Frequently asked questions
Q: When do you ship?
A: Generally twice a month.
Q: What if your schedule dates do not suit our time scales?
A: Our schedule nearly always fits in with everyone’s timescales however if you have large enough shipment we can transport your goods by special arrangement at almost any time.
Q: How much notice do you need?
A: If We have space available for a small shipment we may be able to accommodate a request as late as 24 hours before departure however with an increasing demand for our unique service we cannot guarantee any available at the last minute. We are often taking deposits three months in advance of the estimate moving date. However as above, special arrangements can be made.
Q: Where do you collect from?
A: We can collect form anywhere within the European Union as above. In other words we can collect from anywhere and deliver to anywhere provided it’s within the EU.
Q: Where do you deliver to?
A: Anywhere within the European Union. Having said this, a significant proportion of our business is between the UK and Greece. Other countries we have covered include Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Belgium Germany, Austria France and Italy.
Q: Is your service truly door to door?
A: Yes, in fact it better than that. We collect your shipment from within your home or other collection point and place it inside the destination property with only very rare exceptions.
Q: Do you collect and deliver from / to multiple points?
A: Yes we can, however, please limit these as this could take up a considerable amount of time which may lead to further costs.
Q: How long will my items take to get to my destination?
A: Provided there are no unavoidable delays such as adverse weather conditions, ferry delays / port strikes or unforeseen problems the journey to Corfu for example, normally takes approximately 4 days from the time we depart the UK. We then begin to deliver shipments within 24 hours of arrival. Shipment times to Athens will require an extra day or two and deliveries to other parts of Greece and her more distant Islands will depend entirely on ferry access and departure points and of course the smooth running of them.
For deliveries to Italy 2- 4 days will be needed depending on the destination region and the type of vehicle used and for France 1-2 days, again depending on similar criteria as with Italy.
Q: What about shipments to smaller remote islands such as Paxos?
A: We are one of the few companies if not the only one, willing to deliver any size of shipment to destinations such as Paxos. However please be aware that ferry access, especially in the winter is very unpredictable as adverse weather conditions can cause severe ferry delays and outright cancellations in these regions. Whilst we operate a door to door service, in the winter months, on this island in particular, very small loads might have to be met in the port as the only exit ferry for some days may be the one we arrived on. Large shipments will justify the extended stay and of course will involve direct delivery to your property as normal.
Q: How do you know the difference between my furniture and someone else's furniture on once onboard your vehicles?
A: We ask that you clearly label all items with name and destination. We also tend to place most of your items together in one part of the vehicle. For marking simply use this format: ie: Williams, Kassiopi, Corfu.
Q: How do you charge?
A: Charges are determined by cubic metre. For heavier items the price may need to be assessed by weight rather than volume. We generally suggest the guide weight limit of 100 kgs per cubic metre. In this respect please be aware that some items especially flat pack may take up only a fraction of a cubic metre in volume but their weight may be far heavier, in whole or in part, than the guide weight above. This is because of legal payload restrictions in the UK and indeed throughout Europe combined with the obvious fact that as with all companies a certain minimum load is needed in order operate this could be made up of a number of clients good – not usually more than four or five.
Q: Do you apply any extra or hidden charges?
A: There are no hidden charges at all. We are very clear at the outset with all our clients about prices. We charge on the above basis and we make a small charge for additional fuel for UK collection and delivery points that are a considerable distance from our South East base. We will however wave such charges depending upon the distance and load size. Also we will NOT charge you the additional ferry costs for destinations such as Paxos or the fuel, ferry, toll costs to Athens if you have a large enough shipment, but for smaller loads we would have to charge you only the actual additional costs as necessary.
Q: What are your terms of payment?
A: Very simply a 30% deposit based on the overall estimate at the time of booking. This will secure your space for shipment. We will need the balance in cleared funds upon, or prior to, collection (which ever is convenient for you). This will of course be fully receipted. The reason for this is that each client’s payment is used to fund their part of the journey.
Q: How well protected against damage are my goods in your vehicles?
A: For the main trans-continental route we operate custom built removals vehicles, the larger of which are fitted with air suspension. Goods are however carefully placed to prevent movement, where necessary secured by strapping and protected by blankets. Breakages really are extremely rare.
Q: Do you transport cars?
A: We do not transport vehicles inside our existing vehicles as they are for furniture and other personal goods but we are occasionally asked to deliver vehicles across the continent. The private car route to Corfu for example will involve a drive of approximately 1000 miles and 2 or three ferry crossings. Please contact us for details and a quotation for this special arrangement.
Q: Do you transport boats?
A: Yes. We have the facility to tow small trailer mounted boats but for larger vessels requiring delivery by sea we normally engage the services of a very highly qualified and experienced yachtsman.
Q: Do you transport, other goods such as commercial items?
A: Yes. JAC Transport, which is our commercial branch, handles all shipments of this nature.
Q: What about storage in the UK?
A: If you require secure storage in the UK we can arrange this using the facilities of Access Self Storage in Sunbury on Thames. Naturally they charge for this but as such places go they are quite reasonable. Depending on the shipment size we may be able to offer you up to one months free storage. If we collect your goods and take them to the aforementioned storage facility this will be part of the shipment route and we will not charge you the additional labour time for this.
Q: What if my property is not ready to have my shipment delivered but I really need to have it taken from my house for any reason.?
A: In this case we would recommend that you take advantage of the storage facilities mentioned above. In Corfu we have a limited storage facility which, depending on shipment size, and if available, we would be able to offer free of charge for a short period of time.
Q: I’m planning on renting my villa out and wish to furnish it from IKEA or John Lewis for example. Can you collect directly from the store?
A: Yes and we have done this for many of our clients.
Q: I have never rented a villa out before. Can you give me advice and guidance about furnishing it?
A: Absolutely. We have a great deal of experience and knowledge of the travel business and villa rental market. In fact we sometimes accompany clients to the store for this very reason. We would however point out that your chosen villa rental tour operator should also be very knowledgeable about what their clientele need and expect from holiday villa.
Q: Would it not be better for me to purchase from my destination country?
A: It would of course be in our interests to say no, but the reality is that just about all of our clients, if not making a complete move and using their own furniture, tend to avoid buying from overseas. This is for a number of reasons: It often involves a number of trips to major cities in that country, as well as separate trips to the property plus any number of separate delivery arrangements, the product choice is likely to be very limited in comparison to the UK for example and the price is likely to be higher and considerably more so if the exchange rate is not favourable. By the time you add all this into the equation, using Moving Abroad Europe will be a far more practical and cost effective solution, not to mention the most hassle free one.
Q: Are freight forwarding companies not cheaper?
A: When you consider what is actually involved in using them, no. Freight forwarders are often agencies and so most of them do not have their own vehicles. Using such services invariably involves you having to arrange delivery to their depot by a third party company. For furnishings you will need a properly equipped removals company. The freight forwarder will then use another company or even a number of other companies to actually deliver to your destination. Even then many of them will not deliver to your actual property, especially on the Greek Islands. They will then add a number of other hidden charges. Finally you’ll need to be at the other end to arrange collection. If that’s from the port in Corfu it will involve yet another company. When you add all this up it will not be cheaper. Furthermore freight forwarders or normal transport companies are unlikely to utilize vehicles fitted for furniture transportation and the variety of goods on board them will often include items that are totally unsuitable for transportation alongside household goods and personal effects. Not so with Moving Abroad Europe, we own our vehicles and your goods will be taken to your destination by us. Door to door.
Q: What about hiring a vehicle, for example a 7.5 ton truck which I can drive on my licence?
A: Renting a large truck is a completely false economy and a fair umber of people have discovered this too late. Apart from the rental cost which for use on the continent is especially high, taking a large commercial vehicle though Europe including Britain is a very different process than driving a family car, and an entirely different set of laws, time constraints and costs apply. It is also a journey fraught with many potential problems and dangers. Moving Abroad Europe is equipped and specially set up to transport your goods safely through Europe. Leave it to the professionals.
Q: What about man-with-a-van services?
A: There’s an old adage that you get what you pay for and we’ll leave it at that.
Q: Do you offer wrapping and packing service?
A: Most services of this type are quite costly and we feel that this is an unnecessary expense for our clients. We therefore ask that wrapping and packaging of goods is carried out by you so that it is ready in time for collection.
