Those of you that have used a freight company to pick up a pinball for you, is the machine broke down and fit on a 4x4 pallet?
Any horror stories or is it relatively safe to do? Got an eye on one I been looking for in great condition.
Those of you that have used a freight company to pick up a pinball for you, is the machine broke down and fit on a 4x4 pallet?
Any horror stories or is it relatively safe to do? Got an eye on one I been looking for in great condition.
I'm having one shipped now and was surprised they palleted before they loaded it. I hope to get it tomorrow as it's sitting at the Depot. I'm assuming they are treating it with kid gloves since I paid for the insurance.
Last time I shipped one out the took it out. The legs with the head down and it arrived in great shape.
I just shipped a pin out a few weeks ago. I did nothing. Shipping company came and packaged up pin and loaded it in their truck. All I did was watch. I don’t understand why anyone would be opposed to shipping a pin. The buyer was responsible for all shipping arrangements. The average price is $300-$400 for shipping.
Quoted from Cheddar:I'm assuming they are treating it with kid gloves since I paid for the insurance.
Might I ask what specific expectations you have about the effect your purchase of insurance has on your shipment and why you hold those expectations?
Quoted from YeOldPinPlayer:Might I ask what specific expectations you have about the effect your purchase of insurance has on your shipment and why you hold those expectations?
Sorry forgot the smiley emoji
Imported a no of machines from US to Australia. Never a problem notwithstanding the distance & handling. I have always been prepared to make the investment for good packaging with head & legs off. Craters & Freighters have been exceptional for me from various Branches.
36by48 pallet. Legs off, head folded down, wrap it properly. Strap it to pallet using good wratchet straps, not band straps. Band straps break whether metal or plastic. Never ship a machine not wrapped on its legs. I know some here do, but if u ever rode in the back of a semi or hung around shipping docks you would understand why not do do that. I have seen forks ran right through the side Of a pricey game not wrapped. I've also seen properly wrapped games get nailed but the packing stopped any game damage.
There are a few right ways in my opinion.. if you expect freight to take care of it then you and seller are taking a risk. Make sure you declare the value of machine and can reasonably prove its worth; otherwise it has a default value of around 2000$ if I recall. I understand it’s not practical to fly out there and crate it yourself. Sometimes the seller can’t manage the crating either.
Here is an old thread of one of my experiences with freight.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/sti-destroyed-my-restored-mm/page/2#post-3900235
There plenty of good results from people who have freight deal with crating also. The vertical ship with nylon lashing straps is perhaps the best job I’ve seen. But who is going to do it?
Another option that a experienced shipper did here; create a pallet that a forklift cannot get under. I realize the photo is one sided, the other side has a crossbeam in the opposite way. This game showed up fully intact with no damage.
Quoted from Cheddar:I'm having one shipped now and was surprised they palleted before they loaded it. I hope to get it tomorrow as it's sitting at the Depot. I'm assuming they are treating it with kid gloves since I paid for the insurance.
Last time I shipped one out the took it out. The legs with the head down and it arrived in great shape.
Ive got my fingers crossed.
Thanks
Blake
There are multiple threads on here regarding this topic. One of the moderators summarized shipping options here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/shipping-options-for-games
Here is how some experts recommend packaging
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-do-i-crate-a-pinball-machine-for-shipping#post-4156192
Good luck in your quest!
Having years of experience in the industry, distance plays a major factor in determining if a machine shows up intact and unscathed. It is not the distance alone but with distance comes handling. The farther the distance the more times your machine will be moved and handled thus increasing the chances of damage.
Pick-up
Terminal
Next truck
Terminal
Might spend overnight on a dock or staging area
Next truck
Out for delivery
...you get the idea.
That said, I have purchased two machines that needed shipping. Used STI for both.
They were shipped intact and upright. One came from Indiana the other from PA
Both arrived without a scratch.
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