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I moved from Hunstanton in the United Kingdom to Widnau in the canton of St. Gallen for professional reasons. It wasn’t a full household move, just a partial one of around 9.5 cubic metres: a few pieces of furniture, a bed and mattress, TV and hi-fi equipment, clothes, a bicycle, ski gear and some kitchen items. On paper, it seemed fairly straightforward. In reality, it turned into an experience I won’t forget in a hurry.
The relocation was entirely job-related. It wasn’t a lifestyle choice or a long-held dream, but a necessary step for my career. Because I was only moving part of my household, I assumed the logistics would be relatively simple.
Looking back, that was probably optimistic.
I found the company through a Sirelo recommendation. Most of the online reviews were positive. What caught my attention in the negative reviews was that the company often replied with something along the lines of, “We don’t know you.” That gave me pause, but I told myself that every company has dissatisfied customers.
Their initial quote was also slightly lower than the competition. That naturally influenced my decision. Taken together with the largely positive reviews, I decided to go ahead with Jack International Removals LTD.
The problems started on collection day. The driver arrived several hours late. The small lorry had no company branding and Romanian number plates. On its own, that doesn’t prove anything, but it didn’t inspire confidence.
Apart from a few blankets, there were no boxes, no proper equipment, no tape, and no lighting, even though it was already dark. Communication was difficult as the driver spoke only limited English.
What concerned me most was that my belongings were not weighed. At the time, I didn’t realise how significant that would become. By my own estimate, everything together weighed no more than 400 kilograms.
On 31 January 2026, when the shipment was travelling from France into Switzerland, contact broke off completely for several hours. We had agreed on delivery between 3 and 4 pm. When I heard nothing, I genuinely began to suspect that my belongings had been stolen.
In that state of confusion and stress, I called what I thought was the company’s main office. I later found out I had reached Jacks Removals, headquartered in West Bridgford, Nottingham: a completely different company with no connection whatsoever to Jack International Removals LTD. Their staff were very professional and friendly, and they quickly clarified the mix-up. Anyone planning a similar move should be aware that these two companies are easily confused by name, and they are not the same business.
I was already on my way to the police station when a WhatsApp message came through saying they would arrive in two hours, after 7 pm. The explanation was a detour via Paris and the fact that two other customers were being moved at the same time.
Unloading was quick. The driver himself confirmed that the total weight was nowhere near 1.3 tonnes and was, at most, around 400 kilograms, exactly what I had estimated.
There is nothing positive I can report. Communication, honesty, transparency, and punctuality, all fell short in my view. There was no weighing of items at collection, no proper inventory, no real preparation, and very little professionalism.
By the end, I was just thankful that my belongings had actually made it to Switzerland. That says everything about how insecure I felt throughout the process.
During the journey, I was informed that my goods allegedly weighed 1.3 tonnes. That figure made no sense to me. Under stress, I started doubting myself. Had I misjudged the weight so badly?
Out of concern that my belongings might otherwise not be delivered, I paid the additional charge. Only on arrival did the driver confirm that such a weight was simply not possible.
In hindsight, it feels like I was misled. The pressure in that moment was immense, and I was worried sick that my furniture and personal items might never arrive.
When my belongings finally reached Widnau, my main feeling was relief. Instead of enjoying the excitement of starting a new chapter in Switzerland, I was recovering from days of anxiety and uncertainty.
What should have been a positive milestone felt overshadowed by stress and mistrust.
After delivery, I did not simply move on. On 9 February 2026, I sent the company a WhatsApp message containing four questions about the move. It was, in effect, a formal complaint. I received no reply.
On 25 February 2026, I sent a follow-up message with a deadline of 28 February 2026. Both messages were delivered and read: two blue ticks in each case. Again, there was no answer.
I am now looking into legal recourse against Jack International Removals LTD for the international dimension of this dispute. I want to state clearly that Jack International Removals LTD must not be confused with Jacks Removals, headquartered in West Bridgford, Nottingham. They are entirely separate companies.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise the following:
It may sound excessive, but I wish I had taken these precautions more seriously.
My move from Hunstanton to Widnau was marked by delays, poor communication and a serious loss of trust. After delivery, two formal complaints sent via WhatsApp were read and left unanswered, and I am now exploring legal options internationally. Throughout the process, I also inadvertently contacted Jacks Removals in Nottingham, a completely separate company, due to the similarity of names. Despite being only a partial household move, this became a nerve-racking experience from start to finish. If I have learned one thing, it is this: when it comes to international removals, clear documentation, transparency and proper communication are not optional extras, they are absolutely essential.
