The United States is the world’s most popular emigration destination with over one million people a year moving from all over the world to live there. That doesn’t include returning residents or the 3.5 million temporary work permits granted. For many the appeal of the American Dream is that anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit who is prepared to work hard can make their fortune. There is also the sheer diversity of lifestyle, climate and natural beauty on offer.
When relocating to the USA there is no bigger decision to make than which company you choose to pack and move your household goods and personal effects. Crown offer a genuine, professional ‘one company’ standard having 55 years experience as a market leader in New Zealand and North America. There are 10 Crown offices and high quality storage facilities strategically located right across the USA. Whether you are moving to the East or West Coast, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Miami or New York we will provide a Crown service every step of the way. For regions not serviced directly we partner with our network of trusted ‘Alliance Partners’ working under Crown management.
Having ‘One Company’ responsibility is what separates Crown from all others. The importance of this cannot be underestimated as most relocation issues will only surface when you arrive at destination and there are so many things that can go wrong. Informed decisions need to be made about what to take and what are considered restricted items. Getting the paperwork right is very important as strict customs and security protocols apply to all shipments into the United States. We will not only give you a full briefing in New Zealand but also have our dedicated Move Manager waiting to assist upon your arrival in the USA.
Moving to the USA presents some unique challenges. The prevailing culture is a litigious one and the moving industry is no different. In a recent consumer protection report the USA General Accounting Office advised that “the primary responsibility for consumer protection lies with consumer to select a reputable household goods carrier, ensure that they understand the terms and conditions of the contract, and pursue the remedies that are available to them when problems arise.” What this means is that in the event of delays, service issues, extra charges or insurance problems at destination you are in the hands of an agent and the rules are quite different. How can you pursue remedies when there is no contract? When you move with Crown there is only one company to deal with — the same company you started with.
At Crown we not only have the logistical experience we also have the right attitude. Our goal is to delight our customers. To us the customer experience is more important than our terms and conditions of contract. For example, we provide all customers with online access to their own personal relocation file. Not only can you track and trace the shipment, you can view exactly the same ‘real time’ information that we have. This includes monitoring the progress of customs inspections and clearances, delivery updates and direct email contact with any Crown staff member involved in your journey.
Taking out marine insurance protection for a move to the USA is strongly recommended. While we take every precaution to safeguard your possessions, we cannot protect against unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances. Our Crown Care Protection Plan is the broadest and most user friendly insurance plan in the market.
We recommend the ‘Lump Sum’ option where the whole shipment is covered by Crown at full replacement value. It is simple and there is no confusion over valuations or risk of underinsuring. Alternatively, we also offer the ‘Valued Inventory’ option for customers who prefer to nominate specific values. In either case our Crown Care policies can be mix and matched to suit your personal situation. Non-standard extras include electrical and mechanical derangement, antiques and pairs and sets cover, to name a few. Best of all we manage our own policy and in the event of a claim you will deal directly with us and not spend months dealing with 3rd party insurers and assessors.
Something not commonly known is that Crown offer a lot more than moving and storage services. A move to the USA requires in-depth preparation, there are no short cuts. You need to know the process from learning how to obtain a visa to ensuring you understand the financial, healthcare and education systems. Property prices and living costs can vary dramatically from city to city and state to state. We have our own ‘in house’ visa service and a specialised Relocation Services team who can provide settlement support to every major destination in the USA.
Last but not least it is very important to Crown that we deliver the best value possible. While others may offer what appears a cheaper deal the reality is that you get what you pay for. Moving to the USA is an exciting time and should be a pleasurable, stress free experience. If you choose the wrong mover, the emotional and financial consequences of that decision can stay with you for years and in some cases a lifetime.
I would like to wish you all the best for your forthcoming relocation to the USA. Whether you have a full household, a small shipment or would like information on our other services please don’t hesitate to contact us and find out for yourself why Crown Relocations are considered the very best in the business.
