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Pinball courier prep

McFly88

McFly88

Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
193
Location
Fife
Alias
Nate
I have a machine being picked up by Martin next week and just realised that everyone expects their new machine packaged up a little differently.

I generally don’t mind how they arrive as long as they arrive in the same condition I expected.

Is there an expected norm for prepping a machine and getting it ready for Martin?
 
depending on the game I tend to wrap with plastic cling film the game and the legs. put foam around the head and then strap with a pallet strap

Neil.
 
The bottom of the machines I find get damaged alot - especially new sterns. It is hard to protect this - but I always put a blanket or cardboard on the floor when I unload off vehicle.

On a 90s Bally/Williams with a load of knocks I generally strap, pallet wrap and card board around the backbox. I now stick cardboard across all backboxes. So easy to knock thru door frames.

These things are not cheap now. Even those 90s bally williams.

The blankets are also a great idea (thank you @Supersprint - did not realise they are that cheap).
 
Ratchet strap, Edge protectors, layers of bubblewrap and cardboard where it gets sack trucked.

Every driver makes a mistake so best to make sure, especially with higher end price range.

Take f’ing ages though🍻
D67D7734-8F00-4E6E-9DE0-0FDE80695AD6.jpeg
 
M4carp said:
Ratchet strap, Edge protectors, layers of bubblewrap and cardboard where it gets sack trucked.

Every driver makes a mistake so best to make sure, especially with higher end price range.

Take f’ing ages though🍻
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Takes ages but is worth it Dave. Most folk sadly cannot be ****d and rely on Martin to take care of things with the minimum of effort on their behalf. I use Hadfields, have done for years without any problems as i and others don`t want to wait forever for Martin to turn up. You are always better putting in the work to protect whatever age of pinball you are moving.
 
John Beveridge said:
Takes ages but is worth it Dave. Most folk sadly cannot be ****d and rely on Martin to take care of things with the minimum of effort on their behalf. I use Hadfields, have done for years without any problems as i and others don`t want to wait forever for Martin to turn up. You are always better putting in the work to protect whatever age of pinball you are moving.
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Hopefully Hadfields will be here this coming week, Marks old BOP is going to Manchester not the one in the pic though. That one went to a barcode up your way😎
 
My Creech - wrapped snug in some carpet offcuts courtesy of @Garry Sp8 - clear unwrapping instructions also sent which was much appreciated by a newbie. Hadfields delivered incident free.
 

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I have to wrap it really well and make sure that is protected. I use bubble wrap, cardboard, strap and then pallet wrap.

It annoys me when people don’t take the effort to wrap it properly, it’s just plain lazy!

This was my last one……

65F07E27-1EF8-4B37-8D9E-6E330B473439.jpeg
 
Thank you everyone for the advice and examples.

I was on the right track after all ha! Although I have taken the coin box out too as it seemed a little too shaky for me to trust.
 
Hey, sorry to revive an old thread, but this is about the best of the ones i can find on the subject.

I have a few questions, regarding a (potential) ship from the UK to Hong Kong:

  1. It seems like you people transport them vertical, rather than horizontal - any particular reason, other than ease?
  2. For overseas shipping it will clearly need to be strapped to a pallet of some kind. Does anyone have any experience and wisdom on this? For example:
    1. Wooden or plastic?
    2. I've heard about "mini-pallets", what size are these?
      1. Standard pallet sizes seem to be:
        1. American - 120cm x 100cm
        2. European - 120cm x 80cm
      2. Would you get two standard sized pintables on one pallet? Looks like you might with an American one, but unlikely with a European.
  3. Do shipping companies offer packing service, or will I need to get this organised with a third party?
  4. Any suggestions for:
    1. Shipping company
    2. Packing company (if different)
  5. Anything else I'm potentially not considering which I should be?
Appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks guys. Play on!
 
andymassey said:
It seems like you people transport them vertical, rather than horizontal - any particular reason, other than ease?
Click to expand...
They're designed to be transported upright and folded (or head separate if older games). I'm not sure on the reason for this, except this makes them much easier to move with a trolley. The bottom of a cabinet isn't as solid as the backside.

andymassey said:
For overseas shipping it will clearly need to be strapped to a pallet of some kind. Does anyone have any experience and wisdom on this? For example:
Click to expand...


I've only had one game arrive on a pallet from overseas.

Hope these pics help
20200922_131849.jpg20200922_132045.jpg
 
David_Vi said:
They're designed to be transported upright and folded (or head separate if older games). I'm not sure on the reason for this, except this makes them much easier to move with a trolley. The bottom of a cabinet isn't as solid as the backside.




I've only had one game arrive on a pallet from overseas.

Hope these pics help
Click to expand...

Thanks @David_Vi , yes, very helpful.

I hadn’t really considered the solidity of the bottom vs the back - it’s been a few decades since I last owned a printable! But yes, true.

And the pics seem to show that only one will fit on a pallet, thanks.

Oooft, I’ve just received a quote for packing and shipping to HK - £1,850!!! Ouch. I knew it would be expensive, but not THAT expensive….

I’d be very interested to hear if anyone has any good (and more affordable) international shipping options!
 
Moving them vertically also means they take up less floor space, although long distance shipping Ive seen done by volume so possibly makes no difference.

Guessing that quote is Air Freight? Might be a lot cheaper sourcing a pallet and getting a quote for it already packaged on a pallet.
 
Fantazia2 said:
Moving them vertically also means they take up less floor space, although long distance shipping Ive seen done by volume so possibly makes no difference.

Guessing that quote is Air Freight? Might be a lot cheaper sourcing a pallet and getting a quote for it already packaged on a pallet.
Click to expand...

Yes, that’s true @Fantazia2.

The quote actually didn’t say whether sea or air, but given they were saying 8-10 weeks I imagine sea - another reason I’m so surprised. I’ve requested a breakdown of the price, because, like you say, I’m wondering if I can source someone to pack separately to reduce the cost.

Thanks!
 
Just had a quick play, Pallet via FedEx 5 days delivery roughly £1350 plus insurance (£8k value about £115, only £50 included by default)

Thats for a 1m x 1m Pallet, quoted 200KG (chargeable weight 300Kg guess thats by volume) Max height 178cm
 
Fantazia2 said:
Just had a quick play, Pallet via FedEx 5 days delivery roughly £1350 plus insurance (£8k value about £115, only £50 included by default)

Thats for a 1m x 1m Pallet, quoted 200KG (chargeable weight 300Kg guess thats by volume) Max height 178cm
Click to expand...
I guess with packing cost then that’s likely about the same… But 5 days must be air freight.

Okay, thanks for checking. I’ve not yet lost hope!
 
That quoted pallet size is a bit smaller than a standard size pallet, which would increase the price as well, unless you could find one that size or make/have one made.
 
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