John Mason International

Disappointing. High in promises, poor in execution.

The salesman for John Mason in the UK was very convincing and I had hoped that the he would be in charge of my move as he seemed to suggest. However once he'd made the sale I didn't hear from him again. He didn't even send me the email he had promised with useful tips about dealing with Australian customs.
The company were slow to follow up and my 'moving manager' gave the impression it was a burden to respond to my calls. The packers who arrived were grumpy and unfriendly. They made no effort to save space in the packing and did not make a detailed inventory of the items as the salesman had suggested they would. One of the goblets arrived broken due to bad packing.
The company who took up the work in Australia were also very disappointing. They seemed to have had very little communication with John Mason. They did not know it was an inheritance shipment, asked me for information that I had already provided and sent an additional bill for customs clearance in spite of the fact that the bill I paid to John Mason was to have included all the fees at this end. Once customs was cleared it then took over 6 weeks for the goods to be delivered and I had to follow up numerous times. However the guys who finally came to deliver the goods were friendly and helpful which was a relief.

A small move of effects from the UK to Australia

I found the staff at John Mason efficient, quick to respond, clear in their communication and managed expectations well. I took quotes from 5 companies, and they were consistently the best responders; they also worked very late on the afternoon of pick-up without complaining. I would recommend them highly.

Guys on site, marvelous; the office staff lacking

We have used John Mason twice; 20 ft first shipment and 40 ft second shipment.

First shipment: Initial contact was good, site visit was also good and the price was middle of five prices. The guys on site were fantastic, similarly the local company GAC based in Muscat, Oman were also very good. Only one broken glass.

Second shipment: Initial contact was good, site visit was also good and the price best of two. Once again the guys on site were superb, no complaints whatsoever. However, I think the office staff were not up to scratch. For example I conversed with a gentlemen who had no idea what was going on. The main sticking point was that the haulier company did not get the message until 1230 to deliver the container that was due at 1200. Very sloppy, don't you think? Container arrived at 1500 hours and the guys on site were left with working conditions that were unsafe, and I am sure if a Health and Safety specialist had passed the container he would have stopped the loading. It was dark by the time they were completing the loading on an exceptionally busy road - very dangerous. I did express my concern, but the lady on the telephone said they would be alright and would load the container very quickly, very worrying. I do not think the lady was justified with her decision. When I asked to speak to some one of authority, I was told that all the directors were out for the day and would not be returning; also very worrying.

It is too early to comment on the unloading.

Some furniture from UK to New Zealand

John Mason stepped in when our previously selected moving company went bust partway through the removal! They were proactive, helpful and calming at a difficult time, and the price they quoted was far more reasonable than the original contract. I would not hesitate to recommend them and their partners the Moving Company in New Zealand