We moved from Tripoli to Calgary this year using Aramex. A full household, 40 foot container. We had thousands of dollars in damages to furniture, lamps, framed pictures, ceramics. This despite the two of us watching the packing as closely as we could. Unpacking here was complicated because there were many boxes missing labels inventory numbers and incorrect numbers. I opened one box packed in the kitchen, they had bubble wrapped cereal boxes and cans, but in same box, the big stew/soup pot and a decorative ceramic tile were just tossed in. The tile was broken, the soup pot handle was cracked.
The bubble wrap.... They didn't use paper to wrap items. Only bubble wrap. Then taped. The tape! Argh! Lots of times they anchored bubble wrap on the furniture with tape. Removing tape and bubble wrap we discovered that heat and humidity fused the tape and bubble wrap on the wood in many (not all) places. Our solid maple wood kitchen table is a complete loss. When the movers here unwrapped it, the residue, with 'Aramex' emblazoned on it was left behind. The guys here said they've never seen such a disaster that was so easily preventable had they used appropriate materials and technique.
Many more examples to share, but with claims totaling $10,000 in furniture repair alone, you get the idea.
Lessons learned:
1. ask for dolphin paper for furniture wrapping or at least that they wrap furniture with base layer of paper.
2. Take pictures of box contents , make your own inventory
3. and watch the packers like a hawk!
Not easy to do #2 and 3 when there are numerous packers and only one or two of you. Even though all the packers had "uniform" shirts on, I strongly suspected they were day laborers hired each day. The supervisor assured me they were regular, trained staff. But when he is having to give basic instruction, my doubts grew.
BTW, moving from the States to Tripoli, we had less than $500 in damage.
Good luck.
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