Lock your bathroom?

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/navl-delivered-a-game-and-one-of-the-delivery-guys-took-a/

I smell many 'thumbs up' for you! LOL...

Haha that was damn funny. But I'm in the same boat as fosaisu. My first pin may be via freight since the local options aren't so great for the pins I really want. So it'd be good to know some do's and don'ts.

Personally, if they deliver the machine to the inside of my house without breaking anything, they can drop a deuce in my toilet. It's just poo.

Read this thread. You will hear some good and bad stories.
My story is there too.
Machine sent to me with legs on and damaged.
STL gave me (and others) the run around.

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/maybe-navl-used-to-be-good-be-warned

Geez after reading that, shipping a pin sounds terrifying!

My 2 Cents are, wrap it yourself and dont ship it with the legs on.

Yeah I read the thread and it seems folks were recommend the converse, but why?! Seems way better to remove the legs I would have thought.

NAVL told the person I bought my machine from to just leave the legs on. They will neatly wrap it in blankets and take good care of it.
A blanket never went near my machine.
When they opened the door to the truck, there was a washer and dryer pinned up next to it.

I believe cosmetic damage is all they will take responsibility for. you don't know if the machine worked when they picked it up nor do they.

Obviously if it fell off the truck and there's major damage don't sign for it and send it back, lol. I would unwrap it, and look for any obvious damage on the exterior of the cabinet, while they're still there. If things aren't to your liking, don't sign. Take pictures to document any damage. Once you get it inside, put it through its paces and see if anything is wrong. I would imagine if the DMD was broken or bad switch or something, they would send out a repairman free of charge.

Wait, is this a new machine or used?

Besides cosmetic damage, there isn't much you can do. There is always a chance the game won't be working due to some rough handling, but trying to decipher between rough handling and just moving a 20 year old game is impossible.

I moved my DW 20 feet a few weeks ago and it needed 2 new resistors and a new chip on the CPU board.

However, check the wrapping carefully. Any rips/tears in the wrapping you should inspect very very closely. I've never turned a machine on or anything, but the game should be in the same physical condition. Electronically, who knows.

Congrats on your first machine! Definitely inspect it over thoroughly for any damage before signing. It would not be wise to turn it on immediately, its going to arrive cold and it would be best for the machine to warm to room temp first. Then, enjoy!!!! Your life is going to change my friend.

Well unfortunately what I would have recommended first and foremost is that you have the buyer take good, straight on pictures from each side of the cabinet, so you will have something to compare it to directly when you receive it. It's hard enough making a damage claim as it is, as they can always say there is no way to prove it wasn't like that prior to shipping. They will definitely not cover anything electronically. The only thing they will really cover is obvious, significant physical damage. Also have your camera ready when receiving as well, just in case you need to document a picture (such as the case mentioned above when they shipped it without blankets). I've had half a dozen shipments/deliveries with them, with no issues at all. In fact, for me, the workers went above and beyond each time and I tipped well. But that also depends on your area more than anything.

Enjoy the shadow. I miss it already.

I check every corner for damage or separation, check all sides for scrapes and damage, check the underside of the cabinet for damage, flip back box up and make sure no damage and that backglass is ok. Know in advance the drivers won't want to stay one second longer than what they have to (unless one of them has to take a dump in that case I recommend a can of wizard or other suitable air freshener)..... so you may have to be assertive and let them know your not signing or paying until you have had a chance to inspect the machine. Last note do your inspection in a brightly lit room or unwrap it outside if the weather permits then throw a blanket over it and move it in. If the game is damaged upon inspection have Michelle's number handy and call her before you sign anything.

I have had great success with NAVL legs on shipping but I am very specific with the seller of how I want the game prepped and I specify I want edge protectors and adequate insurance when I set up with Michelle.
Good luck!

I've used them once so far in Denver and had no issues. It would make sense that the wide range of good to bad experiences are due to contractors used for that final leg of the journey.

NAVL has been to my house about 10 times in the last 3 months...No damage to speak of. I ALWAYS request the machines come to me with LEGS + HEAD ON...No problems to date. NAVL/STI Prefer the legs to be on anyway. They usually unwrap the machine for you..I believe that's standard protocol. Best of luck with your new toy.

Good stuff to know. An STI truck is meandering its way here with a BSD on it.

My T3 just got picked up today via STI. Can't wait to see it! Rex did a fantastic job - he plastic wrapped it, put it on a pallet, and than built a wooden box around it to keep it safe.

I have photos of it being picked up and placed in the truck, but my bobo phone won't let me download them. Lame.

I too prefer to ship and have shipped with legs on. Much safer in my opinion. I always wrap the games I sell myself that way I know they are protected. I have shipped and have had shipped numerous games and have never had any problems. The same guy comes to my house every time and he is pretty cool. As for playing the game while the guy is still there is not necessary. If the game does not play right it is highly unlikely it is the fault of the shipper vs the game having issues before or something rattling apart. That and I always go through the game and make sure all the fuses are correct, everything looks good under the Playfield and CPU boards and install all new balls before even firing it up.