Hello, how are you?
Cyprus is going to be very quiet over the next two weeks. Traditionally, the island’s national holidays start on Monday. It’s perfect timing due to the heat.
Let’s continue with shipping. This week I’m covering loading your container. Depending on the amount of possessions you are shipping, the container may be loaded at your home. If you have enough belongings, it’s always best if you can do this, as you can observe the whole procedure from start to finish. You watch your possessions go into the container and you watch the container being sealed.
If you are shipping by “Groupage” – in other words a “part load” because you don’t have enough possessions to fill a container, you may find that a small van comes to collect your crates and boxes instead.
If this is the case, the crates and boxes are taken away to a depot and then they are loaded into a container, which you will share with others. This means you can’t observe the process and your possessions are double-handled - meaning the margin for error is greater.
If you feel nervous about this and need peace of mind, just ask your removal company for advice. A good removal company will usually let you follow the van to the depot and let you see your possessions being transferred to the container they will be sent overseas in.
But how do you know everything will be safe and secure?
Well, if your container is packed outside your home, the removal company will seal it in front of you. Each container has a security code number on the seal and this should still be in place when it eventually reaches you at your new home.
If the seal is not in place when it arrives, this means one of two things. Either the container has been broken into (very rare), or Customs have inspected it for some reason or another. The latter is normally the case.
Another question I’ve been asked is how long does it take to pack and load the container?
As this is dependent on the amount of possessions you are taking, your removal company will advise you. It also depends on whether you are packing your own possessions or the company are. If the removal company are packing for you, they will need to come to your home before the container arrives. This can often be a few days before. Then on the day, they simply pack all the boxes into the container and off it goes to your local dock to await shipping.
By the way, it’s quite normal to feel very nervous and often quite emotional when the container is finally driven away. Your new life is about to begin and mixed feelings will be felt at this stage!
Next week I’m going to cover packing and unpacking – there will be lots of hints and tips on how to make sure breakages are kept to a minimum.
Well, that’s it for now, have a super weekend
Best wishes
Jackie
Friday 30 July 2010
Friday 23 July 2010
Hints and Tips About Shipping Containers
Hello, it’s me again.
It’s 6am and I’ve just come out of the swimming pool, it’s so hot here.
It’s the only way to really cool down. In a couple of hours, I’ll have to jump in again. And that’s how each day goes at the moment. This week its reached 43 degrees and we’re not in August yet. I’m finding it really hard going, but, I just have to focus on September coming and temperatures dropping down to a more comfortable level.
Anyway, enough of me groaning on about the heat! I should be so lucky ….
Let’s carry on with some more shipping information. This week I’m giving some hints and tips about the containers shipping companies use to send your goods overseas.
OK. As your goods are going by sea, they need to be in a watertight metal container. These usually come in two sizes, 20 feet long or 40 feet long. Your removal company will advise you which size you need. If you don’t have a great deal to ship, your possessions will be shipped as a “part load” which means you will share a container; in other words, it won’t be exclusively for you.
You need to ensure your container is watertight. I can tell you are now thinking of course it will be. Well, this is not always the case. If the container is old and battered, the best thing to do is go inside it, shut the doors and if you can see daylight you know trouble is on the horizon because it will leak!
For peace of mind, if the container is old, it should have proper welded repairs, a clean interior and the two overlapping doors should be working and lockable.
Remember, your possessions are going by sea, so a leaky container is not an option due to rough seas and poor weather conditions.
A good removal company will always check the container and make sure it will remain dry; always be suspicious if it turns up looking in a sorry state - and ask questions!
That’s it for this week. Next week I’m going to cover loading your container and how to ensure your possessions are safe.
Have a great weekend and keep smiling – if you do, others around you will.
Until next time
Best wishes
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com
It’s 6am and I’ve just come out of the swimming pool, it’s so hot here.
It’s the only way to really cool down. In a couple of hours, I’ll have to jump in again. And that’s how each day goes at the moment. This week its reached 43 degrees and we’re not in August yet. I’m finding it really hard going, but, I just have to focus on September coming and temperatures dropping down to a more comfortable level.
Anyway, enough of me groaning on about the heat! I should be so lucky ….
Let’s carry on with some more shipping information. This week I’m giving some hints and tips about the containers shipping companies use to send your goods overseas.
OK. As your goods are going by sea, they need to be in a watertight metal container. These usually come in two sizes, 20 feet long or 40 feet long. Your removal company will advise you which size you need. If you don’t have a great deal to ship, your possessions will be shipped as a “part load” which means you will share a container; in other words, it won’t be exclusively for you.
You need to ensure your container is watertight. I can tell you are now thinking of course it will be. Well, this is not always the case. If the container is old and battered, the best thing to do is go inside it, shut the doors and if you can see daylight you know trouble is on the horizon because it will leak!
For peace of mind, if the container is old, it should have proper welded repairs, a clean interior and the two overlapping doors should be working and lockable.
Remember, your possessions are going by sea, so a leaky container is not an option due to rough seas and poor weather conditions.
A good removal company will always check the container and make sure it will remain dry; always be suspicious if it turns up looking in a sorry state - and ask questions!
That’s it for this week. Next week I’m going to cover loading your container and how to ensure your possessions are safe.
Have a great weekend and keep smiling – if you do, others around you will.
Until next time
Best wishes
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com
Friday 16 July 2010
More help with shipping
Hello!
I hope life is treating you well.
Temperatures continue to rise here in Cyprus; I’m in and out of our swimming pool several times a day now, just trying to keep cool! The water in the pool is currently 32 degrees, it’s like a bath.
I’ve had quite a few emails this week asking more questions about shipping, so I’ll carry on with some more help.
Right. After you have found a few companies you feel happy with, the next step is to get their surveyor round to give you a quote.
The surveyor needs to know what you are taking and what you are leaving, so think carefully about this before they arrive.
There are usually several different options for your move overseas:
Deep-sea shipping is the most cost effective transport method especially for bulky items like furniture and vehicles.
Groupage is extremely economical and the cheapest way to ship. It’s ideal if you don’t have enough goods to fill a container, so you simply share space with others who are going to your destination.
Full containers mean that you have sole use of a container that can be sealed and loaded at your home. This gives a fast, direct service.
Airfreight is the fastest method but the most expensive. It’s perfect if you can’t wait for important items to arrive.
Then of course, there are also several options for packing.
I would strongly advise you not to pack your own goods for shipping. You are not the expert. It’s different if you are moving within the country where you live - but remember a crane is loading your container onto a ship and if everything isn’t packed just so, goods have a far higher chance of getting damaged. Also, sometimes you cannot obtain marine insurance (I’ll talk about that later) if you pack your own goods.
I discovered that some removal companies have quite amazing services now. You can take out five-star packages, where you don’t lift a finger.
Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it, just being responsible for making the tea and keeping out of the way! Some companies even provide a handyman on the day - and even cleaners. This type of package isn’t cheap, but is by far the easiest way to move.
Well, that’s it for now – I’m overheating again and need to jump in the pool to cool off!
See you next week.
Best wishes as always
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com
I hope life is treating you well.
Temperatures continue to rise here in Cyprus; I’m in and out of our swimming pool several times a day now, just trying to keep cool! The water in the pool is currently 32 degrees, it’s like a bath.
I’ve had quite a few emails this week asking more questions about shipping, so I’ll carry on with some more help.
Right. After you have found a few companies you feel happy with, the next step is to get their surveyor round to give you a quote.
The surveyor needs to know what you are taking and what you are leaving, so think carefully about this before they arrive.
There are usually several different options for your move overseas:
Deep-sea shipping is the most cost effective transport method especially for bulky items like furniture and vehicles.
Groupage is extremely economical and the cheapest way to ship. It’s ideal if you don’t have enough goods to fill a container, so you simply share space with others who are going to your destination.
Full containers mean that you have sole use of a container that can be sealed and loaded at your home. This gives a fast, direct service.
Airfreight is the fastest method but the most expensive. It’s perfect if you can’t wait for important items to arrive.
Then of course, there are also several options for packing.
I would strongly advise you not to pack your own goods for shipping. You are not the expert. It’s different if you are moving within the country where you live - but remember a crane is loading your container onto a ship and if everything isn’t packed just so, goods have a far higher chance of getting damaged. Also, sometimes you cannot obtain marine insurance (I’ll talk about that later) if you pack your own goods.
I discovered that some removal companies have quite amazing services now. You can take out five-star packages, where you don’t lift a finger.
Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it, just being responsible for making the tea and keeping out of the way! Some companies even provide a handyman on the day - and even cleaners. This type of package isn’t cheap, but is by far the easiest way to move.
Well, that’s it for now – I’m overheating again and need to jump in the pool to cool off!
See you next week.
Best wishes as always
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com
Friday 9 July 2010
Contacting Your Removal Company Early!
Hi there, it’s me again.
How are you? Have you had a good week?
Here in Cyprus it’s really hot – and I mean really hot. Temperatures are sweltering; it’s over 40 degrees most days now, phew! Since I’ve lived here I have got used to it (sort of), but must admit I really do prefer the cooler months. It’s time like this when I am really glad we have a swimming pool, although even the water in that is reading 32 degrees today. It’s like a warm bath ….
Anyway, last week I started talking about shipping your stuff over to Cyprus, and as I have so much information on that, I though I would carry on sharing what I discovered.
A word of warning: Don’t wait until your house is sold before getting quotes - this is a big mistake and can cause unnecessary delays. Contacting your removal company early is very important if you are moving overseas. Why? Because they will need to book your container (which will hold all your possessions) and also the ship that will carry it. If you can give as much notice as possible, then the chances are you will have a choice of sailings.
It’s always best to telephone quite a few reputable removal companies and ask them to visit your home. They will come along and conduct a survey. These surveys are always free. If you are asked to pay for a survey, then walk away from the company concerned because that’s your first alarm bell ringing!
It’s a really good idea to obtain several quotations, as they do vary quite a bit for more or less the same service.
A comprehensive survey of all your household possessions – including anything buried in the garage and the loft – will be conducted. An accurate cost will then be sent to you with advice on all aspects of your move, including packing, wrapping and dealing with precious or delicate items.
Here’s another tip. Always ask the representative when the quotation will be received. If after a reasonable time you have not received your quotation and you have to chase the company, perhaps this is the first indication that they are not as efficient as they could be and this may help you in the decision making process for choosing your removal firm.
OK. That’s it for now. More next week, I’m off to jump in the pool and cool off!
Have a great weekend, relax and be happy.
Until next time.
Best wishes
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/
How are you? Have you had a good week?
Here in Cyprus it’s really hot – and I mean really hot. Temperatures are sweltering; it’s over 40 degrees most days now, phew! Since I’ve lived here I have got used to it (sort of), but must admit I really do prefer the cooler months. It’s time like this when I am really glad we have a swimming pool, although even the water in that is reading 32 degrees today. It’s like a warm bath ….
Anyway, last week I started talking about shipping your stuff over to Cyprus, and as I have so much information on that, I though I would carry on sharing what I discovered.
A word of warning: Don’t wait until your house is sold before getting quotes - this is a big mistake and can cause unnecessary delays. Contacting your removal company early is very important if you are moving overseas. Why? Because they will need to book your container (which will hold all your possessions) and also the ship that will carry it. If you can give as much notice as possible, then the chances are you will have a choice of sailings.
It’s always best to telephone quite a few reputable removal companies and ask them to visit your home. They will come along and conduct a survey. These surveys are always free. If you are asked to pay for a survey, then walk away from the company concerned because that’s your first alarm bell ringing!
It’s a really good idea to obtain several quotations, as they do vary quite a bit for more or less the same service.
A comprehensive survey of all your household possessions – including anything buried in the garage and the loft – will be conducted. An accurate cost will then be sent to you with advice on all aspects of your move, including packing, wrapping and dealing with precious or delicate items.
Here’s another tip. Always ask the representative when the quotation will be received. If after a reasonable time you have not received your quotation and you have to chase the company, perhaps this is the first indication that they are not as efficient as they could be and this may help you in the decision making process for choosing your removal firm.
OK. That’s it for now. More next week, I’m off to jump in the pool and cool off!
Have a great weekend, relax and be happy.
Until next time.
Best wishes
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/
Friday 2 July 2010
Choosing the right shipping company
Hello again from sunny Cyprus!
Last week I mentioned about how much I learnt about shipping when we moved to Cyprus and that as a result, I wrote two reports to help others – one specifically for Cyprus, and one that is generic.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share this information with you. So, if any of your friends are thinking about moving overseas, you might like to get them to become a follower. I’d be really pleased if you did.
Believe me; you have to be extremely careful about who you are shipping with.
First and foremost, make sure you employ a professional removal company. Beware of the cowboys, because they are out there - and they disguise themselves very well!
So what should you look for? Well, be very careful when you are obtaining remover’s details from the Internet as a great deal of these are not bona-fide movers. A website that looks good doesn’t necessarily mean you will be working with companies who have high professional standings. Some of these companies even ask for deposits on-line before they have visited you. Alarm bells should be ringing at the first sign of this!
Your safety net is to look for bona-fide professional memberships, which you can check out yourself.
BAR (British Association of Removers) have a Code of Practice, which is the only code in the moving industry that is approved and monitored by the Office of Fair Trading under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
All members abide by the Code that dictates the standard of service you will receive, the quality of the materials used, the standards of vehicles and warehouses, staff training requirements and best of all – what will happen if something goes wrong!
Most importantly, the Code requires BAR moving companies to deal with you in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times. You also have financial protection.
The other memberships to look for are FIDI, a network of International Quality Removers. Most BAR members are members of FIDI, and often also members of FAIM (part of the FIDI group), HHGFAA (Household Goods Forwarders Association of America), EURA (European Relocation Association) and ARP (Association of Relocation Professionals).
I’ll carry on with this next week, but in the meantime, if you or any of your friends are emigrating, have a look at www.emigrationguide.com – you can get a free monthly newsletter packed with information about emigrating.
That’s it from me for this week.
Best wishes as always.
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com
Last week I mentioned about how much I learnt about shipping when we moved to Cyprus and that as a result, I wrote two reports to help others – one specifically for Cyprus, and one that is generic.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share this information with you. So, if any of your friends are thinking about moving overseas, you might like to get them to become a follower. I’d be really pleased if you did.
Believe me; you have to be extremely careful about who you are shipping with.
First and foremost, make sure you employ a professional removal company. Beware of the cowboys, because they are out there - and they disguise themselves very well!
So what should you look for? Well, be very careful when you are obtaining remover’s details from the Internet as a great deal of these are not bona-fide movers. A website that looks good doesn’t necessarily mean you will be working with companies who have high professional standings. Some of these companies even ask for deposits on-line before they have visited you. Alarm bells should be ringing at the first sign of this!
Your safety net is to look for bona-fide professional memberships, which you can check out yourself.
BAR (British Association of Removers) have a Code of Practice, which is the only code in the moving industry that is approved and monitored by the Office of Fair Trading under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
All members abide by the Code that dictates the standard of service you will receive, the quality of the materials used, the standards of vehicles and warehouses, staff training requirements and best of all – what will happen if something goes wrong!
Most importantly, the Code requires BAR moving companies to deal with you in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times. You also have financial protection.
The other memberships to look for are FIDI, a network of International Quality Removers. Most BAR members are members of FIDI, and often also members of FAIM (part of the FIDI group), HHGFAA (Household Goods Forwarders Association of America), EURA (European Relocation Association) and ARP (Association of Relocation Professionals).
I’ll carry on with this next week, but in the meantime, if you or any of your friends are emigrating, have a look at www.emigrationguide.com – you can get a free monthly newsletter packed with information about emigrating.
That’s it from me for this week.
Best wishes as always.
Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com
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