Arnoff in West Palm Beach
The shipping company was ARNOFF out of WPB, FL.
They are a shipping company that also does moving.
Look... moving in the States is big business and most people are scared of it but think there's no way arround getting screwed. It's similar to the mattress business... everybody uses it and there is no country with that many "Discount" Mattress "Outlets" like the US, nevertheless, there is alomost no country where Matresses are so expensive too.
For International moving you do not need to go thru a mover. You look up shipping companies and call them one by one. You will eventually find some that will come to your door with a container and load it up at your door and have some company they work with at the arrival country who will bring that very same container to your new door step and help you unload it. A moving company will not do anything else, except that the may pick up your stuff by truck, crate it at their facility or worse at somebody elses and then pack it or have it packed into a container... maybe with some other stuff, you will never know.
In other words, you want to go professional, whole sale or direct, which ever way you want to call it. It will be way cheaper and most likely safer too.
If you can, pack your stuff yourself in boxes. The good ol' bana boxes still are a great value... they are free at your local supermarket... they are strong and and some already smell tropical
. Do a good wrapping job.... don't use styro-chips but your small garnment to do it (socks make great cushions for glasses and dishes! ... just wash'em first... the socks too
). Pack tightly... it's things that move that crash and break. And finally, when taping your boxes... wrap the tape arround several turns. When going to hot countries, do NOT use "DuckTape"... it seems strong but in hot environements it will come loose (UPS does not allow it in the South!).
This will be better than any job "they" will do (believe me, I've seen things!). If they only insure against breakage if they pack: You can leave the packed boxes open so they can check your packaging and sign off on it or take the risk, most things you have don't break anyway (it's water dammage and theft you are concearned with mostly).
Back to banana boxes: Banana boxes have openings on the bottom and top... originally, there is a piece of hard paper that keeps the fruits from dropping out. I have found that USPS Priority mailer boxes which you will find free in most large Postal Service Offices just happen to fit snuggly into the bottom part and the lid. They are strong, white and can be written on.
When going to Latin American Countries or similar, the most important thing is, to have your customs folks set up BEFORE you ship. Many companies will tell you they can ship to the DR. And they are not lying. There is no law that would prohibit them to do it. The question is, if they are working with a company in the DR that is trustworthy and effective and it's not because one company is more expensive than the other that it would mean they are better at it.
I hope this is of help to you and anwers your question or the other way arround. Good luck! ... J-D.
