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Hi everyone,
I've read all the threads on people's experiences with movers, but I would like to know if this is completely out of whack or not. I just got an estimate back from my movers and it seems wildly out of line: $13,000! This is for one IKEA bed I could carry with one arm, a few particleboard bookcases, an IKEA sofa (under 100 lbs), some boxes of books and clothing. It's about a one-bedroom apartment's worth of stuff. They said it totaled 6600 lbs. I'm counting more like 3000 lbs total. This quote is for a 20' container. It don't think the container will be near full.
Now I know that they quoted me for packing everything -- "white glove service" -- and frankly my stuff just isn't that good to require this. But removing the packing cost still leaves me with an estimate of $8500.
Is this price extreme? Or is this what you've experienced? Do you have any cost-saving suggestions?
I'm seriously thinking of mailing my books and clothing parcel post/media mail, and ditching all my furniture. I know so many places come furnished anyway, and I'm not that attached to my furniture.
All the best,
Kass
Posted : July 19, 2012 12:58 pm
Sometimes when service providers make an estimate that is totally out of whack, it means that they really don't want to do the job.
Posted : July 19, 2012 1:53 pm
I got an estimate from Sea Star for a fully packed 40' door to port which means they pick it up at my house loaded and deliver it to STX for $6,555. I am in SE Texas.
Try Sea Star and see if the quote is any better.
Posted : July 19, 2012 2:05 pm
Topic starter
TamiP,
Thanks for the lead.
Did you have to hire movers on STX to get the goods to your house?
Posted : July 19, 2012 2:11 pm
Hi everyone,
. . . a few particleboard bookcases. . .
I'm seriously thinking of mailing my books and clothing parcel post/media mail, and ditching all my furniture. I know so many places come furnished anyway, and I'm not that attached to my furniture.
All the best,
Kass
Do NOT bring any particleboard items. They will fall apart within six months. Your last paragraph sums up what you should do!
Rocky Dock
Water Island
Posted : July 19, 2012 3:27 pm
Rocky said exactly what I was about to type.
Besides, most rentals on STX are furnished.
Posted : July 19, 2012 4:32 pm
That price is just to deliver the container to STX, all customs and moving it would be up to you to figure out.
Posted : July 19, 2012 5:43 pm
I agree with the others who advise not to bring such stuff. Even if you rent something unfurnished, you can always find plenty of inexpensive second hand furniture all the time and of much better quality than what you have. I wouldn't bring books either unless there are a very few that you simply can't live without. And you'll be amazed at how little clothing you need here so cull all of that too. Best advice is to put your stuff in storage with friends or family until you've settled in and get a feel for island living. Good luck!
Posted : July 19, 2012 5:59 pm
HOVENSA would give employees $10K in lieu of moving their stuff to island (w/ white glove service), so if they are willing to pay that much to save money you can figure that your quote isn't all that outrageous.
Posted : July 19, 2012 8:05 pm
A 20" container can hold ALOT of stuff...we used one to send all for a 3 bedroom home, living rm, dining, all lamps etc, outdoor and sunroom furniture, all kitchen things, (not appliances) etc, etc, and had lots of room left.
Your movers are pricing their work (packing and loading) marking up the container shipping cost, (and possibly transport and unloading at other end as well?) and land transport to port. Depending on which shipper, land costs can be a large part of this quote. Sea Star no longer ships containers direct from NJ/PA, so they are no longer such a good deal from the northeast. Tropical requires transport to FL...etc, etc. We've seen just the container price fluctuate as much as $1000 in the last year or two, depending on the fuel prices too.
Posted : July 19, 2012 11:53 pm
