I have 3 shipping companies coming in over the next week to do a survey and price up shipping our stuff over.

After speaking to quite a few on the phone I have narrowed it down to Doree Bonner, John Mason and White & Co.

Does anybody that has already had their quotes have any tips on things I need to ask while they are here?

We are having to go for sole use of 40ft container as we have some business machinery to take over too so will be some interesting prices :huh:

Cheers for any help!!

Lisa :D

Hi Lisa

We are using John Masons, to date have found every aspect of the firm great, when I rang for a quote initially before inviting them out to quote in person, I forgot to ask about the VAT, how could I have forgotten that little chestnut, but I did, it did make a difference to the price obviously, but was impressed by them so chose them.

Cheers

Wend

:bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:

Hi Lisa,

when we were at this stage I wrote out a list of questions to ask each rep so that I could compare them all later. I can't remember all of them but I do recall asking the following:

How long will the packing take and how many will be packing?

How long will it take the ship to reach Adelaide?

What route will the ship take?
(Some go to Sydney or Melbourne and then send on to Adelaide by train)

What does your insurance cover?
(This is a good one because I discovered that Dorree Bonner's insurance includes options that other companies charge for)

What is the excess charge and how long do you give for claims?

Here's a tip that worked for us, once we'd received all of the quotes I went back to the top three and told them they were finalists but were charging more than another of the finalists so could they revise their quote. One company ignored the email, one came back with a 50GBP discount and the other (the one we chose) matched the lower price.

We used Dorree Bonner because the rep seemed to know what he was talking about, there was no excess on their insurance, free month's storage in UK. We had to claim for a few items but everything was handled quickly without delay so I don't hesitate to recommend them.

Best of luck with your quotations!

Sara

THis is the list I used!! I got bits from different areas and then obviously personalised to us, but you might find it useful!! Felt like I had covered everything when they left!!

Removals Questions
What items cannot be taken?
Queries over whether the following can be taken:
Lawn mower
Bikes
Tractor & Kids Toys
Garden Furniture & Umbrella
BBQ
Statue of Golfer
Tools, Andys work Tools
Golf Clubs & Trolley
Plasma?? – What sort of packaging etc
Do any items need steam cleaning?
Early shipment of goods possible? In particular;
How long does it take to get there?
Cost
Size
What service do they offer?
Do they do all the packing?
How do they protect hi-fi/TV's Computers etc Pictures & Mirrors??
What about clothes: - how are they packed?
What about breakages during the packing day?
How is it all wrapped in particular; beds, settees, leather chairs?
What if something doesn't fit ie. Bed after they have quoted for something?
What measures do they take to protect stuff like photos.
Does the container arrive on our drive? Or, is stuff loaded onto lorry then transferred to container?
What happens then?
How long does the packing generally take and how many people do it?
Is our stuff secure? This end and Oz end??
What do we have to do in preparation for the pack?
Eg. Disassemble furniture, computers etc?
How are boxes labelled up to assist inspectors etc?
Inventory of items being shipped & how detailed? Eg. Childrens box of toys. DVDs/CDs? Do we need to itemise everything?
Does this list go with the packers?
Who produces the list?
What will they inspect and where?
Is our stuff secure whilst this is being performed?
What assurances/insurances to we have?
Do they have a customs guide?
How likely is damage to goods due to extreme temperatures during journey? Eg. Damp.
Cubic size of container?
Is wasted space utilised to save cubic space ie. Empty drawers/wardrobes etc.
How long to transport container?
Do they have a website with shipment tracking system and or, sailing schedules? If, not how do we track the progress of our goods?
Insurance cost?
What does it cover?
What about electric malfunction at other end, vermin, damp, mould, water damage?
Total loss at sea?
Are individual items covered?
Cover for lateness?
Is there a certain time frame within which the claim should be done?
How do they want payment?
What happens to the container at the other end?
Do you get help to unpack? Guarantees that this will happen?
Who are their representatives?
What is their reputation?
Are they full or casual workers?
What happens until I get an address to deliver to?
Are we still insured during the time we are waiting to move it to a new address?
Assuming they assist with unpacking at the other end & do they remove waste/rubbish from the move?
What involvement will we have with customs/fumigation people?
How negotiable are your fees
Will you price beat?
Why should we choose you over John Mason or others?
Who would you say is your main competitor?
What proof to we need of breakages at other end?
What memberships do they possess? BAR, OMNI, FIDI?
How long have they been in business?
Who pays for the outside of the container to be cleaned if that's necessary when it comes off the ship in Oz?
What else do I need to know??

Thanks so much for your replies - will make life a little easier :D

Lisa

snap, I am just arranging appointments with these 3. Toon williams that list is pretty good, I will be using that info too :D

Lisa, we will have to compare quotes as we are likely to have 40ft too and some business stuff.

Our appointments till 7 & 14 Nov though. Good luck with it.

Rachel

I will post the quotes once they arrive. Just had Doree Bonner here. Very helpful and finding out loads about the business machinery paperwork and import fees relating to this for us.

White & Co coming Friday and as yet John Mason have not been back in touch to sort the appointment so looks like they may not be in the running.

Lisa :D

Do you have to insure 'all or nothing' or can you pick and choose?

We found it very useful to choose exactly what we insured and such things as kids toys, a whole library of books, etc were not covered whilst breakables and a basic 'household kit' of furniture was. I understand that some insurers will let you do this, while others want to see the whole shipment covered.

Either way, you will have to itemise everything you want covered by insurance and we did those over the weeks beforehand, gradually listing the contents of a cupboard or a room and putting estimated prices against it - with a scary total at the bottom far more than I would have ever expected our wordly goods to be worth :blink:

I just rang John Mason back to get an appointment, guy seemed really nice and knows all about Adelaide Brits.

the biggest difference in most of the companies is the insurance.This is the area to check............big time.

Strange that as he has just phoned me ;) .

First quote in - John Mason completed a survey by phone and reckon that as we can break down the business machinery it will all fit into a 20ft container. Price £4098 plus 3% of goods value for insurance and inspection fee in OZ.

The insurance forms I have received for both Doree Bonner and John Mason seem identical and are priced the same with the option of adding extra cover for pairs, electrical damage and mildew/mould damage and are covered door to door.

Will update once Doree Bonner quote through in post and White & Co have been round.

Lisa :D