Hubby in Riyadh

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Member since 03 May 2010

JanricMember18 October 2010 04:37:10

Hi guys

It's been a while - hope some of you still remember me from a few months back!

Just posting to say my hubby has been in Riyadh for nearly two weeks and so far enjoying it all (except for missing his family, of course!)

So I'm on the countdown now - except I don't know when to start counting! Will it be 4 weeks before we get there, or 6 or 10 or 3 months, or...?

Anyway, I'm getting into the sorting and packing, trying to decide what to take, what to store, what to get rid of, etc etc. Any tips?

Also does anyone have any experience with DHL in Saudi? They've told me they deliver to the door there same as anywhere. Hubby wants me to send him a reference book he forgot and I don't want to risk it getting lost. If I send it to the compound (he's supposed to be getting a house this week) and he's not there, what happens? Maybe I should send it to him at the university instead? He'll ask his colleagues but I thought I'd get some input from you guys as well, as to the most reliable way of sending things over there.

CAF Serial expat

Member since 16 June 2009

CAF

CAFSerial expat18 October 2010 04:40:33

831

Hey Janric

So glad to hear the ball is finally rolling for you. Tell hubby to join the group so he can make some friends. W would love to have him participate.

As for the mail - I can't help. I have not had anything sent to me yet, but I do hear that mail does go tot he compounds... I'd wait til after he moves in.

Looking forward to your arrival. Keep us posted!

Regards,

musicman ViP

Member since 05 August 2009

musicman
The illiterate of the future will not be the person who cannot read. It will be the person who does not know how to learn.
[Alvin Toffler]

musicmanViP18 October 2010 04:51:50

3180

Jan, DHL, UPS are all fine for sending stuff across to KSA. Just make sure you put hubbys mobile telephone number on the beneficiary address so the courier can call himm and locate him for the delivery.

Looking forward to meeting you guys soon. I hope he will join us in one of our little evening events sometime here to break the ice.

Alliecat ViP

Member since 13 October 2009

Alliecat
=^.^=

AlliecatViP18 October 2010 05:17:31

8790

I receive packages via UPS from the States at my job. Believe it or not, UPS here seems to have Western customer service!

gowiththeflowUK ViP

Member since 28 September 2009

gowiththeflowUKViP18 October 2010 09:40:59

721

Courier service is fine, but I wouldn't send to a Compound if he is not yet a resident. Security is very tight and it will probably be destroyed if they cannot identify it. I would get it sent to his work as they are used to receiving post and can make a plan for delivery to your husband.

Also, for ongoing use, this service is commonly used in the Kingdom from Westerners: aramex.com/ You get the item sent to them and they courier it to their Riyadh office and your hubby collects it from there, or they can deliver locally for a small fee.

As for packing, we are coming into the Saudi winter now - I will PM you with some tips but am sure there would have been other postings on this going back. Not seen anything on the Guide Section on this site, so will PM you with some tips.

Look forward to seeing you and hubby on the forum.

slyshooter Serial expat

Member since 18 October 2010

slyshooterSerial expat18 October 2010 13:26:58

863

Hi,

I am quite new to this forum but can guide you regarding packages. All services like UPS, FEDEX, DHL, Aramex deliver at door but will call before making the delivery to get the location, so be sure to write the number down clearly.

Also if you have any of these services office nearby its better to collect it from their office which is faster.

In your case its preferable to give the University address instead of compound.

Fidgety Soul ViP

Member since 28 August 2009

Fidgety SoulViP18 October 2010 20:22:53

1950

Hi Janric and Welcome to the blog.I am sure u would get several worthy suggestion around but I would still suggest u to check our previous threads i bet it would be so useful for u

Janric Member

Member since 03 May 2010

JanricMember19 October 2010 08:41:22

Thanks for your prompt replies everyone!

Hubby has moved into the compound but he does not have a telephone yet, nor a mobile, nor even a line in his office yet! Sounds like sending to the Uni will be best - at least there they know he exists!

Neither UPS nor FEDEX have offices in Darwin, so I think DHL and Australia Post are my only options.

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