Submitted by: Lorne W. MacInnes

Things to purchase before moving overseas.

When you think about it this advice goes against everything that is rational when moving overseas. When you’re moving internationally should be getting rid of stuff not buying more things! Well my mom wished that she had purchased more items. She realize this is very first week that she walked into her new condo and was faced bare store shelves, or a store employee that says we don’t carry that. She even tried a few of the other German stores, however the price was either really high, or they just didn’t have what she needed either. So now what was she supposed to do? We’ll talk to her the most was thinking about her pet cat, it was tracking litter and self all the way up and down the stairs she’s already on her second litter box. Only a high-quality cat litter box will do for this cat apparently and much to my mom’s dismay, every store that sells these types of clever litter boxes in Canada does not ship to Germany because it is so big. I thought about using various shipping companies, but this litter box is already oversized and it would not ship because it must still follow USPS guidelines. But this is only a sample of lots of things she wishes she would have purchased or had brought over.

OUR BEDFRAME. I’m not talking about the mattresses or the box spring. She got rid of the old rickety one before she moved and figured that she would be able to purchase a new one overseas after moving. One of the main reasons, is that the German beds are completely different sizes. An additional reason, selections at the local furniture stores is very limited and the movers are very pricey even for delivering beds.

Miscellaneous items and hardware. Yes, the basic stores have the nails in screws hammers and basic hardware. But try to find those special clips that are for Canadian beds or entertainment centers it’s nearly impossible and very frustrating.

Comforters blankets and sheets. If some of your old bedding is trashed, then you have to prepare to purchase these types of things on sale before you move. Again the basic stores in Germany are very overpriced with these types of things and they never seem to go on sale, plus they even add on shipping costs on top of the purchase price because none of them are made locally. I want even start to discuss the poor choice selection either.

All of those special products for your pet that you took for granted. Overseas, they are mostly unavailable or again very expensive because of the German economy. Does your pet take prescriptions rushing mark tried to get your prescription filled or by as much of it as you can before you leave. Most of the vet stores will charge you an arm and a leg. Just another thing that you have to think about bringing overseas input into your moving budget.

All of those favorite 110v appliances. This one’s fairly obvious to most people, the electrical system in Germany is completely different than Canadian electricity. And depending on the weight and the size of the item, it might be too cost prohibitive to transport or it might even be over to Canadian requirements for weight and or size.

Talking to some of our fellow neighbors who had movers transport their furniture and belongings overseas, I’d say 50% or more of them shipped over to Germany as if they were minimalists. Most of their stuff is in storage back in Canada. Most of them wish that their stuff was with them instead of being in storage. Actually when they add up the costs of the shipping versus all of the time that they spend purchasing new items causes them to regret thinking they could save money by leaving it in Canadian storage. Most of them were scared away by the movers quotes for shipping overseas and I suppose it is expensive when you look at it. But it’s like most things in life you don’t realize the costs until it’s too late. Looking back I would say to get rid of most of the furniture that was purchased at shopping sprees at places such as IKEA. But most of the things that you really took for granted such as sofas, couches, dressers, desks, bicycles, books, dining room sets, beds and bedding etc. makes you realize how much work you have ahead of you to purchase new items to replace the things that you’re paying to sit in storage. It seems like everything that is purchased is only the cheapest furniture to avoid wasting money because everything else is sitting in Canadian storage. The other problem is that you feel like you’re living as a poor person because the furniture is mostly substandard and overpriced.

Anyway those are the highlights of my mom’s experiences… and she had to do everything over again there is her list. I hope you can learn from her experiences and everyone else is if you can.

About the Author: Lorne W. MacInnes is a managing partner of Ferguson Moving & Storage Ltd which is one of the oldest

Canadian movers

in the moving industry and is an expert in the Vancouver moving and storage relocation sector. http://www.fergusonmoving.com

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isnare.com

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