Quoted from Diospinball:I drove to Michigan from Illinois to get my first pinball machine. Game played perfect when I picked it up. But, midwest roads made a lot of issues go crazy... I did eventually get it mostly back to 95-97% functioning. But, then it broke again. That was a long, long drive. And it cost me with gas and food about 200-250 dollars. Plus I had to lug it out of the house and into the truck and then into my house.
We got lucky and no accident. But, a semi did almost side swipe us. But, we got out of the lane in time as we were paying attention.
All I will say is accidents can happen when you transport yourself. You got to put in the time, and gas costs still. And other misc costs as well. Yes, it sucks to have to pay 400-500 dollars on top of getting your machine. But, the company should have some form of insurance. Beltman your stuff is insured for 1500 right off the bat. Never asked if I could pay a bit more for them to insure it more. Didn't need to, as the pins were less than 1500 that I shipped.
When I went to go to the Midwest Gaming Expo this spring with my brother and father, we got into a car accident. Sure it was icy. But, nothing we haven't driven on before. So that made me reconsider picking up my own pins. I've been in 3 really bad car accidents in the past 6 years. Walked away from them all. 2 of them were not my fault, and the result of other drivers not paying attention, the last I wasn't driving and was caused by a bad patch of ice.
All I will say is. If I am buying a 6,000 dollar pin and its a long journey. I think I might be more comfortable with getting it shipped.
You can get insurance on it, and hopefully they will live up to there end of the bargain.
If its a pin within 150 miles I'll pick it up probably. Unless its a NIB and then I'll pay for delivery, soley because of the risk for an accident.
So I think somethings are worth paying for. For me. 400-500 dollars shipping is worth it. As it frees up my weekend. And I don't have to worry about driving 8 hours. It does take some of the thrill of the hunt or adventure out of it. But, my time is worth money too. And when I stopped and calculated the true costs. I find its really only like 200-300 dollars more expensive than just paying for shipping.
PS... I don't own a truck... My brother does. So I have to not only pay for gas... But, food and beef jerky and beverages. And then once we are done for the day and done playing the new game. I take him to a nice dinner to reward him for giving up his time too. So after all of that... The costs of shipping are not too bad.
I have driven from Detroit to Springfield MA, Atlantic City, York PA, Shamokin, PA, Temecula and San Diego to pick up machines. All individual trips. I don't even count the 400 mile round trips to Ohio or within Michigan which there have been several.