What House Items To Move?

their agent in Qatar and they said it is Tokyo Freight Services.

Thanks for your response.

I haven't worked with them. Check who their agent in Qatar is? Make sure they are using a reputable moving company at the destination.

I checked their website and they are members of some of the important industry associations, which is a good thing.

The container shortage in USA is severe at the moment, we received a note from Allied International on the matter and there was a big article in the wall street journal on the topic too. Give your confirmation well in advance.

Have you heard of a moving company called Dynamic LA?

They gave us a resonable estimate on the shipping.

 thanks

I have contacted clover and Allied is their partner in california.

I am very excited about the move... it is just the hassle of selling our cars...

but I am sure everything will be fine at the end.

Sure - I dealt with Al Mendez and their number is (305) 592-4300.

Hope it helps!

Hi;

I read your posting about Clover. Do you have their website or phone number or name of person to contact?

Thanks so much in advance.

Well, to give you a ballpark figure (I don't have the exact amount because my husband's company paid for us to ship our things over) the quotes I got for shipping our things were in the area of 14-16,000.  That was for a half container.  We did in the end need a full container.  I don't regret bringing our things with us though.  It's helped us get settled in quickly and made the transition easier on my kids (13 and 11 year olds).

We ended up not being in a compound.  Our housing allowance is 13,000 and my husband's company had a villa that someone was moving out of that we got into.  It's HUGE and I really like it, but I don't know that we could have gotten anything for the same amount.  Housing here is ridiculously expensive.  I wouldn't count on getting into a compound for 14k.  I may be wrong, but it seems like most compounds are going to cost you between 16-22k per month. 

My husband left for Qatar in early January, while the kids and I stayed behind to wrap up things.  Plus I figured it would be easier to mooch off friends (we borrowed tables and chairs, air beds and linens, etc.).  Our shipment left port on Feb. 2 and was delivered to our house on Apr. 1.  So figure two months, including time for it to clear customs. We arrived here on Mar. 26 and spent a miserable week in a tiny apartment waiting for both the house and our things. 

I'm still in the process of trying to set up the house.  There have been some minor irritations, as I said above, but nothing major.  I can't find anywhere that sells digital alarm clocks.  I know there out there, but where to go for them?! I also can't find dish towels that aren't sold without an apron and pot holder.  Again, I'm sure they are out there somewhere.  Other things?  Finding out that there are no electrical outlets in bathrooms.  Finding out that there are very few outlets in general anywhere.  My kitchen countertop only has one plug available.  I had to get a power strip to be able to use my microwave and toaster oven at the same time.   Umm, beds are different sizes here than the US so if you are bringing your mattresses, bring enough sheets to get you by.  DVD's will not play on dvd players here, but videos will (if it's a multi-system machine).  Video game systems (should your kids be into that yet) are different, so if you bring them along, games purchased here won't work.

Most importantly, bring a sense of humor and flexibility.  I've been loving it so far, for the most part, but the little things overwhelm me at times.  For instance, right now there is some work being done on the house (at the company expense).  This is the third day they've been here and I'm stuck here at home with two bored kids.  The funny thing is that at break time, they don't all just take a break.  They actually lay down anywhere and take a nap!  Right there at your house!  It cracks me up.

Really, I'm totally willing to offer you any help that I can.  Like I said, I'm new to this all myself, but I'll answer any questions the best I can.

Thanks a lot for all the information, and don't worry you did not bore me since I want to hear more and more about the move.

It is good you mention about the appilances since some people are advising me to ship the fridge!

I figured (from my internet search) that 14000 is not a lot if we want to rent a 3 bed. villa in a compound... right? and No my husband's employer is not helping in finding a place.

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind...

1. How long does it take to bring the house and children?

2. What is the cost of the shipping for 1/2 container?

I am getting some estimate this week form ACE moving and CROWN moving.

We already have an estimate from Allied Moving.

Thanks a lot and I wish you the best in your stay.

Well, having just arrived from Florida a week and a half ago, things are still fresh in my mind. 

The moving company we used was Clover Intl.  Very, very happy with them.  Not a single thing was damaged, the workers were polite and friendly (on both sides of the world), things arrived basically on time (just a day or two late).  We were in Miami, but you can look them up on the web. 

As far as appliances, I wouldn't bring them.  I figured things that stay plugged in all the time wouldn't be good.  We have bought new for slightly less than we would pay in the States.  I did bring many of my small kitchen appliances - my crockpot, blender, etc.  The only ones I've used so far (crockpot and hairdryer) both worked fine as long as you bring along plenty of converters.  It does get tiresom always having to look for converters (and then adapters to fit the plugs) so you may want to skip it all together and just buy new here.  Even if you do that, you'll still need adapters since many of the things sold here come with two-prong plugs and the walls require three prongs.

Be aware that 14,000 is not alot to get a place here.  Is your husband's employer going to be helping you find a place?

You can PM me if you want to here more on my take of establishing a home here.  I don't want to bore everyone.  However, I will say that so far things are going well and, generally, I'm happy we made the move.  Minor frustrations, but nothing huge.

hi, your move can be done from anywhere in Florida or any other part of the USA. What you need is a company with the capabilities to coordinate it. You might be talking to someone who really can do it ONLY from Miami and they'd rather not tell you that someone else can do it from your door!

Hope this helps.

i do live in Qatar. Since November.

is your customer currently living?  I'm glad you posted the name, number, etc. for allied international.  Are you living in Qatar now?  The company we notified said we would need to get our things to Miami for them to ship straight into Qatar.  

I sent you a private message two days ago.

Anyway, You can contact

Anne (Hefner) Biever

Allied International

Phone: 630-570-3456

[email protected]

She is the one assisting me with my customer moving to Qatar from Florida. She is excellent and gets stuff done - fast! She'll arrange for someone to do a survey for you and give you the info you NEED to know.

Can you please let me know of some of the moving company so I can call them and get a quote.

thanks

We are moving from Florida.  I'm glad you spoke of the shortage with container storage.  I have spoken with a shipping company, but they did not mention that.  thanx for the info.

hi mom2002,

Make sure you make arrangements (book!) with your mover early.

I am working on bringing in a customer from Florida and it was very hard to get a container. There's a shortage of container in the US at the moment. I'd give at least 3-4 weeks notice.

I have one boy and one girl. We are in the process of getting estimate on shipping the furniture. I heard that small electonics don't work there, so don't bother to carry them.

are your twins boys or girls?

 hairdryers, etc.  My husband will be there Friday.  My three kids and I will join in June.  Good info to know. I heard it's a good idea to ship mattresses???  At least I know now not to ship as much as planned to.   I need to find playdates for the kids when I get there.  (9, 6, & 4) ;)                    

If you are moving in summer come prepared for the heat. I came from Georgia last August and it took me sometime to get used to the weather.  Although we are in the dessert it is pretty humid.  When looking for your new home make sure that the AC is in perfect working conditions (it isn't fun when ur AC stops working and maintenance is no where to be found).

OH! Do not forget a good pair of sunglasses & sun block.

WELCOME TO QATAR...

Have you started the process for applying to schools in the area?  The earlier you start the process the better as many of the schools have waiting lists for entry.  Hopefully your husband's company has tuition reimbursement as the schools here are expensive.

works cheaper even if you buy brand new here

not worth the headache anyway

WELCOME TO QATAR IN ADVANCE 

YOU DONT KNOW ME, DONT EVEN TRY !!!

Thank you all for your help. 

My kids are 5 1/2 (twins).

The company pays 14000 for the rent plus some furniture allownace.

Find out if your husbands company offers a furniture allottment.  Many of the companies that are here that offer a monthly living expense instead of providing the housing also offer a one time cash amount to furnish a place when a new employee arrives.

And welcome to Doha.  How old are your children?

most villas here are expensive especially the furnished... you are lucky if you found one good but less in price

While searching the net I realized that the furnished villa or flat is about 2000 riyals more than the unfurnished.

Any body has any idea. Please advice.

Thank you all for your responses. I will try to sell or store my stuff since most of them are new.

neither will your toaster, blender, waffle iron  etc etc.   And don't forget your curling iron, hair dryer  won't work here either.   Neither will your TV,  your stereo,   etc  etc  Basically anything electrical don't bother to bring.   UNLESS   you buy a transformer to use with it.   But still don't bring big items like refrigerator, washer/dryer.    Shipping costs are calculated by weight so try to go light.

dont bother yourself wasting your energy on the idea of moving your stuffs. just come here along with your kids, get a fully furnished villa or flat and presto! if you want your hand-picked items, the appliances here are affordable. there are a wide variety of brands and designs to choose from. should you be needing help, a shopping guide maybe... just get in touch with me when you get here ok 

some appliances here are inexpensive so no need to bring too much things here

no need of bringing those all with u

what draj said was right

go for fully furnished villa or flat.. no need of anything except ur dress and lingeries....