Taking stuff to Italy

[cathnmike]

This is really by way of a 'thank you' to everyone who replied to my earlier postings about whether or not to take furniture to Italy or whether to buy there. We are actually doing a mix of the two (as we're 'downsizing' in the UK so have a lot to spare!) but when we looked at the cost of transporting it we were quite shocked at the high prices.

So - we have bought a transit van and will now have the excitement of driving down and seeing some unkown parts of Italy on the way. We reckon the first couple of trips will mean the van has paid for itself so anything it does after that is a bonus. Not everyone would want the hassle, but we're looking forward to it.

Incidentally, we may well have some space in the van when we go and we're happy to take items for others, at a small cost (just to get back some of the tolls / petrol really). The next time we're going out will be round the end of April beginning of May, then probably early to mid July, travelling between Liverpool (UK) and San Ginesio (Le Marche) - and coming back, sadly. So if you live somewhere that might be on that route and have anything you want to get there (or back) but were struggling to know how for a reasonable price, send us a PM and we'll get back to you.

And thanks again to everyone who replied and sent us contacts.

[cathnmike]

I ought to have made it clear that we haven't bought a full-size furniture van! - only a transit. A couple of people have contacted me about taking quite large loads across but we couldn't do that and there are good firms who specialise in that sort of removal. What we could do would be more something like you see advertised in the UK - "a van and a man" - or in this case a man and a woman!

Apologies for any confusion I've caused.

[Josie-jean]

Hi, I have a few items that I would like to send over to my house near Fivizzano - a wardrobe, chest & possibly a flat pack dining table & six falt pack chairs. However I think I am probably too far away form you on the italian side. Let me know if you are able to assist? I can send you photos and sizes if it helps?
Sound like you may be on the verge of a very lucrative business!

[cathnmike]

Hi Josie-jean ,
Oh it feels like it's all going off in my hands!!
We posted the thread as a tentative toe-dabble 36hours ago and you are reply number 6 so it does feel like we might be prepared to jump in up to our knees at least!
First of all do not worry about the diversion to Fivazzano. I know I can work out a route that would not be over-problematic. However my first trip at the end of April is ,I have to confess, mostly about getting our stuff to Le Marche; we would therefore need to know your timescales for wanting things across. If the demand is there and I can cover travelling costs and make a little income as well I would obviously be willing to consider journeys that are about "customers" rather than ourselves. We looked at shifting a load not dissimilar in capacity to the one which you describe and were quoted figures approaching £2000. That felt a little rich for us and therefore we are buying the van and now finding ourselves with a new business opportunity.
Please feel free (in fact please do) to contact us direct at the above e-mail address or ring on 07753355812 (mobile I'm afraid).

Thank you so much for your encouragement. It would be wonderful for both of us to be able to afford to take on this venture together but we will have to wait and see!
With all best wishes
Cath& Mike

[Ragusano]

Originally Posted by Josie-jean

Hi, I have a few items that I would like to send over to my house near Fivizzano - a wardrobe, chest & possibly a flat pack dining table & six falt pack chairs. However I think I am probably too far away form you on the italian side. Let me know if you are able to assist? I can send you photos and sizes if it helps?
Sound like you may be on the verge of a very lucrative business!

You'll find it a lot cheaper to give it to a freight forwarder. They charge by the cubic metre and collect/deliver door to door. It's a very basic service, though- not for the faint-hearted and best not trusted with anything valuable. We did our own packing and erred on the side of caution- lots of cardboard and bubblewrap. It cost us less than £1000 to get the following from London to Sicily: 2 three seater sofas, two dismantled double beds, two mattresses, kitchen table, 8 chairs and 6 large cardboard boxes full of kitchen and bathroom stuff (no Ikea in Sicily yet.) I think it came to about 6 cubic metres. The local agent contacted our architect when the stuff arrived and they held it their depot until the house was fitted with doors and windows.

[deborahandricky]

Hi and sorry for this blatant piece of self promotion.
We run trucks throughout Italy at least twice a week, our rates only include the trucking.
We don’t offer a packing service at the moment.
Our general rates are very competitive, with the minimum size being 5m3 for 600 gbp.
The guide price for a 3 bedroom house is 5500 gbp.
These rates are based on a door to door service. And its a mainland service only.
If you need any more information please pm me.

Again sorry, if I upset anyone with the advertising.