What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: england
Posts: 181
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
We are planning to take all white goods except fridge/freezer - should I bring them too? I think I read somewhere the Oz ones are better made for the heat - is that true?
#33
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,600
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
My collection of vintage porn . . . went a bit 'mildewwy' on the boat!
#34
An Australian Citizen !!
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Terrigal - NSW Central Coast since June 2005
Posts: 1,237
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Bring your fridge/freezer - you'll only need to change the plug. If you find you want another one here, for whatever reason, you'll be able to use the old one as the bar fridge and Christmas and/or party "overflow" stowed in your garage/shed etc!
As for other electrical "heavy" goods - bring them all - some you will want to keep and others you probably won't but at least you'll save some money that way.
Garden tools etc - give them all a good clean and bring those also - why pay for new when they are perfectly serviceable. That goes for the lawnmower and strimmer (called whipper snipper here ) also. You can always replace the lawnmower if you find the electric Black and Decker one is not up to the job of ploughing through the Australian version of grass !
Winter clothes and bedding - depends where you are going of course - but some layers are needed in most of the states during June - August. We do get a winter especially as most houses are very good sheds with roofs ie not a lot of insulation.
As another poster has said - things like Christmas decs, stationery etc - why throw them away and have to buy new just because you are coming out here.
Can't think of 'owt else.
Good luck
Jim
#35
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: South Australia - previously SHeffield, UK
Posts: 277
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
The kids outdoor toys, slides etc. We came for an outdoor lifestyle and only brought indoor toys with us.......
#36
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Bring everything you own and i would not advise on using Pickfords :curse:
#37
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
lerato
#39
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Does depend on the TV though. Most newer ones will work, a lot of older ones won't.
We are selling our TV before we go even though it will work as I'd prefer to get a new one, new warranty etc once in Oz.
We are selling our TV before we go even though it will work as I'd prefer to get a new one, new warranty etc once in Oz.
#40
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
This sounds a really daft idea, but if you use plastic storage boxes (i.e. the kind used for underbed storage), pack them too. They're good quality and very cheap in the UK. They cost 4 - 6 times as much here, and the quality is very poor, half the times the lids don't close properly etc. Also, bring decent clothes hangers, they're not so great over here.
And bring a decent suit for interviews, it's hard to find good quality suits that don't cost the earth.
Apart from that I'd say you get good quality kitchen utensils, bedding, etc, in Oz, but replacing your main furniture e.g. suites, tables, beds etc is way more expensive here than you'll expect, especially if you're living in Sydney.
The only thing I really regret leaving was 3/4 of my book collection, sob...
And bring a decent suit for interviews, it's hard to find good quality suits that don't cost the earth.
Apart from that I'd say you get good quality kitchen utensils, bedding, etc, in Oz, but replacing your main furniture e.g. suites, tables, beds etc is way more expensive here than you'll expect, especially if you're living in Sydney.
The only thing I really regret leaving was 3/4 of my book collection, sob...
#41
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Pickfords advised us not to bring anything that had been outside and you expect the people who are the removal specialists to know what they are talking about.
With hindsite we should have ignored Pickfords and pressure washed everything to death with jeyes fluid or an equivilant stinking heavy duty disinfectant so they woud know we'd done it. And put smaller things in the dishwasher until sparkling clean. Instead we gave all outside stuff away to family.
Pickfords also did not send our container when they were supposed to as it was supposed to reach Aus same time as us. Luckily we rang up when we thought it was half way across the sea to find out it hadn't even left Darlington so we were going to be in Aus before it.
Last Pickfords moan, we put a Cross Trainer intact into the Pickfords truck for the container and it came out the other end in 10 seperate boxes. Luckily we are OK with mechanical things so managed to get it together or could have been a total disaster.
We brought our fridge freezer and it's worked fine here for 3 years. We didn't get Container insurance and have heard of people who had loads of hassle when they did try to claim. We had one old TV with a slight chip out of it's flat leg and no other major damage.
They let our wood dinning table and chairs through plus a large Welsh dresser and some other smaller wood things with out a peep but other people get pulled on them so like it's been said before there is no rhyme or reason to what's let through and what's not.
With hindsite we should have ignored Pickfords and pressure washed everything to death with jeyes fluid or an equivilant stinking heavy duty disinfectant so they woud know we'd done it. And put smaller things in the dishwasher until sparkling clean. Instead we gave all outside stuff away to family.
Pickfords also did not send our container when they were supposed to as it was supposed to reach Aus same time as us. Luckily we rang up when we thought it was half way across the sea to find out it hadn't even left Darlington so we were going to be in Aus before it.
Last Pickfords moan, we put a Cross Trainer intact into the Pickfords truck for the container and it came out the other end in 10 seperate boxes. Luckily we are OK with mechanical things so managed to get it together or could have been a total disaster.
We brought our fridge freezer and it's worked fine here for 3 years. We didn't get Container insurance and have heard of people who had loads of hassle when they did try to claim. We had one old TV with a slight chip out of it's flat leg and no other major damage.
They let our wood dinning table and chairs through plus a large Welsh dresser and some other smaller wood things with out a peep but other people get pulled on them so like it's been said before there is no rhyme or reason to what's let through and what's not.
Makes sense ! I'm sure at the time it was very logical, it's all so bulky I guess.
Wish I'd started this thread BEFORE I gave half the stuff I own to charity shops... Never mind! What happened with Pickfords? I'm just starting to look at shippers and air-freight now but there seems to be mixed opinions. Also, it seems quite expensive b/c I'm up in the North East near Newcastle, couldn't find any local ones and they're all in London area. It seems to be that part of the journey that is adding quite a bit onto the cost of shipping.
lerato
Wish I'd started this thread BEFORE I gave half the stuff I own to charity shops... Never mind! What happened with Pickfords? I'm just starting to look at shippers and air-freight now but there seems to be mixed opinions. Also, it seems quite expensive b/c I'm up in the North East near Newcastle, couldn't find any local ones and they're all in London area. It seems to be that part of the journey that is adding quite a bit onto the cost of shipping.
lerato
#42
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Makes sense ! I'm sure at the time it was very logical, it's all so bulky I guess.
Wish I'd started this thread BEFORE I gave half the stuff I own to charity shops... Never mind! What happened with Pickfords? I'm just starting to look at shippers and air-freight now but there seems to be mixed opinions. Also, it seems quite expensive b/c I'm up in the North East near Newcastle, couldn't find any local ones and they're all in London area. It seems to be that part of the journey that is adding quite a bit onto the cost of shipping.
lerato
Wish I'd started this thread BEFORE I gave half the stuff I own to charity shops... Never mind! What happened with Pickfords? I'm just starting to look at shippers and air-freight now but there seems to be mixed opinions. Also, it seems quite expensive b/c I'm up in the North East near Newcastle, couldn't find any local ones and they're all in London area. It seems to be that part of the journey that is adding quite a bit onto the cost of shipping.
lerato
We had 2 containers 40ft and a 20 ft the 5 days in chorley it took to pack were slow to say the least they started off on the first day wrapping everything in paper and placing everything in boxes and numbering them 1-375 which was fine until they were opened in australia boxes 1- 60 were ok but boxes after that when we were not watching the packers were just thrown in boxes and 1 sheet of paper covering them.
We paid for wardrobe boxes and found suits screwed up in normal boxes.
Mirrors and pictures with no packing on the vunerable corners.
A 15 k marble table broke in all the corners that was heartbreaking for my wife.
My snap on tool box had been on its side and all the tools in side were just shoveled into a cardboard box.
i could go on for ever the list was endless.
Now came the nightmare insurance.
We did not skimp on the insurance but we not pickfords had to get our own valuations on the damaged items they were not intrested in Brisbane we had to deal with the uk.
All in all the valuations came to $17000 for repair or replacement Pickfords offered $4200 we paid more than that in insurance premium lol.
After loads of emails and phone calls we setteled on 12k but to be honest we were just glad to draw a line under it.
The Pickfords office here in Brisbane are a complete waste of space they never return calls ever!!! and they just refer you back to the uk saying its not our problem its like 2 seperate companys.
Also i took pictures of the boxes when opened and the state they were in and sent these to pickfords along with the name of the packer because he puts his name on the inventory so theres a record.
I complained to them loads of times on the phone and emails but never got any response or appologie.
Think twice about Pickfords.
Also as a tip i spent a full week end cleaning garden tools and lawnmower but the still sprayed them here at the port at a cost of $600 even though they were spotless.
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Ayrshire, Norfolk , Sunshine Coast
Posts: 131
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Bring what you can, as for goods bring them all, as they are much cheaper in the uk than here. Ie a basic small freezer with lid on top will cost you about $ 350 - $ 450 here, in the uk under £ 100! The way to get round the plugs is simple......... Prior to leaving the Uk, purchase some eextension leads, then all you have to do is change the one plug on that.
As for books, I would agree with previous comments bring them all with you if you can. In a nut shell if you have room in your container use it and fill it with as much as you can. We were also told by Pickfords about garden furniture, tools and outdoor toys and took them at their word and didn't risk bringing them over. As yet I have yet to come across one person who has been charged by the customs for soil contamination......
Pickfords - The guys who did our packing were first class and we had no problems with them. As for this side, just lets say the Brisbane office leaves allot be desired. We had paid for our container to be delivered to Brisbane and because we changed our mind and chose to come up the Sunshine Coast. Pickfords then wanted more money to deliver the container, another $ 100 , which I paid as they had us over a barrell. After paying up they then stated that they only delivered one day a week to the coast and therefore I would have to wait....... So all in all not good!
As for books, I would agree with previous comments bring them all with you if you can. In a nut shell if you have room in your container use it and fill it with as much as you can. We were also told by Pickfords about garden furniture, tools and outdoor toys and took them at their word and didn't risk bringing them over. As yet I have yet to come across one person who has been charged by the customs for soil contamination......
Pickfords - The guys who did our packing were first class and we had no problems with them. As for this side, just lets say the Brisbane office leaves allot be desired. We had paid for our container to be delivered to Brisbane and because we changed our mind and chose to come up the Sunshine Coast. Pickfords then wanted more money to deliver the container, another $ 100 , which I paid as they had us over a barrell. After paying up they then stated that they only delivered one day a week to the coast and therefore I would have to wait....... So all in all not good!
#44
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Pickfords were do i start
We had 2 containers 40ft and a 20 ft the 5 days in chorley it took to pack were slow to say the least they started off on the first day wrapping everything in paper and placing everything in boxes and numbering them 1-375 which was fine until they were opened in australia boxes 1- 60 were ok but boxes after that when we were not watching the packers were just thrown in boxes and 1 sheet of paper covering them.
We paid for wardrobe boxes and found suits screwed up in normal boxes.
Mirrors and pictures with no packing on the vunerable corners.
A 15 k marble table broke in all the corners that was heartbreaking for my wife.
My snap on tool box had been on its side and all the tools in side were just shoveled into a cardboard box.
i could go on for ever the list was endless.
Now came the nightmare insurance.
We did not skimp on the insurance but we not pickfords had to get our own valuations on the damaged items they were not intrested in Brisbane we had to deal with the uk.
All in all the valuations came to $17000 for repair or replacement Pickfords offered $4200 we paid more than that in insurance premium lol.
After loads of emails and phone calls we setteled on 12k but to be honest we were just glad to draw a line under it.
The Pickfords office here in Brisbane are a complete waste of space they never return calls ever!!! and they just refer you back to the uk saying its not our problem its like 2 seperate companys.
Also i took pictures of the boxes when opened and the state they were in and sent these to pickfords along with the name of the packer because he puts his name on the inventory so theres a record.
I complained to them loads of times on the phone and emails but never got any response or appologie.
Think twice about Pickfords.
Also as a tip i spent a full week end cleaning garden tools and lawnmower but the still sprayed them here at the port at a cost of $600 even though they were spotless.
We had 2 containers 40ft and a 20 ft the 5 days in chorley it took to pack were slow to say the least they started off on the first day wrapping everything in paper and placing everything in boxes and numbering them 1-375 which was fine until they were opened in australia boxes 1- 60 were ok but boxes after that when we were not watching the packers were just thrown in boxes and 1 sheet of paper covering them.
We paid for wardrobe boxes and found suits screwed up in normal boxes.
Mirrors and pictures with no packing on the vunerable corners.
A 15 k marble table broke in all the corners that was heartbreaking for my wife.
My snap on tool box had been on its side and all the tools in side were just shoveled into a cardboard box.
i could go on for ever the list was endless.
Now came the nightmare insurance.
We did not skimp on the insurance but we not pickfords had to get our own valuations on the damaged items they were not intrested in Brisbane we had to deal with the uk.
All in all the valuations came to $17000 for repair or replacement Pickfords offered $4200 we paid more than that in insurance premium lol.
After loads of emails and phone calls we setteled on 12k but to be honest we were just glad to draw a line under it.
The Pickfords office here in Brisbane are a complete waste of space they never return calls ever!!! and they just refer you back to the uk saying its not our problem its like 2 seperate companys.
Also i took pictures of the boxes when opened and the state they were in and sent these to pickfords along with the name of the packer because he puts his name on the inventory so theres a record.
I complained to them loads of times on the phone and emails but never got any response or appologie.
Think twice about Pickfords.
Also as a tip i spent a full week end cleaning garden tools and lawnmower but the still sprayed them here at the port at a cost of $600 even though they were spotless.
#45
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 781
Re: What did you regret taking/leaving behind?
Not true - EVERY TV will work in Australia. It is the tuner part that may not work and you can thus easily get around it but using Foxtel, Austar etc that provides a seperate tuner... thus always take your TV unless you want an excuse to get a new one or your have sold it for a vast amount of money (the latter unlikely).