Korean Job Discussion Forums

English Matt · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

I have just recently re-signed for another year at my public school (GEPIK).

The contract on my apartment however was not renewed and I have to move to a new apartment. No problem there, the apartment that was found for me is fine and in the same building.

However....my school is expecting me to fit the bill for moving all my furniture into the new apartment. My handler said that my school will think that I am cheap if I do not pay myself....I tried to explain to her that if I had not re-signed and they had had to hire a new teacher, they would have had to foot this expense themselves as they would hardly slap this charge on a new teacher.....so why make me pay when I have been here for a year working hard for them. Additionally, it was not my choice to move to this new apartment....so why should I have to pay?

Anyone else in GEPIK had to move apartments? Did your school make you pay the moving expenses or did they cover it?

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

I paid all associated expenses. Mind you, I moved everything except the furniture, then they sent the printroom man and his assistant home with me and they moved that.

sinsanri · Joined: 20 Apr 2009

The going philosophy in Korea is, if you are the one using the items you pay. That goes for repairs as well. Stop being cheap and pay. Though if you re-signed at the same school, just ask some students to help you and buy them dinner.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

If you are moving in the same building from floor to floor you can find someone that will move you for a song and dance in terms of money. The people who do the moving these days when it is their "off season" for moving people just want to have something to do and as long as it provides them with enough to get a couple of good meals out of it, they will barter the price with you. I have done it before myself when we moved. It isn't rocket science. Ask around and you will get replies. For the little money it will cost you, it is a good option.

English Matt · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

sinsanri · Joined: 20 Apr 2009

Morgen · Joined: 02 Jul 2008

I agree with you, OP. I was transferred by the POE and was kind of insulted when I was told to pay the fees for having the gas set up and everything. It didn't amount to all that much, but I was moving to accomodate their needs and had already put myself out by commuting over an hour each way until the place became available. I don't have any advice about how to handle this (maybe split the costs? I don't know), but I see where you're coming from. Maybe the school would let you borrow the maintenance guys?

English Matt · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

cruisemonkey · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject:

This is a non-issue.

To all those who disagree and think the OP should pay, read your contracts! GEPIK (or the school) will be in breach if the apartment is not 'furnished'. Therefore, GEPIK/the school is responsible for the cost of moving the furnishings to the new apartment.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

This should be a non-issue for other reasons. The teacher should box up their stuff, and in one day, a few people from the school, maintenance from the apartment, and the teacher move the stuff.

You can't expect the teacher to move the stuff alone, and at the same time you can't expect the school to furnish the same stuff a second time. These types of things are what I call "favors" and personally, I would take it as exercise, do it alone, and then make the school know about it anytime their is a dispute.

Apparently, the teacher is in good standing so you can play games at this stage. Even though the school will not be interested in helping the teacher move, they will be interested in getting that teacher moved out since they are paying the rent. I would just tell them whenever they ask, "Are you done yet?" that I needed one more person to help carry the heavy stuff (fridge, bed, etc..). Make sure easy to carry stuff is already out. This will make your case seem stronger.

Also, you shouldn't have to carry the fridge which could get damaged in the process. All this does is give them insurance to buy a new one if you drop it or mishandle it in some way.

The pressure is then on them, they can either pay for two apartments or help get things moved out in a timely manner. Cleaning and moving the stuff on your own just means they don't have to hire someone else to do it.

sinsanri · Joined: 20 Apr 2009

Morgen · Joined: 02 Jul 2008

Teaching isn't "about" press-ganging your students into service, haha. I'm going to chuckle about that all day.

ekul · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: [Mod Edit]

I had to move a few weeks ago and didn't have to pay anything. We both got the day off school but it turns out my gfs day off was unpaid which is pretty lame.

If the school had turned round to me and said foot the bill I would have gone home. Being made to move in a foreign country is pretty bad, but having the responsibility for all the junk collected over the years from the old place is another.

When Koreans move you don't have to lift a finger either, I wish I had known that before I boxed everything up.

sinsanri · Joined: 20 Apr 2009

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I am looking into prices for moving my belongings from one apartment to another. I am moving a distance of one and a half hours by car.

I am taking no major furniture, apart from a chair, microwave, large mirror, and medium sized cabinet. I'll take my suitcase, laptop, and about 9 shopping bags full of essential items e.g. food, blankets, pillow etc.

I am waiting for a quote, through a friend. It may be quite expensive. Embarassed

Any ideas about what the price for moving in my situation would be? A friend said he will peruse auction websites, which may help to get a cheaper price.