It’s a great question: do you sell everything in Australia and rebuy it in LA or ship it over? You’ve decided to take the plunge and live the dream. Or maybe, like us, you get an opportunity offered to you on a silver platter. “You’re moving to Hollywood.” Who wouldn’t want to be moved to Hollywood when others are busting their chops to crash on someone’s couch just to live out their dream?
This is one of the topics being debated on a really handy resource and Facebook Group Australians in LA so I thought I’d pool the responses together, give you my two cent’s worth and put it up on the pedestal that is It Started in LA for all to see. I don’t think the answer is as straight forward as it seems: like everything you have to do what feels right for your circumstances.
Selling everything in Australia
I remember when eBay first started I would collect my baby’s clothes that didn’t fit them anymore, bundle them together and get a pretty good price for them. We’re not talking baby’s clothes now (Apple Watch 1.0 and old Beats) but I struggle to selling anything on eBay anymore that’s worth my time listing it and taking it to the Post Office to ship. I still have an eBay pile but just don’t quite get around to listing them.
It’s not to say you can’t sell it and it’s not to say you won’t get at least something for your stuff.
Then there’s Tradingpost.com.au. I found I had slightly better luck with that site for a time. Same with gumtree.com.au But that was around five years ago. Things change.
I lilsted our Dining Table & chairs and no one, I mean no one wanted it. I tried every avenue. I think the problem with Ikea and similar places is that people can get something that looks good brand new so they don’t want second-hand stuff. I ended up bringing them to an Auction House and getting pittance for it there.
Cars
Our cars were even harder to sell. The convertible went to an Auction house and my treasured and most loved Audi Q7 was handed to a friend who sold it for me. The new owner ended up getting a one-way flight from Melbourne to Sydney and driving the car back again. Seems they’re more expensive on the second hand market in Melbourne. Go figure!
The thought of buying a car again at Australian prices when we go home makes me sick to my stomach.
Rebuying in LA
It’s true things in LA (and the US in general) are cheaper than Australia. But you still have to buy everything full price. Unless you’re prepared to buy everything second hand.
As one active user on the Facebook group, Paulina, said, “I think it depends on your personal situation–we moved the whole family including kids. When you sell stuff you get peanuts for it and to buy everything–even though it’s cheaper it’s still a lot. Don’t forget you’ll be buying all electricals, kitchen equipment, all electrical. Most rentals come with fridges and washing machines.”
But then, as another person in the group said, “Always loads of stuff going cheap on Aussies in LA.”
And another confirmed, “just get everything new here and throw/sell/donate everything non-essential in Sydney–unless it has major major sentimental value it won’t be worth it, it’ll cost you a lot in transport and/or storage costs. LA is a transient city people are always selling their stuff cheap online you’ll be fine, seriously.”
Flea Markets
It seems this group love the Rose Bowl flea market, the first Sunday of every month in Pasadena. After a couple of false starts I still haven’t gone.
“Also check out the Rosebowl flea markets for great furniture. We bought an awesome table and a console there. Often they’ll deliver for a small fee,” according to Liv.
Katrina also chimed in, “Sell it and start a new. Go to the Rose Bowl market and get inspired!”
For more on vintage stuff and the flea markets check my blog here.
Hindsight is a beautiful thing
Then there’s the benefit of hindsight from Sara, “There is always the chance you will move back. Sell the big stuff and see if you can store the smaller stuff with a relative. Then buy stuff here.
“We moved back and forth and really regretted selling all our stuff. It sucked having to rebuy everything. In hindsight, I wish we had hired a storage unit.”
Hindsight is great Sara, the problem is you never know how your experience is going to end up
We put stuff in storage like our fridge, washing machine and dryer and other electrical appliances we weren’t going to be able to use. We did this mainly because we thought we’d be 2-3 years tops and we couldn’t get much money for selling them but to rebuy is hugely expensive. Four and a half years later I dread that storage invoice!
If only we all had a Magic 8 Ball that actually worked!
Budgeting to rebuy everything new in LA
Don’t forget the wattage is different here in the US (110v) as it is in Australia (240v). One person on the Facebook page said the converters don’t really work that well but I bought a really good one (bulky but good) and my Thermomix works a treat.
You should also check the power supply as some items are now compatible with both voltages so it pays to check.
Here’s a breakdown of some “necessities” you’ll need/we bought when we arrived. Yep, it all adds up! Don’t forget to add tax. That’s 10% (OK 9% but you get it) here in LA so don’t forget about that!
Oster 1.3 Cu. Ft. 1100 Watt Microwave Oven from Target $89.99
TV (let’s say one but we ended up buying a couple)
Samsung – 55″ Class (54.6″ Diag.) – LED – 2160p – Smart – 4K Ultra HD TV from Best Buys $499.99
BISSELL® PowerTrak Compact Upright Vacuum Cleaner in Black/Lime from Bed, Bath and Beyond $69.99*
* Hot tip: save those Bed, Bath & Beyond 20% off Coupons for good savings
Stainless Steel 2-Slice Toaster also from Bed, Bath and Beyond for $19.99
Cuisinart® Sandwich Grill at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $19.99
KitchenAid – KHM512IC Ultra Power 5-Speed Hand Mixer – Ice Blue from Best Buys (price matched) for $31.99
I chose a Conair® Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer – Orange for $24.99.
Total spent on these items is $756.93 plus tax ($68.12) equals $825.05 and not including shipping. Many places ship for free when you spend over a certain amount so that’s not a big deal.
Also, if you are Australian you might want to buy a coffee machine, here’s a Nespresso machine for $199 plus tax with free shipping.
Most rentals come with a fridge, washing machine & dryer. Some even come with a microwave, but not that many.
That’s the electrics taken care of. There are lots of furniture shops around and there is the biggest Ikea in nearby Burbank–every Expat family’s favourite must-do store!
Ship it over
This is the category we belong to. Mr H’s company paid for our move and, after having our things in storage while we were in Shanghai, we jumped at the chance to have our own stuff with us.
That’s not the case for others though. One person, Clare, on the Facebook group said, “I didn’t bring anything over, and I was glad, houses here are different styles and none of my furniture would have suited the house we moved into.
“Even though we had a Company paying for our items to be shipped, we went back to them and negotiated an allowance of the same amount as they were willing to pay to ship to buy all new.”
Great tip according to another Facebook group user, Liv, who said, “One other tip is to use Jetta which is excess baggage–we packed up all our artwork in doonas and bedding and it worked a charm. Jetta are very reasonable, pick up your boxes, weigh them and then everything arrived a few days after our flight.”
[Ed: I’ve never heard of Jetta so will definitely look it up. Could be a sponsor for this page ;).]
How much does it cost to ship it over?
According to Alan, “We moved over in March last year (2017) from Sydney to LA. We used Santa Fe, they were great, cost around $15,000 for 3/4 of a 40 foot container.
Lori said, “If you shop around and do some investigating, we got a 20ft for about 5k AUD plus a little extra for removalists to help load and then unload when it arrived in LA.” That doesn’t sound too bad.
Paulina said, “My friend moved with Chez and it cost $7000.”
Kym “paid $9500 for a sole use half container (21 cubic m) inc packing and insurance thru Santa Fe. But I understand If you share a container it’s cheaper.”
What’s your experience selling things in Australia? Have you sold up shop in Australia and rebought where you are? Or did you, like us, get all your things shipped over? Let us know and help others in the process!
xx It Started in LA xx
PS: None of the links or businesses mentioned sponsor me, these are just my preferences. I am, however, looking for sponsors for this post/site. Are you a moving company who can offer great value to our readers? Are you an Auction House that welcomes clients bringing in lots of stuff to sell? Ikea, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Best Buys! If you want to jump in or offer a discount to my readers please do! If you know anyone Contact me. Cheers!
No Comments