Seven Seas Worldwide
Reviews and Complaints

I was informed after almost 3 months after our shipment 000/465/944 from San Francisco to Malaysia, that all 5 boxes have been lost due to a fire on the ship. I was refunded the Destination Charges and a partial of Delivery Full Fees, which is 184.93 of 1006.24 that I paid, or 18%. I understand nobody anticipate the fire, but I don’t understand why I it’s not a full refund. As a customer, I paid seven seas to move my boxes from US to Malaysia, obviously this failed, why I still need to pay for a service that failed to do the job and caused thousands USD loss including some items of commemorative value and lots inconvenience? I know some fees go to 3rd party but that’s between seven seas and 3rd party, it doesn’t change the fact that I paid seven seas to do the job and seven seas failed to complete the job and I should be refunded.

After a telephonic conversation with Seven Seas (where I inquired about their services and how the Move Cube works), I proceeded to order a pick-up for a Move Cube. When I asked what the documentation entailed, I was told it was an inventory list as well as insurance documents and declarations. I was not advised that I needed to have my visa approved to submit a copy. They collected my stuff (as I hoped to ship sooner so that they could arrive soon after our arrival). I found out they needed the visa AFTER collection, resulting in several weeks of storage costs, which I paid expeditiously, despite resentment at the lack of informed consent on that phone call. My stuff took several months before it was shipped. I received notification in February that the shipment was arriving and that I needed to pay the additional amounts in Toronto upon arrival. Here is a further breakdown of concerns about the billing process:

Feb 13: Email saying that the shipment is about to arrive. I should pay the invoice within 7 days in order to avoid delays. Invoice amount CAD 802.50.

Feb 16: Email saying that the shipment has arrived. I should pay within three business days in order to avoid additional storage fees from the bonded warehouse. I immediately called and emailed to ask for more time as I was unprepared to pay for that amount at that specific time.

Feb 21: Account overdue notification. Email saying there are two days left before a late payment charge will be added.

Feb 23: Late payment charge of CAD 50 invoiced in a separate invoice.

Feb 27: Email warning that bonded warehouse storage fees are now CAD 240 (no invoice, just an email). Given the dates, this assumes a daily rate of CAD 21.82 (given the number of days the shipment was actually in their possession) as per the above emails.

March 9: Email that they received my clearance documents (i cleared the documented personally). Destination charge invoiced at CAD 852.50 with additional CAD 720 storage fees! I was flabbergasted and emailed and phoned to ask for clarification for how this amount was reached etc. I never received a response via email, nor was there an attempt to clarify how the storage fees jumped from 240 to 720 within a matter of 3 weeks (given the implied daily rate as described above).

March 14: Shipment available for delivery email. Pay CAD 852.50 plus CAD 208 TOTAL for "general storage" for 6 weeks. (The shipment arrived on Feb 16, with 7 days of "grace", meaning it has only been here for THREE weeks of payable storage fees. Where is this 6 weeks coming from and how does it even related to the 720? So where did the 720 storage fees of March 9th even come from? I emailed them asking for them to itemize this as it made no mathematical and logical sense. All invoices came as total amounts with no breakdown or itemization as required by law. No response.

April 6- random invoice for bonded warehouse storage for CAD 500! (no longer 720). I again ask for clarity at these absurd and non-logical amounts with no break downs as would be legally required for an invoice (at the absolute minimum). NO RESPONSE. NOTHING.

July 13- After complete silence for a long time. I get a message saying "log onto the website and pay in full to avoid selling items to defray costs". I decided to cut my losses and took a cash advance from my credit card (at a high interest rate). My hope was to clear the amount and get my personal belongings. Mind you, the website had a specific amount. I paid the amount IN FULL and took before and after screenshots for proof. It showed a Zero balance. (I paid close to CAD 1400). I emailed them to plan the shipment delivery process, and then minutes later, I received an invoice for an ADDITIONAL CAD 800 odd for "storage fees". The email says I had paid until May 15. They did not update their invoicing online and so they calculated and added the additional over CAD800 for me to further pay!

They took NO responsibility for the absurdity of their invoices, made no effort to send an itemized bill as requested, breaking all the storage amounts and policy around daily rates etc, no accountability for their lack of response and resolution resulting in even MORE storage fees as they were holding my things hostage. There isn't a formula in the world that makes any of this make ANY sense whatsoever. If i was paid up to May 15, how did two months of storage get to over 800 CAD and what responsibility are they taking for NOT responding to my emails? Mr. Carl Wilshire is the person I have corresponded with the most and I am most disappointed in how they have treated me. I am a single mother of a child with special needs. The move cube has his very personal effects: our lifelong photos, his special bike, his stuffy toys, his toys and lego, his weighted blanket and some other familiar personal effects. I have already paid ten times their worth at this point. I am most devastated and my son needs his things. This is unacceptable.

To whom it may concern,

I’m am a an expat that has lived in china for almost 6 years. I’ve been a director at 2 large institutions

and I have used the company 3-4 times. However, this will be the last time I use it. I am appalled by the lack of respect for a customers time and the ridiculous prices for domestic insurance. I have attached screenshots.

Firstly, I was told to wait indefinitely at home from 9-6pm for pick up. I sent a message at 8 am asking for a timeframe or the drivers number as I thought maybe there would be an update on the day. I had no response, I called again at lunch time and I was told the driver would come between 2-3pm. At 3 pm , my friend who was helping me had to leave. I had no one to translate, the driver did not show I then insisted for the a number and eventually got it at 3.30. The driver only came at 4pm. I find this unacceptable for a company of such magnitude, regardless of using a third party service or not. I now have to wait indefinitely another day for delivery. I am a busy man and it’s not easy to take leave. The least one can do is give a 2-3 hour timeframe or offer delivery slots, i do not think that’s an unrealistic ask. As a result I have had to take 5 days off just to get delivery and pick up sorted out with seven seas. It’s not easy to take leave when you have a high profile job.

Secondly, I understand that insurance is optional, but I got got a 11000¥ plus quotation for 14 boxes. I don’t think that’s an insurance premium for a Ferrari per month. I highly suggest revisiting your domestic insurance policy. I took insurance out with my previous orders and never got such a ridiculous quote. Furthermore I had to pay 210¥ just for cancellation. I understand I could’ve been at fault and read wrong but it’s ridiculous to charge that amount for domestic insurance.

Lastly, I’ve asked for a supervisor to contact me but my agent keeps saying the issue has been resolved. I called 5 times but there’s never a supervisor available.

I really hope the company can revisit their policy and take a customers time into consideration otherwise I will never use this service again and I will be sure to tell my friends about it. I know this mail comes complaint, but more than anything I just want a bit of respect shown to someone’s time. It’s the most valuable thing we have in life and it should not be taken for granted.

Kindly note that Phoebe did try to help and I understand she was just doing her job. Please do not throw her under the bus for the companies flawed policies.

Thank you and I look forward to a response

I rang up seven seas to get a quote for 2 Large McCubes from Germany to Chelmsford. I specifically asked if it’s possible to collect them on 2nd December and for them to be delivered in Chelmsford on 7th December. The advisor said it was all ok so we went ahead.

We moved to Chelmsford on 06/12/22. I found out that the ToR document could not be used as the shipment is in my name and ToR is in my husband’s name. I managed to sort this out and resubmit the ToR form on 12/12/22. Also HMRC confirmed via email that ToR under my husband’s name can also be used as we are married. Then a few days later I receive an email saying that the shipments will be with us around 30-39 days!

That’s is not acceptable, why no one informed me from start about this? The shipments are our personal belongings and we need them. Why would I pay for the shipping if I have to buy new items because they are not here when I need them? Please don’t say everything was also send in writing. The fact is the advisor should have informed me on the phone on the day the quote was given.

I rang up and the same response today. They can’t even tell me when the cubes will be ship from Europe. It’s coming up to xmas my husband, my two sons and myself are living without our personal belongings.

We received a call from seven seas Tuesday , 6 December and they said that if we pay the amount due before 12 the next day they can deliver the items next week Friday.

We paid the amount due before 12 the next day.

Today we received another call and they said they have no record of that call and our Items will be delivered next YEAR only which I find disgusting.

The email and updated call said we will only receive our items on 13 Jan 2023

Job Number: 000/446/780

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Tania Burger

Date: Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 10:11 AM

Subject: Re: Seven Seas Worldwide Distributors (Pty) Ltd Urgent action is required on your documentation in order to proceed with your order 000/452/139

To:

Cc: Quentin van Remoortere , Tania Burger

Good Day

COMPLAINT WITH DOCUMENT LOADING & CHARGES DUE (REF: 452/139) (REF: 454/530)

With reference to the first Job: 000/452/139 I have repeatedly been trying to upload documents and there is a each and every time I try to upload my passport, visa to begin with and then additional documents required I have been attempting for the last few days to upload the additional documents

1. Shaun Burger Passport (attached on this email)

and

2. Proof of E-ticket ( assuming this refers to my travel gate pass or Travel agent return ticket) *also attached.

I dont think your system is very practical, a document in the age of 2022 should not take up to ten minutes to upload and then after waiting so long I get an error and then be advised I am being charged due to a lagging system error. I would strongly suggest you have an email address that if this happens the sender makes reference to the JOB number and documents or upgrade the system.

My friend in copy Quentin van Remoortere is assisting a second shipment Job number 452/530 and he is assisting me with the collection point and again having the same issues.

I simply cannot accept charges due to a system that is not set up to upload documents, I am currently already in New Zealand and need these Items as soon as possible. Your prompt assistance with this error is needed urgently. I have been sitting behind my pc and using my brother's pc to upload documents again the error persists.

Please be sure to respond and advise what is happening? Or advise the next escalation procedure?

Regards

Tania

NZ +[protected]

Hi Team,

We requested a quote with Seven Seas and it was mentioned 67 to 81 days from the day of collection. This was done in April 2022.

We finally received our goods in September. We contacted Customer Service several times and we had randoms information shared regarding the disruption (copy/paste from other websites around Covid19) No clear information shared, only apologies.

However when we purchased the services, the COVID period was ongoing so the estimated time of delivery should have reflected the associated delays. We also enquired services from competitors, they factored in expected delays due to the current situation.

Seven Seas never provided any information about the ongoing situation, the route of the shipment etc.. it would have been professional to communicate the same prior to the booking.

During the waiting period, tracker on their website was unavailable for weeks. This is unacceptable as we were told that we would be able to monitor the progress of the delivery.

We had to organise ourselves during that time without our goods. Some IT equipments were missing to fulfill our work. Awful general experience and services.

On August 5th, 2022, Seven Seas collected 11 boxes from my old address in Bristol (UK). A few days before, I had received a quote indicating that the delivery time to my new address in London would be 5 days.

Today is August 18th, I have not received the boxes, and no one is able to tell me when I can expect the delivery. I am a freshly graduated student who moved to London for work. I need to receive my belongings asap.

Since last week, I have called the hotline several times and I always get the same answer: they will send a note to their warehouse in Swindon where the boxes are meant to be stored. I never received a call or an email back.

1. In the company policies there is a list of items that are not allowed to be shipped. I went through this list of items thoroughly before I packed my boxes. Two weeks later I receive an email saying that those items are not allowed to be shipped whereas the policy document does not mention these items.

2. The company then wants to charge me $100 to remove the items plus an additional fee for storage.

3. I have spoken to a consultant (Sumaiyah) who was not very helpful and simply told me to email her supervisor (Jane Elwell) who has not responded to my email sent two days ago.

This is regarding the hefty storage charge of $400 that was charged to me. I have been asking your team for steps for customs clearance as I have to plan accordingly due to other commitments.

There was no response on the next steps for more than 3 weeks (16 days). And finally, you gave me only couple of days to clear and being charged this hefty amount. This hefty amount was not informed in any of the emails.

Could you please assess the below sequence of events and waive the warehouse cost accordingly?

7-June : I had asked for an update on the status of the shipping and received response on 9-Jun that it is expected by end June.

14-June : there was an invoice raised for arrival charges and I had asked via email on the shipping status to check if it has arrived.

17-June : Received email that the shipment arrived on 1-June. It is in contradiction to the response on 7-June that it will arrive by end June, but it arrived on 1-June.

18-June : I made the payment and asked what the next steps are.

27-June : I asked again on the status and next steps in order to plan for the clearance since I didn’t hear for about 10 days.

4-Jul : I called the customer service since there was no update on the next steps for 16 days. They said, SevenSeas will email the status and next steps.

4-Jul : surprisingly, I got the email the same night after the call to customer service on the customs clearance. I was asked to clear by 7-July, but I was able to clear only on 8-July due to some office commitments. I had to rush back home (Downtown Toronto) due to a family emergency, hence I couldn’t drop at your office. I managed to drop it off on 15th July.

it is unfortunately unacceptable to pay $400 as bonded warehouse charge, when I have been asking for the instructions for more than 3 weeks. You failed to give any heads-up on the next steps when I have been asking for it.

Jawwad gave me only 2 working days to clear and I cannot suddenly plan to go about with a very small baby to take care of at home. That is the reason I have been asking what the next step is, so that I can plan accordingly by arranging a care taker or something. Since I am also new to the country, I needed to plan in advance. In addition, the bonded warehouse charges ($50 per day) was never communicated to me.

The driver are promising the time but didn't do it

I already call customer service

Ref: 000/405/588
Movecube was collected on 15 September 2021 for shipment to UK. Was advised by email on 13 October 2021 that shipment on Santa Isabel and estimated arrival date 5 November 2021. On 27 October advised by email that shipment was almost in UK and that the delivery thereof was first job of the day. Advised by email on 4 November 2021 that the container had missed the vessel booked and new arrival date 2 December 2021. On 14 November 2021 advised that shipment delayed due to lack of ship availability. Thereafter no correspondence received. Numerous emails sent. No reply to them EVER. Telephoned extensively and advised no update. Cannot speak to Jane the manager as she does not take calls. Everytime we phone we advised no update and that management will telephone us or email us. NEVER DONE. We have been advised today that pending.

Ref 000/381/721
Documentation for ten boxes completed way before time. Informed one of boxes heavy to fill in extra paper work. I did. Was informed and reassured that all documentation received, paid for shipment. After 6 months when I enquired, was informed that my shipment was in storage!
Why? Who decided not to inform the family about anything?
This is a fault created by the person who authorised storage.
No viable communication from any supervisors and managers whenever we call. Only thing growing is charges. Please can someone looking into how these ended up in storage?

I had 19 carton boxes of items shipped from Hong Kong to the UK via Seven Seas Worldwide. All items were delivered but when unpacked they were all found to be stinky with an extremely strong smell of mothballs. I didn't put any mothball in my items due to my allergy to mothball/naphthalene, which causes me nausea and skin allergy. The smell is particularly foul in clothing, cotton/plastic/nylon items. I have to wash EACH AND EVERY clothing item, bag, accessory etc. to lessen the smell and for items that can't be washed such as books, paper items and silk clothing, I can only air them but it's very hard to get rid of the mothball smell. It is a nightmare that I wish I was never put into.

I don't understand why my items are all full of mothball smell which were never put inside any of my boxes as explained. I hope to hear from Seven Seas an explanation as to how this undesirable situation happened and why it took no measures to monitor and forbid the use of mothballs/naphthalene in shipment, for there are customers who either, like me, are allergic to mothballs/naphthalene, which can even be fatal or cause serious harm to infants and children.

We have now been struggling more than a month to get someone in SevenSeas to assist us in arranging with the JHB storage facility for us to collect our cube as we won't be immigrating anymore. Number one there is never a senior person to talk to always just a agent that know jack [censored]. We finally got stuff arranged with a date to collect our cube via a moving company and 24hrs before that sevenseas inform us via email we owe the money, not even a formal invoice just telling us we cannot get our stuff, we paid a deposit as per requirement, we have been paying storage since Oct 2020 in advance. I have to be honest and we will make use of social media and any means to discourage people from using sevenseas ever, I even see people having issues getting their cubes to their destination because there is always something missing or not done on sevenseas side blaming the consumer for it. The fact of the matter that you don't have the balls to get a senior person to talk to us and take charge and get the issues resolved lease a foul taste in one's mouth.

RUN from this company!
My cargo was hired on 23 July, 2019 to ship a small cube with boxes from Singapore to New York. The total bill was SGD$1259 and I paid $300 upfront. They collected my boxes then refused to ship due to my previous visa's remaining days was shorter than their request. They soon forced to put my boxes to their storage and started topping fee without my agreement. The bill ran up insanely to SGD3254.53. In between I explained my visa situation with pending proof from USCIS and attorney. I told them should just ship so the result should come out when it arrives to within their request dates, but the application dragged 10 months til last June, which was unexpected and out of my hands. After 1 year and 8 months now, they're still holding the boxes even my new visa has already passed and issued. I have over months of emails back and forth with them to explain my visa or financial situation and asked them to honoured the contract, but they refuse to ship still. They even threaten to dispose and sell my belongs with record of emails from their manger. I have all emails of conversations that are considered black and white for courts and am totally fine to expose online.
I will post this story in different languages on platforms plus ask help of companies wherever they base to make this known to people online so they can take my lesson and stay far from you.

If I was able to rate 0 I would. The customer service is awful and they have no idea what they are talking about.
Before I even sent the boxes I had issues. They did not send me a breakdown of what the were charging me and asked me to pay to send my stuff. As soon as I paid they sent me the breakdown and sure enough they overcharged me. Even when the customer service representative promised me I was not overcharged. I am still waiting on that refund after 3 weeks.

I sent 4 boxes from Germany to Australia. They delivered 3 out of 4 which were in the same job! 1 box is missing and the delivery driver was EXTREMELY rude to my father who was collecting the boxes on my behalf. I told them about the issue as soon as my dad told me. The delivery driver was still at the door.
I was promised my box would be delivered on the 2nd of March to a neighbor, as my father had to take the day off work AGAIN to collect the parcel.
The box never arrived. They have advised me that it's in the Netherlands when it should never have gone that way, and the second email advised me it's lost.
No one is admitting what has happened and will not tell me if the box is lost or not. I've waited for 6 callbacks and 1 week to figure this out and have received no information.

The company is refusing to take any responsibility or keep me in the loop about what really happened and refuses to tell me where the box is right now.
I had sentimental items in the box which cannot be replaced and they have 0 compassion.

AFTER I paid over 800€ for 4 boxes.

I called again this morning and asked for the UPS tracking number which of course they cannot find or give me, and therefore I cannot follow up by myself.

AVOID this company at all costs, and find one with better customer service.

My son quote for packing and storage for 1 luggage and one box and get an online quote. In the website they said that they will give him bubble wrap and cartoon box. The whole family went to Scotland and presumed that the company send him the cartoon box before we went back to cambridge hall.

Out of our surprise, nothing arrived and my son phoned back service line which needed maintenance for hours. We sincerely waited for the exact time of picking up of cartoon but there is no reply even 1 day before the pick up date. Finally the line get through and the lady on the phone replied that company will give us exact time before 6 pm but cannot guarantee whether the time can be from 9 am to 6 pm. We stressed that the pick up needed to be in the morning as we arranged an transport in the afternoon. ( Actually my son stated in the online quote and request that the pick up was on morning). They request extra money which I think personally is blackmailing. However I have to agree to pay otherwise the whole trip will be delayed.

I searched through the whole web page and found that there is no complaint channel or any means of feedback apart from a email platform for voicing out. I did filled in but the reply is totally arrogant.

They stressed that they did not promise on the time of pick up so there is no point in writing it up in request. In case if the company cannot promise on the pick up time, the company can always give us email or message earlier so that we can plan earlier.

The whole reply is denial of responsibility and there is no point of further communication.

What I can do is to post it up and advice others to be absolutely careful with this company and did not use this company any more.

I used Seven Seas Worldwide to ship my belongings when I was moving from Australia to South Africa. Our stuff reached destination on time but not in once piece. Several carton boxes were damaged and things that were inside were damaged as well. This company refused to take any responsibility for this situation.