Shipping Companies - yet again

 Yes sorry if this was posted somewhere else, but I need to know. I am moving back home, (eventually) and I'm starting to do some research now. I will be moving from Kent to New York. I had an estimate already of 4500 pounds!!!! Thats for 805 cubic feet. Does this sound right to any of you? Anybody out there do it before? How much were your weights and prices? Has anyone just rented a container? Was it cheaper? Im looking for any advice I can get.

 

That sounds about right.  I was given as estimate of £2000 for just under 400 cubic feet.  There is a website called Dive Into America (ww.diveintoamerica.com), check it out as people over there might be able to help you more.

June

That sounds a bit high for only going to the East coast, so you may be able to get it lower.  We had 5 different shippers come out to give us estimates before we left England.  We were moving from Birmingham to Colorado - so a bit further than you so more expense.  After narrowing down to 3 companies, we played one against the other and found that they would drop their prices to meet/beat the competition.  Robinsons was the winner (which is the company that we prefered from the beginning since they handle antique shipping all the time and we had a bunch of antiques to ship).  But Fox International out of Wales and Allied Pickford were also in the mix.  Fox came down to almost the same price as Robinsons, but Allied wouldn't budge - they were much higher - almost £1000 more than the others.  We were very happy with Robinsons and everything arrived in tip-top shape.  We ended up with our own container even though it was only a little over 1/2 full.  So make sure and do some competition play between shippers to get the best price.  The insurance was a bit high with all of them as well, but we found that our US renters insurance policy covered for total loss, so we didn't purchase insurance.  Good luck with the move!

oops forgot to mention...another great website for moving/shipping company information is www.movingscam.com - check this out before using any company - great info!

I'm using this company - http://www.rsirelo.com/ - which was recommended by my friend (same one who's the estate agent I mentioned on the other thread).  It's early days, but I'm already impressed with how quickly they respond to enquiries.
They're going to send someone out to survey (at no charge) to give an estimate of the total cost, which includes packing and unpacking!  And they can ship by sea or air.

Will keep you posted if you like.

Elizabeth - the company that you are using is actually not a shipping company but an advising company to help you with all your "relocation needs" if you read what they are all about.  You will end up paying more for your move using them than you will if you contact actual shipping companies.  NONE of the companies that I had come to my home charged for an estimate.  I don't know of any that would.  If you are more comfortable with a company advising you on your move - then this would be the company to use.  Otherwise, just contact the movers/shippers yourself.  There is a bit of work to a move, but nothing that most people can't handle with the paperwork and appointment setting on their own without this type of advising company.  Good luck with your move...

They've referred me to http://www.daviesturner.com/aircargo/aircargo/index2.html.  Is that still going to be a lot more expensive than other shippers mentioned?

Elizabeth, all I can suggest is to look into the companies that others have used and had success with.  This company is an air freight company, so yes most likely you will be paying a lot more to have your things shipped by air instead of by ship.  It doesn't hurt to get many different estimates.  The other thing you need to look into is if these companies are a member of the BAR (British Association of Removers) www.bar.co.uk   as well as FAIM or FIDI or HHGFAA certified.  These are important certifications to look for when choosing a shipping/moving company.  I noticed this company had none of these.  As far as your quoted amount of cubic meters/weight, that can vary from company to company as well.  Do not accept a quote from a company that refuses to come out and look at your things or only wants you to do an online survey.  Make the company's come out - they do NOT charge for this service.  Our quotes varied from 300cft to 713cft and the prices varied from £2270 to £4650, so as you can see that's a big difference.  The first was from a company (Simpsons) that did not come out to look and only estimated by using the online form and the last estimate was from an expensive company (Allied Pickfords). You need to ask if the quote is for "groupage" which means you will be sharing the container and it won't leave England until it is full with others stuff shared in your stuff.  Or if you will have a sole container for just your things.  Unfortunately, if you choose a company that does a low bid and it's not really accurate with the weight or volume, you can end up paying much more on the other side of the move and so many of these companies will hold your household goods hostage until you pay.  So it's best to get a reputable company that others have used and had success with to be sure you are paying what you should.  I can really recommend Robinson's since that is the company we just used and were very happy with - www.robinsons-intl.com  But there are others that you can look into as well - Fox International, Allied Pickfords, Bournes Unigroup (UTS) and others.  Two other good forums to turn to for help is www.diveintoamerica.com and www.movingscam.com
Best of luck....(ps - i've had 8 international moves in my lifetime)

Thank you; I will get other estimates.  This company has said they ship by air or sea, and will come out for a free survey to quote.
I've registered on diveintoamerica, and only found info on Robinson's so far.  Will look further.

I rented a 40ft container it cost a little over 2000 pounds. And that was from Felixstow to Chicago via NY. 20 ft containers were 1600 pounds. I had to provide my own insurance,which was a simple on line procedure. There was a customs bond at the other end of about $220. I made my own manifest,paid movers to to take my stuff from the house to the container. The container people loaded it from the movers truck. I had about 80 boxes,Lots of furniture,a piano and a car.

Thank you everyone for such great advice. This seems to be a very expensive thing, but hey it cant be more expensive than buying things when I get there, right? Cicero, your idea sounds great. It just takes guts, and a whole lot of planning, eh? Would you mind a PM from me, requesting some specifics?

Elizabeth - the company that you are using is actually not a shipping company but an advising company to help you with all your "relocation needs" if you read what they are all about.  You will end up paying more for your move using them than you will if you contact actual shipping companies.  NONE of the companies that I had come to my home charged for an estimate.  I don't know of any that would.  If you are more comfortable with a company advising you on your move - then this would be the company to use.  Otherwise, just contact the movers/shippers yourself.  There is a bit of work to a move, but nothing that most people can't handle with the paperwork and appointment setting on their own without this type of advising company.  Good luck with your move...

I've always heard that its in your best interest to get an in home estimate. At least I know its recommended stateside.

Thank you everyone for such great advice. This seems to be a very expensive thing, but hey it cant be more expensive than buying things when I get there, right? Cicero, your idea sounds great. It just takes guts, and a whole lot of planning, eh? Would you mind a PM from me, requesting some specifics?

Not at all, ask away.

Still waiting to hear from Robinson's, but the other company gave me the estimate of:
Est. Net weight: 1000 lbs.
Est Cu Fee:  200
Min. Density 5.0lbs./cft
Min Chg Weight:  1000
Est. rate:  $339.50/Ncwt

Est. total: $3395.00

Um... I know it's in dollars (thank god), but still seems really high... for a studio flat, mostly clothes, no furniture?
I think I'm getting a bit shafted by the minimum charge weight; does that seem accurate?

So Robinson's quoted MUCH less, and I'm going with them.
For whatever psychological reason, I've been putting off filling out the forms and returning them.

Would someone be willing to share or give an idea of how to figure out insurance?
I'm completely blond and clueless in this area, especially when it will all be marked used personal items, so I don't think customs will be an issue.

Help?