Can I share a crate for shipping??

Hi!  I am kinda new to this site My husband and I have decided to move to the UK....we have also decided to ship some stuff.  We are in the process of looking at shipping companies, but want to have a plan by the end of this month(August). I have heard of people sharing crates to make the shipping price a bit cheaper, is that possible?  Does anyone know anything about that?  If not, are there some good companies to use, I have been looking on this site and have seen Upackweship and Suddath going from Michigan to Brighton....any others?
 Anyone hear of Allied Movers? Any good?
Thanks! Rachelle

I'm pretty sure that the shipping companies just charge you for the amount of space you use.  For smaller loads, they have small containers that they stack into larger containers.

I was given a quote for approx 400 cu feet, and the packers showed up with two 200 cu foot crates.  I was under the impression that I was going to be charged for 400 cu ft regardless so I filled each crate with as much as possible.  In fact I brought things that I wouldn't have otherwise because I was trying to fill space.

When I got the bill, they had charged me for the exact amount of space I used (393 cu feet).  It would have shaved off some $$$ if I had left those extra things out. 

Also, I used a complete service company.  They showed up at the house, wrapped and packed and loaded the crates.  Ditto on the other side.  With a service like Upakweship, you show up with your packed boxes which get shrink wrapped into a specific shape and dropped into wooden crate.  I think they wait until they have a full container going in your direction before they ship

I used Ranier Overseas.  They were great apart from some less than ideal communication, and a knob that got popped off my wardrobe that they tried to conceal.

Good luck with the move!

Hollyberry's right. I didn't fill an entire container, so only paid for what I used. Your shipping company will sort all of that out for you based on what you're planning to ship.

I'm pretty sure that the shipping companies just charge you for the amount of space you use.  For smaller loads, they have small containers that they stack into larger containers.

I was given a quote for approx 400 cu feet, and the packers showed up with two 200 cu foot crates.  I was under the impression that I was going to be charged for 400 cu ft regardless so I filled each crate with as much as possible.  In fact I brought things that I wouldn't have otherwise because I was trying to fill space.

When I got the bill, they had charged me for the exact amount of space I used (393 cu feet).  It would have shaved off some $$$ if I had left those extra things out. 

Also, I used a complete service company.  They showed up at the house, wrapped and packed and loaded the crates.  Ditto on the other side.  With a service like Upakweship, you show up with your packed boxes which get shrink wrapped into a specific shape and dropped into wooden crate.  I think they wait until they have a full container going in your direction before they ship

I used Ranier Overseas.  They were great apart from some less than ideal communication, and a knob that got popped off my wardrobe that they tried to conceal.

Good luck with the move!

I used Rainier as well in both directions. I think they were good also apart from some less than ideal communication but there were absolutely no surprise fees either way. The thing is that with most companies you deal with the company but they subcontract the packing of stuff and the crate as well as the unloading to local companies. So its only as good as the local company they use. Everyone was great except for the packers on the England end as we were going back to the USA.

Thanks for the info!  I was wondering how much per cubic foot they charged?  We have had Allied International Movers (Rosemovers is the local company that is based in the States.) and North American Vanlines (Palmer is the local company that is based in the States) come to give us quotes.  Is anyone familiar with those companies...just wanted to see if anyone had good or bad experiences.  Thanks!  Rachelle

Hi Rachelle,

hollyberry is right, it's usually based on the space you use rather then a whole container.

I used Allied in the States for the same reason -- they were associated with a small moving firm local to my destination. I had no problems with the packing up job Stateside, but my UK movers said they did a crap job wrapping my stuff. In any event, nothing was damaged.

I had been quoted in dollars and expected to pay in dollars, but they actually insisted on pounds and I had to pull some money over quick. On the other hand, I totted up what had happened with the exchange rate since the quote, and I was better off paying in pounds, so I didn't kick up a fuss.

The total for three quarters of a container was £4,800. That included pick-up, delivery and a bit of storage time at both ends. That was January of this year. Hope that helps.