Just askin'

[docwebster]

(He said, whistling innocently)

What would the best, safest and most cost effective way to get two computers, a monitor, clothes and a smegload of DVDs from the States to Manchester, England? Just askin', nothin' to see here. *whistle innocently*

Comments

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

If prices are similar, you might well buy a used monitor overseas. DVDs can be shipped cheaply by mail. I'm not so sure about the clothes or the computers.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Sell a lot, rebuy it there. It's often cheaper to rebuy than to ship, even for moving cross-country. I'd especially suggest that for the monitor, which is heavy.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Definitely sell and rebuy the monitor. Few monitors are multi-voltage, and UK electrical power is 240v, 50Hz rather than the 120v, 60Hz of US wall-outlet power. The computers may have multivoltage power supplies, in which case all they'll need is new power cables, but BE VERY CERTAIN to switch them from 110/120v to 220/240v before plugging them in, or there will be ugly crackling noises and large embarrassing clouds of expensive magic smoke.

The DVDs are easy. They're low weight and low bulk. Box'em up and ship the boxes as freight.

[not-secure.livejournal.com]

yep, sell and repurchase. if you calculate your shipping costs in when you repurchase, you can get yourself a nice upgrade. There might be some bits of the computers worth bringing in your luggage (assuming you're going also) but for the most part, anything of reasonable size is going to cost too much for it to be worthwhile (for desktop machines) Especially if you're willing to buy used once there.

DVD are Region encoded. Will you be taking a US player? Will you be taking a NTSC TV for said player?

[rik-havok.livejournal.com]

get a rubber dingy and pull it behind a cargo ship

[docwebster.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Rik, I knew I could count on you. ;)

[docwebster.livejournal.com]

Careful, Gemma. This man is incurably insane and more damn fun to be around at 3 in the morning in a Chicago hotel lobby than the law allows.

[necrotica.livejournal.com]

*grins*

I echo the people above. Sell and rebuy the monitor/computer.

[drake57.livejournal.com]

TARDIS

[foxsynergy.livejournal.com]

Singularity catapult, parachute, and styrofoam peanuts.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

1. Attend the US Navy's BUDS course. Qualify as a SEAL.

2. Obtain a surplus submarine with an equally surplus crew.

3. Get an underwater sled and enough waterproof containers to hold the equpment.

Pack the equipment, and lash it and the sled to the submarine. Sneak into British territorial waters. Swin ashore towing the sled. Once ashore, still transport and drive to Manchester.

Simple!

[celtae.livejournal.com]

If yer not willing to sell the lot and rebuy - use a shipping service. The monitor will cost you a bloody fortune. Patrick just said "screw it", and didn't bring his stuff when he moved here, and I've been in the US a LONG time, so...

Although, I'm rather fond of gridlore's suggestion, meself. ;)

it snows there

[http://users.livejournal.com/_duncan/]

Like literal SHIPping. Make a pallet-sized crate and expect that stuff to lag far behind. Bother only if something justifies it -- the rest rides along just 'cuz. In my case the justifier would be a rather nice oscilloscope.

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

Whoa. I think some of the half-cryptic comments you've been making for the past week or two finally sank in.

Holy shit.

[hnybny.livejournal.com]

I agree on the monitor staying home. You might even want to put the DVD's in an album and avoid bringing the cases to save weight and $$$.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Computers and electrical gear forgetabout it, unless you fancy swapping out the PSU for british ones, they aren't going to be compatable. DVD's likewise tricky, you'll need a multi-regional, NTSC/PAL DVD player.

Clothes, sort out the ones you really absolutly have to keep, and send them via DHL [forget UPS, far too expensive]. You can get a large suitcase sized box [about 21 kgs] worth of stuff shipped for £60, or $120. This I know because I've done it [in the reverse direction]. But it still works out easier to bring them with you.

Incidently, if time isn't totally a factor, look into going via liner not airplane.
1] the security restrictions are far more permissive
2] You can bring more stuff with you, probably the computers inc.
3] the price is about the same. [and if you go early season, maybe cheaper].
4] 6hrs flying coach, or 6 days in 4star luxury [meals inc], you choose!

Good luck, and I hope we get the chance to hang out together at some point!

[shinydan.livejournal.com]

You know Siliconshaman?

My god, woman, you're not a Callahanian, are you?

[shinydan.livejournal.com]

No, I just randomly friend people who my friends say "oo! this person is the love of my life!" about...

I was a Callie from '93 to '95, and kitten was the first person I ever really talked to online. Bad times, but good memories.

[shinydan.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say _slavering_. The drugs work quite well where that's concerned. But could you please tell Darren that I'm running quite low on them?

[shinydan.livejournal.com]

No.

Well, not really.

No more than anyone else within a ten mile radius.

I'm completely safe, really. [twitch, twitch]

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

British by birth, Yorkshire by circumstance and Pagan by the grace of the Goddess!!

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Oh, and totally adding you back! Fellow Callahanians unite!

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Pleasure meeting you...and I'm sure it will be!

shipping

[katharinakatt.livejournal.com]

They are right about the monitor. The computer will need either a new power supply or buy a 40 buck power converter. I shipped my computer and alot of clothes via ups though it is alot cheaper to send through the post office using 'surface' which basically puts it on a boat and might (prolly) take 6 months to get there. Personally I've filled up my suitcases each year I go back to the states and bring back more stuff with each trip.

Time to go through your stuff and throw away everything you don't need. Including all clothing with holes/stains/you don't wear.

[shinydan.livejournal.com]

Take a look for Micro Direct in Manchester for prices for replacement kit. Several people I know over here swear by the place.

In my experience, Multi-region DVD players are easy to hack/come by - I don't know if you have left-pondian Richer Sounds shops, but again they are well regarded.

And any friend of gipsy_dreamer's is a friend of mine. 8)