A dedicated resource for overseas property
buyers the Overseas
Guides Company has issued
a warning to those moving abroad concerning removal and relocation
services.
Epats moving abroad are being urged to
choose their removals firm carefully, especially during the current period of
austerity in Europe, and ensure all upfront payments are protected and all
possessions secure until the end of the shipping process.
“A recent episode that saw an expat
couple’s personal possessions stolen from their container, with the UK shipping
company and the receiving firm in Cyprus blaming each other for the missing
items, should be a warning to other Brits in the process of emigrating”,
said Richard Way, Editor of The Overseas Guides Company (OGC).
Given the tough economic climate in
some Eurozone destinations, it seems the likelihood of opportunist thieves
operating somewhere along the chain of a typical removals process could have
increased.
“Witnessing your container being
loaded and the lock going on a totally undisturbed cargo is one way of helping
to secure your items”, said the victims of the aforementioned theft who
related their story to OGC.
Mr Way added: “When choosing your
removals firm, arguably it has never been more necessary to only employ a
properly certified company, one that is a member of a trade association or
body, such as the British Association of Removers (BAR) – which offers a prepay
protection scheme that members can opt for Рor F̩d̩ration Internationale des
Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI). Hiring a casual man with a van could come
with its risks.
Where possible, one way to eliminate
your possessions passing through the hands of a number of different companies
is to use a firm that has its own vehicles and offers a door-to-door service
with no sub-contractors involved en route.
Also, there can be misunderstanding
over insurance too: typically, removal firms do not offer to insure your
possessions but instead they insure their own liability for damage to your
goods – so make sure you have adequate insurance arranged for when your
belongings are in transit.
