Four years ago, we managed to unpack all the boxes in Centris on shifting day. Now that we had shifted quite some stuff into LV, I was hoping that we would be faster. The kids are also older now and they should be able to help to speed up the process. Right?
I guess all moves are not enjoyable. Our move to LV was so super dramatic. T.T
The mover agreed to come at 10am and told us that the shift can be completed by 12.30pm, as restricted by the condo MA. Permits were all applied and approved. We spent the morning throwing in final loose pieces into the last boxes.
I had guessed that the mover would be late and was pleasantly surprised when they called me at 9.45am to say that they were "on the way". It must be a very long and far way bcos they only arrived at 11am. Zzzzzzz.
There were altogether 4 guys but only 1 of them appeared to be experienced. This further hampered the move and we tried to help at times. Popo was mega upset that they didn't cling wrap all the mattress individually. Aiyo, my head is aching.
We finally left Centris at about 12pm and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the lorry at LV. I bet they took a lunch break in between bcos they didn't turn up at LV until 1.40pm and then the nightmare started.
The movers called to inform that the LV security guards refused to let their lorry enter LV as it had exceeded the shifting time, which is 12.30pm. Sh*t. We ended up spending the next 30 mins or more trying to plead with the security guard for leniency. The MA office was also closed and the security guard stood his ground - no shift allowed after 12.30pm, regardless of the amount of sob stories I told.
Then more stupidity comes into play. The security guard said that shifting is not allowed as per policy but agreed that we can move our belongings using luggage bags but not boxes. What??? I argued that we have been moving our belongings in boxes in the past weeks and we were never stopped. That was when the security guard said that we are residents and he cannot stop us from shifting personal belongings in boxes but the movers cannot help bcos that would be considered as shifting and shifting is prohibited after 12.30pm. What the...
So the movers ended up unloading the boxes from the lorry and while they slowly decide if they would/ could help to move the boxes into LV, I got the kids to help push the boxes via the mover's trolley from outside LV to our unit. We did that like 5x, moving and unloading about 12 boxes on our own. Thank God that the kids helped. The mover eventually helped to shift the fans and the car rack bcos fans and car rack are not considered as furniture and are allowed. Cling wrapped with the boxes, we got the planks of the storeroom shelf and 2 foldable mattresses.
The whole saga was so silly. I told the kids that when they grow up and worked in the society, pls do not pen stupid policies - shifting is prohibited but moving belongings by boxes is allowed? The movers cannot help but the resident is allowed to move the boxes on their own??? I could have done more damage than the movers bcos I am not experience. Plus we ran 5 trips instead of what the mover could have done in 1 (or 2), we actually caused more disturbances to the neighbors. So what is the rationale? Haiz.
It was agreed that the rest of the "furniture" will be stored by the mover and sent back to us on Monday. Without the shelves, especially the one in the storeroom, we ended up with stacked boxes in the living room that we were unable to unpack. It was a mess. I was tired and frustrated. Fortunately, Popo held her tongue and didn't add on to my heartache.
Anyway, 2 of the movers who helped had to stay behind while the rest moved off for another job. The lorry turned back for them much later and I was able to retrieve the metal bars, brackets and screws for the storeroom shelf. I had intended to assemble the shelf on my own so that the boxes can be unpacked.
The mover then said that I have to pay extra $150 for storage. Huh? They late leh. They have given me more inconvenience and I have to pay extras? No way. They then relented and asked for the balance payment instead. Errr... Talk to my hand, the move is incomplete, how can I pay? The poor guy was stuck between me and his boss/ senior and they eventually left without receiving the balance payment, promising to deliver the rest of the furniture on Monday.
At 5pm, I was pathetically sitting on the corridor trying to assemble the storeroom shelf and fortunately Daddy Lim came back. He had to rush off for some official business after lunch and I was left to deal with the saga with the kids. Luckily the kids helped.
The shelf was eventually erected after plenty of sweat. I was literally dripping sweat and I realised how many bloody screws and nuts there were. We could finally unpack the boxes and pack the stuff into the storeroom. The storeroom is bigger but we also moved more things into the storeroom. Ended up, it took a lot of skills and strategy, trial and error to fit all the things into the storeroom.
We did unpack "everything" within a day. Whatever that needs to be loaded onto the shelves that were still with the mover have to remain in the boxes.
Only Zaky's room was ready.
Though without the beds, we were lucky to still have the 2 foldable mattresses. We planned for Popo and the kids to do an emergency sleepover at my bro's place for 2 nights. However, Zaky has ice skating class the next early morning and Lil Shauna was keen to join the church zoom Sunday class also taking place early morning. Ended up, we squeezed and made do with Zaky's bed and the 2 foldable mattresses.
Fingers and toes were all crossed, hoping that the rest of the furniture will really be delivered on Monday. I really don't trust such contractors and movers. Sigh.
I was so exhausted. My Garmin clocked more than 20k steps. My feet and back were aching. Shifting is no fun. Sob.
Mummy Lim
No comments:
Post a Comment