Separating Goods
If your goods will be going to two different delivery addresses, use very different colored labels that won't come off to indicate which items go where. Separate the items, and, if you have your own container, make sure one group goes in the back and one in the front during pickup. If the delivery people have to separate goods at the destination, there will be extra charges.
Parking
Several hours before pickup, you should block out space for the truck outside the pickup address: three spaces for less than a container load or for a 20’ container; six spaces for a 40’ container.
Waiting
To avoid waiting for pickup in case of surprise delays, ask the packers to call you ½ hour before they expect to arrive and call them from time to time for updates. Ask their manager for their cell phone number.
Do I have to be home during the whole time the packers are there?
Yes. Someone who knows what has to be packed and can make crucial decision must be there at all times. Any time the packers/truckers spend without a responsible presence and direction is billable overtime.
How many packers should we expect? Who are they?
Usually 2-6 packers will arrive for a pickup. Please have water on hand for them. Drinks and snacks are great too, to help keep everyone feeling appreciated and in a good mood, but they are certainly not obligatory.
The truckers are Kef agents; however, please do not rely on them to accurately receive or give any information. If there is a problem – damages to the walls, missing items, whatever – pick up the phone and call us on the spot.
Can I help the packers?
PLEASE DO NOT. Not only will it not save time or money, it will put your goods, your insurance, and your body at risk. Spend your time telling them what to take from where and keeping careful track of the packers’ inventory list as it is being created, making sure it corresponds with your own and with the items being packed.
Electrical Fixtures
Movers are not electricians and should not be expected to remove light fixtures, TVs, computers, stereos, etc. It is complicated and potentially very dangerous. For electrical fixtures especially, the customer should have a professional electrician remove them.
Documents
- Insurance List – Make sure that you have sent your insurance list to the Kef office; do not give it to the packers.
- Payments – All payments should also be sent directly to the Kef office.
- Inventory – Make sure that you get a copy of the packers’ inventory of your goods before they leave, in addition to signing their copy.
- Bill of Lading – You should not expect to receive a copy of the bill of lading. Those are sent to Kef, and they are "express", meaning that no hard copy is required.
Disassembly and Re-assembly
Packers may disassemble goods for safety or to minimize space. At delivery, truckers will assemble very simple, used furniture which our packers disassembled, and only if you ask them. This includes simple beds and tables, putting one piece on another, legs on dressers, doors on cabinets, etc., all without extra charge. It excludes wardrobes, bunkbeds, flat-pack, ikea furniture, or complicated pieces (no matter what the packers said.) You may request assembly for extra payment, though it is a better idea to use a handyman or carpenter. Let us know as soon as possible, how many of each you want assembled: beds, tables, other. Have the truckers remove major imported (not locally supplied) appliances from their boxes and put them where you will want them installed; otherwise you could be charged for this by the serviceman.
Tips
Suggested amounts per person, per day, not required: Up to 200 cubic feet: $7-15; 200-700 cubic feet: $10-20; 20’ container: $20-30; 40’ container: $25-45. Movers are not permitted to request tips.
Completeness of Shipment
You are responsible to make sure what you want packed and shipped is packed and/or shipped, and what you want to not have packed and/or shipped is not packed/shipped. Use DNS (do not ship) labels, and look around before they leave. No matter how tired the truckers seem to be (or how tired you are), don't rush – it is your responsibility to make sure they have taken and left what they were supposed to. If the packers “forget” to take something, you will have to pay to have it picked up, and, if the container goes without it, to ship it separately.
What happens if the actual volume and/or weight (v|w) is different than the estimated v|w?
Your contract is based on an estimate, which is also a minimum. If you exceed that, you will be billed pro-rata (total price ÷ estimated v|w) for the additional. If you go beyond the capacity of the container, you will be billed for an additional LCL (less than full container) shipment, including one time fees.
When will we know the final weight/volume?
Sometimes within a day, sometimes after a week or more. Though quite unusual, there are even corrections made after arrival in Israel.
Will the delivery people re-assemble everything the packers disassembled?
Truckers will assemble only very simple, used furniture, and only if you ask them. This may include simple beds and tables, putting one piece of furniture on top of another, doors back on cabinets, etc.
How long before we can get our stuff?
Please refer to our section on Timing for detailed estimates.
Will we know when our shipment arrives at the port?
Though our bill usually includes information about when your shipment left, and when it is expected to arrive, the best way to find out the timing of your shipment is to ask us.
