Importing with Sea Kargo :-(

Importing with Sea Kargo :-(

Author
Discussion

classicyanktanks

Original Poster:

295 posts

76 months

Saturday 13th January 2018
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Hi Everyone,

Just thought I'd share my experience in case anyone is importing a car from the States or wherever.

I tagged into one of their containers and it's the worst experience I've had. Container was late (I had to chase myself) then when it get's to the UK they try charging you for collecting on a Saturday and your apparent 5 days storage "free" runs over weekends so if you can't collect Monday to Friday you'll have to pay a Saturday charge as the warehouse (which they don't own we were told is closed).

I'm not in anyway trying to slam them or breach any Forum rules I just want to share my own experience as they seem very good at hiding any non favourable reviews !

Edited by classicyanktanks on Saturday 13th January 09:30

Total loss

2,138 posts

226 months

Saturday 13th January 2018
quotequote all
To be honest, sounds pretty normal import experience that you learn to avoid by you asking all the questions before using a company. Container late? well loading in the USA always seems hit or miss time wise, so if you get a vehicle picked up & dropped off at the docks, it could be 2 to 3 weeks before it leaves port, then you can track it all the way to the UK, so how was it late?
Yep, the free storage, but can't pick up at the weekend is joke, but you should be ready to pick up any day, why can't you?
If you had nailed down the details with sea kargo before using them, non of it would have been a problem
Hopefully you will never have a container pulled off ship by US customs (nothing to do with the shippers) for export inspection before it leaves port. That will take 2 to 4 weeks & you will be charged for the privilege around $2000/3000! That one seriously boils your piss!

classicyanktanks

Original Poster:

295 posts

76 months

Saturday 13th January 2018
quotequote all
I tagged into one of their containers as I used a US shipping company as it was the quickest way over.

In future pays to only use the tried and trusted !

Never had a problem like that before but we live and learn !

BespokeMotor

12 posts

198 months

Friday 19th January 2018
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It can be a bit of a mine field. we've used lots of different shipping companies before finding a company we really trust.

Unfortunately not all vehicle handlers are as careful as you'd hope.
Lots of moving with forklifts etc.

classicyanktanks

Original Poster:

295 posts

76 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
quotequote all
Tools that lot are.

Total loss

2,138 posts

226 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
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classicyanktanks said:
Tools that lot are.
Have you had a good look underneath yet?
Bent shocks, dented fuel tanks, dented front & or rear valences etc. all possible damage from forklift trucks loading/unloading.

classicyanktanks

Original Poster:

295 posts

76 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
Total loss said:
Have you had a good look underneath yet?
Bent shocks, dented fuel tanks, dented front & or rear valences etc. all possible damage from forklift trucks loading/unloading.
You know what I had a cadillac on Air Ride with a dented fuel tank...

Oh revenge........

LutherinLondon

10 posts

158 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018
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BespokeMotor said:
It can be a bit of a mine field. we've used lots of different shipping companies before finding a company we really trust.

Unfortunately not all vehicle handlers are as careful as you'd hope.
Lots of moving with forklifts etc.
Sorry to restart this thread but anyone have any recommendations or advice. I've just started at looking at bringing of my Mrs Mercedes from CA and it's seems like a minefield. Any advice would truly be welcomed.

KevinCamaroSS

11,555 posts

279 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018
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Unless the car is something rare and unobtainable in the UK, why go through all the hassle? Just sell the car in CA and buy another in the UK.

LutherinLondon

10 posts

158 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018
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Sentiment; the car was a graduation gift to my wife from her father who sadly passed away recently. My wife has a lot of happy memories tied to the vehicle hence the desire to bring it over safely.

Total loss

2,138 posts

226 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018
quotequote all
LutherinLondon said:
Sentiment; the car was a graduation gift to my wife from her father who sadly passed away recently. My wife has a lot of happy memories tied to the vehicle hence the desire to bring it over safely.
Where in Ca.? What model? eg how big as in you can get 2 cars in a shared 40' container with room to spare, or 3 normal size stacked, which is cheaper (about $1300) or just yours in a 20' container which would be the most expensive way.

Peterwort

1 posts

71 months

Saturday 21st April 2018
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I ship at least 10 Cars a month from USA using Seakargo and everything goes well the best company so far. after searching for 3 year finally I found Seakargo they are professional and great company to deal with! Some people have problem with Saturday surcharge but for me is it a big favour as I cannot take time off work and for £15 is well worth it, you cannot expect anyone to work for free on Saturday !. All the best guys to many fish in the sea but I found mine and I will stick with them for very long time, very good company !

Paker258

2 posts

70 months

Friday 11th May 2018
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what are you complaining about? I shipped my Musang by Seakargo and all went perfect they are very professional and very helpful , and the best thing was they price cheaper then anywhere els i have been quoted ! £15 charge for pickup at the weekend is perfect for me so no need for me to take time off work which cost me more then "£15! happy day everyonesmile

irocfan

40,153 posts

189 months

Monday 28th May 2018
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Paker258 said:
what are you complaining about? I shipped my Musang by Seakargo and all went perfect they are very professional and very helpful , and the best thing was they price cheaper then anywhere els i have been quoted ! £15 charge for pickup at the weekend is perfect for me so no need for me to take time off work which cost me more then "£15! happy day everyonesmile
Peterwort said:
I ship at least 10 Cars a month from USA using Seakargo and everything goes well the best company so far. after searching for 3 year finally I found Seakargo they are professional and great company to deal with! Some people have problem with Saturday surcharge but for me is it a big favour as I cannot take time off work and for £15 is well worth it, you cannot expect anyone to work for free on Saturday !. All the best guys to many fish in the sea but I found mine and I will stick with them for very long time, very good company !
hmmmm 2 newbies sign-up just to praise a shipping co.... sounds legit

shovelheadrob

1,564 posts

170 months

Monday 28th May 2018
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Good call mate!

Ewanph

50 posts

155 months

Monday 30th July 2018
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I’m seriously considering Sea Kargo. They are a lot cheaper than anywhere else. I’ve been quoted £1495 as opposed to £1795 everywhere else.
I’ve tried ShipMyCar, Schumacher, and STS Imports so far.

irocfan

40,153 posts

189 months

Monday 30th July 2018
quotequote all
Ewanph said:
I’m seriously considering Sea Kargo. They are a lot cheaper than anywhere else. I’ve been quoted £1495 as opposed to £1795 everywhere else.
I’ve tried ShipMyCar, Schumacher, and STS Imports so far.
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. “ The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.


For the £300 difference I'd be looking at someone with a better reputation/write-up, there's a reason that a lot of people use STS...

Also try Golden Chariots

Ewanph

50 posts

155 months

Monday 6th August 2018
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CFR Rinkens have come out the cheapest at £1066 all in! And they have proper metal loading lifts unlike the dodgy wooden ramps that alot of shippers use.

mtrehy

87 posts

146 months

Saturday 26th January 2019
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Used seakargo to ship tr6 from us. Arrived 3 weeks ago. Keys were lost during shipping.

Still no sign of resolution and seakargo not answering messages about it.

Will update if / when it gets resolved. I have another car in transit with them at the moment but will be looking elsewhere in future at this rate.


shovelheadrob

1,564 posts

170 months

Saturday 26th January 2019
quotequote all
irocfan said:
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. “ The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.


For the £300 difference I'd be looking at someone with a better reputation/write-up, there's a reason that a lot of people use STS...

Also try Golden Chariots
I use STS Imports all the time for parts, I've not imported a car with them, but I know plenty of people who have. I probably wouldn't even get another quote anywhere else, they are polite, efficient & always keep you in the frame when unavoidable delays happen.