$7000 to ship 3000lbs? really?

I had orginally thought I'd be shipping my stuff with UpakWeShip, but now that I'm deep in the throws of packing and sorting through all of my things, I honestly can't be bothered with driving this stuff up to their warehouse in NJ (this would've been the cheapest shipping option with them - something like $2500). 
I've called all the major shipping companies (the kind who will come and pack and or pick your things up for you) and I was also getting prices in the $6000 - $7000 range.  This is for 453 cu. ft./3171 lbs.  I just can't see myself paying that much. 
I did some serious research on movingscam.com and did find another company called EuroUSA.  They have good reviews, even though they are not one of the "featured" movers on that site, and I got a quote from them for $4535!!!!  And here's what they include:

Our service includes:

Door to door service.
Full wrapping of furniture (if applicable) and packing/loading of boxes (if applicable).
Standard packing materials.
Loading of shipment in consolidated container.
Transportation to the shipping terminal.
Delivery of the container to the port of departure.
Loading of container on board the ocean vessel.
Ocean freight and import formalities to destination port.
Standard household goods customs clearance.
Delivery of goods to your residence.
Unpacking of furniture and simple setup at residence.
Removal of packing debris (if applicable).

So it looks like we have a winner here.  I'm going to do some more research on this company just to be extra sure.  But so far I've been happy with the company.  The guy we've been talking with, Patrick, answers our emails or returns phone calls promptly.  My only issue its that they charge a 5% fee for using a credit card (ugh).

Rainier uses EuroUSA on the UK end. I'm going through Rainier and they will be doing my packing etc. When I came to the UK from the US they handled brokering hte mover to unpack my stuff as well. No complaints so far.

We used UPakWeShip.  My husband built a wooden container that held 100cu ft.  When it was packed and sealed it ended up weighing around 850lbs but we were still only charged for the volume.  We paid $500 plus $50 for insurance.  They shipped on time and even put steel bands around the box since we didn't want it to split open.

Whilst it's tempting to bring things like a dresser or a bed, don't.  It's not worth the money and hassle.  Better to buy it over here.  Ikea is pretty cheap.

We used UPakWeShip.  My husband built a wooden container that held 100cu ft.  When it was packed and sealed it ended up weighing around 850lbs but we were still only charged for the volume.  We paid $500 plus $50 for insurance.  They shipped on time and even put steel bands around the box since we didn't want it to split open.

Whilst it's tempting to bring things like a dresser or a bed, don't.  It's not worth the money and hassle.  Better to buy it over here.  Ikea is pretty cheap.

I don't necessarily agree that its cheaper to buy here. Especially if you have real furniture and you're comparing it to ikea furniture to replace with. Its definitely worth doing the math... but dont' just assume its cheaper to replace it here than to ship.

I agree whole heartedly with you Julia.

It would cost me way more to repurchase than to ship!  Plus all the time it would take find things in my taste and style that go with my decor.

I might by a table or a lamp at IKEA, but their chairs and sofas usually prove to be pretty uncomfortable and insubstantial.  Cheap furniture has a really short life - but quality can last for generations. 

Since when is Ikea not "real" furniture?  Basically you're saying I don't own real furniture.  Sorry but things like their wardrobes, dining sets, bookcases, dresser drawer sets, and beds are damned nice and very affordable (and come with 25 year warranties!)...much cheaper than shipping those things.  The only thing they don't do well is sofas, but there are still nice, "real" sofas here that can be had at a good deal.

I absoluted hated selling off a lot of my stuff, hated what it would cost to rebuy it over here, but in regards to furniture, it has been much better for us to rebuy over here.  Now I'm glad my husband convinced me not to ship it.

I'm glad it worked out for you 

I don't think anyone meant to offend you.  I personally own some handmade, real wood, country artisan created pieces that smell great, look amazing and are extremely significant to my heart.  They are not replaceable - particularly by modern swedish IKEA stuff.

Different people have different opinions.  When differing opinions are voiced, you shouldn't feel like it is a personal assault.

When it would cost less to take something than it would to replace it with an equal piece, then it makes sense to take it with you!  Add to that the sentimental qualities...

No hard feelings I hope!  I loves my STUFF and my STUFF is coming with ME! 

I agree whole heartedly with you Julia.

It would cost me way more to repurchase than to ship!  Plus all the time it would take find things in my taste and style that go with my decor.

I might by a table or a lamp at IKEA, but their chairs and sofas usually prove to be pretty uncomfortable and insubstantial.  Cheap furniture has a really short life - but quality can last for generations. 

i wasn't trying to say ikea furniture wasn't real furniture (even though that's exactly the word I used and I think i was just typing fast and not thinking properly). In fact, most of my furniture is Ikea. However, even replacing Ikea furniture with Ikea furniture will likely be more expensive than shipping it. Depending on what you have. Sorry for the poor word choice but I still think shipping can cost alot less than replacing. Our ikea couch cost about 1000GBP.

The extra expenses of settling in really did a number on us that we weren't expecting. We only paid 1/3 of our shipping costs (work paid the rest) but it still cost us a fortune (thousands of pounds) to replace things we didn't ship.

However, if you don't want to sit on boxes for a month or two not shipping some things and buying them straight away has that advantage for it

See I can see both sides of the equation... you don't want to waste money on some temporary things (we did some of that as well).

Well, we cut our shipment down to under 2000lbs, largely by leaving furniture behind. We left a bed, couches, dresser, and a couple tables. It will cost more to replace them than it would have to ship, but cost isn't the only factor. We are moving in with my in-laws temporarily and would have room for all of those things. Also, we bought the most slim couches (I don't like over sized couches) we could find, but they are still quite large. Just think how much it would suck to ship a couch and not be able to get it into your living room.

-Brian

At the end of the day, it depends on your priorities and your situation, yea?

A lot of people on this site have people they can move in with.  Some of us are entirely on our own.  I've spent 4 months living in a tiny guest room - with a single bed and a three drawer dresser.  It gets old.   Just because that is my frame  of reference - doesn't meant it will be yours.

My mover is charging by the cubic foot rather than the pound.  Plus, I get to pack the insides full of clothes and light weight items.  All the nooks and crannies can get packed with small boxes of heavy stuff.  For me that means that I get to pay for a certain volume and the rest is basically gratis.

One person cannot make a sweeping statement that applies to everyone.  The only thing you can do it talk about your own experience and hope that someone in the same boat can benefit from it. 

This is a big move!  People are sensitive, things are major. No biggie if tempers flare here and there.

 
 

I've spent 4 months living in a tiny guest room - with a single bed and a three drawer dresser.  It gets old. 

I feel ya on this! My wife and I are in a 500 sqft apt with a 10 month old baby and a cat. Thank god this is a park and a swimming pool across the street.

32 days to go!

Well, we cut our shipment down to under 2000lbs, largely by leaving furniture behind. We left a bed, couches, dresser, and a couple tables. It will cost more to replace them than it would have to ship, but cost isn't the only factor. We are moving in with my in-laws temporarily and would have room for all of those things. Also, we bought the most slim couches (I don't like over sized couches) we could find, but they are still quite large. Just think how much it would suck to ship a couch and not be able to get it into your living room.

-Brian

this is true