Ot: need advice for shipping a table arcade game

So I sold a "Mr. Do" cocktail table style arcade game for $450 and was happy about that.
But since I am too nice to say "no", somehow I got suckered into helping the buyer to ship it. '>  '>  '>

He lined up Fed Ex ground, and they won't prep it, so I am stuck with padding, wapping, etc. for it to be freighted.

I have never done this before, so I need all of your help. I hope I don't have to deal with pallets, etc., but I don't know.
How would you prep it for shipping?

I have some inexpensive, used moving blankts. I could wrap them around and duct tape the blankets (without the tape touching the machine) Then cardboard?

I don't want this to be a huge hassle for me, but I also don't want it arriving at the buyer's place all broken either.

HELP!

[dr galaga]

Ooops, I reread your post and I thought you were looking at FedEx, not that it was a done deal.

I'll still leave this for future reference.  Wasn't there a discussion here a few months ago about this?

- - - - - - -

I have heard good things about North American Van Lines - you don't need to crate it.  I am quoting this from the KLOV (Killer List of Video Games) forum:

Quote

North American Van Lines (NAVL) is really good... they go pick the game up at their door and deliver it to your door. And the prices are very reasonable. To get an exact quote, call Michelle at NAVL: 1-800-959-8880 x2842.

Good luck!

[dr galaga]

Here's how someone palleted a pinball: http://www.myhomegameroom.com/pinball/tech/pallet/

Yea, moving blankets, duct tape and then strap it down in both directions.

[dr galaga]

I was just thinking, you may still want to construct some sort of box around it in case they rest stuff on top of it.  Imagine what would happen if they put a 300 pound cabinet on top of the machine!

[MoonDawg]

Kito finding a used pallet is easy. Your machine would probably travel much safer turned upside down. Legs are removable.   Those cinch down straps are a relatively inexpensive insurance, found at most U Haul or packaging stores.

[Eric]

Kito...
 A friend used FedEx freight for sending his Cav 72 to Canada.
We found a pallet, bought some straps from Wal-Mart, got a few
appliance boxes and some tape, rapped it and they (FedEx) came
to his house and hauled it away...

Eric

[glassbottlesrule]

Just a few thoughts Kito from somebody who has been there.  Make sure the monitor is  good and tight so it doesn't fall out of it's mounts.  On uprights I make a brace to hold the monitor shelf so it doesn't work loose from vibration.  Also make sure the coin box is secure,  I've seen them slam into boards causing havoc.  Make sure the power supply/isolation transformer is screwed down, operators like to not screw them back down after a repair.  If it was me I would strap it to a pallet(really easy to liberate one of these from behind any small shop).  I would wrap my blankets around and cover the blankets with cardboard after the cardboard I would shrinkwrap the snot outta it.  Something else I do on cocktails is cut a hunk of masonite and throw it over the glass top so it doesn't get destroyed.  I know this sounds stupid but make sure to write this end up on it.  Fed Ex frieght has a terrible habit of rearranging stuff I ship from work destroying it.  Good luck.

[johnieG]

here's how I'd ship it, & I'd have to charge the buyer for all materials that weren't salaged from Home depots back dumpster area!

Hey Mark,
I recieved a jukebox that was boxed up on a pallet using rigid insulation board and packing tape.  It worked great!

[sodaworks]

Markito,
  Keep in mind that you can go to Lowe's and buy a sheet of insulation foam. It comes in different thickness's and cuts with a utility knife. This would really help to protect it. '>

Quote (dr galaga @ Aug. 29 2005,10:15)

Ooops, I reread your post and I thought you were looking at FedEx, not that it was a done deal. I'll still leave this for future reference.  Wasn't there a discussion here a few months ago about this? - - - - - - - I have heard good things about North American Van Lines - you don't need to crate it.  I am quoting this from the KLOV (Killer List of Video Games) forum: Quote North American Van Lines (NAVL) is really good... they go pick the game up at their door and deliver it to your door. And the prices are very reasonable. To get an exact quote, call Michelle at NAVL: 1-800-959-8880 x2842. Good luck!

Brent, you are a lifesaver!
I called North American Van Lines and found out that they are based in my hometown of Saint Paul here and they say no palleting or anything, they use packing blankets and straps and move it individually like a moving van for your home.

So I put styrofoam sheets that I had laying around and carboard over the glass top and then wrapped the whole machine with several layers of the stretchy clear wrap stuff.

They came the next day and took it away and I am free and clear of it!
I am so happy. So thanks so much for the suggestion.
$289 from Minnesota to Florida.


Also, thank you all for your great ideas and info.
~Markito

[dr galaga]

Glad I could help out.