best shipping company to use - UK to US

[zoobuffalo 0]

hi guys

it's time for me to think about shipping! i'm moving from near London to New York - has anyone else made a similar trip, and can advise on a good shipping company to use? we don't have much stuff, 3 chairs, few boxes of books, a computer and that's about it. can anyone advise costs, good reliable companies to use... or even bad ones to avoid!! thanks heaps!

emma.

[L & P 0]

I am not moving as yet but I heard that excess bagage was a good company

[zoobuffalo 0]

cool - thanks! have just requested a quote from them. they have a cool system for estimating your shipment by entering numbers of things you're taking, chairs, tables etc. on a form along with their standard boxes for shipping and how many you'll need, and it works out a volume for you. will report back with how reasonable they are. any other companies i could try as a comparison?

[Lansbury 19]

It would surprise me if the cost of shipping the chairs and computer was more than they are worth. Excess Baggage are certainly good for boxes of books.

For the computer look to make sure the voltage is OK for use in the US, and the monitor as well. Most computers come with a 100-240v power supply and if not a new power supply in the US in around $40 and about 15 minutes to swap over. If the monitor does have 100-240v it probably isn't worth the hassle of shipping and trying to get a power converter for it.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Another vote for Excess Baggage -- lots of happy customers here at VJ. We had 20 boxes of all sorts of kit -- books, LPs, vintage hi fi, clothes, you name it except furniture -- and it cost us in the region of 600 quid. This was for front door to front door service -- would have cost less if we'd picked it up at the docks in New York, but it was worth the extra for the convenience. Their service was excellent, and the boxes were with us about 5 weeks after we shipped them out.

[zoobuffalo 0]

very cool - thanks for the info. and ouch, yeah will have to think about the computer. we already shipped one computer across, an old imac and it's just running with a plug converter, has been no problem, but my main computer is a bit more important, so will have to look into it properly. how do i find out these voltage things?

ahhh the cost may be more than they are worth, but in sentimental value, these things are priceless (not the computer, the chairs!!)

[Lansbury 19]

very cool - thanks for the info. and ouch, yeah will have to think about the computer. we already shipped one computer across, an old imac and it's just running with a plug converter, has been no problem, but my main computer is a bit more important, so will have to look into it properly. how do i find out these voltage things?

ahhh the cost may be more than they are worth, but in sentimental value, these things are priceless (not the computer, the chairs!!)

Look at the back of the computer where the power cable plugs in. The power supply should have the voltage on it.

If it is just 240v, the power supply is held in normally by 4 or 5 screws. It is just a case of opening the computer, disconnecting the internal power leads, not difficult, take a digital photo and print it out before you do so as a guide to connecting the new ones. Remove screws, screw new power unit in and connect leads. Sounds a lot more complicated than it is.

The power unit steps the power down to that needed by the computer. So a new US power supply will replace an old UK power supply as a straight swap.

Edited March 12, 2008 by Lansbury

[zoobuffalo 0]

thanks so much - i will take a look. sounds pretty straight forward

[ladyynara 0]

I have a company called Doree Bonner coming to pick our stuff up on Tuesday, I'll let you know how they are!

[zoobuffalo 0]

thanks! will look into them and maybe get another quote too!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I looked into Excess Baggage some time ago, but they seemed to be exactly that - for EXCESS baggage, ie a (relatively) few items that didn't fit in your suitcase, not a specific international mover for a reasonable amount of stuff... anyone care to comment on that? is my impression correct?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I looked into Excess Baggage some time ago, but they seemed to be exactly that - for EXCESS baggage, ie a (relatively) few items that didn't fit in your suitcase, not a specific international mover for a reasonable amount of stuff... anyone care to comment on that? is my impression correct?

See my post #5 above. We shipped 20 boxes over -- including some very heavy and bulky hifi equipment.

They also will do a more straightforward whole house move. Have another look on their site -- you might be surprised!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

yeah, I saw your post, thanks, but you mentioned you took no furniture - I'll be taking some

quite a bit, actually

[zoobuffalo 0]

excess baggage got back to me with a quote of £615 - we have 10 medium sized boxes, one armchair, decided to leave behind the kitchen chairs, one table with removable legs and a mirror... i have a guy from Doree Bonner coming to look at the stuff we're taking and give me an estimate in about 10 mins! will report back. kinda cool that they will come out free of charge, no obligation to give you a quote.

[redkitty 0]

We are using UPakWeShip for the second time. I just got my quote from London to San Francisco, 120 cubic sf, door to door is £875. Good thing we are not shipping any furniture!

When I moved here in 2006 I shipped 20 boxes with them (100 cubic sf), took exactly 6 weeks to be delivered to our house here in Bristol and the cost was $820ish.