Companies to use for UK to US move?

Hello,
We're planning to move back to the US (West Coast) from London within the next few months. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on companies to use for shipping of household goods. I have emailed Allied and Anglopacific already, but was wondering if there's one "best" company to use.

We really don't have too much stuff to move. Mainly clothing, pictures, books, and a couple of furniture items (baby cot, book shelf, sofas, perhaps..though this all depends on cost).

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Thanks!

I was going to look into UPAKWESHIP, but they don't go from Ireland. They do go from the UK, so it might be worth getting a quote with them.

When I moved from the UK to Ireland I used the London Baggage Company. I had no problems with them and DH used them for his move as well. We've contacted them for the move from Ireland to the US and were pleased with our quote. I'm not sure if they do furniture since we're not moving furniture.

We've also received a quote from movemaster.ie. I'm not sure if they'll go from the UK, but it could be worth contacting them. Their quote was in line with the London Baggage Company's, so at this point we haven't made a decision who to use. This company was referred to me by someone whose uncle works for Allied in the US.

We moved from London to Boston this past summer and we used Robinson's International.  I have been very pleased with them from start to finish.  They were responsive getting us a quote and answering questions about insurance etc before the move.  The guys who came to pack us up were really professional and very efficient.  We had a similar amount of stuff, mostly household items and a few random furniture items, mostly baby stuff.  The goods got to the US within the time frame quoted and we were able to store them with their US agent no problem until we had a house.  The goods were delivered when they said they would be and the US agents were just as nice and professional.  There were no hidden surcharges at this end.  We paid what they quoted, except for a $50 Customs x-ray fee that I understand is luck of the draw. 

We are even dealing with a claim for a damaged item and they have been incredibly helpful and responsive.  I expect it will be resolved very shortly.

All in all....I would recommend Robinson's International.  They aren't cut price, but I thought they were reasonable for the service provided.

We used Robinsons as well, and had a good experience with them as well. We received three quotes, they were not the cheapest but seemed the most thorough. We paid for extra insurance on our computer, which happened to be the only thing that broke, strangely, and it was no problem getting them to cover a new one. The time frame is what they said, the packers were great, and we had no problems.

Thanks...I have contacted Robinsons and Pickfords now, too. We'll see what the quotes are like. I got an initial estimate from Anglo Pacific, and it seems very reasonable. Needless to say, we'll likely be selling our enormous cheapy Ikea couch...not worth it to move!

Oh, I'm glad some of you recently had a good experience with Robinsons.  Over on Britishexpats there's a rather long complaint about them that concerned me.  I'm particularly glad to hear there's been no hidden fees and they paid for a computer, which was damaged.

Thanks for the information!
 

We used Pickfords from Scotland to the US, and we were very happy with the service.  We had a few things broken (picture frames and some dishes) and the claim was resolved very quickly.  I can't say if it was particularly cheap, but we thought it was reasonable.

We're using Crown Relocations. Like the OP we only had certain items that we wanted to take (mainly DD's baby mementos, her cot, boxes of photos, cd's & dvd's and DH's guitar). In total we've shipped 11 boxes (60 cubic feet) and it cost us 800 GBP. They professionally packed all the items, completed all the customs/import forms and will deliver it to our door in rural northern California in about 4 weeks. Total estimated shipping time is 6-8 weeks since they have to wait for a full container before shipping. We've been told that there could be an additional charge if US Customs decides to inspect our boxes (x-ray) which can be up to $100 USD. But we won't know until it reaches San Francisco in about a month.

So far we're very happy with the level of customer service and professionalism of the packers and our relocation specialist. I'm not sure how what we're paying falls into the experiences of others with other companies, but after researching all available services and firms Crown was our choice.

Good luck with your move.

We're using Crown Relocations. Like the OP we only had certain items that we wanted to take (mainly DD's baby mementos, her cot, boxes of photos, cd's & dvd's and DH's guitar). In total we've shipped 11 boxes (60 cubic feet) and it cost us 800 GBP. They professionally packed all the items, completed all the customs/import forms and will deliver it to our door in rural northern California in about 4 weeks. Total estimated shipping time is 6-8 weeks since they have to wait for a full container before shipping. We've been told that there could be an additional charge if US Customs decides to inspect our boxes (x-ray) which can be up to $100 USD. But we won't know until it reaches San Francisco in about a month.

So far we're very happy with the level of customer service and professionalism of the packers and our relocation specialist. I'm not sure how what we're paying falls into the experiences of others with other companies, but after researching all available services and firms Crown was our choice.

Good luck with your move.

How did the move go?  Were you happy with Crown Relocations?
 

How did the move go?  Were you happy with Crown Relocations?
 

Because we had a small number of items they had to wait for the container to fill so our container didn't depart the UK until 8 April. It arrived in San Francisco on 13 May and we're waiting for it to clear Customs and hopefully they should deliver to our home sometime after the 24th.

So far so good. Communication from them has been hit & miss, but that could be because our internet still hasn't been sorted for our home so we're accessing from a relatives home when we are able. But one thing I'm not happy about is that they have not updated the shipment status page since the items left the UK and that is what I have been checking from work when I can.

But I'm fairly pleased with the overall service...but it remains to be seen if our stuff arrives intact and unbroken later this month 

Because we had a small number of items they had to wait for the container to fill so our container didn't depart the UK until 8 April. It arrived in San Francisco on 13 May and we're waiting for it to clear Customs and hopefully they should deliver to our home sometime after the 24th.

So far so good. Communication from them has been hit & miss, but that could be because our internet still hasn't been sorted for our home so we're accessing from a relatives home when we are able. But one thing I'm not happy about is that they have not updated the shipment status page since the items left the UK and that is what I have been checking from work when I can.

But I'm fairly pleased with the overall service...but it remains to be seen if our stuff arrives intact and unbroken later this month 

Thanks for the information, WebyJ.  I hope your stuff turns up safe and sound.   

Thanks for the information, WebyJ.  I hope your stuff turns up safe and sound.   

Just got the phone call yesterday: Our stuff cleared customs with only a $36 fee and will be delivered to our home on Sunday  . They told us that they had paid the Customs Fee already & that we would be required to reimburse the fee upon delivery.

So pretty pleased...thus far. 

Just got the phone call yesterday: Our stuff cleared customs with only a $36 fee and will be delivered to our home on Sunday  . They told us that they had paid the Customs Fee already & that we would be required to reimburse the fee upon delivery.

So pretty pleased...thus far. 

Sounds great.  How's the move been for your family so far?  Readjusting to life in the US ok?
 

Sounds great.  How's the move been for your family so far?  Readjusting to life in the US ok?
 

We're doing OK.

My daughter had her birthday party this weekend and she was playing with her 17 y/o cousin and somehow her elbow was dislocated so we spent most of Saturday night in the ER & my heath insurance through work doesn't start until June 1. So that's going to be a lovely bill when it arrives. 

Other than that it's been great to be back and we're all settling in nicely.

Our stuff arrived early Sunday morning and after we went through all of it last night I am very happy that it's all in good shape. So 2 thumbs up for Crown.

We're doing OK.

My daughter had her birthday party this weekend and she was playing with her 17 y/o cousin and somehow her elbow was dislocated so we spent most of Saturday night in the ER & my heath insurance through work doesn't start until June 1. So that's going to be a lovely bill when it arrives.       

Ouch...that's a sore one.  I hope she's feeling better now & has a lovely birthday.

Other than that it's been great to be back and we're all settling in nicely.

Our stuff arrived early Sunday morning and after we went through all of it last night I am very happy that it's all in good shape. So 2 thumbs up for Crown.

Thank goodness.  Glad to hear it all went well for you.