When we told our friends about all of the items we were selling there was a slight moment where a few circling vultures swooped and started to pick at the carcass of our remaining possessions. It wasn't quite as bad as the experience of the garage sale which I believe has scarred me for life, but still it was a little discomfiting.
We have shed so much and were pretty sure we were down to our allotted 3 cubic metres so we promptly emailed our relocation agent. It took 4 days of us emailing or calling each day to get any form of response. Quite ironic when the person's voicemail states that they will call you back promptly as they check their messages between appointments. I know I am not the most patient person on the planet, however it would have been good etiquette for the person in question to at least send a quick email to say that they had received the message and would get back to us next week. When we finally got a full response we were informed that we were down to 3.4 cubic metres. Immediately we wanted to work out what else we could live without. So, we emailed back for advice only to be told that we don't need to lose 0.4cubic metre but 1 cubic metre!
It turns out that the case that surrounds our possessions is included in our 3 cubic metres. This seems nuts. So, we don't get 3 cubic metres of shipping we get somewhere over 2 dependent on who comes to assess our possessions. Great.
Next we checked the itinerary. A couple of items were missing and some were down as being ridiculously large. It made no sense. Had the relocation agent even been to our house? We were not impressed and feeling overwhelmed. Clothes are cheap in China aren't they? We can just throw out anything that doesn't fit in our suitcase so that will take down the shipping amount? My gorgeous man wants to do another Ironman so he must need a new bike? Do I really need the Tiffany style lamp that was an engagement present or my overlocker as I will barely sew due to the amazing tailors and seamstresses in China, right?
So, we now have a new relocation agent who is yet to contact us. Actually this isn't sounding too promising.
Wait, no we don't have a new agent. Since drafting the above we have been told we still have the old agent. Unfortunately he still appears to have no clue what he is doing. I am being very restrained not mentioning the company responsible! Can I fit my life into a suitaces weighing no more than 23kg and an item of carry on?
Art, photos and sentimentality are the priority. It is also quite exciting from a interior design point of view, as even though we will have a fully furnished apartment, there will still be ways to personalise it. Old furniture given new purpose with wallpapers, fabric and paint. Knowing that this move is only potentially for a short amount of time will also mean that we certainly won't be buying fancy designer furniture as we have in NZ. We will take our time, search for unique pieces for a small price and enjoy breathing new life into them. One of my all time favourite books is Rediscovered Treasures. It is great for European reinvention, we will just have to adapt.
We have shed so much and were pretty sure we were down to our allotted 3 cubic metres so we promptly emailed our relocation agent. It took 4 days of us emailing or calling each day to get any form of response. Quite ironic when the person's voicemail states that they will call you back promptly as they check their messages between appointments. I know I am not the most patient person on the planet, however it would have been good etiquette for the person in question to at least send a quick email to say that they had received the message and would get back to us next week. When we finally got a full response we were informed that we were down to 3.4 cubic metres. Immediately we wanted to work out what else we could live without. So, we emailed back for advice only to be told that we don't need to lose 0.4cubic metre but 1 cubic metre!
It turns out that the case that surrounds our possessions is included in our 3 cubic metres. This seems nuts. So, we don't get 3 cubic metres of shipping we get somewhere over 2 dependent on who comes to assess our possessions. Great.
Next we checked the itinerary. A couple of items were missing and some were down as being ridiculously large. It made no sense. Had the relocation agent even been to our house? We were not impressed and feeling overwhelmed. Clothes are cheap in China aren't they? We can just throw out anything that doesn't fit in our suitcase so that will take down the shipping amount? My gorgeous man wants to do another Ironman so he must need a new bike? Do I really need the Tiffany style lamp that was an engagement present or my overlocker as I will barely sew due to the amazing tailors and seamstresses in China, right?
So, we now have a new relocation agent who is yet to contact us. Actually this isn't sounding too promising.
Wait, no we don't have a new agent. Since drafting the above we have been told we still have the old agent. Unfortunately he still appears to have no clue what he is doing. I am being very restrained not mentioning the company responsible! Can I fit my life into a suitaces weighing no more than 23kg and an item of carry on?
Art, photos and sentimentality are the priority. It is also quite exciting from a interior design point of view, as even though we will have a fully furnished apartment, there will still be ways to personalise it. Old furniture given new purpose with wallpapers, fabric and paint. Knowing that this move is only potentially for a short amount of time will also mean that we certainly won't be buying fancy designer furniture as we have in NZ. We will take our time, search for unique pieces for a small price and enjoy breathing new life into them. One of my all time favourite books is Rediscovered Treasures. It is great for European reinvention, we will just have to adapt.
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