txbound

thanks chartreuse and dougster, useful to know about the houston factor - i'm headed dallas way so may have the same issue as you chartreuse. the quotes i have got so far are also around the 4-5k mark for a 20ft container but it's hard to get the precise figure until i finally commit (once we sell the house....). also i have seen a few horror stories on the message boards - really hard to know who to trust. i just wish the same sort of economics that seem to be affecting ebay etc affected these shippers the same. why did we pick now to move! tell you what though, i'll not be buying any brand new stuff in dallas based on the amounts i have been getting from ebay from selling my stuff here. had much more joy on gumtree though (www.gumtree.com) - no fees, collection only, no bad experiences so far. still working out how it fits with ebay given that they own gumtree, guess it's that you get reputation points on ebay and not on gumtree.
thanks again
J

muddy mudguard

Well txbound - let me know how you get on.

I myself am moving to Texas, Houston - hopefully at the end of May of this year.

All I'm waiting for now is the actual interview...had medical etc... and am also looking to move some stuff. No items of furniture (well a couple of small pieces) but mostly pictures, mirrors, etc...

If you find a decent movers - please let me know.

PepsiChic

I'll join in on this, not moving to Texas but Missouri, no furniture or large items, just personal belongings like clothes, photos, small items, plus computer. I'll be doing some research if i find anything i'll post back and let you all know!

good luck to everyone with their visas and moving etc x

heres a website thats been mentioned a few times:
http://www.movingscam.com/

and heres two threads from before with some good answers in:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nal+belongings

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=514289

HSHMN

Hi
We had all our move paid for by company - they used John Mason Int Movers in UK and Barrett International Movers over here - (Minnesota)
Fantastic service from both of them, think they do it by weight and size of container.. the UK guy estimated a move we did at around 10k (GBP)- 40ft container - complete packing and unpacking service, taking apart furniture and putting back together etc where requred..
Really good service tho, took 3 weeks from door to door - which they said was exceptionally quick - usually about 6 -8 weeks - but like I said company paid for it!

Ray

Depend a lot on what visa you are coming on...
You may end up not being here that long ..

topcat1972

My fiance used Britannia based up in the North East of England and they were brilliant, they collected it and packed it (only personal possessions) but it was only a door to port service they provided, it was all custom cleared in the US so all his company had to do was arrange for someone from the US side to get it collected from the airport and delivered to his new home

txbound

I spoke with the British Association of Removers who mentioned the following BAR members, all of which are BAR Overseas Members too (for move from London to Texas):

1. Pickfords – 020 7736 2381

2. Robinsons International Removals Ltd – 020 8208 8484

3. Interdean Ltd – 020 8961 4141

4. Anglo Pacific International Plc – 020 8965 1234

5. Team Relocations Ltd – 020 8955 1365

haven't got quotes from them yet - will feed back later
best
J

andrew4

Doree bonner have a regular groupage service to USA . Maybe worth giving them a call. there website is www.doreebonner.co.uk

N1cky

I would say, bring everything. We got rid of so much stuff before we came out, and its taken me ages to replace it.

We got rid of sofas from our conservatory at home, thinking we wouldn't be able to afford to rent a place out here with 2 living areas. Wrong. I then spent 8 months looking at the 80's looking sofas in the furniture stores, or the highly inflated $ 'modern' sofas, before I finally found something I both liked and could afford.

We ended up buying some things out of necessity that I wouldn't have considered buying at home, just because we couldn't wait months to find something we really liked. I was amazed at how old fashioned furniture is out here.

In CA any furniture you give away to charity is tax deductable, so if it fits in your container bring it and give it away here when you have replaced it.

snowbunny

Deductible on your CA income taxes? It is deductible on federal income taxes no matter which state you live in.

N1cky

I couldn't speak for the rest of the USA, so didn't want to give false info.

snowbunny

I've had to file federal taxes here for 25 years so - am certain about the charitable deduction, though it's best to get a receipt for fair market value when you donate, and make sure the charity qualifies.

Rebster

We moved from Reading to the 'burbs of Houston in 2006 and used 1st Move International Ltd. I cannot say enough good things about them!

I packed everything myself (both to save cost and because I have enough experience at packing that I felt confident in my ability! ) The costs were broken down in detail so we had no surprises on the other end (US Customs clearance charges, paperwork, etc) Our total bill for 9.50 cubic metres (3 pallets) came to £2500.

I even watched them load our items on the pallets and shrink-wrap them at our house, so I felt some relief at that. They even handled booking the delivery company in Houston.

Everything arrived safely and without any added charges on this end.

The Horticulturalist

We paid about £4000 6 months ago for a 20ft sole use container from London to Mississippi, the POE was New Orleans. They offered sole use for the same price that others were offering for a shared container.

That was with Dorree Bonner, we had good service both ends.

Harrypottermouse

Interesting looking at some of the information. We're moving from Reading, Berkshire to Ohio or Virgina....not quire sure yet - out on a recci mid/end of April....

Will watch this with interest.

Harry