Nextstep

Quick follow up to my original post. In the end we went with Pickfords (lowest quote). The bookcases were packed as is (ie wrapped in export wrap and not dismantled). Only one (out of around 14, was damaged as was one chest of drawers. Both items were from ikea so no huge loss. Everything else was intact bar one vase. Was pleased that all our items of any value (sentimental and monetary) were intact. They use a huge amount of butchers paper to wrap everything in. No wonder they charge by volume! Transit time was exactly 3 months door to door which was several weeks longer than initially indicated by shipping company but seems this is typical transit time. So glad our "camping" phase is over. Renewed appreciation of own bed and sofa. Good luck to those still in the process.

We have just shipped a 40 foot container with most of our 4 bed household goods (but no white goods or tv as these are so old). Cost us about £7,000 to ship it all (including dismantling and reassembling of beds and a couple bits of furniture). If you want to insure your shipment you have to value the goods at the replacement cost in Australia). To replace everything new would cost about £60,000. Took ages on Internet trying to find replacement values and made us realise just how much it would cost to start again. We wouldn't get much for our stuff if we had to sell it here. Besides how much time and hassle would be involved. If you have a full house of stuff I'd consider taking it and you can then replace stuff as and when. We we are currently "camping" in our house in England but it's amazing his much stuff our friends had squirrelled away in their lift/shed that has been lent to us. Good luck with your move.

We also used Letton Percival. They were helpful and quick to set things up. Less than half the fee quoted by the shipping company. Our goods are in mid shipment now so can't connect further but fingers crossed we won't be needing to claim!

Well the container left on Friday so now we just wait and see what condition it arrives in on the other end! One of the most exhaunting weeks of my life. So glad it's done now.

Our goods were packed last week and the container was loaded on Friday heading from London to Brisbane. We fly out end of December. As properties are let mostly unfurnished in Australia we decided to ship now and have our stuff ready for when we arrive. In the meantime we have borrowed beds, table and chairs, mini sofa, plates and bowls (and even a piano as my daughter has s piano exam at the end of the month) from friends. Kept the TV and white goods as they are ancient and not worth shipping. Much easier to borrow on this end where we know lots of people. And you'll be amazed how much extra stuff everyone has. So we are camping in our house and managing fine.

We have gone with Pickfords. They come in two weeks to pack up the house. Eeeek! Still some much to sort through. Now trying to ascertain value of goods to ship for insurance purposes. Have been talking to Letton Percival which is less than half the price of Pickfords' insurance quote. It's a never ending list of things to do.

Thanks for your replies so far! Much appreciated. Strangely the quotes for shipping flat packed are higher than for shipping as is! We will still need a 40ft either way so if we can get away with not dismantling that would be great. Not yet decided who to go with, but need to make the decision ASAP as we need to ship the stuff by the end of October. Have had two British based quotes (Pickfords and Anglo Pacific) as well as two Australian based quotes (Conroys (who use Robinsons here in UK) and Chess (who use Britannia here)). Interestingly the two Australian based quotes have come in substantially higher than the British based quotes. Currently leaning towards Pickfords.

Hi I've been following the various shipping posts with interest and they've been very useful so far. We are about to ship a 40ft high cube London to Brisbane. We have had 4 quotes and now I need to make a decision. We own a lot of Ikea bookcases (Billy bookcases). Some have quoted on shipping them flat packed while others have said to keep them as is (do not flatten as each time you flatten and reassemble it weakens them). We don't have the time to flatten them and it's another cost to pay for an extra guy to flatten them during packing up process so keeping them intact is appealing. Does anyone have any experience of shipping Ikea bookcases? Will they survive the journey? Would love to hear your feedback. Thanks