PSS International Removals

Initial visit and assessment was positive but it went down hill from there. The PSS movers damaged a wooden floor in my property by dragging a wardrobe and then suggested my disabled mother and partner, who was on crutches at the time, had part caused the damage by trying to move the wardrobe themselves!

On arrival we were charged a quarantine inspection fee which was a known cost but was hidden in the ‘small print’.
When customs inspected our possessions we were charged a further $495 for the Australian contractor to do the job we had already paid PSS for! When we complained and queried this as customs inspections are covered by what we paid for in the terms of the contract, we were told pay or we won’t release your goods and will charge you extra labour and storage costs until you do pay! PSS refused to provide us with details of their complaints procedure and when we contacted the company director he was not interested in resolving the issue and told us to pay……

PSS are a shocking company to do business with, customer care is non-existent and they take no responsibility for their actions.

Service cost: £4000

At the risk of something happening to our things that are currently in transit, I’m already writing a review. PSS removals seem initially a very friendly and reasonably priced company. We’re moving to Luxembourg and are living in a furnished house so there is not a lot of furniture to move. After getting several quotes, we decided to go with them because they send a live surveyor that gave (we thought) a realistic estimation of the cost. A lot of other companies just do a video survey or just estimate based on the number of boxes you give to them. After I agreed, I was told to prepay the moving cost in full, which I promptly did. They forgot to mention that the estimation was without VAT but after I received another bill, I paid that as I should have paid better attention. I was then asked to fill in a form to estimate the value of the inventory. After I sent that, I received another bill of more than £890 which would cover the insurance. Since we have little of real value, I decided not to take insurance especially since it was about three time the price we paid for insurance last time when we moved from Singapore to the UK. I did get the packing service as I am already overseas and wanted to spare my wife the hassle. Besides, we had good experience last time as professional packers are supposed to be fast and efficient. Unfortunately this was not the case. The two persons that came took a whole day and were very generous filling the boxes, leaving lots of space. Today I found out why. PSS is charging us 30 percent extra because they used more boxes. When I asked why, the previously friendly service quickly turned into accusations. We had extra stuff that we hadn’t mentioned to the surveyor. We had agreed on the list. Etc.etc. If we agreed on the list, how could we have snuck in extra stuff into our inventory? Neither my wife, nor I are removal experts so we have to go with the estimate the surveyor calculates. PSS can just pad the bill afterwards because they have our stuff now. I will file a complaint with the ROS and will never use this company again.

Service cost: £2267

I do NOT recommend PSS as a removal company. Upon my return to the UK from North America, a number of boxes did not arrive. A search was completed, but my belongings weren’t found.
CEO Liam Witham advised he would look into the matter, thereafter he ignored all further communication. I lost items both of monetary value and personal value - original wedding gifts, baby’s christening/first birthday etc, as well as soft furnishing and kitchenware.
Avoid PSS if you value receiving all your items when shipped.
They offered no apology, explanation or compensation for my financial loss incurred.

Service cost: £10000

PS Removals are the worst. You would think that a journey to the Middle East from the Uk would get some substantial packing. Not when you use PSS the boxes were so flimsy the cardboard could be crushed between thumb and forefinger finger ( my 80 year old mums). Needless to say nearly every box was crushed or damaged. My wardrobe containing numerous suits was dumped into a standard box. No regard for crushing or creasing. My suits and jackets are a total mess. How are these cowboys still in business I don’t know.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: £3500

"Spanish Homes in the Sun" have been recommending our Valued Relocation Clients to the specialist International Transport & Storage Services offered by PSS and our clients have always been delighted with the quality of the service and the personal commitment John Moynes and his Team make in ensuring our clients Furniture and Personal Belongings arrive safely and securely ready to be delivered into their new "A Place in the Sun" & "Forever Home" in the Spanish Costas. We will not hesitate to continue recommending our clients to PSS Services especially as our clients appreciate and value the added benefit they enjoy as a result our two companies are offering complimentary products and services necessary to help the customer achieve a successful relocation to Spain.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: £1800

PSS packed up our one bedroom flat in London, U.K in December 2020. The removal cost just over £2500. We also painstakingly compiled a valuation inventory of all of the items that were to be shipped, and paid over £300 for marine shipping insurance.

On the moving date the movers were very friendly and polite, but also very quick. They completed the job in around 2 hours.

In May 2021 we finally received our goods at our house in Melbourne, Australia. One box containing two weights bars and a rug that is now sold out, was missing. A large and expensive le crueset cast iron pot was cracked, a toaster was smashed to pieces (this toaster is also now unavailable to buy), numerous vintage crockery items were smashed, the glass from a signed and framed work of art was smashed and one caster from an antique sideboard was missing. We notified PSS.

PSS passed our claim on to the Removal Claims Service. David Pite from The Removal Claims service made life very very difficult for us. In spite of our having valued everything upfront, The Removals Claims service required evidence and paperwork for every aspect. The amount of extra work caused to us by the refusal of The Removals Claims Service to simply refund the damaged items was extremely significant. After many emails arguing our case, Mr Pite insisted on making nonsensical valuation offers, for example: he offered us a standard office castor replacement for our missing antique sideboard castor claiming that it was a suitable replacement. We had only valued the sideboard at £110 originally. By virtue of one castor having been lost, it is ruined. It cannot be matched by a standard office castor. But rather than accept that and simply pay the original valuation, Mr Pite preferred to engage in a lengthy and frustrating email back and forth with us about the item. The whole thing was so annoying. We were treated like fraudsters every step of the way. We were only claiming a few hundred pounds out of thousands that we had insured. If we were fraudsters I think we would have set our sights a bit higher. The settlement finally agreed, minus a claims handling fee of £100, was a fraction of the cost needed to replace the missing and damaged items.

I would urge caution in using PSS for a removal. Whilst they are not directly responsible for the Removal Claims Service, they are responsible at arm’s length, for choosing the Removal Claims Service as their insurance provider.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Flat Service cost: £2500

We moved from the UK to USA, items collected July 30th. Our items were not delivered until Jan 23rd (we appreciate there is a global shipping crisis, but even this was excessive.). Two days before delivery we have an email stating the shipped the wrong sofa (there were only two in their warehouse) and we had to wait for another shipping container 4+ months. We requested it to be air freighted or reimbursed, which they declined. The items that did arrive came with nearly £7k worth of damage, table legs and tops destroyed, mattress moldy and disfigured, all of our artwork cracked and damaged. Lastly, it clearly states in contract that it is 'unpacking and removal of packaging', which they refused as they stated at time of delivery it only covers 'large items' (contrary to their contract). We are not complainers, this has been not only frustrating but extremely upsetting that our priceless life goods were so poorly cared for in packing and disregard to the upset of our lives this has caused. They are dishonest in their proposal process, the insurance claims process is terrible and not consistent to what was proposed. Strongly suggest working with another removals company.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: £3000

This company is an absolute joke. You never hear from the 'move managers' after paying the initial shipping fee, they don't bother to update that your goods will be delivered in 6 months, rather than the quoted 8 weeks and they have the gall to ask for additional fees once they have sent out the goods. Reading reviews here I can see I should also be terrified that most of my goods will be broken when they do eventually arrive! The company refuses to write back to any emails to update on what is happening with all my belongings. Not a company I should have trusted with all of my worldly possessions.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: £300

I have just moved from Plymouth, UK to Sydney, Australia and unfortunately used PSS. Not only were costs misleading and phantom costs being added on after loading and other quarantine cost that was never email or told over the phone. I have found many objects broken, couches buckled and torn, mirrors smashed and many items missing. On loading I thought I caught one of the packers looking through my Xbox games. Today I found 3 Xbox games and 3 ps3 game cases empty, as well as yup my avengers blue ray DVD. What a bunch of thieves and liars, and to think I tipped the lads 160 each.

Service cost: £4000

The 1st contact was a nice man who was professional but it went down hill from there on. When we unpacked there were several broken items due to bad packing (rowing machine packed on the bottom so the shell was broken, drawers broken in a chest of drawers as not emptied, old singer sewing machine broken as just wrapped not packed correctly). But the worst thing is the items that they pinched - CDs, DVDs, a brand new pair of Dr Martens. Do not get your insurance through them. Go to a different company as soon as you can. They don't reply to you. They take weeks to answer emails and phone calls. Luckily the best thing we did was get another insurer so we could claim. They employ thieves and are the most rude, unhelpful company I have ever come across. I would say avoid at all costs.

Service cost: $5500

  It is a well-known fact that it is easier to respond with negative feedback than with   positive and that having been said - even in my experience - I have rarely been moved to the point where I will put pen to paper or - more commonly these days – finger tips to keys to voice my opinions! It is with pleasure though, that I write to express the happiness and comfort with which we were dealt with throughout the whole process, from estimation to removal.   It is unusual for me not to have sought multiple quotations, especially in a circumstance as important as this, but I was filled with confidence and assurance in PSS credentials and abilities during our initial conversations at a Manchester expo and then subsequently when Darren French visited our property to perform the estimation. As such we proceeded through the process to booking our removals date.   We were handled very efficiently by everyone within the office based team and all our questions and queries were answered promptly and clearly which very much helped to put our minds at ease.   I do have to say though, that the icing on the cake was the performance of the packing and removal team that attended our property to perform the physical removal. As a (If that’s how it’s spelt!), Craig and - on Day 2 – Nick, all performed a sterling job. We ourselves had worked hard during the preceding days to prepare all our effects by cleaning and segregating them as per your advice and instructions and I can only emphasise how important an operation this.  
That being said, the team then quickly assessed the property layout, access restrictions and task at hand and then performed tirelessly during the two day pack-up to achieve what was required. They performed with manners, good humour, cooperation and workmanship and they were a pleasure to work with. It made the upheaval of an international move much easier to deal with by dissipating all the tension, stress and nerves of the removal.     Our container arrived within the estimated time stated in New Zealand and I have every confidence that your partner (NZ Vanlines) at the destination will handle the receipt with as much professionalism as you have handled the dispatch.  

I have already recommended your services to several of my friends and colleagues who are also embarking on migrations “down under” and will continue to do so.   Thanks again for all your help.  .

Service cost: £5249

Sometimes last year, we were seriously considering the move down under and started talking to moving agencies.
It's been nearly 6 months now since our container has been delivered to our new address in South East Melbourne, Australia. We have settled in really well, the weather and the fantastic outdoor conditions helping so much. I meant to write to you all sooner but there was so much to do in the first few months then I kept postponing.
Not anymore. What we, Carole and our 2 kids Anaelle and Flavien meant to say is simply THANK YOU ALL.
Thank you for the way everything was handled both in the UK and in Australia, the time you spent answering our questions, re-assuring us as well, updating us on the project. I always felt confident and free to call or email you each time we had a question or concern. This customer relationship is a must especially nowadays and we truly valued the way we have been treated and helped.
A massive thank you for the 4 gentlemen who packed and unpacked our whole home. This was done with so much precision, efficiency and safety, it was impressive. It is not an easy job, they are facing the customer at a crucial moment when we are anxious, stressed to say the least and the way they handled their job was purely and simply amazing. They contributed a lot to the whole success of this operation and I'm sure you realise that. Unfortunately I did not remember their 4 names but with the details below you will find out. Please pass them my best regards once again.
 
One more comment. Something should have indicated us that everything was going to be fine … your teddy bear !!
We heard of PSS Int. via The Emigration Group. During an early survey of our case to see if we were eligible to obtain a visa, getting details on the procedure etc… in March 2013, Mike McShane (Director) gave my son one of your teddy bear. Flavien was 3 1/2 at that time and did behave really well during this meeting. Without being too critic, this teddy bear is not the best cuddly toy my son had, not the softest, not the biggest, not even the cutest BUT… something happened. A connection between the two was created on that day and "Teddy" as its name has never left his side since then and it has been a year now. There are 2 others cuddly mates too which are really important for Flavien (an elephant and a rabbit) so a bear completes the variety. All of them were sitting with him on the plane to Australia, not in a bag but on his lap.
One more time, thank you everybody at PSS for your help. We wish you all the best for the future.

Service cost: £4219

While the sales and customer service has been excellent the level of care and organisation of the packing is by far the worst that I have experienced (and this is the fifth time I have moved overseas).  During the packing both of us were concerned about the level of care taken particularly by one of the packers and had to absolutely insist that original packing was used for some of the more expensive items - which would take more time.  My husband  had to pack the TV in the end as he was so concerned. There is a number of times when we heard bangs as furniture was turned over.  The focus appeared to us on getting the job done as quickly as possible rather then taking care.  Once the container arrived in NZ and we had to complete the customs forms - it was difficult to determine from the packing list what was actually in which box.  One of our reasons for choosing PSS was our believe that they were experienced in Shipping to NZ and therefore understood the customs requirements. Generally the large majority of items were not wrapped, just dumped into a box - this including boxed items (now crushed), picture frames (some now with smashed glass), a framed piece of Art.  In hindsight I wish I had packed the boxes myself, as this was clearly not professional packing or even packing, I would call it dumping items in a box.  In one box I found my leather jacket screwed up into a ball. We had some items in boxes already which we had bought back from storage - we did tell them that they would need repacking.  The boxes were not re-packed and some of arrived broken. The NZ moving company was excellent - but also amazed at quality of packing they saw and commented it was the "worst they had ever seen". The split of items between the overspill and the container has no level of consideration or care.  We have parts of beds, parts of bookcases and wardrobes, no linen, kids duvets haven't arrived - yet we have bikes, outdoor toys, books and many non essential items.  My children are having to sleep on camping beds with borrowed sleeping bags.   As a professional removal company, specialising in moving to NZ, we would expect that PSS would take this into consideration. We finally received our overspill and unfortunately found it to be worse then the first shipment.  Again the NZ moving company (a different person to the first one) they made the similar (but un-promted comments) - "badly packed, cheap boxes, some of which were extremely heaving and/or coming apart, worst packing they had seen"..  Several of the boxes were squashed.   The numbering just couldn't be followed as some boxes had several numbers on them - in the end I just counted the number of boxes.  Still it took 3 more months to find some of the parts to a wardrobe and bookcase - we eventually found them in a gym bag.   Generally the large majority of items were not wrapped, just dumped into a box - this including boxed items (now crushed), picture frames (some now with smashed glass), a framed piece of Art.  In hindsight I wish I had packed the boxes myself, as this was clearly not professional packing or even packing, I would call it dumping items in a box.  In one box I found my leather jacket screwed up into a ball.   .

Service cost: £5500

PSS have been professional and very responsive and punctual from start to finish. They got back to us when they said they would and it was the small things they did such as after a telephone call they followed up the information via email to ensure we had all the information. Maybe at times they were a little salesy at the start but I understand why, however they were the most proactive. We contacted 7 companies and 5 of those companies said they would ask their international division to call or their sales team, I think it was several days until I received a call back from one of them, I am still waiting for a call from some of them!!

I can't fault PSS as they have been on the ball all the way and Mark the person handling our move has been great and we could tell that he has a lot of experience as all of our questions were answered and he didn't need to go away and ask a manager or a colleague, he knew his stuff which assured us that we had chosen the right company.

The quantity of things we sent did increase on the day however we did change a lot of the things we originally wanted to send, so couldn't really moan. The guys did advise us when we got to our square footage and the office gave us a price to send the extra stuff. All in all we sent 500 square feet which was a small increase but were not planning on coming back so not too bothered.

Good service and a professional team.

Service cost: £2450

My Partner has just arrived in Australia and has just taken delivery of our belongings with great ease. I must say that PSS have come up trumps for us as well as PSS’s agents Kent International. From start to finish I couldn’t be more pleased with the service as they run an excellent setup and were helpful and friendly throughout, this is saying something considering we were probably the most disorganised and stressed out people ever to move.     I would highly recommend the PSS guys and would use them again in the future.

Service cost: £2567

Just had a lovely couple of guys called Danchy and Chris here today from PSS. They were a real great bunch of guys who didn't stop working but managed to find time to explain certain things to me and my wife. We have moved a couple of times in the UK but not to the other side of the world, so we didn't know what to expect. Everything was sealed and wrapped today which put our minds at rest as we read a few bad reviews on PSS and other companies but glad we chose them in the end. I suppose you can read too much into these reviews without having enough of the facts. However it helped me so thumbs up, I hope this helps anyone moving.

Service cost: £3100

  We have used PSS to move to USA a few months ago. The agents that were assigned to finally transport the shipment from port of entry were excellent. They kept me informed at each stage of the process and the only charges I incurred apart from the original bill was the US Customs X-Ray fee. There were only two minor breakages of a cup and a shot glass and a damaged plastic transport tub but I think I can live with that! The initial UK rep who arrived to do the estimate was very courteous and helpful, and according to my son who met the actual packing team, said that they were very professional and polite. As expected, the packing and labelling itself was unbelievable. It made it very easy to sort and store all my belongings in a timely fashion and I now feel as if I am 'home'. All my books, mementos from 38 years in the Navy, my tools, CDs, DVDs, clothes and especially my precious photographs have all arrived safely and I am a very happy expat and smiling a lot, which impresses the wife! I will definitely recommend PSS to anyone planning an international move in the future and finish by saying that it's been a pleasure dealing PSS and their agents. Once again, I thank you. .

Service cost: £1500

PSS moved me and my family from the UK to San Diego. They were one of the cheapest quotes, and I was almost going to avoid them as much advice says to avoid the cheapest. They, along with the other 5 companies we got, all said we would need a 20Ft container plus a little over-spill. They actually predicted the least overspill of all the quotes.  As it turned out, we only filled 75% of the 20Ft container, and we could have taken a little bit more stuff with us. Although their packers did say we were very organised, and had our stuff very well condensed, and all furniture dissembled.
 
They came in and packed our house up in 3-4 hours, and then loaded the container the next day in 2 hours. They gave us the details of the container, the ship, and the company that would provide the delivery in the US.  The boat arrived a few days earlier than expected, and was delivered a few days later. We had nothing broken. And I have to say during unpacking I could see that PSS had done a very good job of packing. .

Service cost: £5700

I would have given them a better review had it not been for getting hit with extra charges at the end that I was not told about. The day before the delivery their agent contours logistics told me there would be a chassis fee and if I didn't pay for it then no delivery. Despite having an email from PSS telling me that other than additional customs fees should the US government decide to do additional screening on my boxes that there were no extra fees I was still stuck with this at the last minute. This was a fee they knew would be incurred (it is incurred on every US shipment) and told me it was in the paperwork. I had gotten a lot of quotes hence why I asked if there were any other potential fees in order to avoid this type of last minute surprise. The manager told me it was an oversight and essentially too bad for me. I am off the view that if it is your mistake pay for it. The cavalier attitude of the manager was not appreciated and have advised friends who are moving out of the U.K. to go with another company.

Service cost: £1400

I moved from the UK to the USA. They were very friendly and helpful on the phone before I left and assisted me in completing all of the customs paperwork which would have been difficult (but not impossible) otherwise. Their price was about the market average in the end for what I was doing. However, after they picked up and began the shipping process I learned that they were actually shipping everything using FedEx so they are just middlemen. As a result you are just the recipient and so you lose any control or input over the FedEx shipment or an ability to edit it. Asa result I ha to go pick up my stuff from the FedEx facility. I would advise skipping these guys and just using FedEx themselves: it saves paying a middleman!

Service cost: $1000