Buy new or ship?

Furniture.......................

I have no idea what furniture costs in the UK (more specifically in Northern Ireland).

I know that big huge stuff like our china cabinet and entertainment center wouldn't fit in a wee UK house.

We really like our sofa and chairs.  And kitchen table..........

Any thoughts?

I debating taking my things but then I started looking on the ikea website, for short term furniture while we settle in. They actually have really comfortable platform beds and really everything is well priced. I am sure you will no problem buying new, or looking on sites like http://belfast.gumtree.com/

Yeah, I think you'd have to be very attached to something to want to ship it. IKEA has some fairly nice stuff, as does Habitat if you're willing to spend a bit more. Ship antiques and heirlooms, if any, otherwise I'd look at selling it off and using the cash to buy new when you arrive.

Yeah, I think you'd have to be very attached to something to want to ship it. IKEA has some fairly nice stuff, as does Habitat if you're willing to spend a bit more. Ship antiques and heirlooms, if any, otherwise I'd look at selling it off and using the cash to buy new when you arrive.

Even with the exchange rate being what it is?

I've received a quote of around $5600 for bringing over 400 square feet via container.  This includes sofa; two armchairs; mattress and box springs; small dining table and four chairs; occasional table and end tables; lamps; rugs; and a load of boxes.  By my calculations $5600 US translates into about $3500 sterling.  Would we be spending that much or more over there to replace these things?

I've tried looking at websites of furniture manufacturers in the UK to get an idea of cost -mostly I'm seeing 'largish' leather sofas which neither the SO or I care for.  So I guess some of our 'issue' is style.

*Not to sound 'uppity' but the quality of our large pieces is very good - the tables were custom built in Ohio Amish country*

The problem with large pieces is that even in a moderate average UK home, they'll still be too big. Beds for instance, a UK King size is actually a US Queen and there is no way I could ever fit anything larger than a US double in our bedroom so we have a UK Queen size.

I agree, if it costs more to ship than to buy new then I'd buy new. As for your 'style' you might find that small shops that specialize in custom made pieces may fit you better. I was just in Chesterfield a couple of months ago and came across a shop that hand made objects right there and had beautiful pieces at very reasonable prices. For example a dining table (with extension) & 6 chairs for £300 and free shipping. I meant to ask them if that included anywhere and have them shipped to my parents in California  .

Also, is there any chance you'd be coming over before your actual move?  That might give you a better idea of furniture AND what reasonable accomodation will look like.  I know that's not often an option, though. 

One thing jumped out, though -- the lamps.  Unless they're antique or really expensive (or you're just really attached), it's probably not worth bringing them and re-wiring.

On the larger bring/buy new question, consider what it's worth to you.  Aside from the obvious size issues, if your furniture is nice and you like it and isn't size-prohibitive (smaller than US average) and the cost to ship seems reasonable to you, then it probably is "worth it."  I think bringing pieces that are flexible and could be used in a variety of settings is key.  What were little nesting end tables in the living room in the US quickly turned into nightstands in the bedroom! 

My rationale for bringing my furniture was that it was new (about a year old) and  I wouldn't have gotten much for it trying to sell it on.  Plus, after years of living on second hand stuff, I had finally accumulated some pretty cool stuff that suits me perfectly.

I can't remember exactly how much it cost me to ship 400 cubic feet, but it was no where near $5600 (definately less than $4000).  I figured that it would cost slightly less to replace as to ship and the upside being that I get exactly what I want.

Part of my philosophy is that a potentially traumatic change can be made easier by having familiar and comfortable things around.  Even though any set of dishes would do, it makes me happy to see the green glass set that I pieced together from separate sources.  I didn't have to part from the kick ass dresser I found in a little shop in the north georgia mountains. 

But it really just comes down personal priorities and emotional value each one of applies to schtuff.

I recommend getting a quote from Rainier Overseas.  Remember that they will give you a quote for a certain volume, but they will only charge you for the actual volume that you ship. 

I second the recommendation regarding large pieces of furniture.  We shipped all of our stuff over-only to discover that our sofa was too big.  DH's brother and his family ended up with it. 
If we ever move back to the States, I will be much more careful about what we take with us.  We brought over way too much stuff. 

Here's an alternative point of view: buy old!
 
It's something I wish I had known more about when I first arrived and DH and I needed a desk, wardrobe, etc.  The local auction house has those items (generally of good quality - real wood and the like) for VERY cheap, even compared to the "disposable" Ikea furniture.  Brown furniture is not very popular in auctions at the moment, so you could pick up some very nice pieces for a song. 

The only logistical challenge is transporting them from the auction house to your home, but that's fairly easily remedied with the variety of removal firms.  Also remember that there will be VAT and buyers commissions added to the final hammer price. 

I truly encourage you to explore that option; and it's not all old antiques either - there are occasionally more modern pieces if that's your style.  Moreover, you're doing the planet a favor by recycling perfectly serviceable goods! 

If I knew then what I knew now, I would have only shipped those pieces that are quality and personal and then bought everything else at auction (exception: my mattress, but here size is a real issue).

Thanks for the input, guys.

I'm not opposed to buying 'used' - love antiques.

I think part of the problem is moving to NI itself (where the husband tells me there aren't as many choices for shopping) and the husband's general knowledge (or lack thereof of all things household....... 

With shipping prices the way they are, I think buying new or used may be your best option. My friend shipped over a bunch of furniture and a couple of things she couldn't even fit through the door of their flat!

I sympathize with you- Until I asked him, my husband never even thought about most of these household issues. He rolled his eyes when I told him to measure the space in our flat and the lift before he moved in a few things. He ended up having to take things apart with his pocket knife in the middle of the close to get them up. haha. 

I sympathize with you- Until I asked him, my husband never even thought about most of these household issues. He rolled his eyes when I told him to measure the space in our flat and the lift before he moved in a few things. He ended up having to take things apart with his pocket knife in the middle of the close to get them up. haha. 

 

I hear ya. 

I really think for me to be 'comfy' in making this move, I'd need another trip over and round up the wives of a couple of DH's friends and get them to give me the 'skinny' on how to set up housekeeping over there.

We pretty much sold off all our furniture except for my dh big screen that we had just bought and wouldn't get much for.

It was very hard especially since I had a baby and we sold all his things.  We allowed ourselves 2 boxes per person for wanted things and household items.

In the end, we found fabulous bargains on furniture in the UK on ebay, gumtree, freecycle (ikea brand new loft bed for son), and car boots. All at a fraction of the cost.

I agree that the shopping isn't as good but if you look you will find something.

What matters is that you make your home yours, enjoy the opportunity to be creative and have fun with it.

On an end note, we ended up pregnant 18 months after moving here and had to start all over from scratch. I bought everything second hand and only spent a fraction of what it would have cost in the states.