Pickfords
 

Hi all, we have finally booked the shippers:thumbsup: Pickfords are coming 14th, 15th and 16th Sept, we would like to know how from those who have used Pickfords how long it actually took. I know they quote between 8-10 weeks but does it get there sooner sometimes? We will probably be going about 8th October which will mean quite a wait for our gear (far too old to be sleeping on the floor :rofl:) The problem may be that my parents are coming over mid November and I'm a teensy bit worried we won't have any furniture:unsure: We don't really want them to delay their arrival as it will mean them staying for most of the Christmas school holidays (its a long story!!!) Hope someone can help, Bevissa :thumbsup:

Re: Pickfords
 

We're using Pickfords at the moment. Once packed up etc, we were told by Pickfords the name of the boat our container is on and the date it is due into Wellington, and we should have access to it a few days after arrival. You should be able to do the same. We have been able to track our ship although it is currently 'out of range':eek:

Re: Pickfords
 

WE used Pickfords, packed up end of March and container arrived NZ end of May - then took about two weeks til we got it. Big MAF form to fill in so make sure you bring your packing list with you so you can tell them which boxes might have stuff which needs inspecting in it, camping stuff, xmas decs, alcohol, shells and such things. Also be aware that they are very strict on the distance - we were a few km over the free distance to deliver and they charged us about an extra $200. But the guys who delivered were really great and quick - 3 days to pack up in UK about an afternoon to unpack here.

Re: Pickfords
 

We know we'll be a few kilometres outside the free zone i.e. we're going to Paraparaumu or Waikanae. We told Pickfords and they were fine. They have put in writing that they will deliver to either place even though it's outside their official limit.

Re: Pickfords
 

We used Pickfords and were told our stuff would be around 8 weeks or so, in fact after 8 weeks we discovered it hadn't left the UK. They told us that it was unusually late because of Christmas (like they didn't know that was coming!!) But we were sharing a container so that probably delayed things. However, in the end it took just over 4 months for our stuff to arrive. We also had family coming over and ended up having to buy beds and mattresses for them to sleep on. We then sold them all again on Trade Me when our stuff turned up.

Re: Pickfords
 

Arghhhhhh....

Re: Pickfords
 

but I'm sure our experience was just unlucky!

If you do get caught out though, Trade Me and garage sales are the way to get through it!

Re: Pickfords
 

Hoorah!

Our Pickfords container has now reached Thailand - which is great relief after being 'out of range' for 2 weeks:thumbsup::thumbsup:

It's great being able to track it, and we know it's got past Somalia!!!

Re: Pickfords
 

Hi,

Pickford's packed us last wed and thurs, we were told it would be on the ship on Monday......must add, the packers were fantastic, very polite and thorough. We were a tad nervous as we had bought lots more things than when they originaly did the inventory.......we weren't charged any extra !! allthough not too sure whether the office new any different ;)


How did you manage to track your container ? this wasn't mentioned to us....or is it somewhere in the small print that I havent' read :)

Re: Pickfords
 

One of the packers mentioned that it usually tells him on his documentation which ship it's on, but it our case it didn't. We just phoned the office the following day and they found out via their head office. It took a couple of calls to our contact in the Milton Keynes office (Suzanne) to remind her to find out from head office. We've also now received an official letter from them (via email) with the name of the ship and the date of it's arrival in Wellington and the Wellington office contact names.

We then just typed in the name of the ship into google and hey presto we can track it:thumbsup: http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...html?call=DNDD

Re: Pickfords
 

Is it on time or too early to say? Bevissa

Re: Pickfords
 

I assume it's on time, but I'm not entirely sure. Pickfords have told us that the boat is due into Wellington on 25th September (we were packed up on 3-5th August), so if it's near Thailand now I assume that's about right. We shall find out in due course....

Re: Pickfords
 

We are undecided on pickfords or crown, pretty much same price, any words you can offer to sway us to pickfords?? I am almost sure of pickfords now, was going to be crown a few weeks ago, however, guy called again 2nite from pickfords and has done some sweet talking agin, lol............. Descisions eh??

tina. x

Re: Pickfords
 

Hello Tina

I will answer for Anniiee she is my OH.
We asked for quotes from Pickfords, PSS and Crown.
PSS came first, the guy was in the house for no more than 20 mins and gave the impression that he just wanted to leave and go home so first impression was not good.
Then came Pickfords, the guy was in the house for over an hour answering all my questions fully.
Crown obviously had too much work on at the time because they did not answer three emails, when I telephoned them they said that somebody would ring me back. I am still waiting.
When the quotes came in they were very close to each other so we went for Pickfords for two reasons.

1 The attitude of the guy who did the quote
2 It is Pickfords in Auckland not another company

We are extremely happy with Pickfords so far. They turned up on time both days two guys on day one three guys on day two. They were very polite and did not stop all day to the extent that my OH has emailed pickfords saying how pleased we were.
At the moment the container was put on the ship last Monday, how good the Auckland leg will be we still have to find out.
I am sure that you will find people who are not happy with Pickfords but to date our experience of them can only be described as excellent

regards

Mark

Re: Pickfords
 

We can't fault Pickfords so far, great packers and good liaison from their office in the UK. They use their own people in NZ, not a 3rd party like PSS.

We also went with Pickfords as they offered us as much as we needed of a 40ft container, not a 20ft one with the rest of our stuff having to go in another container. This service clinched it for us.

Crown were initially £2500 more expensive but were prepared to drop their price when we told them they were out of the running. Crown didn't then follow up their new quote or put it in writing so we went with Pickfords.

Re: Pickfords
 

We had Pickfords in last week to give us a quote and I wasn't impressed at all:

1. The guy arrived late.
2. He wasn't the guy that I was told would be coming and gave no expanation as to why not.
3. The first words out of his mouth were "don't both asking me any questions as I dont do international moves so I wont know any answers"????????
4. Was in the house 20 mins max and couldnt wait to get out of the door pleased as punch as he said he was given a two hour slot for this appointment so could have an early dart!
5. The guy left leaving no literature not even a business card?

I think what makes it worse is that we are returning customers and had a good experience with them previously. Still not heard anything quote wise and to be honest would not be surprised if I didnt even get a response.

Re: Pickfords
 

Hi Tina, much the same regarding the quotes etc. Pickfords promised to price match and they did. Being the same company in NZ was a strong factor also. Will let you know what they were like as they are coming Monday. Help !!! Bevissa :rofl:

Re: Pickfords
 

Have a great last weekend, you will no doubt be fed up of the smell of Jayes fluid by the end of it:thumbdown:

Re: Pickfords
 

thanks for the answers guys, much appreciated. I will decide for definate as it is driving me buts :confused: lol. So many decisions to make all the time.

tina. x

Re: Pickfords
 

Don't talk to me about Jeyes bloody cleaning fluid :frown: I got a rash on my legs where it dripped (I was wearing shorts:o) and my lovely pink rubber gloves got a hole in them so I have one wrinkled orange stained finger-nice:lol: and all I can smell is that stuff!!:rofl: Bevissa

Re: Pickfords
 

I used Pickfords - the Bucks branch from Husbourne Crawley. They were great when my stuff was in the UK, but once I got to NZ & then tried to get my stuff sent on, they really didn't have a clue! Despite telling me which ship my stuff would be on, they couldn't/didn't tell me how to track it. When I did some sleuthing & found out how, I then found that the ship they had said my stuff was on was not infact coming to NZ!!!! After a few freantic phone calls to the UK (more expense) they said that my stuff was going to change ship twice - Singapore & Sydney. The woman I had been dealing with in the UK (the 'overseas' expert at the branch) said she didn't know that this kind of thing happened. She also said she'd never heard of people either wanting to or being able to track their container!!!!! Good grief. The good folk in Auckland were much more helpful, knowledgable & competent. I was beginning to wonder whether I would actually ever see my worldly possessions again.
When my stuff did get to my NZ home, there was damage. I was frankly shocked at how my things had been packed, & was extremely pissed off, as I'd been told that they had to package the stuff otherwise if I did it & there was damage, it wouldn't be covered by insurance. The guys from NZ Pickfords who unpacked were also shocked & commented that it had not been packed properly (eg pictures/mirrors with no protection, lamps/small pictures & clothes chucked - literally - into the same box with no protective wrapping).
So please beware of Pickfords. Watch them like a hawk when they pack your precious stuff. I suppose it does differ from branch to branch though. Perhaps the one I used was just particularly shoddy.:frown: