Should it stay or should it go?
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Donny to Dunners
Posts: 206
Should it stay or should it go?
Hi, Can anyone tell me their experiences on what to bring to Australia in the furniture/garden department. I have seen some lovely garden furniture for sale in UK that would be fantastic for outdoor living (in Perth). Would I be better off buying here and shipping it with my other belongings or buying new stuff there? Also, I've heard that the customs can be a bit harsh when the belongings arrive, whats the guideline on cleanliness and a bit of rust here and there on lawnmowers/bikes/trampolines etc? Any info is good info!
Thanks,
Gary.
Thanks,
Gary.
Last edited by gaz1277; Apr 17th 2010 at 9:32 am. Reason: spelling of title!
#2
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
Rust isn't too much of a problem, clean off what you can and spray with WD40. They are far more concerned with organic materials - soil, grass, etc. All that has to be cleaned thoroughly. If you're getting a container and have room for the outdoor furniture then feel free to bring it but be aware that unless you're sending your container a month or so before you leave then you will have a month or so here in unfurnished accommodation. It's generally a good idea to buy outdoor furniture to use indoors before your stuff arrives and then move it outside when your inside stuff turns up but it's entirely up to you.
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 2,237
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
It might depend on where you're planning to live in Perth. If it's near the coast, rust is a big problem and can quickly set in, even if something is powder-coated. We've even got some rusting inside our 3 year old house, on the window lintels. Even a few suburbs in from the coast, the climate here is pretty harsh - very hot and dry for 4 months, hot to mild for 4 months, and heavy rain for about 4 months (if we're lucky), roughly speaking. We bought marine-grade teak stuff 3 years ago, choosing to let it naturally weather to a grey, although some of it is still golden. It should last a lifetime. A lot of outdoors furniture here might look good and cost a fortune, but it's only covered by a 12 month warranty, I think, and just not worth it.
As MP says, you can survive with outdoor furniture indoors for a while. As we are in a partly-finished house, we use camping chairs inside, as well as the odd Ikea chair here or there.
As MP says, you can survive with outdoor furniture indoors for a while. As we are in a partly-finished house, we use camping chairs inside, as well as the odd Ikea chair here or there.
#4
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 173
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
^ completely opposite to my experience. Living within view of the ocean, never had a problem with rust; nothing seems to rust as the climate is so dry - that's my theory!
#5
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Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 2,237
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
How far away are you from the ocean or dunes? We have big problems here and our house faces due west.
#6
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 173
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
I didn't want to make it sound as if our house is sitting right on top of the dunes next to the beach, we are maybe a kilometer away from the ocean, we get salt on the windows but rust has not been a problem so far. Mind you, if we were living right next to the beach I probably would accept a bit of rust if that's the price to pay ;-)
#7
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
My advice would be to sell everything, if your like me you have proberbly acquired lots of junk you hardly use and dont need.
Its best to come over with just two suitcases and get rid of everything else, thats what I did, it feels great to be rid of all that weight!
Its best to come over with just two suitcases and get rid of everything else, thats what I did, it feels great to be rid of all that weight!
#8
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Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 2,237
Re: Should it stay or should it go?
I didn't want to make it sound as if our house is sitting right on top of the dunes next to the beach, we are maybe a kilometer away from the ocean, we get salt on the windows but rust has not been a problem so far. Mind you, if we were living right next to the beach I probably would accept a bit of rust if that's the price to pay ;-)