. Some of our packages were marked 'Q' for quarantine and were inspected - these were wood and shoes.

Our worst fears were realised when they told us delivery was due on the same day as our baby - but she didn't pop out for another 5 days. Did need a bit of chasing up on this end, partly due to us being anxious to get set up before the baby.

Overall: Good - but ship arrived Sydney 7th Oct, stuff arrived Canberra 27th. Some out of their control due to customs/quarantine.

Recommend? Yes.

Big.

Overall: Good - but ship arrived Sydney 7th Oct, stuff arrived Canberra 27th. Some out of their control due to customs/quarantine.

Recommend? Yes.

Big.[/QUOTE]
99.9 percent out of there control, if you know customs@Q like i do....... .mm

And this one is just as interesting.

Found the post very helpful

Stacey xx