Help us find a reputable moving company.
August 1, 2013 11:57 PM Subscribe
We'll be moving from Heidelberg, Germany to Edinburgh, Scotland in September. Help us find a moving company that won't rip us off.
Several of our friends have had horrible experiences with moving companies over the years (stuff vanishing, stuff held hostage, general bad things happening, etc.) The websites I have found that identify movers as either trustworthy or scammers have tended to have a strong slant towards U.S.-based companies, even when discussing "International Moving Companies". Customer review sites are often contradictory or seem untrustworthy. Can you recommend a moving company that will get all our stuff where it's going, on time and undamaged?
Specifics: We'd prefer the type of company that simply comes in and packs up your stuff for you, but would also listen to any recommendations for companies that happen to do it a different way. We will be bringing mostly boxes, but several pieces of furniture will be coming with us, so we can't just mail everything. We only have U.S. drivers' licenses, so cannot rent a van and do it all ourselves. While websites that do things like compare rate quotes are useful, they're not what we're looking for right now - we would like recommendations for specific companies. Thanks in advance!
Several of our friends have had horrible experiences with moving companies over the years (stuff vanishing, stuff held hostage, general bad things happening, etc.) The websites I have found that identify movers as either trustworthy or scammers have tended to have a strong slant towards U.S.-based companies, even when discussing "International Moving Companies". Customer review sites are often contradictory or seem untrustworthy. Can you recommend a moving company that will get all our stuff where it's going, on time and undamaged?
Specifics: We'd prefer the type of company that simply comes in and packs up your stuff for you, but would also listen to any recommendations for companies that happen to do it a different way. We will be bringing mostly boxes, but several pieces of furniture will be coming with us, so we can't just mail everything. We only have U.S. drivers' licenses, so cannot rent a van and do it all ourselves. While websites that do things like compare rate quotes are useful, they're not what we're looking for right now - we would like recommendations for specific companies. Thanks in advance!
I have never used them personally but Bishop's Move are well regarded in Scotland. Don't know if they could do a German pickup though, EDIT: they have an international department.
posted by epo at 1:42 AM on August 2, 2013
posted by epo at 1:42 AM on August 2, 2013
I'd pick a company who works with British armed forces (a central company organises it and subcontracts so unfortunately there is no ready list of approved suppliers), and who therefore do a lot of shipping of stuff to and from Germany and have the experience and relationships in place. Because of where the bases in Germany are, they tend to do more work around further north in Germany than where you are but, nonetheless, they are going to be unfazed by a Germany-UK move.
e.g. Armishaws, Over's, Bright's, Army Ant's.
I don't know or have used any of these firms personally, but it is probably worth speaking to them.
The bulk of troops stationed in Germany are in armoured divisions, which means they often move back to near Salisbury/Wilton/Andover. You've also got big bases in the Aldershot/Camberley area. Larger removals companies around those areas will have experience of moving stuff to and from Germany and the UK.
Alternatively, there are army bases near Edinburgh and you may find companies up round there who do some UK-Germany removals business.
posted by MuffinMan at 1:43 AM on August 2, 2013
e.g. Armishaws, Over's, Bright's, Army Ant's.
I don't know or have used any of these firms personally, but it is probably worth speaking to them.
The bulk of troops stationed in Germany are in armoured divisions, which means they often move back to near Salisbury/Wilton/Andover. You've also got big bases in the Aldershot/Camberley area. Larger removals companies around those areas will have experience of moving stuff to and from Germany and the UK.
Alternatively, there are army bases near Edinburgh and you may find companies up round there who do some UK-Germany removals business.
posted by MuffinMan at 1:43 AM on August 2, 2013
If you haven't looked there yet, the forums at Toytown Germany might have a recommendation that fits your specs.
posted by melissasaurus at 4:20 AM on August 2, 2013
posted by melissasaurus at 4:20 AM on August 2, 2013
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posted by rongorongo at 12:34 AM on August 2, 2013