Oakland, CA
How do I get in on the importing action?
More specifically, is there anyone in Europe would want to help me find, inspect and ship a pinball to the U.S.?
(Topic ID: 116901)
You go there. You buy the machines ( most sources have dried up, you are at least ten years late ) you ship them to where they can be properly placed into containers. You arrange shipping.
On this end you arrange customs, you will be kicked up to commercial, not just one machine returning. Then arrange getting them to you.
Anything less than that and you are buying a container of landfill. Crap stuffed into containers with the most creative stuffing of machines on top of each other you can imagine.
Good luck.
LTG : )™
I just want one machine, a Zaccaria Spooky. I made an assumption (perhaps false) that it would be cheaper to find and import than to buy from a collector state side.
That certainly wouldn't be the case if I had to go there and get it. I am also assuming that they even show up on the market there.
It depends on what you are planning.
Importing full Containers from East Europe ?!
Importing one game for you ?
In the old days when the EURO was hard and the Dollar was weak I imported me an Alvin G. to Germany. A friend organised tranportation from my Alvin G, a FIRE! Champagne and a Alvin G. Soccerball. A pinhead in the US organsised the machines and everything went well.
Now the times changed ... its now your turn. But be sure in Europe everybody knows about the Prices.
BBB is around 21000 (!!!) Euro
MM is around 7000 Euro
IJ 3000 Euro
WhiWi 900 EURO
Plus shipping, plus taxes ..... makes no sense to me expect you are looking for one very special game
OT:
@LTG: So far no time to check my WOZ, I will come back to you ! Thanks again !
Erpe-mere
I sold a pin (also a spooky from zaccaria!) to the states more than a year ago.
I will send you the email in pm of the person who bought him and you can ask him for details how match it cost to import in the USA.
The shipping from Belgium to USA was 1300 € with special packaging.
I’m sure with boat will we cheaper but off course will take longer.
And a spooky is a more then hard to find pin but I’m Shure you are aware of that
Good luck with the hunt
Thanks for the advice. I am a total noob in this regard and am totally open to being told this is a stupid tree to be barking up.
Quoted from BlobfishXL:Thanks for the advice. I am a total noob in this regard and am totally open to being told this is a stupid tree to be barking up.
It's not a stupid idea. Importing definitely has it's logistical problems, but it's really not that bad if you have a good person on the other end and a good customs broker here in the US. Start by getting to know some people from Europe here on Pinside and go from there. I have built a great network of friends in Europe by getting to know people on RGP and Pinside over the years, and it's been a great experience.
If you get to the point where you are ready to bring a game over, here is the name of the customs broker that I always use: Bill McKee ([email protected]). He's with JDC International (http://www.jdcintl.com/), and has been very easy to work with.
Good luck on finding/importing a Spooky. I thought I had one on the line a while back, but they decided to keep the game. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions about bringing a game over. I'd be glad to help out where I can.
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