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Hello there everyone,
I will be shipping my car from Miami to St. Croix in early August, using Tropical Shipping Co, but have just heard some unsettling rumors.....wondering about their validity.
Tropical says you can put 30 cubic ft. of goods in your car while it's being shipped, however, a friend on the island told me of several stories she's heard of goods being frequently stolen from the cars while they are on the ship. Has anyone out there experienced (or heard of) anything like this?? Does this company have a strong history of thievery?
I had plans to put several things in my car, but don't want to risk it if I might not see them again. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much, and have a great day!
Posted : June 30, 2003 5:46 pm
It seems obvious to me not to take the risk....
JET
Posted : June 30, 2003 8:45 pm
Rachel: I don't think that they will insure the contents. Everyone has heard about things going missing, but I have never spoken to anyone directly who had this happen. Still, it is not a very secure method of sending valuables. I put books in the trunk of my car, no problem. I wouldn't put anything that sticky fingers might want (electronics, etc).
Posted : June 30, 2003 11:58 pm
We're shipping two vehicles with Tropical in 5 weeks. I can give you a definite report after that. But we've decided to ship some things in our cars. If anybody wants my sheets or my favorite frying pan, well, so be it. But I wouldn't leave anything in the car that I would die if it got lost. We're carrying our laptop and our cameras, but the TV, the printer and the stereo will be in the trunk of one vehicle. I'll let you know how it works out.
Posted : July 1, 2003 12:06 pm
Linda-and all others
You are limited to 30 cubic feet. Unfortunately you can no load the car up with items. We originaly were going to do that, stuff every place we could with stuff, but per US customs you can not do that. If you are putting things in your trunk make sure you do not take up more then 30 cubic feet other wise you will have to take it out of the car when you go to ship it. Just an FYI I learned from reading and reading and reading.
Posted : July 1, 2003 4:06 pm
Kailek is right the rule is 30 cf. However, think about how big that is. That's one box 3 feet x 3 feet X 3 feet. We have two vehicles, a 1980 Triumph and a Dodge Caravan. The Triumph is not a problem, you couldn't squeeze 30 CF in it with a shoe horn. For the Caravan we are measuring each box as we pack it. we figure we can put 6 boxes behind the back seat and have cubic feet to spare. We also decided to prepare these boxes in such a way that if we have to mail them instead, all they'll need is an address and postage.
Right now we're five weeks out and I'm starting to get nervous.
Posted : July 1, 2003 5:59 pm
Hi folks...
Don't forget the containers reach approx. 170dg... all "stuff" must be boxed, labelled, and Tropical Shipped vehicle ends up on dock in PR for some time... we carried all valuables on our person... or shipped USPS prior to leaving...
Regards, Craig
Posted : July 1, 2003 7:49 pm
Tropical does not send their vehicles to San Juan. Crowley does. Maybe you should consider a container with the cars in it, as well as your household goods?
Ronnie
Posted : July 2, 2003 12:03 am
I believe you're wrong about Puerto Rico. We have been told it's a straght shot from Florida to St. Croix.
Posted : July 2, 2003 1:04 pm
linda, i believe you are right, they do ship directly into stx.. a few things you mentioned concern me, not that its my busines but just some things to consider only based on info form current stx transplants.1. do not mark any boxes as tv vcr etc they will be stollen we have been advised to # boxes 1,2,3 etc only and keep a noteboook as to what is in each box not my place to say but a sports car like a tiumph really has no place on the island it is too low to the ground.. a close friend of ours shipped his similar sports car against the advice of mutual friends and has used it twice for that reason, there will be no resale value on the island, because they just are not practical you might want to consider selling it in the stATE FOR MORE $ rather than shipping just thought i'd share this info with you we all have to do what we have to do, but i would reccomend reconsidering the triumph just based on our friends experience.. why do i get the feeling its ric`s and he will not think to highly of my advice.. we are experiencing anxiety attacks every day NOT because of our decsion but because of all that is invovled, its not like your moving to another state BUT i trulely belive it will all be more than worth it keep in touch
Posted : July 3, 2003 12:51 am
sorry guys i should of mentioned one more thing get an on island moving company to take you things of f freighter directly to your new residence if you need more info email me
Posted : July 3, 2003 12:55 am
heh, bring the triumph... i drive around st john every day wishing i hadnt sold my old fiat... =)
sports car fanatics know it's not about resale or "functionality"... theyre fuuun cars to have around!
enjoy!
Posted : July 3, 2003 2:03 am
Linda,
The Triumph is a little larger than a Mazda Miata. We saw several of those on the island. You don't see many Triumph TR7's anywhere because they are mobile money pits. Most of the places we will drive, it will go. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to repair and I have done a lot of restoration on this one. Just watch for us. We'll be in the white wedge scootin' around STX. Kudzu is absolutely correct. It's just damn fun to drive.
Posted : July 3, 2003 2:42 am
I talked to Crowley and they said they run straight to St Thomas then to St Croix. No San Juan stops. I was under the impression Tropical stops in San Juan. Thats why it takes longer to get your car. Tropical told me it would be about two weeks before my car arrived in St Croix but Crowley said if I drop my car on a monday they will ship it thursday and have it in St Croix by monday with only one stop in St Thomas.
Posted : July 3, 2003 2:46 pm
ric i know the feeling. i knew you wouldn't like my advice, i am selling my jeep FUN 2 DRIVE , and after we buy a basic truck/ vehicale i would love 2 get a motorcyle as a second means of transportation any chance you could help me talk my husband into it.. at our meeting last fri in aug @ cheeseburgers?? i'll pay for your margaritas!!
Posted : July 4, 2003 2:37 am
Just thought I'd ask.. Been going to stj for about 16 years and can't remember anyone ever actually getting prison time or a sizable fine for any corruption?
Posted : July 5, 2003 4:46 pm
No, they are elected for office in the senate or govenor.
Posted : July 8, 2003 3:17 pm
I shipped my car via Tropical back in January and everything I packed in the trunk was still there when it arrived on STT. I didn't pack any serious valuables back there, mostly clothes, books and kitchen stuff. We were cautious about the 30 c.f. limit but when we checked in down in Florida they were very low key about it, said we could fill up the trunk as much as we wanted (FYI, this was a Nissan Altima). The car arrived in St. Thomas about 1.5 weeks later. I was pleased with the experience.
Posted : July 15, 2003 8:28 pm
