The RIGHT way to prep a game for shipping

fizgig

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After shipping many, many games the last few months i've noticed a lot of different techniques. Let's just say i've seen really BAD prep, basically nothing done at all, to half-ass prep, 1 or 2 layers of shrink wrap to really GOOD prep, like the photos shown below. Some pix of the various prepping here: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=183074

I have had very good success shipping door to door with Precision Transportation using STI and North American Van Lines. However a few games did not arrive safely with wheels broken off, scratches to the cabinets, even a chunk gone from the bottom side of one.

It does take some effort, i know because i've shipped a bunch of pinball machines over the last few years. They are heavy and expensive so they need to be bomb proof. Most vids aren't in the same price range, but some of the nicer/rarer games are. But even cheaper games deserve some love and i would hope they would get this kind of attention. Especially if you factor in $4-$500+ for shipping.

A BIG thanks to Chris Rhoades for the amazing prep job on these games i just received.

Step 1: shrink wrap and zip tie keys to joystick or tape on after step 2
Step 2: 3-4+ Layers of shrink wrap
Step 3: Cardboard Corner protectors on sides and control panel
Step 4: 2-3 Layers of shrink wrap to hold protectors
Step 5: Cardboard around entire machine (refrigerator box works well)
Step 6: 2-3 Layers of shrink wrap to hold cardboard (Chris even wrote NO FORK on 3 sides and TRUCK THIS SIDE on the back)

When shipping pinball machines i'd recommend going a few more steps (removing pinballs, strapping to a pallet, wrapping legs, etc.)

I know i'm probably missing something, so if anyone would like to add to this prep guide, please do.
 

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After shipping many, many games the last few months i've noticed a lot of different techniques. Let's just say i've seen really BAD prep, basically nothing done at all, to half-ass prep, 1 or 2 layers of shrink wrap to really GOOD prep, like the photos shown below. Some pix of the various prepping here: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=183074

I have had very good success shipping door to door with Precision Transportation using STI and North American Van Lines. However a few games did not arrive safely with wheels broken off, scratches to the cabinets, even a chunk gone from the bottom side of one.

It does take some effort, i know because i've shipped a bunch of pinball machines over the last few years. They are heavy and expensive so they need to be bomb proof. Most vids aren't in the same price range, but some of the nicer/rarer games are. But even cheaper games deserve some love and i would hope they would get this kind of attention. Especially if you factor in $4-$500+ for shipping.

A BIG thanks to Chris Rhoades for the amazing prep job on these games i just received.

Step 1: shrink wrap and zip tie keys to joystick or tape on after step 2
Step 2: 3-4+ Layers of shrink wrap
Step 3: Cardboard Corner protectors on sides and control panel
Step 4: 2-3 Layers of shrink wrap to hold protectors
Step 5: Cardboard around entire machine (refrigerator box works well)
Step 6: 2-3 Layers of shrink wrap to hold cardboard (Chris even wrote NO FORK on 3 sides and TRUCK THIS SIDE on the back)

When shipping pinball machines i'd recommend going a few more steps (removing pinballs, strapping to a pallet, wrapping legs, etc.)

I know i'm probably missing something, so if anyone would like to add to this prep guide, please do.

Yea all is good but you should not run your cardboard all the way down, the lift driver cannot see the pallet and can hit you game or at the very least tear your cardboard.
 
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