LMF79 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to choose a shipping company to send stuff to Sydney. Obviously the cost, volume and how the company presented itself when they came round to do the quotes is a major factor. However is there anything else that I should also consider when choosing? Any loopholes anyone found or things they just didn't consider having never done this before. Any help would be appreciated, feel like I am going round and round in circles. Thanks in advance. Lindsay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConfusedBrit Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Hi, We've chosen seven seas movecube based on having read loads of posts on here, they seem to have a good reputation. Also, we aren't taking loads of stuff, so don't need a container. We also got quotes for shipping boxes in a shared container but preferred the idea of all the items being together in a sealed unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirstyLP Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Hi Lindsay, Have you already shortlisted and had a few companies round? I would always suggest getting at least 3 quotes to allow you to make a good comparison. Although it can be time consuming allow all three to come and visit your home to make their own assessment of the volume of goods to be moved and to check out access and any specific requirements. The survey should take around 45 minutes – 1 hour. Don’t be tempted to just have one survey and pass the volume details to the other two companies, volume of goods is usually based on a surveyors evaluation – what if one gets it wrong? Getting 3 in ensures you can check they are all quoting a similar volume. Look for members of professional organisations, most of these will display the logo’s on their advert or web page, but if you’re unsure check the website of the organisation as they will keep an online directory for you to double check. Look for members of the British Association of Removers for UK moves and their Overseas Moving group for moves out of the UK. In addition for Overseas moves look for members of the FIDI network. These organisations pre-vet movers including their quality of service, complaints and claims records and financial standing so being a member of a professional body can validate any claim of a ‘professional mover’ and give you peace of mind that the risk of anything going wrong is reduced as their systems and practices have been independently checked and loopholes closed – it’s easy for any company to say they are experts, but only the real professionals will pass the strict independent audits required to display the badges. Once you've got your quotes there are a couple of areas to check in comparing. Your decision might include: Evaluating the offer against your moving criteria (for example budget / quality / special requirements) Checking all quotes are like-for-like (based on volume, inclusions exclusions (like customs and quarantine inspections for example) and service levels (e.g. level of packing, any crating) Checking the move plan to make sure you're happy with how they are going to carry out your move Checking transit times Evaluating the quality of their services (including accreditation, independent reviews, additional benefits such as tracking systems or advice and guidance provided) Evaluating the quality of their destination agents Comparing price (including any additional services you're going to take) Comparing insurance options - what is the true final cost of your move when insurance is included? All things being equal, who is your preference? who do you feel most comfortable with, and what is your gut feeling? Hope that helps and good luck with the move! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaffanZimbo Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Lindsay - we are in the process of getting quotes and have 2 so far for a 40" high top container including car and motorbike. The first quote was £7972 and the second £5979. Both quotes were for almost the same volume of 1650-1680 cubic feet so not sure why the big difference. We however really liked the first company - just had a "feel" that they were the one.... We have a 3rd company coming on 22nd May to give us a quote and if their quote is competitive we will ask the first company to requote or try and haggle them down to around £6-£6.5k as we really liked them and would prefer to move with them..... Our criteria for the move are: 1. Reputation ("feel") of the company / feedback from clients both for the UK and Perth side (Perth side more so as this is were some companies fail dismally) 2. location of the warehouse - we need to get the car there and would prefer not to travel more than 1 hour 3. Advice on what to take / leave - the first company advised to leave all wooden items if they were "iffy" but take our stock of "freebies" from OH's work - toothpaste, dedorants etc. the 2nd company said take the wooden items and leave the "freebies"! 4. Insurance costs - the first company was 3% fully covered no excess no quibble / the 2nd company was 2.5% and excesses apply and no clear if mold is covered (need to really read the small print) 5. Packing details - how many days, what we need to pre-pack, advice on leaving goods in drawers etc. 6. Clearing of goods in Perth - how good are the agents there? Goods are most liable to damage once upacked from the container for inspection by ACQUIS and customs.... will the agents supervise and repack properly???? 7. Price - not just the container but also insurance, clearing of goods, cleaning that side etc. the first company gave us a comprehensive list of costs in Perth (GST and Duty on vehicles) and also possible add ons for cleaning etc. - very useful info! Good luck for your move! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest62720 Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I am a Director of Insure Your Move Ltd. Whilst each and every remover will 'promise the earth' the devil as ever is in the detail. Re point 4 above we offer rates of 1.65% - no excess no quibble - and our main independent competitors offer similar rates, so if the removers are offering rates of 2.50% on the insurance then, as night follows day, you know there must be a lot of room for negotiating on their packing and shipping costs !!! We would suggest you don't take the first quote as gospel - in our opinion it is only a starting point and we believe you should be able to negotiate terms less 25% - 35% plus from their initial starting point. Good luck and perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMF79 Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 Thank you, everyone. I appreciate you taking the time and some useful info there. Decided that looking at reviews of the companies weren't helping as with so many people making the move there are good and bad reviews. So the above info is great for me to sit down again and look at the quotes and then choose one and try to negotiate. thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjg Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 There are good and bad reviews out there. Personally, To get an idea of the companies I would like to know about, I would post their name on a thread on this forum. The ones that get their names changed to *************** have chucked a wobbly when they have had bad press on here, so have started getting aggro with the site owners rather than trying to help their customers. Read into that what you will. Every company will have good and bad press, it's how they handle themselves after that that counts. ETA - We went with Allied Pickfords and has no issues what so ever, even with an insurance claim after a few items were busted. Is their name **********ed out??? ETA again - Nope! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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