Worst Experience of my life!! Think twice!!

Read this before Using SA relocators. https://www.southafricanrelocations.co.za/

Only now that I read all their bad reviews do I see the common thread. I should have done my homework to know what to expect from this ********* company. Here is a comprehensive review of them and what to watch out for when shipping to Australia.

1,) Sales team is Great. Mark is a great guy with fantastic sales service. The packing team is also great. 2,) I had a full container load so had no waiting delays. Be aware the shipping lines all run a few weeks late it seems. Don’t send half-container loads because it could take a year to fill the container. (this per other reviews). 3.) Per their T” & C’s I was aware the customs inspection fee was my responsibility. Their agent, Star Imports charged A$882. ( I was told it was going to be about R5000) 4.) SA relocators don’t use the correct approved wood when packing your furniture. They will tell you the wood is approved for the whole world except Australia. ( But why use it for Australia if you know it is disallowed in Australia). Their T&C’s state if they use the wrong packaging material it is not their fault. Tough #### for me. I was informed In Australia that because the crates were an obvious contravention my contained needed another comprehensive inspection which I had to pay an extra A$1300 for. Per their T&C’s it is tough #### for me. 5.) Demurrage charges. Their agent star Imports forgot to return my container to the ship on time ( 6 days late). Per their T&C’s, it is tough #### for me. I had to personally debate with Star Imports (the agent) in Australia on my own, who agreed to carry 50% of the liability. SA relocators were not willing to help. 6.) Extra shipping costs. Like almost everyone else complaining, expect to receive an additional invoice for extra shipping charges. I was sending a full container, so it was not a question of extra space. For months I was asking for the breakdown of this random value I had to pay but nothing. Lydia in accounts, Manager Andrew in billings and operations guy Zaino all ignored my request for a breakdown despite my 7 phone calls and 6 emails. They kept saying it's extra costs but would not give proven invoices or a recon. They started telling me it was FX exchange fees till I proved the exchange rate was actually in my favor. Then they said it was just extra shipping costs but could not prove it. I think in a roundabout way they tried to tell me that they can make up whatever charge they want per their T’s & C’s and there is nothing I can do about it. 7.) Deliver cancelled with 1 Hours’ Notice. Because of this outstanding invoice that I thought the Manager Andrew was still working on to give me a breakdown for. I was informed by their agent Star Imports an hour before delivery that SA relocators had cancelled the delivery. They did not even inform me with a threatening email that I must not question the invoice, just pay it else I would never see my furniture again. 8.) Delivery cancellation costs I have been informed that I must now pay an A$300 cancellation fee to their agent for the delivery that they stopped. If I don't pay the cancellation fee I will have to pay another A$300 and A$75 per day storage to Star Imports till I resolve the outstanding invoice with SA relocators. I had to pay all the ransom fees without question in the end to get my furniture.

Summary Using SA relocators was the worst part of my move to Australia. If you want to use them, add 30% to their quote, and don’t let them crate anything. Don’t expect any service or help from them when you are in the new country. Do not expect management to help either. Once you have signed up with them, they have your furniture hostage, and nothing can be done other than pay whatever they demand else you will not get your furniture. Do not expect breakdowns or recons to extra charges, just pay their demands timeously to avoid extra penalties.