The Movers Lost a Box :o(
Oct 8th, 2007, 02:11 PM
#21
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The entire renovation has been 2 moths and these past couple of days.
We have been here 5 months and just want to be Home..so it seems like a much longer renovation because of that..but let me tell you, I have nothing but good stuff to say about the workers that we have here..clean, polite , quiet!! and just nice..not to mention, thoughtful..they think of little things that I might like as they are working on something so these small touches are added...the kitchen was a kitchen and laundry..the closet was the maids room .. it is all coming out as I pictured it though..it will be so great when finished.
Yes. lots of photos are coming..
We have been here 5 months and just want to be Home..so it seems like a much longer renovation because of that..but let me tell you, I have nothing but good stuff to say about the workers that we have here..clean, polite , quiet!! and just nice..not to mention, thoughtful..they think of little things that I might like as they are working on something so these small touches are added...the kitchen was a kitchen and laundry..the closet was the maids room .. it is all coming out as I pictured it though..it will be so great when finished.
Yes. lots of photos are coming..
Oct 8th, 2007, 02:15 PM
#22
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OO 
yep, they done gone and lost my fancy french toilet water
Some of the bigger pieces of furniture are gouged and scratched,,,that is because the numb....s didn't wrap them up, just shoved them into the truck with other pieces on top.
But the really fine pieces managed to come through in good shape.
I used enough bubble wrap to pack up every FodorGirl on here and so far, all the contents of the boxes are in good shape...just missing one
yep, they done gone and lost my fancy french toilet water
Some of the bigger pieces of furniture are gouged and scratched,,,that is because the numb....s didn't wrap them up, just shoved them into the truck with other pieces on top.
But the really fine pieces managed to come through in good shape.
I used enough bubble wrap to pack up every FodorGirl on here and so far, all the contents of the boxes are in good shape...just missing one
Oct 8th, 2007, 02:17 PM
#23
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Good For You! They are moving very quickly -- you must have a large crew there everyday. For the most part I am happy with our contractor, although we thought the sheetrock and taping would have moved a bit quicker. The electrician was a huge disappointment (compared to the one we used for our addition/whole house reno). I don't know why he asked for our phone numbers, he never called and made some decisions which are irritating the heck out of us. That is the downside to not being home when things are getting done. Our contractor keeps apologizing, but I'd rather he didn't have to.
I can't wait to see your pictures!
I can't wait to see your pictures!
Oct 8th, 2007, 02:48 PM
#24
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Wow, Scarlett, I'm sorry that happened! It makes me realize how incredibly lucky we were during our move across the country.
I had a wonderful cleaning lady in Toronto - she had worked for me for nearly 40 years and we were more friends than employer and employee. Her son worked for one of the bigger moving companies and when he found out what our plans were, he got us a really good deal with his highly reputable company. Not only that, but he came over himself one day shortly before we moved, threw us gently out of the house for the afternoon, and packed everything for us. He refused any money and just said it was what he would do for friends. His one stipulation was "If there's something you don't want me to pack, put it over here in this corner or put a note on it, or somehow let me know that you don't want it packed." He explained that the reason it took him so little time to do such a huge job was very simple - "I don't look. I just pack. People packing up their own stuff look at it before they put it away, and it takes them ten times as long."
We were very grateful, and our stuff arrived intact, even sooner than we had expected it once we arrived in Victoria. However, our dear friend had ignored some of the "do not pack" instructions, and there were several boxes full of stuff that I thought had been thrown away or otherwise disposed of. We emptied a number of carefully-packed cartons of various kinds of garbage. We're still finding some of it in the garage, and the move was two years ago! But that's nothing but a minor inconvenience. We will always be grateful to him; we know how some of these moving companies operate, holding your stuff hostage until you pay some kind of ridiculously-inflated fees. I think one of the TV news shows did an investigation on the subject a few years ago.
Here's hoping your box turns up. Somehow I have a feeling it will.
I had a wonderful cleaning lady in Toronto - she had worked for me for nearly 40 years and we were more friends than employer and employee. Her son worked for one of the bigger moving companies and when he found out what our plans were, he got us a really good deal with his highly reputable company. Not only that, but he came over himself one day shortly before we moved, threw us gently out of the house for the afternoon, and packed everything for us. He refused any money and just said it was what he would do for friends. His one stipulation was "If there's something you don't want me to pack, put it over here in this corner or put a note on it, or somehow let me know that you don't want it packed." He explained that the reason it took him so little time to do such a huge job was very simple - "I don't look. I just pack. People packing up their own stuff look at it before they put it away, and it takes them ten times as long."
We were very grateful, and our stuff arrived intact, even sooner than we had expected it once we arrived in Victoria. However, our dear friend had ignored some of the "do not pack" instructions, and there were several boxes full of stuff that I thought had been thrown away or otherwise disposed of. We emptied a number of carefully-packed cartons of various kinds of garbage. We're still finding some of it in the garage, and the move was two years ago! But that's nothing but a minor inconvenience. We will always be grateful to him; we know how some of these moving companies operate, holding your stuff hostage until you pay some kind of ridiculously-inflated fees. I think one of the TV news shows did an investigation on the subject a few years ago.
Here's hoping your box turns up. Somehow I have a feeling it will.
Oct 8th, 2007, 03:29 PM
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Well, yours is a very moving story - but what's a person to do?
Answer: pack everything in a 20-foot sea/land container and <i>seal</i> it. Then turn it over to a bonded international freight forwarder. I used <b>Kühne u. Nagel</b> for my Taiwan imports with nary a problem, but there are many others. They will guarantee the contents across truckers, shiplines, whatever. They will also display the instantaneous location of your container on their web site.
Answer: pack everything in a 20-foot sea/land container and <i>seal</i> it. Then turn it over to a bonded international freight forwarder. I used <b>Kühne u. Nagel</b> for my Taiwan imports with nary a problem, but there are many others. They will guarantee the contents across truckers, shiplines, whatever. They will also display the instantaneous location of your container on their web site.
Oct 8th, 2007, 03:47 PM
#27
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We used Allied Van Lines out of Florida so when we were leaving Portland, we called them again. Big Mistake. Dishonest from the word Go.
They got our things to Miami and there everything was taken over by the Trading Co that we used to ship..we had a container til it got to BsAs..then it all went into a storage facility, owned by the shipping co.
My husband says, if there is a Next Time..we are leaving everything here lol..
Our crew is good, a couple of painters, one electrician, one plumber and 3 other guys that do everything..nothing like looking into the kitchen and seeing these 7 men, sitting on the floor or standing around, sipping their cups of Maté..and when they leave, I get the kiss on the cheek .. they are all giving me Spanish lessons and give me big smiles when I get an entire sentence out..<i>I think they are smiles of She Got it Right and not just controlling laughing at me</i>
They got our things to Miami and there everything was taken over by the Trading Co that we used to ship..we had a container til it got to BsAs..then it all went into a storage facility, owned by the shipping co.
My husband says, if there is a Next Time..we are leaving everything here lol..
Our crew is good, a couple of painters, one electrician, one plumber and 3 other guys that do everything..nothing like looking into the kitchen and seeing these 7 men, sitting on the floor or standing around, sipping their cups of Maté..and when they leave, I get the kiss on the cheek .. they are all giving me Spanish lessons and give me big smiles when I get an entire sentence out..<i>I think they are smiles of She Got it Right and not just controlling laughing at me
</i>
Oct 8th, 2007, 04:56 PM
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Old Dept. of State adage for Foreign Service Officers, who lose things in moves constantly: "Three moves is equal to one fire."
Condolences -- have moved several times myself and lost some treasures. But it's only Stuff.
Condolences -- have moved several times myself and lost some treasures. But it's only Stuff.
Oct 8th, 2007, 06:12 PM
#32
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Scarlett, I am so sorry to hear about the missing box with your antique perfume bottles. I have a collection of antique perfume bottles that all have a story attached to them and I would be very upset to have them turn up missing.
Moving is a nightmare and moving companies are scary. I recently moved and I was very lucky. All 3 movers were great, however, 13.5 years ago I moved and one of the movers stole checks out of my checkbook. Note: Never leave your purse out in the open. He forged my checks. One was for $400 for AUTO PARTS. I went to the bank and said do I look like a woman that buys auto parts and is going to work on her car? Thankfully, it didn't cost me any money but I felt uneasy for a long time because he knew where I lived.
Fingers crossed that your perfume bottles will show up.
Moving is a nightmare and moving companies are scary. I recently moved and I was very lucky. All 3 movers were great, however, 13.5 years ago I moved and one of the movers stole checks out of my checkbook. Note: Never leave your purse out in the open. He forged my checks. One was for $400 for AUTO PARTS. I went to the bank and said do I look like a woman that buys auto parts and is going to work on her car? Thankfully, it didn't cost me any money but I felt uneasy for a long time because he knew where I lived.
Fingers crossed that your perfume bottles will show up.
Oct 9th, 2007, 05:11 AM
#33
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I'm sorry about your missing box. But with a move like that and some of these stories you may be lucky.
I shouldn't be reading this. We're moving in two weeks. Right now the house is full of all these boxes.
The only experience I've had with movers is a bad one. I hired a cheap mover to move about ten items about 70 miles. The driver got pulled over and was arrested. I called Highway Patrol and they told me if another driver didn't arrive within a certain amount of time they were going to impound the truck and contents. Five worry filled hours later my stuff showed up.
This time we're using Mayflower. I hope they're good.
I shouldn't be reading this. We're moving in two weeks. Right now the house is full of all these boxes.
The only experience I've had with movers is a bad one. I hired a cheap mover to move about ten items about 70 miles. The driver got pulled over and was arrested. I called Highway Patrol and they told me if another driver didn't arrive within a certain amount of time they were going to impound the truck and contents. Five worry filled hours later my stuff showed up.
This time we're using Mayflower. I hope they're good.
Oct 9th, 2007, 05:20 AM
#34
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Buenos dias!
Thanks for all the handholding and caring messages!
It is raining, we are waiting for the architect and there are more men working here..we should be finished by the end of the week after all ... yay!!
I have spots on me that are an amazing shade of purple, but I feel ok.
Movers:
We used Allied but one gets the company that is part of the Franchise..so ours in Fl was Bluebird.
There is a law that they cannot add a charge after the truck has taken your stuff, that they have to stick to the amount agreed upon. But there are many unethical companies that try it anyway.
They were great the first time we used them, the second time was the bad one.
The amount of times our things were moved from one truck/storage facility to another is where we had the problem..most families who move don't do this..no need to worry.
Just research your mover and get recommendations ..Better Business Bureau will have a list of places that have complaints that you can get..
We still hope to hear from the shipper..
It could have been much worse, the jewelry ! the photos..all those baby photos !! and my handbags
Thanks for all the handholding and caring messages!
It is raining, we are waiting for the architect and there are more men working here..we should be finished by the end of the week after all ... yay!!
I have spots on me that are an amazing shade of purple, but I feel ok.
Movers:
We used Allied but one gets the company that is part of the Franchise..so ours in Fl was Bluebird.
There is a law that they cannot add a charge after the truck has taken your stuff, that they have to stick to the amount agreed upon. But there are many unethical companies that try it anyway.
They were great the first time we used them, the second time was the bad one.
The amount of times our things were moved from one truck/storage facility to another is where we had the problem..most families who move don't do this..no need to worry.
Just research your mover and get recommendations ..Better Business Bureau will have a list of places that have complaints that you can get..
We still hope to hear from the shipper..
It could have been much worse, the jewelry ! the photos..all those baby photos !! and my handbags
Oct 9th, 2007, 05:50 AM
#36
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Svcarlett--Well, we all know if those handbags didn't make it, you would not be here posting. The Y would be busy resuccitating you Seriously...yes, it is all those sentimental things that get to us. And most moves are not as involved. But when you have to give everything up to a mover, it is not fun. I think you are doing really well with all the chaos you have had the last 6 months or so!!!
Seriously...yes, it is all those sentimental things that get to us. And most moves are not as involved. But when you have to give everything up to a mover, it is not fun. I think you are doing really well with all the chaos you have had the last 6 months or so!!!
Oct 9th, 2007, 05:51 AM
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Yes, thank goodness for the safe arrival of those handbags! I read in a British tabloid last week that the average woman has about 100 handbags over her lifetime. Of course, Scarlett, you are way above average in every way ;-), so I assume (hope!) you plan to exceed that amount, if you haven't already. All quality ones, of course, and no fakes.
So sorry about your missing box. We too used Allied when we moved overseas and for us, they were great. Their international moving team in the Philly office were all ex-Marines who really knew what they were doing. Their policy was that if they didn't pack it, it wasn't insurable, so all I had to do was keep them well supplied with soda, water, pizza and hoagies. Plus have one of the Alien movies playing on the TVs as apparently many Marines are huge "Ripley" fans. Our boxes and furniture went straight into a shipping container that was locked when they left our apartment. Our easiest move ever.
Getting it delivered in Brussels was a bit odd. Their team was not up to scratch and the guy unpacking kitchen items was not all there mentally. He'd put three forks in one draw, others in another drawer and the rest in a cupboard. Took us days to sort out everything afterwards. Fortunately nothing went missing.
So sorry about your missing box. We too used Allied when we moved overseas and for us, they were great. Their international moving team in the Philly office were all ex-Marines who really knew what they were doing. Their policy was that if they didn't pack it, it wasn't insurable, so all I had to do was keep them well supplied with soda, water, pizza and hoagies. Plus have one of the Alien movies playing on the TVs as apparently many Marines are huge "Ripley" fans. Our boxes and furniture went straight into a shipping container that was locked when they left our apartment. Our easiest move ever.
Getting it delivered in Brussels was a bit odd. Their team was not up to scratch and the guy unpacking kitchen items was not all there mentally. He'd put three forks in one draw, others in another drawer and the rest in a cupboard. Took us days to sort out everything afterwards. Fortunately nothing went missing.
Oct 9th, 2007, 06:10 AM
#38
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Sorry to hear about your missing box, Scarlett. I hope it shows up.
When we moved to St. Louis from Manhattan our things arrived more than a week late. The driver pulled our large, live ficus tree out of the truck first... he said the president or general manager of that office (Jersey) wanted to keep it in his office and told the driver he did not "have" to take a tree.
Divewop, a big screen TV does not simply get lost in a warehouse because all the boxes for a particular move are stored together. Your TV was almost certainly stolen, and I hope you are fairly compensated for it.
I hope it shows up. When we moved to St. Louis from Manhattan our things arrived more than a week late. The driver pulled our large, live ficus tree out of the truck first... he said the president or general manager of that office (Jersey) wanted to keep it in his office and told the driver he did not "have" to take a tree.
Divewop, a big screen TV does not simply get lost in a warehouse because all the boxes for a particular move are stored together. Your TV was almost certainly stolen, and I hope you are fairly compensated for it.
Oct 9th, 2007, 12:34 PM
#39
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Oh boy, do I wish I could have brought my plants with me! Mine found good homes with friends in Portland but I think of them here when I see plants like a healthy jade plant..mine was huge! Oh well, my new one will be South American Jade
The workers have gone, new changes in the apt..they are figuring Friday will be the last day.
Our contractor came by and gave us his moms apt keys and told us to go there and shower and watch tv and relax...we are going!
Scarlett and the Gang
The workers have gone, new changes in the apt..they are figuring Friday will be the last day.
Our contractor came by and gave us his moms apt keys and told us to go there and shower and watch tv and relax...we are going!
Scarlett and the Gang
Oct 9th, 2007, 01:02 PM
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Now YOU made ME laugh! Your plant is still alive. Which is a MAJOR accomplishment!!! I touched it a few times...and it started to die. DH told me I couldnt go near it again. So it came back to life. Yes, I am known as the plant murderer in our family. So DH takes care of it, and it is still alive and turning green again, lol!
