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COVID 19 & Machine Selling/Trading

stevefrith

stevefrith

Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 12, 2013
Messages
267
Given the current lockdown restrictions re travel for essential purposes only I wonder if it would be appropriate to suspend all machine sales/trades until such restrictions are lifted.

I'd hope everyone would agree that saving lives is more important than playing pinball...

What's the consensus?
 
I know Martin is taking extreme measures during collection and delivery so I have no issues with it continuing

When he collected from Tilt on Thursday

He requested all machine to be collapsed wrapped and outside ready for him
He also requested to keep social distancing
He used gloves to handle them

He is requesting that for all jobs and as long as people are wiping the machines down or leaving 72 hours after there is no issues

Use common sense, it’s not rocket science
 
I think the decision should be made between seller & buyer. Some one may want to sell now but accept collection may be at a later date for example.
 
I thinks it’s way more risky going to the Supermarket or travelling on public transport

Man in a van or hauliers doing deliveries - mainly isolated in their cab taking the necessary precautions have less exposure IMO.
 
Sorry I may not have made the question clear.

It wasn't a question of whether it's an accepted calculated risk or if it's more or less risky going to the supermarket for essential provisions.

The question was whether moving pinball machines around the country for recreational purposes either using a courier or doing it yourself was breaching the government restrictions on travelling for essential reasons only. If it is a breach then should it be happening at all? Martin I assume could claim his 80% if he's not earning as a result of the issue.
 
Great idea! Those who feel sufficiently motivated can "self appoint" as our equivalent of the "Derbyshire Drone Detachment" to "self monitor" any private transactions and their consequences. If they are successful in identifying any "non-essential" negotiations they can post the details in the new Virtue Signalling forum, so we can all point and laugh when things get back to normal. OK, OK I'm off to self isolate on the naughty step.
 
If it is a breach then should it be happening at all? Martin I assume could claim his 80% if he's not earning as a result of the issue.[/QUOTE]

...which again supports the idea of leaving it as a decision between seller and buyer.
 
I’d be reluctant to see sales suspended due to the simple reason that some members might actually be in the position of needing to raise cash.

If you are self employed or you’ve just been laid off then selling something might make sense.

Whether or not delivery and collection takes place in the near future could be a different question.

Best wishes to anyone who has been financially hammered by this.
 
I suspect after Friday the lockdown will get worse and police will start doing checks if you have a van full of pinballs you ain’t going to get away with essential item I don’t think
 
The few machines that are available seem to on sale for very high prices. The Apollo £950 plus with a hand painted playfield and the Starjet on FB £2900 also handpainted cabinet. Very dear indeed. The only possible light on the horizon is any operators that still have pins may well get shot of them as they are not earning as the pubs etc are closed. Doesnt help me much as I normally collect EM machines but is might help get the market moving again.
 
I would like to think that deliveries will be unaffected by more stringent lockdowns. The Police don't have the manpower to check every vanload for what's essential items and what isn't. But I'm definitely concerned about having someone in the house to install a machine potentially next week, especially as we've not been out of the house since the schools shut. It's a bit embarrassing to ask him to wear a mask and gloves but I guess that's where we're at. Completely surreal situation. Maybe should have bought Twilight Zone instead.
 
The gov have already relaxed the guidance to an extent.
At first it was key worker only.
Now it seems to be if you absolute cannot work from home?
Still seems hazy to me - is it because they want damage limitation on the economy.
I don’t think they will be opening HGVs etc.... as any deliveries of items are better than general public going to collect or shop.
 
CHRIS B PINBALLS said:
I suspect after Friday the lockdown will get worse and police will start doing checks if you have a van full of pinballs you ain’t going to get away with essential item I don’t think
Click to expand...
Deliveries don’t have to be essential items.
Deliveries are fully allowed under the guidance, hope this doesn’t change..... 😬
 
stevefrith said:
The question was whether moving pinball machines around the country for recreational purposes either using a courier or doing it yourself was breaching the government restrictions on travelling for essential reasons only.
Click to expand...

I think the guidelines are that using a courier is ok. Doing it yourself is not ok. One (using a courier) helps support the economy, and keeps Martin in business. The other does not.
Right or wrong - that's the way it is right now.
 
While I'm sat at home self isolating due to symptoms, I'm only getting patchy news related to NHS staff, but I have been sent a couple of pertinent emails from the Chief Exec.

Firstly all staff are to be split into 3 categories.
A) Staff required on site
B) Staff who can work from home
C) Staff who are are not in A or B (a non-essential with current activity) - who will be required to stay at home.

Any member in B who does not currently have an NHS laptop will be issued with one to enable them to work from home.

The second email is perhaps more relevant here.
Which provides a link to documentation proving we are a key worker.
We are required to print this off and carry with us to and from work.

That would suggest to me that there will be checks as to why people are driving around.
Delivering a pinball machine is hardly likely to be classed as essential key work.
 
Wizcat said:
I think the guidelines are that using a courier is ok. Doing it yourself is not ok. One (using a courier) helps support the economy, and keeps Martin in business. The other does not.
Right or wrong - that's the way it is right now.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can go outside to buy food and essentials, but not pinball machines.

You can go outside to operate your business if you have no other choice e.g. If your business specialises in selling and/or deliver things (like pinball machines).

Currently anyway.
 
Wayne J said:
Delivering a pinball machine is hardly likely to be classed as essential key work.
Click to expand...

100% agreed. Unless you're a professional courier. DHL, Fedex, Royal Mail etc etc including independent (but professional) couriers are all still classed as key workers. Basically - use Martin or wait until after lockdown.
 
Last edited:
Wayne J said:
While I'm sat at home self isolating due to symptoms, I'm only getting patchy news related to NHS staff, but I have been sent a couple of pertinent emails from the Chief Exec.

Firstly all staff are to be split into 3 categories.
A) Staff required on site
B) Staff who can work from home
C) Staff who are are not in A or B (a non-essential with current activity) - who will be required to stay at home.

Any member in B who does not currently have an NHS laptop will be issued with one to enable them to work from home.

The second email is perhaps more relevant here.
Which provides a link to documentation proving we are a key worker.
We are required to print this off and carry with us to and from work.

That would suggest to me that there will be checks as to why people are driving around.
Delivering a pinball machine is hardly likely to be classed as essential key work.
Click to expand...
Yes, I’ve got one of the print off emails as well that I keep with me.
BUT
that was after the initial announcement.
Deliveries of any items are allowed. Are they key workers? All still confusing......
Also, companies slipping jobs in under the key worker status is inevitable 💩
 
Wizcat said:
I think the guidelines are that using a courier is ok. Doing it yourself is not ok. One (using a courier) helps support the economy, and keeps Martin in business. The other does not.
Right or wrong - that's the way it is right now.
Click to expand...
That looks spot on to me in light of current restrictions, and I agree with Chris - if you were pulled up by the police with a pinball machine in the back, 100 miles from home I think you'd struggle to argue you were travelling for essential reasons.
Finally... Just to put out a note of thanks for our heroes in the NHS and key workers who are doing a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances
 
It's a tricky one for sure. On the one hand, we're 12 weeks away from peak. So another 12 weeks again on the way down? It almost feels like right now is going to be the only opportunity for a long while...but also now might be the worst time in terms of spreading it. All I know is I'm ****ing jinxed when it comes to TOM. Not sure what to do really.
 
Following on from Waynes email. I was also sent an official keyworker letter to print out today. Looks like the government departments are gearing up for the next level of lockdown. Not surprised as looking out today I’ve seen kids out and about with footballs etc. Most people round here seem to be following the rules but without fines etc there will always be people trying to flaunt the rules.
 
carl lawrence said:
Get will soon @Wayne J :)

Everyone should not be moving these machines around the country now ,just not essential !
Click to expand...
Cheers Carl.
I'm over whatever it was, slight fever followed by a cough a day or two later. It may or may not have been C19, and if it wasn't for the risk of spread I'd be in work. However even the slightest chance of it being C19 and me infecting anybody else overrules everything else.

People still aren't getting it though. Stay in and only mingle with your own household. Travelling up and down the country because YOU believe it isn't a risk and doesn't apply to YOU is what is going to drag this on longer and inflict more deaths.
 
I want to stay at home so as not to bring back anything to household.
Many of our Engineers are self isolating.
I’m now getting sent further around the country due to covering for other engineers areas. I don’t mind doing key work which helps keep key services running.
I’m not happy if they slip non-essential pish in under the guise of key work 🤬
I’m not a fool, I can see this happening already.......but like I said, I’m not entirely sure about the rules either when it comes to work.
 
Jasonmuir737 said:
My letter states I must also produce my work id badge as well as the letter for it to be valid.
Click to expand...

Aha - cheers - I guess that works (though I'm not sure what extra benefit the letter gives you over the id in that case, unless there are extra security measures on the letter)
 
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