Palmers Relocations

We were quoted 10-16 weeks for a part container. Our goods were packed on March 15th but didn’t even leave Melbourne until June 20th. We are very aware of the current situation regarding shipping movements but we were not prepared for the complete indifference displayed by Palmers. Three ships were used which incurred extra delays and problems with tracking. The container finally arrived in England on September 15th and was taken to Palmers English partners on October 5th. They held our goods for 5 more weeks until they had a return load for their warehouse so the move took exactly 8 months. We had no communication from Palmers after an email in early July. I rang them on October 31st to beg them to put pressure on their partners to deliver our goods but they did nothing.
In addition to the poor service we were shocked to see the state of our clothes. We were told not to bother packing them as they would be transported in hanging wardrobes but they arrived crumpled and crushed in flat boxes. Jackets and trousers will have to be dry cleaned. My complaint was dismissed by Palmers.

First of all, for those who won’t be reading the full review, let me make it very clear that I strongly recommend against entrusting Palmer’s Relocations with your relocation project.

I’m not usually much for writing reviews, or complaining, but after giving it some thought I decided that I should write this, as I would have liked to have had this kind of information before deciding to place my trust with Palmer’s Relocations.

Our family had a big international relocation coming up, and had to find a shipping company to move our select belongings. We put a fair bit of effort into making the decision, since they would be handling our belongings of both monetary and affectional value. Unfortunately, Palmer’s sales rep was very nice, so combined with their high online rating, we thought we had found just the right company.

They advised us that due to the Covid situation, we should expect 2-3 months of shipping time. After 2 months, our things had not even left Australia, and it took 6 months before we saw our belongings again. Communication about these delays was almost non-existent, unless we reached out for information.

Palmer’s had advised us that we were to let them pack our things for insurance purposes, and sold us a (rather expensive) “replacement cost” insurance policy. When we had received our belongings, we would unpack several items with significant damage, including an original aboriginal painting we had bought in Central Australia (we had even told them that this was one of the most important items to us). This and another painting had been packed canvas-against-canvas, with a sharp-edged chess board in between, tightly in a picture carton. The canvas and the paint was badly damaged. Other items, such as an almost-new king size mattress, had not been packed to undergo a 6-month shipping trip in various weather conditions, and the mattress was moldy and not something you’d be happy to sleep on. We also had to throw out a lot of clothing that had been miscoloured.

We obviously expected that our items would be covered by our insurance policy. We only made a claim for some of the items, figuring that misc. clothing etc was hard to quantify. Soon after, Palmer’s sent us a refusal, stating that all of the items were already damaged when they packed them, and none of the items could form part of an insurance claim. They referenced some “code annotations” from the packing list, which they had not explicitly informed us about. Apparently, they had marked the mattress as “soiled”, something you would have to find in the small print, code annotation description (they only verbally asked me to check that all items were on the list). They also pointed out that I had signed, upon receiving the items, that they were in the same condition as when they were sent. I asked whether they expected me to hold up the driver while I unpacked 7.5m3 worth of packed items. Their reply: “well, then you should have added ‘subject to checking when unpacking’”. How would I know?

After months of rather unpleasant conversations, in which I pointed out that they had mistaken about the artwork item number, Palmer’s agreed to include our artwork in a claim, but only the cost of purchase although we had paid for the replacement cost policy. After policy excess, we only received roughly what corresponds to the price of the policy itself.

There was a distinct change in the tone from when they were selling us the service, to once the items were underway. Palmer’s are unwilling to take responsibility for their mistakes, and are more than willing to imply that you’re dishonest and fraudulent. Their communication was not very pleasant, and felt deliberately slow and purposefully dragged out.

I’m sure that if our belongings arrived in good condition, I would have been happy with Palmer’s Relocations, as I would not have learned how they behave when things go wrong. But it is exactly the unfortunate situations, where things go wrong, that one learns whether a company can take responsibility, and provide a professional and fair resolution. I have regretted many times choosing Palmer’s Relocations, and would have hoped to learn about their approach to business when things go wrong before placing my trust in them to move our family’s belongings.

I choose Palmers because they gave us a cheap quote than others. But it turns out cheap also means cheap service.

We got a household shipped from Australia to Auckland. I have to deal with different companies which Palmers partner with, and also lots of extra payments. Palmers is hard to communicate and slow to response in the process.

I will not recommend Palmers.

Quote prompt follow up prompt packing crew very friendly and professional overall up to this stage where container is in transit very happy with service

International moving with an imperative date of removal and few experience in that. Company was very reactive (first to contact me, proposing phone contact even during week_end ...)
Answer to all my questions efficiently. not expensive

I got a number of quotes and Palmers was not the cheapest. They sounded the most professional but thats where it ended. We were told 4-8 weeks from pick to delivery. We were not told our shipment would sit in Sydney for 8 weeks doing absolutely nothing. Communication about our shipment leaving Australia was non-existent. Upon arriving some 14 weeks after pick up we discovered out TV was damaged and our stainless steel fridge now has deep scratches that are rusty - we didn't have them before. Insurance claim was quick but be warned rust is not covered in the insurance and the TV we only got a measly $595 back. The insurance was expensive for the little support it gave us.

The quote from Palmers was in the middle of the quotes received not the cheapest not the most expensive one. I wanted to have my belongings of 22 boxes and a large rug (freshly cleaned) to be moved from Sydney to Germany.

Initial correspondence was quick (of course they wanted the sale) but I was surprised that I had to pay in full even before pick up.

My 22 boxes and the rug were picked up on 18/06/2020. I was advised that the rug will be professionally wrapped at their warehouse. As I left Sydney on 15/07/2020 I assumed that I will have my belongings by September - about 3 months later which would have been appropriate (moving my belongings from Germany to Sydney took back then about 10 weeks). September passed no message from my move a follow up email revealed that I can expect delivery in October. October passed and I finally got an info that my 22 boxes and the rug will be delivered on 09/11/2020 - almost 5 months since pick up - far too long! By that time, I already had to buy essentials that I don't sit in an empty house into which I had moved in mid September.

The truck from Rotterdam arrived with a small delay in 09/11/2020. To my surprise, the rug was not professionally wrapped and was dirty on the edges and where it was dragged along on the floor of the various warehouses and the container. A count of the boxes revealed that box number 17 was missing and the driver from Rotterdam made contact with his office and it turned out that the box was never loaded onto the truck. Instead of giving me a heads up before the arrival and the wasted time in re-counting the boxes for myself and the drivers, they seemed to cover up that a box was lost! Interestingly, one of the boxes was missing the barcode sticker, yet it arrived!

It turned out that this box contained all my personal belongings with photos of my childhood, photos of my deceased grandparents, my high school year book along with photos of my prom, my art and craft work, my medals and certificates from sports competitions I won. Instead of approaching me themselves after the missing box was reported by the driver, I had to run after them to find out what happened to this box with my priceless and sentimental items. Apparently Rotterdam does not have the box but also did not want to provide me with the fright papers and was advised to contact Palmers for further steps.

Well and that is where it crap doesn't end. Several emails were sent and I only got vague responses and only after follow ups. I was then referred to their claims department who explained to me that I only had a total loss insured not even bothering about the fact that I have not asked to make a claim, I want my stuff as this is irreplaceable!

To date I have not received the requested fright papers. No efforts have been made to locate the missing box! No one at Palmers bothers to find my stuff which is basically my past life. Not even an appropriate apology was offered to date. I will now take things further.

Fazit, I will never use this company again, have made sure that all of my friends in Sydney know not to use Palmers ever, not for national or international moves. The star I had to give to enable the review is even too much! AND CERTAINLY I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY TO ANYONE!

Very friendly and quick response time to questions, even if it was over a weekend. Their packing crew was very efficient.

Easy to work with, responsive with helpful advice in the knowledge that there will be challenges moving from one side of the globe to the other. Flexible and understanding.

Highly unprofessional company! after I decided to go with Palmers because they told me I could ship my furniture with sheared container which is departing end of the month the sales man came to my house to bring me cartons that I can pack my personal belongings by myself the told me a story about a young woman had sextoys in her shelf and I would not belive how crazy some people are where he is going for the survey!? I’m sorry this is absolutely not acceptable to talk I’m 31 years old and I was alone at home and felt so uncomfortable and forced. Secondly 2 person came to package everything (one of them was totally smelly and rude) they damaged the dinning table while carrying to the stairs when I told them that I saw the damages he got aggressive and shouted at me and kicked a spot bag which was close to him on the floor. He let us sign the list and we asked him to write the damage down. Later we claimed the table and the woman working for the insurance told us the damages were pre existing!!!!! This is such a lay! When we tried to explain the situation we just got emails back that the claim is declined and closed! No conversation was possible. I didn’t got my delivery jet and I’m horrified how unprofessional this company works. I’ll go to a lawyer. I also didn’t got the refund for the amount of actual volume (of course they calculated more and said they pay the difference back but I didn’t got anything and when I call they tell me they they will come back to me but no one is calling)
This company is the worsted experience in Australia.

We recently moved to Auckland and used Palmers Relocations. We had a great experience. Thank you for a stress-free move.

We used Palmers to move back home to the UK. competitive quote and very efficient team
Happy with the overall experience. Thanks

I moved my apartment to Seattle with Palmers and they did an excellent job. Packed everything in a couple of hours!! All delivered on time in the US. I recommend them

Everything went smoothly as previously described, I will recommend this company to anyone. Top people.

Fantastic Service. The guys who came to pack our house did an excellent job. We recommend Palmers Relocations to anyone.

Really happy with Palmers Relocations. We moved from Sydney back to France, and the team was very professional. From A to Z, the whole process was simple and stress-free. Highly recommend them.

The team is helpful, friendly.
Always reply within 2 biz days, even a few hours get back to me.
look at in details, professional
The pick up team is amazing!
Best international moving experience.

The young men who packed up my shipment were professional and worked tirelessly

Great communication and value for money

Couldn’t do enough. I’m a bit dim and they were always there to help

They provided an accurate quote and were helpful throughout the entire process. The boxes were picked up, shipped and delivered from Australia to Canada within a week, which was impressive. Everything arrived safely and in once piece.

We had 4 quotations in total on our car and household goods in a 40ft container. All the quotes were within about $800.00 of each other so all very similar. Because Palmers Relocations had the better insurance rate and are well known i the Irish community, I chose them to move our car and home.

It was a really good service both in Melbourne and in Dublin and the office staff were all friendly. Very happy with the service and happy to recommend.

The pre-move arrangements were made with efficiency, friendliness and professionalism. The packing day went smoothly and the three packers were terrific and packaged everything with great care. The cost was very fair and we were happy to pay the amount for such a long overseas haul. Everything arrived safely and in good order except for the bleeding of the red and blue company logo ink on the bubble wrap onto our cream leather sofa and one of the leather chairs. When we told [name removed by Sirelo] about it she said because we did not pay for insurance they were not responsible. We thought that they were responsible as this was not a question of damage but the bleeding of ink from their own bubble wrap logo.

This was an unfortunate refusal on their part. We would have rated them 5 stars but now we have to give them a negative assessment. We recommend them but warn clients to expect to pay a few hundred dollars extra for insurance. This company does not provide even a basic insurance that covers damage from their own materials.

Friendly,professional,informitive.

Went well

Everyone we dealt with from the original sales guy to the movers themselves were extremely pleasant and professional to deal with.

Fair pricing, helpful advice during the early stages, expert packing performance. Would recommend them to anyone.

Wonderful service, very nice people

Good Customer service, knowledge and price

Service & price