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Information on this page is subject to change without notice, and may not necessarily be current. If you have any questions, please e-mail us.
Game Shipping Info
Shipping of pinball machines, video games, and other game room items is available within the U.S. and to some international customers.
Information below applies to games sold and shipped within the U.S. only. If you are located outside the U.S., please read our International Game Sales page for important information on shipping, customs, warranty, and other details that apply to games sold and shipped outside the U.S.
Page Contents:
 Game Packaging Services & Costs:
If you require shipping, we can professionally package your game for shipping before it leaves our shop- whether it's being shipped by our shipper, or your own. Our packing services are of course optional, (see below), but strongly recommended to add safety to your game while it's being
handled and shipped to you.
Packaging of the game is the most crucial step in game shipment, and will determine how well the game is protected, and how well it will survive the shipping process. Most dealers don't care about how a game is packed once they've got your money, and will do only the bare minimum possible to "get it out the door". Once we've sold a game, we treat it like we still own it!
 Click here for a picture of how NOT to pack a pinball machine! (Would you buy one of these games?)
Available Packaging Services:
- Game Palletting: $35 and up
The charge for our Game Palletting service is added either to the actual freight cost, or as a separate charge if you are using your own shipper.
Palleting of any game is mandatory if being shipped from our shop. We will not run the risk of sending out a game unless it is up-off-the-ground on a proper pallet, so that it can be safely moved around by shipper's forklifts and pallet jacks. To send out a game that does not have a pallet under it is simply foolish and reckless, and will will not run this risk for any game or any customer.
A custom pallet can be made and added to any boxed game (game packaged in factory carton) for $35. This includes band-strapping of the box to the pallet.
For odd-shaped games or games not sealed in a factory pinball carton, costs may be more, due to size and materials/labor required.
- Standard Game Packaging Service: $100
The charge for our Standard Game Packaging service is added either to the actual freight cost, or as a separate charge if you are using your own shipper.
Includes:
- Full game breakdown & any other necessary disassembly.
- Packaging of game parts/accessories and spare parts & supplies.
- Stretch-wrapping of entire game to protect against dust, dirt, and moisture.
- Extra stretch-wrapping to help prevent "cardboard burn" to the game during transit.
- Band-strapping of pinball games for added security and to ease in removal after delivery.
- Game sealed in factory shipping carton, including internal carton padding/packing.
- Custom-made pallet built to size. Gets the game up off the floor avoiding damage by forklifts and hand-trucks.
- Minimum 4-point band-strapping of packaged game to pallet for added security.
- Game Setup & Assembly Guide.
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NOTE: On brand new games that are purchased as-is ("NIB", or sealed and unopened from factory), no packaging will be added inside the carton, as this would require opening/unsealing the box to access the game. Contact us if you are buying a game in this manner and have any questions or concerns.
Our standard game packaging is the minimum that we feel necessary to properly and safely package a game for shipping. Out track record proves it- in the last 10 years of shipping dozens of games each year, we have had only 2 very minor superficial damage issues caused by shipper mishandling- both easily and fully repairable. NO moderate damage, NO major damage, and NO total losses.
That's over a 99% chance of trouble-free shipping when you buy from us and use our Standard Game Packaging Service.
When it comes to packaging, most other dealers will do far less- anything from no packaging at all, to maybe a couple of layers of old cardboard boxes wrapped around the game and left sitting on the bare ground. Simply put, anything less than our Standard service is just "cheap"- something that there is no room for when it comes to properly protecting your game for shipping. When spending a few thousand dollars on a good quality pinball or arcade game, the cost for our Standard packaging service should be the minimum you'd want to invest to help protect your game- it's just good common sense.
- Premier Game Packaging Service: $225 and up
Cost for our Premier Game Packaging Service is added either to the actual freight cost, or as a surcharge if you are using your own shipper.
Includes:
- All features of our Standard Game Packaging Service (above).
- Additional custom-made wood crating around your packaged game.
- Palletting and band-strapping of packaged & crated game.
The addition of custom-built wood-crating around your packaged game adds yet another level of protection during transit. In addition to our Premier rate, the actual freight costs required to ship your game will increase by a small amount, to reflect the added weight of the wood crating added to your packaged game.
For larger or odd-sized games, rates for our Premier service may be higher, due to additional materials and time required for the wood-crating.
If you are interested in our Premier service, please contact us and we can provide an exact cost, which varies depending on the game's size and weight, and shipping destination.
- No Packaging: $0
Our packaging services are of course optional, but strongly recommended in order to add safety to the game while it is being transported.
We will not ship a game ourselves, if it is not packaged. So if you do not wish to have your game packaged before shipping, you must provide your own shipper or agent who can pick up the game for you, in person, from our shop. We are always happy to recommend some shippers that you can contact to make your arrangements with. See the section below on Using Your Own Shipper for more info.
You will be soley and completely responsible for making the pickup and shipping arrangements, and for the care and safety of the game after it leaves our shop. We will not be responsible for any damage or loss in any way. Our warranty does not cover any damage resulting from shipping a game in unpackaged condition.
Game Shipping Services & Costs:
Once your game has been packaged or is otherwise ready to leave our shop, there are several options for the actual shipping and delivery of your game to you.
We can arrange for shipping to you, using a preferred shipper of our choice, or you can use your own shipper. Some shippers we have worked with over the years now offer us discounted rates, which we pass along to you. Therefore we can offer very competitive shipping rates.
Actual freight costs to ship a game can vary from shipper to shipper, and on several variables:
- Game's exact size and weight (including packing materials)
- Destination (where, or how far, the game is going)
- Delivery options (dockside pickup, curbside drop-off, or in-home service)
- How fast (ground, air, overnight, etc.)
- Insurance (where/when available)
Most games we ship within the U.S. tend to be in the range of $250 to $350 each, on the average, including packaging costs.
If you would like a quote for shipping, please e-mail us with the game you are interested in, and your full shipping address (with zip code), and we can usually get a shipping quote for you on the same, or next business day.
Shipping Services:
Available shipping services are listed below, in order of cost- from least-expensive on up. Please note that not all services may be available through all shippers, or in all areas. Contact us for exact details before finalizing your game purchase.
- Dockside Pickup: This is usually the least-expensive method for shipping. The game is shipped to the freight dock nearest your area, where you pick up in person. Most packaged games will fit in a pickup truck, minivan, or SUV.
- Dockside Drop-off: (Commercial Customers) Game is transported to your location and dropped off at your dock. This option is usually for business or buildings that have a standard elevated truck freight dock.
- Curbside Drop-off: (Residential Customers) Game is transported to your location and dropped off "curbside", from a truck with a lift gate. This option is usually for most homes or locations in residential areas.
- In-Home Delivery: Game is transported to your location, taken off truck, and brought inside your home or building. Many carriers offering this service will also unpack the game for you, and take away the packing materials for you. This is the most expensive shipping option, and costs vary considerably based on game size/weight and other variables.
Please note that the process of Game Assembly & Setup is up to you, and most shippers are not able or allowed to do any work with your game. Shippers are just that- shippers- and may not be familliar with pinball or arcade video games, or may not be mechanically inclined at all, so please do not count on shippers to help you set up and get your game going. We include game setup instructions with all games we ship, and this process can often be done easily by 1 or 2 persons, and a few simple hand-tools. For full details on what is involved in setting up your game after you have received it, see our Game Setup & Assembly guides.
Using Your Own Shipper:
You are welcome to use your own shipper, or other person(s), to pick your game up at our shop and transport it to you.
Contact us if you need measurements and weight for any game(s) you are interested in purchasing. Shippers will need this information in order to give you a shipping quote. Don't forget to ask about shipping insurance, which may or may not be available (or claimable), depending on how safely your game is packaged for shipment.
There is a lot more to shipping a game than just calling someone to "come get it". We can't make you a game shipping or packaging expert overnight (we have over 25 years experience in the business) but if you are familliar with making freight packing/shipping arrangements for items like pinball machines and video games on your own, or if you already have your own shipper or are otherwise comfortable arranging this service on your own, then this option may be for you.
If you are uncertain in any way about the packing and shipping process or are unsure about what must be done for your game to arrive safely and undamaged, then it's best to leave packing and shipping up to those with experience. Contact us if you need any further information- we're always glad to help.
If you do not have a shipper in mind, we can recommend the following commercial carriers:
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We use Pilot Air Freight almost exclusively for all of our game shipments. They provide worldwide service, and depending on the exact geographic location, can usually provide door-to-door service, and even in-home delivery. They do ground (truck) freight, air freight, and sea shipments.
Contact Pilot Air Freight in the U.S. at 1-800-447-4568. Or online at: www.pilotair.com
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North American Van Lines provide door-to-door pickup and delivery, as well as in-home delivery services. We have not used NAVL ourselves, as they are typically more expensive, but depending on your location, they may be the right choice for the services you require.
Contact NAVL in the U.S. at 1-800-823-0392. Or online at: www.navl.com
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FedEx Freight services may also be another option for pickup and delivery of your game. We have not used FedEx Freight, but you can check with them regarding their available services and costs.
Contact FedEx Freight in the U.S. at 1-800-463-3399. Or online at: www.fedexfreight.com
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PLEASE NOTE that we are not responsible for any shipping problems that you might encounter in arranging your own shipping services, if you choose to use one of our recommended shippers above. Customers should be aware that commercial shippers simply move freight from one location to another, and the amount of care, or safety, that any shipped item receives, is mostly dependant on how well it is packaged before it is turned over to any freight company. Beyond that, the best choice for the actual shipping is any company that serves your area, and your needs, in a timeframe and at a price that are acceptable to you. In all our years in this business, we have never found any shipping company that "gives better service" than any other. So go with the shipper that works best for your particular needs. For more information on proper game packaging for shipping, see the Game Packaging Services & Costs section above.
You will be soley and completely responsible for making the pickup and shipping arrangements, and for the care and safety of the game after it leaves our shop. We will not be responsible for any damage, loss, delays, or any other problems with shipping in any way, if you are making your own arrangements. Our game warranty does not cover any damage resulting from shipping problems.
Shipping Time Estimates:
Most games we ship by ground within the continental U.S. take approximately 2 to 5 business days to arrive after they have been shipped out from our shop. Expedited shipping is also often available (air freight) through most carriers, at additional cost, which can be quicker. Most shippers, however, will not guarantee a delivery time, so please check with us before making your purchase if you have a deadline and need a game delivered by a certain date/time.
The time it takes us to package a game and get it ready to leave our shop (after it has been paid for in full) is usually 1 to 2 business days, but may vary depending on our shop workload or time of year. The busy Christmas season is our busiest time of year, so we recommend to most customers to allow 2 weeks for the shipping process during this busy time (November through mid-December).
Please note that game payment must be made and paid in full (including any checks clearing the bank) before any game can be shipped or picked up from our shop. See our Game Payment Policy page for more details.
Shipment Tracking:
When your game is shipped out, we will contact you with a shipment number that can be used to track the shipment on the way to you. We will also provide you with the phone number of the shipping company, so you can contact them if you have any questions about shipment tracking or delivery schedule.
Game Setup:
Setting up most games after they have been shipped is usually a rather simple process, and requires 1 or 2 people, and a few simple hand tools. We include setup instructions with all games we ship, and you can also find instructions online (with pictures) on our Game Setup & Assembly page.
Please note that most shippers are not able or allowed to do any work with your game, after they have delivered it. Shippers are just that- shippers- and may not be familliar with pinball or arcade video games, or may not be mechanically inclined at all, so please do not count on shippers to help you set up and get your game going.
If you'd prefer to have someone move and/or set the game up for you, you may find someone in your local area that can do the job. Check your local Yellow Pages phone directory under "Amusement Devices" or "Pinball" to see if anyone can assist you. Additionally, you may find someone in the business, or hobby, in the Mr. Pinball Collector Register which is an online listing of pinball collectors, repair persons, and enthusiasts all around the world.
Feel free to contact us for any further information or if you have any questions.
Shipping Insurance:
Shipping insurance for the value of the game is usually available through most shippers on brand new games, as well as used/reconditioned games that are warranted by our shop. Some commercial shippers may not insure a used pinball machine or other "arcade" type game, that is not warranted.
Insurance covers only the game itself (repair or replacement up to declared value). Insurance does not cover freight costs (to or from).
Insurance Cost:
Insurance costs vary from shipper to shipper, and are based on the value of the game and often the type of game. Most insurance costs average between $20 and $30 per game. Contact us if you need an exact insurance quote.
Insurance is optional, but is offered with Shipping Costs that we quote to you before making your purchase. If you wish to decline insurance, or if the game we are shipping to you is not warranted (and thus, may not insurable), you will be financially responsible for covering any damage or loss, on your own, that might occur to the game during, or after, shipping.
For additional protection of your game during shipment, you may select one of our Game Packaging Services listed above.
Insurance/Damage Claims:
Rest assured that whenever our Game Packaging Services are used before shipping, it is very rare that any damage will occur to your game during shipping. We have only had shipping-related damage issues with less than 1% of the games we have shipped over the years. So your game effectively has over a 99% chance of arriving safely.
But in the rare event that you do receive an insured game that appears to have been damaged by the shipper during shipping, take the following steps, then contact us immediately:
- Before signing the shipping bill (for receipt of the shipment), have the shipper note on the shipping bill, exact details of the damage to the carton and/or game (from what is visible from outside the carton, and through any openings in the packaging) before the carton is opened. And that these observations are made before you have taken receipt of the shipment and before the shipment has been opened/unpacked. And always in the presence of the shipping company representative. Be sure that both you, and the shipper, have a copy of the shipping bill, as noted.
(The shipper will not allow you to open the carton/packaging until the shipment has been signed for (indicating receipt of shipment), so make as many possible notations on the shipping bill before signing the bill. And be sure to note that these notations were made before signing for the shipment, and in the presence of the shipping company representative.)
- If damage appears to be extensive, or unacceptable to you due to extent of damage (unrepairable, or not easily repairable), you may choose to refuse the shipment. Have the shipper contact us about sending the game back to our shop. DO NOT sign anything if you choose to refuse the shipment.
- If you choose to accept the shipment and sign for it, have the shipper stay with you while you open and inspect the contents of the container for any additional damage that was not visible before opening. Have the shipper note any further damage on the shipping bill, and indicate that it was discovered after signing for shipment, and opening the carton, and that it was done so in the presence of the shipping company representative.
- If it is possible to take any photos of the damage and forward to us, please do so, so that we can accurately assess the damage and determine what needs to be done (repaired/replaced) or what adjustment might be needed to the value of the game.
After these steps, please contact us, and we will contact the shipper about getting a damage claim filed and in process, and examine repair or replacement options.
The above steps apply only to games that are shipped insured, and shipped directly from our shop, by us. This info does not apply to any shipments that are not insured or that you use your own shipper for.
Shipping Terms and Conditions:
Games that are sold and shipped-out/picked-up from our shop are sold only under the following conditions:
- Delivery Times/Schedules: Most shippers can deliver your game within 2 to 6 days time, depending on your exact location, but we obviously cannot guarantee the shipper's own schedule, or guarantee against any unforseen delays. If you need a game delivered by a guaranteed date, check with us before making your purchase, or purchase well in advance to allow for extra time for potential delays, bad weather, holidays, etc. We cannot guarantee the shipper's pick up or delivery schedule. You are responsible for dealing with the shipper on your own after the game has left our shop- we have no control over the shipper's schedule or their correlation with your schedule.
- Pick-Up or Delivery Delays/Changes: In the rare event that there is a delay or change in the shipper's schedule regarding the delivery of your game, we are glad to help wherever possible, but it is best for you to deal directly with the shipper themselves, since the game has already left our shop and has been turned over to them for delivery to your location. On games that we arrange shipping for, we will provide you with the shipper's contact phone number, and tracking number, before the game leaves our shop. The shipper will also have your contact phone number.
- Payment: Full payment includes sale price of game, any packaging fees, actual freight costs, any insurance costs, and any additional delivery service fees- a total of which will be quoted to customer before the sale. Payment must be made in full before game can leave our shop. See the Game Payment page for additional details.
- Returns, Exchanges, and Trade-Ins: See our Returns & Trade-Ins page for our policy on returns, exchanges, refunds, and trade-ins.
- Warranty: Most games we sell are warranted, unless otherwise noted. Warranted games that we ship out of town come with only a Limited Warranty. For more details on game warranty, see our Game Warranty Info page. Damage or misadjustments to the game that may occur during shipping are not covered under game warranty, and must be handled separately. See the section above on Shipping Insurance for more info.
- Set Up: For games that are shipped, customer is fully responsible for properly setting up game after it arrives, and any other required assembly. See our section on Pinball Machine Assembly and Setup. We are not responsible for any damage or inoperability of the game due to improper set up. See the Warranty page for additional details.
- Cold Weather: With shipping an electronic game (or any electronic device) in cold weather, the game should be allowed to warm up to room temperature (65 degrees Fahrenheit or more) before power is applied. Not doing so may risk unnecessary damage to the game. We recommend 1 to 2 hours warm up time. See the Warranty page for additional details.
- Working Condition: Games that are shipped are sold as fully working and in condition described to customer and as shown in any pictures provided to customer, and leave our premises in said condition. Once the game leaves our premises, it's out of our hands. We are not responsible for damage or misadjustments to the game that may occur in shipping. See the Warranty page for additional details.
- Damage: See the section above on Shipping Insurance for details.
- Inspection: We advise immediately unpacking the game upon receipt to inspect for any possible damage. Do this in the presence of the shipper, if at all possible. If any damage is present, follow the directions above in the Shipping Insurance section, and contact us immediately.
- Adjustments/Repair: Buyer is aware that game may require some adjustment upon delivery due to
normal effects of transportation such as vibration, shifting, or handling. Buyer is responsible for any adjustments or repair to the game after shipping, and any costs involved. Such adjustments or repair are NOT covered under game warranty or shipping insurance. See the Warranty page for additional details.
- Storage: We charge a storage fee for any games that are waiting to be picked up, or picked up for shipping. Any applicable storage fees must be paid in full before game can leave our shop. See our page on Game Storage Policy for exact details. We are not responsible for any storage fees incurred if your game is not picked up on time, or if a shipment is missed due to storage fees not being paid.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- We charge a storage fee for any games that are paid for and waiting to be picked up. See our Game Storage Policy for exact details. We are not responsible for any storage fees incurred if your game is not picked up on time- your schedule, or your shipper's schedule are not within our control.
- Game must be paid for in full (any checks must clear bank) before it may leave our shop. See our Game Payment Policy for more details.
- Any applicable storage fees must be paid for in full before game may leave our shop. See our Game Storage Policy for more details.
Since our shop space is very limited, and since we are not a storage facility, we are very strict on our Game Storage Policy. Please see our Game Storage Policy for exact details!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
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Game Sales Information
