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Post by joe on Jun 6, 2006 13:58:50 GMT 7
Gonna be moving house soon. For baggage and bicycles, train station posting has always worked basically fine -- take it all down to the train station, go to the right office, and have the stuff sent to the train station in the city you'll hit next.
But now I have a desktop computer and a lovely big ol LCD monitor. My bikes and bags go through the train station fine, but a few years ago a laptop weren't so lucky -- it came out the other end with a cracked screen (and for some reason an intermittent power supply).
Is there any other way to send stuff to a new place far away but inside China? Or does it have to go on the plane under my arm?
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Post by Raoul Duke on Jun 6, 2006 15:18:11 GMT 7
You might get a logistics company a la DHL to send it over for you with special handling and guarantees and so on, but it will cost you. You can send large objects and large volumes through China Post rather cheaply but I recommend this only for durable and replaceable items.
Personally, I recommend that fragiles and expensives be hand-carried if humanly possible. Even across town, I kept a hand-carry box with my Saddam Hussein piggybank, my The Man Show beer mug, and the lovely bottle of Patron tequila that Loops brought me...
I also do the same thing with vital documents. That way I not only still have them intact, I can find them when I need them.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Jun 7, 2006 18:00:29 GMT 7
Only moved across town, and there the new univesrity moved me, so I didn't have to worry. But a Chinese friend moved inter-province and packed everything in boxes for the train and sent them off via the cargo section.
American friend had a Beijing removals company come, pack her apartment up (22 boxes) and ship them first to Beijing, then to New York. No hassles with either of them.
Where are you off to Joe?
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Post by joe on Jun 7, 2006 20:21:02 GMT 7
Dunno exactly. For the first time in my life I'm trying to plan a career.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jun 7, 2006 20:43:20 GMT 7
That's OK. I have planned my career many times in my life. It's an ongoing thing. I am on my third or fourth depending on whether you want to count being a professional student.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Jun 8, 2006 0:55:01 GMT 7
I've never planned my career - it always just happened without me noticing it. What is that Beatles quote about life is what happens while you make plans? But what I find weird is that I will say stuff without thinking - and later look back and go - wow exactly what I said would happen did. Makes me a bit wary of saying stuff!  |
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Post by Lotus Eater on Jun 8, 2006 11:51:01 GMT 7
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Post by joe on Jun 12, 2006 16:07:31 GMT 7
What do you suppose will happen when I roll up to the -- Chinese, domestic, Hong Qiao in fact -- airport with an LCD monitor under my arm? Will I have to turn it on, somehow? Send it through the X-Ray machine? Admit it's really a bomb and just get the cavity search over and done with?
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly! 
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
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Post by Newbs on Jun 12, 2006 16:20:52 GMT 7
What do you suppose will happen when I roll up to the -- Chinese, domestic, Hong Qiao in fact -- airport with an LCD monitor under my arm? I'm predicting a bloody big crowd of locals will gather, and stare, and stare, and st, well you get the picture. People in uniforms, with authority will use same to get to the front of the crowd for a good view. And won't they be glad they do have a front row view, when the full body cavity search begins? |
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Post by Missi on Jun 14, 2006 6:04:08 GMT 7
For your more fragile items don't send them by train. By air cargo. I know a lot people think when baggage handlers at an airport see the fragile they think, "They really don't mean that!" BAM! I've sent fragile items to Canada by air cargo, and to friends in China. Glass ornaments, very easily breaking clay items, china, crystal..... the list goes on. I visit the cargo office and pay the extra for insurance and we pack together making an itemized list and send it. I usually pay 500RMB for the insurance and everything gets to where it should be on time. I've only had one crystal water goblet chipped. And those suckers if you hold it the wrong way they break. And that was sent from here Hubei, to Inner Mongolia. I followed it on China Southern Cargo finder and it went to so many different airports. I've never tried this in China, but have in Canada, paying extra to have it sent on a specific day to my new place.
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Post by Pashley on Jun 20, 2006 18:28:49 GMT 7
Contact info I have for movers:
JVK, info@jvkasia.com International shippers, largely foreign-run. I have not used them, drank some beer with their Shenzhen crew and they're OK for that
Chinese company, dirt cheap but weird. I used them moving from Fuzhou to Zhuhai, cost 800 for a substantial truckload. They arrived late and with only the truck driver; I had to go hire migrant workers to get stuff to the truck. On delivery, on time but no labourers, driver wanted extra to haul it upstairs. Still, a cheap move, nothing stolen, only one thing slightly damaged and that was my fault, badly packed. I'd reccomend them for moves within China.
Offices in various cities. No-one speaks any English at offices I've talked to. List on their bill has about offices. Here are a few"
010 87333771
020 87082952
021 54403867
022 23785006
023 89185611
025 85560127
028 83587066
0591 83622278
0592 5624556
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Post by joe on Jun 21, 2006 12:42:15 GMT 7
Okay, I'm intriuged.
First, as I'm in Suzhou, I don't know if there even is an air cargo office, since their isn't even an airport, but is air cargo the same as handing over your bags when you check in for the flight?
(And if it's not, what do you think of that as an option for a monitor?)
Second, actual removal companies. For four or five middle sized bags, a cheap dvd player, an expensive desktop set and a bicycle (the best bicycle in the world, my friend and associate for many years now)? But I like the idea. It seems like a lot less messing around than train station posting.
Are there any movers anyone particualrly recommends that might come to a backwater like Suzhou and remove to a backwater somewhere far away?
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Post by Lotus Eater on Jun 21, 2006 13:12:52 GMT 7
Ask a Suzhou-ren. They will know of a friend of a friend who is a removalist!
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jun 21, 2006 13:43:53 GMT 7
or ask your FAO from either the school you are going to or the one you are going from (I know, not so cool, but hey, can try).
Maybe they have an idea. I remember somewhere that a contract can include this.
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Post by Dragonsaver on Jun 22, 2006 12:31:52 GMT 7
Is there any other way to send stuff to a new place far away but inside China? Or does it have to go on the plane under my arm? Actually there is. www.sevenseasworldwide.comPrices are in US I think but resonable. They guarantee/insure. China toll free phone 4008 81 66 98  |
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Post by Pashley on Jun 23, 2006 16:42:40 GMT 7
guys I described above list two Suzhou numbers, assuming I have area code right
0512 53535435
0512 65976181
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jun 27, 2006 17:33:19 GMT 7
Well, it is the modus operandi of the locals. I can't believe what they cart on a bike. Kitchen sinks don't even begin to describe it.
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Post by acjade on Jun 27, 2006 20:47:19 GMT 7
Today I finally found my new apartment. It's on the sixth floor of an eight story building so I have an elevator and an aprtment which comes eqipped with every modern convenience and a dropdead gorgeous landlord who surprise surprise speaks English. He used to be an English teacher before he saw the light and went into business manufacturing fitness and swimming equipment. He's already invited himself to dinner. Hmm?
Anyway today I feel a great weight has been taken off my shoulders as being a home body, home has got to be something nicer than the run of the mill commie make over. And I'm delighted. The apartment is in the swank area of town a couple of blocks away from my new headquarters and is tucked away behind a main road that has to be one of the most pleasant in Xi'an. A real gem.
It has two bedrooms with builtins and wall apertures and niche's for collectibles. The bathroom is big enough to hold a party and in blessed luxurious condition. The kitchen is small by my standards but has a wonderful gas range with a hood and leads through to a balcony room that I'm planning on using as a meditation room.
The neighbourhood has everything you could want and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Which is good because I have to be happy at home to be happy at home. Which brings me to my new work. Officially my new lao ban is the director of the Chinese Academy of Science. It's not a university but the brach of government which is in charge of all scientific research in China ranging from geology to aerospace which means most of my time will be working with postgraduates in the scientific research field.
Thank the Lord my campus days are quickly drawing to a close. I know some people, and rightly so, love their campus existances. I am not one of those people. From the time I was a child at boarding school I have always loathed confined spaces and even though this place is huge to me it is and will always be, 'confined'.
Anyway, earlier this afternoon I went down town to meet the guy in charge of helping me get settled only to find he'd been delayed in a traffic jam so I sat down in his office next to a guy who was reading the paper and having a bit of a breather out of the fierce Xi'an afternoon sun.
We agreed it was tai rui and stumbled our way through a half English, half Chinese conversation with a bit of body language and a few laughs. Well blow me down if the fellow didn't turn out to be the big boss himself in Xi'an for a spell doing I don't know what when he's not trying to catch a bit of peace and quiet. I dunno what he thought of me but I don't think I'd have emptied my handbag and asking him if he wanted a peice of Wriggley's gum while showing him photos of my boys if I knew he was the big boss. Perhaps someone just treating him like one of the taxi drivers ( some of my favourite Xi'an ren) was relaxing.
Anyway I feel as though I've turned the corner here in Xi'an and in the Middle Kingdom and I'm so glad I've given away everything I haven't used in the past year because my new home is going to be a Tang paradise.
What on earth will I cook for the Landlord? Gotta go western-style. Any suggestions?
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jun 27, 2006 22:21:10 GMT 7
toast and vegemite. Put him in it while you have the chance.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Jun 27, 2006 23:12:13 GMT 7
Sounds like a great job and it is always nice to have a comfortable feeling for home.
Give him spag bol and a salad. It is close enough to Chinese food that he won't be embarrassed if he can't use knife and fork - have chopsticks available as well. You can also spice it up enough to make most Xi'anren happy.
Do you want your cushion stuff for the new place??
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Post by acjade on Jun 28, 2006 6:59:46 GMT 7
A good suggestion LE. Spag bol or a lasagne. But I like Mr. Nobody's idea as well. Vegemite on toast for an entree.
Yes I want the cushion thingies so I'll PM you and make contact when I've finished up here. Thanks for the reminder.
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Post by DollyODear on Jun 28, 2006 22:47:51 GMT 7
Sounds like perfect digs, ACJ. Jealous. Kicking cans jealous. But very, very happy for you. Good luck in your new home. Bread salt and (wine, barkeep) from me to you.
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Post by acjade on Jun 29, 2006 5:18:46 GMT 7
Thanks Dolly. Please visit when you escape are discharged from the sanitarium.  PS. I'll keep the last of the faux Terracotta Warrior wall plaques for you.  |
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Post by George61 on Jun 29, 2006 5:39:23 GMT 7
Now I'm jealous! My bathroom is barely big enough to hold a telephone conversation.
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Post by acjade on Jun 29, 2006 5:46:02 GMT 7
Yeah, but at least you have someone gorgeous to take a shower with.
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