elizabethsmum

Hi All,

I have received 2 quotes for shipping a few items to the USA from the UK we are not moving furniture we are moving a tote 25kg full of photo albums, and pretty much all my children's childhood things (school reports, pictures, baby books) to everyone else not worth a penny to us priceless

We are also sending over a 3 foot dvd case its really unusual so we have decided to take it with us.

We are sending my sons X Box and also suitcase with summer clothes and a few bigger pictures that didn't fit in the tote.

OK so the companies we have received quotes from is PSS International Removals, this quote is by air and then I have been given a quote from Excess Baggage Company they have given me a air and sea quote.

I just want to know 1. what is the most reliable. 2. Has anyone had experience on either of these companies. 3. I am told that the invoice will come once they have the goods back at the warehouse I am just worried I will be told 1 fee and then as soon as its with them the fee will double! and the last question is I have been told that once the goods get to the USA there is yet another fee that needs to be paid and an agent will contact us once the shipment is in the USA to pay.

Like I said the most important piece is the tote of my children's memories and I really cant have this go missing.


Any help will be greatly appreciated! THANK YOU

kirstyp

There isn't really a difference in reliability in my opinion, air freight is just much quicker so depends on how urgent the arrival is for you vs. the cost difference - if there isn't much in it i'd go air....

You could try typing their name into the search box (orange navigation bar) and you'll probably find some people's previous experiences, or ask the companies for references?

Is your quote based on a fixed volume? Have they been and surveyed? or is it based on the volume they collect? If they have seen it and its fixed then there is no reason for extra charges unless you add to the shipment or they aren't aware of access issues that might mean the price they provided didn't allow for it. If they haven't given a fixed price then there is a risk of the fee changing.

What was the fee? If it's a customs inspection fee then this is normal (as they don't know whether your shipment will be pulled yet or if it is what the costs are)....

Hope that helps?

Welshy_Pete

Very hard to say what the best way is to send everything. The only thing nothing 100% there all ways a risk that's the problem.

Pollyana

I've used Excess Baggage Co to Australia by air freight three or four times, always had good service, stuff turned up fine, including breakable items. Obviously every company has its off days, but they do get recommended a fair bit in the Aus forum.

scrubbedexpat099

Might be time to digitize the photos, avoid the issue.

Childhood things tend to be left in a box and finally at some point chucked. Is there somewhere they can be left until you reach that point?

Bob

There's a wiki thread on the various parcel services....would have thought a pallet and shrink wrap option would be the cheapest option.