[ExI] seeking advice with a shipping problem

[Natasha Vita-More]

I use UPS and pay the few bucks for insurance for my goods.  They are
comparatively inexpensive and reliable.  The phone number for international
shipping is number is 1-800-782-7892. (They do ship from Australia to US) (I
don't like to fill out on-line forms because I need to speak with a person,
get his/her name and a reference number.) 


Nlogo1.tif Natasha Vita-More

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
[mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of Damien
Broderick
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:59 PM
To: 'ExI chat list'
Subject: [ExI] seeking advice with a shipping problem

Dear Extropes:

I'm selling my Australian house and about to move my personal library from
Melbourne, Australia, to San Antonio, Texas. A relative has been kindly (and
exhaustingly) packing up the roughly 5000 books into book boxes, plus
personal papers, and a few other not terrifically large objects. My guess is
that it might amount to half a 20' container or maybe less.

I'm having trouble getting feedback from the shippers who advertise online.
I fill in their forms, send them off, and hear nothing back. 
The only one who's been responsive to date is Grace Removals (an Aussie
company with international connections), and even they are slow to reply and
don't provide much information.

Anyone have suggestions based on their own transnational shipping
experience, even if it's not Australia or New Zealand=>USA?

Do such firms typically bring a container to the house and pack away one's
goodies on the spot? Is Customs, insurance and any other paperwork done by
the moving company? (If I were in Oz now I'd probably do that myself, but
alas I'm not.)

Mostly I want all this damned clutter out of the house ASAP, so the place
can be shown to potential purchasers without looking like a madman's midden.
How long the process takes after that is less important; that is, I don't
mind if my stuff is stored for a while awaiting shipping, if that's cheaper.

Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks, folks.

Damien Broderick

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