Relocating: Sell or ship?

[StateCapture]

I may be starting a new job in London on 1 Jan. We're still in negotiation so I don't know yet whether my new employer will foot the bill for relocation. In the meantime I'm trying to learn as much as possible about the relocation process. Here's the question, I have a very full two bedroom apartment and most companies are quoting me around R45k (20ft container about 70% full) for relocation from Durban to London. The stuff I have is really nice (100% genuine Giselle leather lounge suites, solid oak dining room tables, good artwork) so I'm not sure whether to sell my stuff and refurbish in London or ship. Can anyone share their experience? Perhaps recommend a reliable (but affordable) service, or suggest how I might be able to find such??

 

[Batista]

Have you priced furniture overseas?

 

[reactor_sa]

Ship.

And add 3.5% of the content value for comprehensive insurance

 

[marzbars]

sell all and get a furnished place.
Only take your hard drives, some clothing and the box full of keepsakes and photos.

 

[saturnz]

learn to let go, I gave away a lot of my stuff when I moved

 

[AchmatK]

Is it a permanent move?

I would sell appliances, electronic equipment, kitchenware, most of the furniture.

Artwork and items you simply cannot sell can go into storage if it's not a permanent move.

Do you know if your new place can accommodate all your stuff?

 

[Jehosefat]

Chances are that your place in London will be WAY smaller than your place here so a lot of the furniture won't fit. Better (although probably more expensive) to sell it all and buy what you need on that side.

 

[cguy]

My company paid for all my relocation, so I opted for this and wish I hadn't. All the stuff I shipped I landed up getting rid of pretty quickly anyway (my furniture accumulated in my student years, really wasn't up to scratch). Then after my stay in corporate housing, it was time to move into my apartment, but the shipping was delayed by a few weeks, so I had to get rental furniture (paid for by the company), which was OK, but still a hassle (delivery, removals, the shipping delivery guys aren't the same as the rental furniture removal guy's, so this had to be carefully coordinated).

In retrospect, I should have bought a mattress, then a sofa, then a tv, then a bed, etc. once I was there.

 

[gregmcc]

If your company pays then by all means ship.

Otherwise sell all the big stuff and buy new here. I kept all my smaller and personal items and sold everything else. Cheaper to buy new once you are earning pounds.

Presume you will be renting for a while. Lots of places come pre-furnished.

 

[kfc4unme]

I would say sell up. Houses in London are tiny and you will probably need to buy accordingly.

 

[infscrtyrisk]

Sell