adjust

Hi

I'm new to this forum but have gleaned a lot of info from it. First of all, thanks to all the members who provide such useful (and funny) advice.

I'm in the process of packing things up here in the UK and am looking to move to Dubai in the next few weeks. I've been getting quotes from some shipping companies but don't know which one to use.

Can anyone who has been through this process please recommend any shippers. I'm looking at shipping @ 400 cu ft of contents and have had quotes varying between £1300 - £2800 for the same amount of storage, based on a door to door shipment. The companies are all BAR registered. Who should I go with? Any recommendations please?

Also, most state that the door to door delivery is upto 1st floor only. Anything above 1st floor will be extra. I'm moving into an apartment on the 16th floor which has 4 large lifts. Why would they want to charge extra for this? Any ideas?

I have searched the forums but can't find many shippers recommended for UK to Dubai shipping.

Thanks in advance for your patience and advice.

Mischief Queen

I used Crown Relo and was really happy with them. Was a toss up between them and Pickfords but I knew someone had almost filled a container with Crown so could pay the cheapest amount and know would still get quickest service... always worth asking them if they have a nearly full shipment - some of them will be daft enough to tell you!

admon

think about it..

then think some more..

if you still don't know, then PM Lionheart, he'll tell you..

mrskpd

We used OSS who partnered with DASA over here in Dubai, no problems at all. One word of advice, who is paying for your shipping? My relocation was supposed to be covered by my company but at the last minute they got my to pay for it on the promise of reimbursement straight after arrival. 5 months later.....still waiting. It's been an expensive exercise. If your company is to pay, try and get them to pay up front

adjust

Thank you Mischief Queen. Have contacted Crown Relo - will let you know how I get on.

mrskpd, unfortunately we're paying the relocation expenses as my OH company wouldn't pay for it which is why I'm trying to get the best deal possible. I'll give OSS a call tomorrow and let you know how I get on.


admon - what can I say?? I must be pretty thick. I'm assuming it's just another way of the shippers squezzing more money out of me, knowing that most of the residences in Dubai are high-rise. I'll PM Lionheart to put my mind at rest.

Mischief Queen

Bit more simple than that dear... more floors to carry stuff up = more expensive!! If all of your stuff will fit in a lift then tell them that and they won't charge extra....

lionheart

No idea why I should know any more than anyone else as I don't work in the shipping or delivery business. Simple logistics seems the obvious explanation for the increased costs.

jmsbond

Hi,

Whatever you do, don't use Excess Baggage Aka Excess International Movers. I had trusted them to ship air and dedicated Sea freight.

They made a complete and utter hash of the packing. Airfreight items arrived damaged and the best part...they used some of my wifes clothing (which had been removed from their original airtight vacum bags) as packing material for other items.

As for the sea freight, we had to have every item re-packed, quality controlled, which pushed the shipping date way out of schedule, customer service agents difficult to deal with, unprofessional and they needed to be chased constantly via phone and email in order to obtain updates.. All in all, an utter dreadful experience. One I would wish anyone to go through.

Please avoid at all costs.

Use Sterling Relocation as two of my colleagues found them to be reliable and very professional.

MonsterP

First of all the Shipper is the one shipping the goods, ie YOU. Then there are Shipping Lines, OOCL, Maersk, UASC, etc; then Freight Forwarders/Logistics companies (like me); but for personal effects the more specialised companies that will pack everything for you are really the one's to use. Pickfords, Santa Fe, Asian Tigers, etc. Get quotes from each so that you can benchmark. They will make a ton of money on the packing, which is how they do make their money, as especially now, the ocean freight itself will only be a few hundred USD at most.
Pack up everything the week you are due to leave, get to Dubai, and your stuff will be ready to deliver when you have found somewhere to live.
You have 11 m3 so it's not too much. I paid usd2500 to move from Bangkok to Shanghai at the end of 2007 with just 6.5m3, so it all depends on what you have to pack. Don't panic, have fun. Look forward to escaping blighty!
;-)

admon

might be an idea if it works out any cheaper as a return..

Meow

I recommend GB Liners for a good door to door service. They pack everythng brlliantly and unpack this end too.

www.gbliners.com

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andrew4

i know Doree bonner do a regular service to Dubai www.doreebonner.co.uk