Don’t fall prey to fly-by-night operators
Asimple internet search reveals several horror stories of people who left the UAE after hiring a mover and packer — only to find that their possessions had not followed them to their destination.
A good way to distinguish between the hundreds of moving firms in the market is to check if they are accredited, said Simone Percy, an executive at Dasa, a Dubai-based relocations firm.
One of these bodies is Fidi (Federation Internationale des Demenageurs Internationaux), a global industry body of moving firms of which Dasa is a member. People looking for a moving firm “should look at the all the forums, get recommendations, do their homework basically,” Percy said.
“Ask to see a copy of their trade licence. Don’t assume anything is above board. It’s the old adage — you get what you pay for.”
Physical presence
Once you’ve checked online, make sure the company has a genuine physical presence, said Abhilash Nair, regional manager of ISS Worldwide Movers. “Ninety-five per cent of moving companies are one person, one chair,” Nair told Gulf News. “That’s why there are so many moving companies. They are not actually moving companies but brokers.”
He recalled an incident wherein a European lady ended up paying a whopping Dh10,000 more than market rates to a shipping broker of the same nationality — instead of approaching his firm directly.
The cost of home overseas Dh35,000.
Lastly, if you’re planning to move, start planning — and making calls — early.
“We advise clients to start making their arrangements and book their moving company well in advance,” said a spokeswoman for Crown Relocations. shipping the home contents ranges between Dh12,000 and