Spent forever waiting for mover contact to give us a quote for our household effects. He finally came back this week, and quoted $5.6k ex insurance for 500 cubic feet/14 cubic meters of space. Even after leaving our Yamaha Clavinova out of the equation, the savings would only be $190! (Hubby had suggested leaving it behind to save on shipping $, and I reluctantly agreed.)
That is SO over our budget. At this rate, we won't have $ to buy that second-hand car in Melb! Hubby's colleague had told him of a mover who quotes $4k for a 20-foot container load. The rep promised to call 2 days ago but hasn't. Hmmf.
Was finally forced to call other companies cos time is running out. I'm one of those lazy people who prefer to stick to just 1 supplier and get on with it. After some Internet research, found this helpful website www.intlmovers.com and emailed FJ Worldwide Movers and Shalom Movers. FJ is sending a rep over tomorrow to survey our items.
Based on our list of items to ship, the rep quoted $4k for door to door delivery/40 cartons/10 m3/inclusive of customs-quarantine charges. Our stuff will take about a month to arrive in Melb, which is fine since we won't have a permanent address just yet.
Compare:
SM is quoting us $3.8k for door to door/30 cartons/6 m3/exc quarantine charges (A$400 to be paid to Oz Customs).
Options?
Our other alternative is to use the Unaccompanied Baggage route via Qantas (but it's only for books and clothing) and Speedpost's Surface Parcel Delivery (max 20 kg per delivery). My ever-reliable coz in Melb has offered the use of her shed for us to temporarily store the cartons till we find permanent housing. Good ol' coz :)
The tricky thing is how to translate all the items into x kg or y boxes so we can calculate what makes more economic sense. The lazybones in me just wants to hire a shipper who'll pack all my stuff for me so I can sit back and relax!
Less than 2 weeks to get all this done - panic2....
Update 25 Aug 2006
Was at dinner last night with classmates from my Chinese translation class, and one of them (Eric) turned out to be in the shipping/moving industry! When I told E what I'd been quoted, he offered to help us get a reasonable quotation from his co. He says shipping actually doesn't cost a lot. He also advised that we pack things ourselves to save $. Hubby joined the gathering at the end and was able to talk directly to E, which was good. Feel a lot more positive and hopeful now of an economical solution to the shipping challenge.
Am so thankful for this last-minute provision from the Lord - He knows everything we need, and His timing is never off!
Update 28 Aug 2006
Called Store It Self Storage this morning to ask if they do home delivery for their packing boxes. They do, at no charge! Ordered 20 large boxes and 20 small ones, plus 5 packs of bubble wrap. They will deliver the goodies today. At least now we can (or are forced to) get on with the packing while waiting for my pal Eric to get back with a quote on the shipping cost.
We also found someone to take our Clavinova - our pal Cat, who plays the piano at church! Finally, someone who will really benefit from the C and put it to the use it deserves. Thank you Lord! (Hope I don't miss the C too much. Hubby has promised that we can get a 2nd-hand piano if I really want to play in Melb.)
Update 29 August 2006
Started on the packing-into-boxes today. Backbreaking but quite satisfying. Filled one small carton with my cookbooks and motivational books. Filled half of another with our fave CDs. Another with alphabet mat pieces for bb. And on and on. Waiting for Beth to come home so I can discuss with her what she absolutely won't leave behind; this 4 y.o. has a LOT of fluff, er, stuff.
Eric came back with quote. S$433 for shipping to Melb. A$1139 for clearing customs on Oz side. We are to deal directly with his Melb agent for the handling fees. Couple of forms to fill and photocopy of hubby's pp is required. Hope that's all. I really would much rather have someone handle all this for us at a premium, but $ is tight, so this may be the best option.
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