24/03/2021
Hello!! You have obviously clicked here because you have seen some of the reviews that have been posted and you are considering getting someone to pack your room and sort your stuff.
This business has been running pretty much for a year now as it only started because of COVID and I needed work. I am normally a physiotherapist and when my private practice (START Clinic) had to shut down due to the pandemic I started St Andrews Packing and Shipping.
I have personally packed over 200 rooms and had some help from Lucy and Natalie more recently. I will go through the process that I do with every customer after you make contact with me.
1. Facebook Friend Request. I request you and we generally speak within 4 hours of the request.
2. Video chat. I speak to every customer one on one via Facebook. Typing messages back and forth just doesn't do it and wastes lots of time waiting for replies. I need your undivided attention for about 10 minutes and you can ask all the questions about specific things that need sorted.
3. We discuss storage, shipping, disposal, recycling, donating and even selling. I tell you about prohibited items that I am not permitted to ship overseas. We cover specific items that need special attention and security. I detail the costs to you and methods of payment.
4. If you are happy with the process and wish to proceed, you need to organise access either by sending me a key, giving the letting agent permission to give me a key or notifying friends/wardens to permit access. We then set a date and time to do another video call when I first get into the room. Obviously I try to be flexible with your timezone so it isn't 3am your time or in the middle of an essay deadline.
5. The day arrives, I turn up early and get to work sorting out your room while you chill at your desk or in bed. I send you pictures of items I am not sure about whether to keep or throw. You reply. I send you photos of where I am storing your valuable items for your records and my safety. I fold your clothing treating them like I was going on a holiday rather than stuffing them into a sleeping bag sack. I wrap fragile items in clothing to protect them for months of storage or transport. I give unsolicited fashion advice, dispose of pizza boxes strewn around the flat, organise cleaners if absolutely necessary and can deliver stuff to a friend's flat. At the end of the pack I do a video scan of the room making sure I have emptied the drawers, cupboards, under the bed so you are sure everything has been covered.
6. If I am shipping, I load all your stuff and take it to my home and store it in my secured garage. I measure and weigh each item, place extra address labels inside, write the address and name on the outside and then do a shipping quote +/- insurance. I make you aware of charges that are totally out of my control (Customs/duty since Brexit has been a nightmare), fill out the multiple forms and declarations, print the labels and pay for the shipping. Then once you have agreed, I stick the labels to each item, seal the boxes with tape and send you photos so you know exactly how many items to expect. This whole process generally takes about 25-30 minutes for 5 items. It is literally paperwork city and again I charge you for the time.
As a rough guide, it costs about £140 for a large box to the west coast of the USA, £120 to the east coast, £25-30 for Europe. Oversize items like golf clubs and large suitbases a little bit more.
7. Once that is complete, I send you an itemised invoice with the time of the pack, cost of materials, cost of shipping/storage/cleaning and email it to you.
I also request that you write a review of the service on the Facebook or Google page. I know the service is a good one and I am sure I would do it all faster and better than you could do it because I am logical, organised and have a good Spotify playlist.
Fortunately for you, I have streamlined the process after doing so many rooms and am probably about 20-25% faster than I was when this all started a year ago. There are definitely cheaper options than mine so if you are on a super tight budget, I am probably not your guy. If you have stuff that you would like treated with care and attention, message me.
Physiotherapy and sports medicine clinic in St Andrews.Back and neck pain, post surgical rehabilitation with full access to gym facilities and equipment. We also treat people who have mobility and balance issues following falls or stroke and also do home visits. Acupuncture for pain relief. Vestibul...
