markb28
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Need to ship some items to Oz from the UK
markb28 replied to Phil & Vikki's topic in Shipping and Removals
I used seven seas for 8 boxes, a musical keyboard and a 50" tv. Took 2.5 months cost 400 quid and 180 customs fee. No complaints. -
We bought a queen bed, dining table 4 chairs, 32" tv and cabinet, fridge and washing machine for $1500 new in Ikea/Good guys/JBHiFi. Snagged a $250 corner sofa on gumtree. Then another say 250/300 for home essentials (bedding/towels/kettles/hoover/utensils). That's the $2k mark. If we had transport I could have bought more 2nd hand and shaved another $700 off that. Our fridge/washing machines (400/220) were among the cheapest and work perfectly fine. I think 4k would be nearer the mark if I shopped at Peter Jones/Myers instead of Big W/Target/Kmart/Reject shop. A dryer/dishwasher was already part of the rental here - nothing else and we've started from scratch. My freight has arrived from London now after 2 months here in Sydney but these were mainly clothes, pots and pans, more bedding and non essentials (PS3, AV amp, my 50" tv that was easier to bring than sell). Mainly you can find big stuff that is comparable to the UK, its the Supermarkets that will kill you, they are a bit crap and very expensive compared to the UK. $8 for a frozen Pizza makes no sense when Dominos sell them for less!
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TBH I can't see any compelling reasons to come to Sydney from what you've said. Cost of living in Germany is low, not so in Sydney so you'd really want a pay rise not a cut moving here. A move here to save your Oz PR - is it really worth it? Perhaps you should both make a real effort to learn German, especially with the fact the weather isn't a compelling factor.
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We have been in Sydney since Saturday 20/10 and have signed our tenancy agreement in Waterloo on a brand new apartment today. This is after about 10 viewings across Sydney. We are a couple, one Aussie one brit with a cat. The cat was the hard part but we managed to secure the property by identifying savings to cover the rent as neither of us is employed yet. One thing we noticed is that the hotter areas and the cheaper rent levels (think Glebe, Newtown etc) will be hard to secure and the inspections will be mobbed by young professionals (there were 30-40 people waiting for one inspection to commence). The fact that our apartment was in a brand new development and there were several apartments available also helped. Make sure you draw up a tenants pack explaining your circumstances including copies of passports, bank statements, via entitlements and professions and be prepared to act quickly and make an offer on the spot. Also the weekday inspection times are normally much quieter than the weekends and acting fast at these inspections would appear to secure the apartment quickly. It would also help as you have no rental history to offer up to 6 months up front. Also in Sydney, be aware its not that quick to travel from appointment to appointment without a car, its quite normal to wait 15+ minutes for connecting cityrail trains and many inspections are 11am - 2pm on Saturdays. Its possible to find a property quickly, but act fast!
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Thanks for the tips, few shops I haven't heard of Sarah. Freight has now gone, as has the cat with petair however I've stocked up on a few items listed here. Aldi is also booming in the UK - massive store and employee expansion is planned. Leaving on Thursday evening via Thailand, after many leaving do's I'm ready to go now!
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Thanks for the input, actually have a few fitted sheets here which are in good nick so will bring them. My OH is female - will pass your tip on looks like it is less than half price for them here. I heard BigPond were good but looks like I won't be able to afford them for a while - I wouldn't need 100mb, get by just fine on about 10mb here in London. Are Exetel any good? They appear to be the cheapest "naked" ADSL. I'm coming back to the UK for a short trip in June 2013, so don't really need to buy for years and will assume I will have a big shopping list for my return. Can anyone recommend some good shops for bargains - I kind of freaked when I went to Coles for the first time.
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Yes just checked it out (Super A Mart) - looks pretty cheap for the basics - thanks will go down there. Could anyone comment on broadband internet - interested in a good deal on that too, the big guns Optus etc are just too damn expensive. As I work in IT, I don't think a mobile broadband scheme will cut it.
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I ask because I'm getting ready to leave the UK and I appear to have got too many boxes! Will be moving to Sydney and a fairly central location to be decided. Will be arriving in late Oct. There have been some great tips in this Forum (about Fantastic Furniture, ebay etc). As I appear to have too many freight boxes and are paying for them it makes sense to fill the excess boxes with goods that we will use and are expensive in Oz or hard to find. I'm only taking electronics and clothes sent by freight so far. Will be buying furniture when we arrive and hopefully getting some second hand stuff from my partners relatives. I'm aware I can't fill it with booze, tobacco etc. I'm not particularly interested in bringing over "pom" items particularly (monster munch, baked beans or tea bags). I'm more thinking of razor blades, shaving foam, moisturiser, contact lenses, shampoo etc. We are a couple with no kids so would welcome some tips - what did you wish you brought more of - alternatively what drives you to despair due to the price. I'm not stuck up - would happily take a trip to Poundland (I usually buy my cleaning products/dishwasher tablets there anyway). I've been to Oz twice and know that Woolies and Coles control retail distribution and strangle the market price wise - and could do with saving a bit of cash while I'm looking for work. Also the cost of goods in convenience stores is hair raising $4 for a bag of crisps! Welcome all replies Cheers
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Thanks, I booked my flight a while ago, travelling 4 Oct to Bangkok, 2 weeks in Thailand before going on to Sydney. Coming back in June 2013 via a HK trip on the way back. At least I can start applying for work now Leave my job here in London on Friday next week but its been hectic, I'm keeping hold of my flat here and letting it via an agency, trying to get rid of stuff, shipping and trying to finish work, say goodbye to family, have a number of leaving do's also. will also have time to fit in my birthday in London.
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and........I've just got mine in the last 30 minutes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bloody hell its happening!!!!
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Me too lhigman but chin up I think our time is coming! But congratulations to the new visa holders, glad your wait is over.
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I'm still waiting as well My partner is starting to wind me up about having to leave me behind. Have 3 weeks of work left. My flight out is on 4 Oct so have some time, just wish I had it under my belt though.
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5 months since I sent in my application - could I be next :biggrin:?
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Went on a limb and booked our flights. Had little joy from the travel agents who were much more expensive that Qantas. Was very happy with the £1002 return flight leaving Oct, 2 weeks holiday in Thailand, returning 18 June next year via 5 days in HK. If you are looking for flights with stopovers, the Qantas site is very flexible for online booking, use http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/multi-city-flight-search/global/en. My original estimate from SV was mid August, hopefully will be granted in Aug, but Sep would be OK. I've sent her an email asking if this is realistic now, I put the application in on 21 March. I've handed in my notice, it's three months for me so I had to do it My partner has just finished work and being typically Australian is now on a tour of Africa coming back early Aug Our cat has been arranged though Petair and will be entering quarantine Now need to sort out the flat for rental and start getting rid of stuff Will be staying in Bondi with a friend upon arrival so that problem is sorted I always thought that after a final awesome summer in London I would be very torn to leave - the Summer we've had is making it a hell of a lot easier. Good to see some people being put out of their misery after a barren spell of visa grants :twitcy:
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Update from me: Adding my details for spouse 309 visa app, been together 3 years living together 1.5 years: Sent special delivery on 21/3 with police check Payment taken 22/3 Acknowledgement by CO (SV), asking for Medical 22/3 Medical undertaken at Bridge Clinic Maidenhead 2/4 Email stating case has been assessed and my visa is due to be granted mid-August dated 5/4. Hopefully will get the visa then which would be fine. Also have a cat to ship so need to plan araound him too! Cheers Mark
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Adding my details for spouse 309 visa app, been together 3 years living together 1.5 years: Sent special delivery on 21/3 with police check Payment taken 22/3 Acknowledgement by CO (SV), asking for Medical 22/3 Medical undertaken at Bridge Clinic Maidenhead 2/4 I guess now we wait 4-5 months. Hoping to get the notification that everythings in order soon. Cheers Mark
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My application has finally been sent special delivery today for partner subclass 309. No medical but police check submitted. The wait begins. Hopefully will hear in 4-5 months but unlikely to go till October if Successful. Hopinbg it will be straightforward as no kids involved. Have had challenges in getting the paperwork together (waiting for decree absolute after being separated for years).