On Friday, we got the best news ever! Our container had arrived at our doorstep!
We couldn't wait to see our stuff again! After 3 months, the shock and dismay of having to pay duty AND GST on our own stuff (long story....)
We were about to be joined in holy happiness with our STUFF!
The day started out perfect. The weather was fine, the movers were early and things were good.
Then, the luck changed.
The movers had the "master list" of everything that was packed. It seemed like a good 30 odd boxes were to be set aside for the MAF official to inspect. The problem was that most of the boxes were our electronics. Our computers, stereo equip, TV's, DVD play, etc. We couldn't figure out why MAF wanted to inspect our stuff. Come to find out, the not-so-brilliant packers had listed everything as "PBO" or Packed By Owner. Even though they weren't! My husband furnished the original packing and helped them pack it but they taped it up and did most of the work!!! UGH! Needless to say, everything of any real value was put aside for MAF
oh, what else went wrong?...
2) Husband's laptop was stolen, we are pretty sure on the US end
3) NONE of our American box springs would fit up the stairs in our house. We had to buy new beds
4) We had to cut the headboard of our bed to make it fit up the stairs
Oh, and my favorite part of the day:
5)The MAF person decided not to show up! We started callling at around 12 and called every MAF office in Southland. Finally at 4:30pm the person says to "put the MAF boxes aside in the garage and they will come on Tuesday"
Its Friday!!!! We refused because most of the boxes were electronics. They allowed us to store our stuff in the house provided that we didn't touch it!
But wait, it gets better! The movers basically said that its not their problem that MAF didn't come and the entire 30+ box load of stuff they loaded into the garage was our responsibility to move into the house.
So I had the pleasure of meeting the MAF lady on Tuesday who proceed to make me pull out and open every box by myself!!! (OH couldn't get off of work). I was tired and sweaty and mad...but...
WE GOT OUR STUFF!!!!