Preparing for the Big Move

Hello, how are you?

Well, I’m really excited! I’m back in London with my colleagues for a couple of weeks. It’s been ages since I’ve seen them.

What’s even more exciting is that I’m going to be at “Channel 4 Place in the Sun LIVE” in Birmingham at the NEC, 1st-3rd October. I’m on a panel in the seminar theatre at 11am each day answering questions about Cyprus. You can get free tickets, just call The Overseas Guides Company on 0207 898 0549 or go to http://www.blogger.com/www.aplaceinthesun.com. If you are around, come and say hello - I’d love to meet you!

Let’s get back to shipping and preparing for the big move. Remember to check forums for reliable shippers – forums are great sources of information and should help you to make the right decision.

I cannot stress enough that there are plenty of rogues out there – just take a look at my previous blogs to see where it can all go horribly wrong!

Right. Here are some more hints and tips to help you along the way:

What should I be doing 2 weeks before the move?

• Dismantle furniture that is not designed to be moved when assembled
• Organise gas, electricity and water meter readings on the morning of the move
• Arrange to have your telephone disconnected
• Ensure bills are forwarded to your new address
• Return any items that are rented, for example your TV and video
• Run down the fridge and freezer
  
  What should I be doing during the last week?
  
• Gather all your important documents, for example, birth and marriage certificates. Keep them safe in a wallet. Photocopy them all several times and carry them with you
• Check with the removal company that everything is going according to plan
• Organise some foreign currency for immediate use on arrival
• Empty any safety deposit boxes
• Pack suitcases with everything you need for your journey including things you will need to use prior to your goods arriving
• Keep all your valuables with you
• Don’t forget emergency supplies, such as medicines – make sure you have enough with you until you register with your new doctor
• Defrost fridges and freezers
• Disconnect kitchen appliances

I hope you find these useful. Next week, I’m going to talk about what happens on the big day – and I’ll be sharing my own experiences with you.

That’s it from me for now; hope to see you in Birmingham!

Have fun

Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/

Packing and Unpacking Your Goods Overseas

Hello, how are you?

Well, it’s national holiday time in Cyprus for the next two weeks – and a good job too! We are experiencing the hottest summer since August 1956 with temperatures at 46.5 degrees and 97% humidity. Phew!

Let’s get back to shipping. This week I am covering packing and unpacking. It all sounds simple – just shove everything in boxes and away you go. But that’s not the way to do it when your goods are travelling overseas.

So how should things be packed? Carefully is the word I would want to hear! Joking aside, good removal companies do pack with the greatest of care, particularly when exporting.

Packing for exporting is completely different to packing for a UK move because of the shipping involved. It tends to take more time because the packers are more careful than usual, particularly with delicate items, such as china and glass.

It is very important that nothing moves in the container, so more wrapping than usual is used. Wooden crates are sometimes tailor made for special items that need more protection than usual.

I shipped over some very delicate porcelain roses, which I made in evening classes back in the UK. I never believed for one minute that they would arrive in one piece – but they did. The chap who packed them in the UK used a huge box, an enormous amount of tissue paper and assured me they would arrive safely. He was used to packing valuable antiques - so I guessed my roses would be safe in his hands and I was right.

Strong boxes are always used which are sealed with heavy-duty tape. Here is a helpful hint. Our move took place overseas in July, at the hottest period. When the container arrived, it was 60 degrees inside. Although all our boxes had been taped securely, when they were unloaded the glue on the tape had melted. As a result, very careful unloading had to take place. So make sure that your packers double tape every box, to avoid any accidents happening.

Our biggest fear was that our computer would be ruined because of the heat, but it was fine. It just goes to show how robust they are.

The removal company can also organise unpacking. We decided to unpack ourselves at our leisure. For us, this turned out to be the right thing to do.

How many staff will come to pack and load? Again, this depends on the amount of possessions you are taking; your removal company will advise you. It is always best to check that the removal company are sending their own employees, not sub-contractors. Permanent employees of the removal company tend to be more careful and reliable. Sub-contractors can often disappear overnight.

Oh, and remember, your removal company is also responsible for all the shipping paperwork in conjunction with their agent at your destination.

Next week I’m going to talk about two very important issues – security and marine insurance – so don’t miss it!

Well, that’s it for now; I’m off to cool down.

Keep smiling – it’s infectious!

Until next week

Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/