Taylors4

Well we are using John Mason's they use Wridgeways in Perth and we have just had a bill from Wridgeways for $606, for the quarantine inspection! It's more than I expected and the containers not arriving till end July, we are in groupage as we had just shy of a 20ft, think it was something like 780 cubic feet/meteres can't remember exactly! So god knows how much more they will be wanting when they have inspected it all! Seems we are now at their mercy!

So happy to hear that, they are coming to me on Tuesday - I'm so not ready ........ but sure I will be come Tuesday. Good luck

A word of warning - before you part with ANY money to a shipping company who is unknown to PIO and not 'tried and tested', please please, just do a few checks on the company. Some of these sites look so professional and both myself and other members have had their fingers well and truly burnt, causing no end of heartache and problems. Do your own research, check out scamadvisor.com‎ it doesn't take much to check they are actually at the address they say they are, are they listed in the phone directory etc. I am so normally suspicious, but with so much to do and so little time, and wanting to believe you have got a great price is a recipe for disaster, just saying, be careful .......

Whats the crack on Health Insurance, the more I read the more confused I get. We are coming on a 489 temporary visa, so its a legal requirement that we have it. Read so many threads that its not worth having, or when you do have it you end up paying a fortune anyway, and as far as dental work goes, unless you have a really good cover you will have to pay most of the bill anyway. So far, as a family we are really lucky healthwise and have no issues (as yet), kids have very straight teeth, so won't need braces! What to do, do we get it anyway, or just pay as we go as and when we need to see the doctor/dentist? ​All advice welcome .....

Hi can't seem to PM you, please could you PM me back really need to know who it is, thanks

As there is no name and shame policy, don't think it will affect anyone else as it seems there website and the company no longer exists. There is another thread running from yesterday regarding this same company, which incidentally wasn't me under a different name!

For the record, in my thread I asked a question, "Is this too good to be true" yes it seems it is ..............

No not really, just going to box up gradually and do an inventory of what's in them. Had a google of You tube on packing up a container so it gives you a good idea, but as far as the big stuff is concerned think it will just be how it goes on the day really, have a pecking order of what we want to take, so we will just see if it all fits. Will be armed with lots of packing materials to help protect stuff, but if anyone has any pointers, assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Memmymooch, I e-mailed them and Andy rang me back, but I also left a few messages. Don't think you'll find any reviews are they are a freight forwarder, not a removals company, which is why its cheaper - it will be a no frills service. I asked about ratchet straps and they said they provided them, they are a webbing which secures around the boxes/furniture to stop them moving around. I've booked them, as doing it myself if the only way my stuff is going to get there as really cannot afford the whole pack and ship thing. I would have sold all my stuff and taken a movecube before getting in a removals firm. Would have loved to be able to afford it though!! I'm luck though that at both ends I've got access to a few strong men who are willing to help. Its a big thing, and who knows how its going to go, but I will keep my experiences posted. We are booking for end of May, I'm going to pay with my credit card, just in case there are any problems, at least it gives a bit of protection. Hope this helps.

Well after much debating, I've decided to take the plunge, I've accepted DFD's quote and the shipment will go end of May I'll keep you all informed of how we get on! ​Jamsey Clan, when are you booking for?

Kev, have you booked them? I'm just waiting on an insurance quote from BJP Insurance - I'll post on here if they will cover it - Insure your move don't cover self pack if you use a freight forwarder. Just spoken to Letton Percival, they will cover the shipment, lovely chap, 1.3% of shipment plus insurance tax. Don't cover breakages but will cover for missing items. They also don't cover for mildew but if say there is a leakage into the container they will cover the damage caused by it. Hope this helps.

We are debating the same, but think we will, we got a quote from Iron Chief, you will see him on the forum. He generally tells you if its worth it, but also check out Redbook.au (I think) and autotrader.au, you will get a guide from that. We have been quoted between £4,500 - £5K - expensive, but cars are expensive there too.

Yes Paul, we are - you guessed right, think you've hit the nail on the head there its on a much smaller scale, everywhere in the world has good and bad areas diversity in nations etc, I'm not expecting Utopia and yes you could be right, it may not be for us - but time will tell.

Yep, you're right I shouldn't of. Like anywhere every place has its good and bad. Obviously the OP has visited many times and probably knows the better areas to go to. It is a bit of a culture shock though for visitors to the area. I'm not actually talking so much about the ethnic diversity, but how unkempt and unclean/scruffy some of the areas are, grafitti and litter everywhere.

Because that's my first hand experience - that's why! I love the UK, it has some outstandingly beautiful places, this isn't one of them! Central London is fine, suppose it's what you're used to. Like anywhere, some love it - some hate it.

NE London, really? Stayed there this weekend, never again, like being dumped in a 3rd world country - one more reason to leave the UK! Apologies for anyone this offends, but have to say it!

Yep, we were quoted that by John Mason for them to pack for us, where are you shipping to/from?

I've posted the link in post 17, one before yours - let me know how you get on with getting a quote - cheers

www.dfdshipping.co.uk/default.html

Thanks for that good thread, certainly looks doable then, cheers

Yep, I was thinking this too - at the end of the day when you weigh up the cost difference and considering I'm not shipping expensive ornaments or antiques (my most expensive items are my Pampered Chef stoneware lol). If some of it does get broken, fair do's really. I think with this sort of shipping when you see them moving the containers by cranes - there's always a certain element of risk really, also I suppose water ingress/mildew to the container would be the other biggie, but if we insured against everything in life, we wouldn't have money left for the finer things in life, suppose its how much risk you are prepared to take really.

DFD Shipping and they will leave the container for the day!!

Ok, so I have to say I find the shipping costs extortionate, so are looking at self pack - as I prefer to go through everything a room at a time and decide what I'm taking as I go. I will mark and number every box and create my inventory of items. I've just googled a few freight forwarders and had a quote from a company and can't quite believe the quote, it seems too cheap at £2120.00 GBP Inc Documents handling, THC’s (customs brokerage) I'm assuming this is customs clearance. So obviously I will have to arrange my own insurance. They will deliver the container and let us have it for the day (assuming it will still be on the truck) to pack. I asked the company if this was a door to door quote from Cheshire to Mandurah WA, and yes they confirmed that it is, they have also said it will take 28 days on the sea (I thought it was more like 6-8 weeks) and will take 5/7 days to clear customs. It will then be delivered for us to unpack ourselves. Is it me or does all this seem too good to be true? Must admit I'm tempted, anyone got any thoughts???

Congratulations and well done, worth the wait or what!!!! I read your post yesterday and felt for you, you can now go and have a fab holiday planning your next step - so glad you got there in the end woop woop!

Thanks to all who have responded, it really does help - thanks again