Periodically we get here queries from people wishing to move internationally.
This is a warning to those who would pay attention:
I have moved internationally several time, the most recent one being from Korea to Europe. This time I used a big company called Allied Pickfords, which has several international operations. This is definitely a company to avoid.
I normally use door-to-door service, for two reasons: first, I avoid port-clearance hassles; second, quotations for such service are more comparable between different companies. Allied gave me a quotation that appeared to be very competitive but which had one line (THC/Port-Charges) blank. When I asked why, they assured me that such charges depended on the shipping company, and, as they were trying to get me the cheapest service, they would fill in the line after securing the cheapest possible value. I was assured that this would happen well before the moving date but given a verbal estimate that made the Allied quotation the most competitive. On that basis, I signed a move Authorization. Five days before the move, the missing charges had still not been specified. After several requests (some in writing, with written responses), one day before the move, I got a rather high figure that I was assured was only a place holder in order to complete the paperwork; I was told the final figure low would be provided on the day of the move. On the day of the move, there was no such figure, but by the time I realized none would be forthcoming, my belongings had been packed and I was due to fly out the following day. Too late to go back to one of the other companies that had given me a good quotation, I was stuck with Allied. I paid.
When my belongings arrived, they had been shoddily packed and three items were damaged. As is usual, the movers (Allied's people) filled in and signed a damage report and gave me one copy. The damage-report clearly identified the damaged items---by inventory number and name---and specified the damage. I filled an insurance claim. Allied's reponse was that they needed photos to go with the damage-report. I duly took some photos and forwarded these, along with detailed explanatory notes that, again clearly identified the items, described the damage in detail, and explained the basis for the amounts of my insurance claim. Allied then replied to the effect that they could not identify the damaged items (!!!). When I pointed out all the identifying information they already have, they came up with another request: they needed additional photos, showing the whole items and not just the close-ups of the damage. I duly took and sent additional photos. Allied came up with a new one: the photos (taken by a high quality digital camera) were't clear enough and they couldn't tell where the damage was---never mind that they have their own damage reports. On top of that, they also had a new one: they wanted written confirmation of repair-estimates, never mind that in my explanatory notes I had stated that nowhere around where I live has anyone who can repair tradtional Asian furniture---even some of the repair materials are impossible to find. I gave them a choice: pay the insurance claim, or send me replacements from Asia, or get your own repair-person to come and look at them and give you estimates. Silence. We are now headed to court.
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