revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Mar 29, 2013 16:48:37 GMT
We're trying to decide whether we should take the cash-in-lieu and handle the shipping ourselves, or just let the company do it for us. So I wonder about the shipping costs, and also the hassle of getting through customs, etc.
So can anyone tell me the costs to ship household goods of a typical 3 bedroom house from Houston?
How about the hassles, paperwork, etc. to clear customs? Is it a lot of headache?
Thanks...
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Post by kellbenl on Mar 31, 2013 4:47:22 GMT
Hi Revive
I sent you a PM with my email and phone number in colorado. Give me a call when you get a minute I'll be happy to share what I've found out about the moving allowances.
Thanks
Ben
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Post by vpainter on Mar 31, 2013 5:20:35 GMT
Having talked to people who have taken cash in lieu, whether or not you take that route will depend on your family and your wants and needs. If you are going to bring all your worldly possessions, let Aramco move you. If you want to come and will be happy with the fact you do not have all those possessions and you'll be buying new - then cash in lieu will work for you. Some I've talked to are glad they took the cash in lieu. They came with excess baggage on the plane trip and then proceeded over time to furnish their home. I have talked to a couple of people who wish they hadn't taken cash in lieu, they didn't think about all the things they wish they had and wished they weren't having to re-buy them here.
So you and your family need to talk about what will make you all happy and make you feel like this is your home. Are your things important for you to have around you to make you feel at home? or Will you be happy taking the time and energy it will take looking for and buying things new? or a combination of the two - bring some things and buy new for others.
You will have Aramco provided furniture either way in the beginning - about 3 months until your shipment arrives or until you find and purchase the things you want to furnish your home.
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revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Apr 4, 2013 19:56:19 GMT
Hi Ben,
Thanks so much. I just sent you an email. Let's connect offline.
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revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Apr 4, 2013 19:59:40 GMT
VPainter,
Thanks for the reply. I realize that the decision varies based on individual's preference / situation. That's why I'm still looking for some concrete information on how much it will cost to ship household goods of a typical 3 bedroom house from Houston, and whether custom clearance will give us a lot of headache. By knowing this, we'll be able to decide what works best for us. Thanks...
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Post by SayRT on Apr 4, 2013 21:41:46 GMT
revive,
will send youa PM. i have a couple of questions.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 5, 2013 17:08:09 GMT
Revive,
Sorry I didn't say what I meant to impart. All the people who I have spoken to who have taken cash-in-lieu did not ship very much, they bought here. Those who have wanted to ship their 3 bedroom homes furnishings have had Aramco do it.
If you decide to take cash-in-lieu and ship all your furnishings, I would appreciate you posting about it later for others who may want to do so. Thanks!
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revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Apr 5, 2013 18:13:31 GMT
Sending you a pm.
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revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Apr 5, 2013 18:19:42 GMT
Vpainter,
That's fine. We are planning to only bring a few furnitures. I'll continue with my research and post what we decide. Thanks.
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Post by SayRT on Apr 5, 2013 19:48:14 GMT
revive,
my forum acct. is not yet enabled to send PM. i got your PM though, but i could not reply. here are some of my questions:
- GC level. what is a good starting range/level for experienced hire (15+ yrs experience)?
- relocation. cash or ship thru aramco?
- there has been a bit of noise about probation period. what's your take on the risk?
- did you negotiate your offer? how did it go?
my actual questions are more specific than what i am posting here. other than email, this is the only option i got for now.
thanks again...
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revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Apr 8, 2013 17:01:19 GMT
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to provide an update.
Based on my research, shipping cost from Houston to Dhahran will be approx. $2 per lb. I'm not sure how much hassle, but I'd assume plenty just to be conservative.
For me personally, the cost & potential hassle don't seem to be worth it. So we're currently leaning towards taking a partial cash-in-lieu / partial shipping. We'll get rid of some old furnitures & mattresses and I'm confident we'll stay within the shipping quota.
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Post by gbhatia on Apr 8, 2013 19:43:16 GMT
FYI, we just had our assessment done by the movers and were thinking the same thing. Our choices are 5000 lb (employee only), 6000 lb (wife & child only) or 11,000lb (whole family). Based on what we had identified, the assessor estimated about 9,000 lb for what we initially want to move. That means getting rid of about 3000 lb for a $2500 payment which may not be worthwhile given we'll have to buy that stuff in Saudi. Remember also that if you go over the allowance, you have to pay ALL of the actual freight costs. In other words, given our example above, if you are expecting a $2500 CIL reimbursement and you go over by 1250 lb, you end up with nothing (except the lost allowance) In our relocation booklet the cash in lieu payment is 50 % of the freight charges. At orientation, they said current CIL rates were ~ just under $1 per lb from Canada which makes sense if the actual costs are $2/lb as you say. The upshot of it is that unless you can get under the threshold (and are sure you will) its a risk to take the partial cash in lieu option. The other thing to keep in mind is that if you take the CIL, you also don't get the E-boxes (one for employee and one for family). That's what tipped us over to taking the full allowance even though we probably will be under  |
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revive
Senior Member
Posts: 180
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Post by revive on Apr 9, 2013 15:21:16 GMT
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Post by SayRT on Apr 9, 2013 15:22:31 GMT
useful info. many thanks.
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Post by gbhatia on Apr 9, 2013 17:06:08 GMT
Great Link Revive. Just remember to add the weight of packaging to the items as that's what get weighed by the movers. It's not much for boxes etc. but could add up if they construct wooden boxes etc for furniture and other large items. We were told by the origin agent that he would add a 10 % contingency to his weight estimate since if he's off by more than that, he ends up paying to have the stuff removed / repacked. |
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