Homes & Relocation Detail
Removing the worries
We’ve all heard the various horror stories involving removal processes that have gone horribly wrong, writes David Fuller
From sentimental goods being damaged to shipments ending up costing thousands of pounds more than a client had expected, tales of this kind are far from uncommon when it comes to transporting your goods from one country to another. "Most migrants still prefer to get estimates from two to three international removal companies when choosing a company and I think this is a good number," says Nick Witham of PSS. "The starting point for anyone when selecting their company should be to insure they have FIDI Accredited International Mover (FAIM) accreditation and financial protection from the British Association of Removers (BAR) Overseas."
Witham continues: "Migrants should also look to use a specialist international moving company who have staff and export packers fully employed in international duties. Some people understandably imagine that an international removal is not very different from a domestic one but this can be a big mistake as an international removal is completely different. "It requires more planning, you need to start the process earlier and be certain that the packers and materials they are going to use are top quality," he adds.
There are a plethora of other reasons why you may wish to spend that little bit extra on ensuring the company you use holds relative accreditation. "When you use a reputable company the chances are the people who turn up to load and unload your belongings will be wearing uniforms," explains John Payne of Anglo Pacific. "This means you will know exactly who is going in and out of your house. I have heard plenty of stories about people who have used cheap, independent movers and have ended up having their goods stolen by chancers who have been walking past, popped into the house and walked off with a television. "Because they are not in uniform the client has just assumed they are with the company, the movers will probably just assume you know the person and you will ultimately pay the consequences. "There have also been other stories where goods worth thousands of pounds have been loaded on to a van never to be seen again. Any man with a white van can claim to be in the removals business so you have to be really careful," urges Payne.
Joanne Summerscales of Robinsons International Removers suggests yet another reason why it is important to ensure the removals company that you choose to use is recognised by an industry such as FAIM or BAR. "We have just recently been resolving several shipments for clients who went with a non-BAR bonded mover that has just gone into liquidation, leaving the clients high and dry – unfortunately it really does happen," she warns. "With a BAR bonded mover, protection is in place and movers should always look for that reassurance." Not that it's always using the wrong company that can turn your move into a nightmare, or end up with it costing you more than you originally hoped it would.
Simple mistakes that may seem too obvious for you to make can often be the things that will end up tripping you up. "It's essential that people don't pack stuff or, if others are packing for them, leave things lying around that they desperately need," says Payne. "During my time in the business I've encountered people who have packed things like passports and flight tickets then had to ask us to go through all their containers to find them. "One example of a similar mistake which sticks in my mind is of a client who had VIP tickets to Royal Ascot," Payne continues. "I received a phonecall from him just before I was due to go home asking me to go and open up all the containers in our warehouse to find these tickets and then send them to him in a taxi. "We went through all the containers, couldn't find them and then received a call from the man telling us that he had found the tickets in his jacket pocket. An expensive mistake for him!"
Summerscale also remembers an incident which, although didn't end up causing any major problems, could have ended up costing the client a fair amount of cash. "One client was shipping a car to Australia but, in spite of two visits from us and two letters stressing the importance of getting import approval prior to shipping, had made no application for this before he delivered the car to us. "We picked up on this as the paperwork was incomplete, so had to hold the car in store while we waited for the paperwork, which eventually followed several weeks later. If we had not spotted the client's error, he would have faced considerable cost implications. "Incidentally, the same client filled his car up with petrol on the way to delivering it to us for shipment! Perhaps he thought we were going to drive it there!"
One area where it is impossible to tell whether you will incur any extra costs or not comes with the quarantine problems anyone shipping their goods to Australia or New Zealand could experience. "A major talking point at the moment is the quarantine charges being incurred by some immigrants upon the arrival of their household goods in Australia and New Zealand," explains Witham. "The government authorities who carry out these examinations are, of course, trying to protect the agricultural policies and the environment. They have the authority to examine any goods they wish to and to effect any cleaning, spraying or quarantine treatments that they deem necessary. "On some occasions this may involve the destination depot having to unpack goods and replace them which can also incur some extra costs. There is no general figure and no guideline because whether or not an examination is made and the extent of that examination will not be known until the goods have arrived."
For further information:
PSS
Anglo Pacific
Robinsons International Removers
Register for your FREE emigration starter pack