FedEx or UPS

[petcmc]

I have had the last 4 slots shipped to me via FedEx. Every one of them have either arrived DOA or case cracked like the Liberty Bell. All have gone through Chicago hub. Any troughs / comments? Move to UPS?

Thank You

Peter

[TheFatman]

The best shipper is yourself ..... if that cant happen, allow Con-Way to ship. But I only can attest to the issue when they actually package it. I got 2 slots from Morphy's in Las Vegas. They were supposed to ship on their truck to Denver PA. but they missed the truck and they took care of shipping right to my house since they made a mistake. They arranged the packing and shipping. The 2 slots came to me, better packed than any other slots I have had shipped. They were so well packed that nothing could make them move around. Shipping slots is expensive and I usually try only to buy slots I can pick up myself.
Dave F

[sam2002]

Never had an issue with fedex . You have to pack em right . I agree with Dave no movement !

[marsonion]

I beg to... "gently" disagree. "No movement" would imply "sudden impact," which isn't a good thing... you need a "soft" deceleration upon impact, so your brains don't get splattered across the inside of the shipping carton. Four out of five engineers agree!

[JHSS-1944]

Seems over the past year or so , "ALL" the typical shippers on the don't use list. Even on e-ban , some sellers state this is how I'll ship it to you, No other way.... because of their"recent" experiences.
most now days is "Cash & carry only" on there.
now on the other hand... I was able to get some great deals on "local" machines , because they refused to ship, even though they listed everywhere.
seems like a Green light for highest bosses of these shippers to just get it there, we'll pay the claims later (who cares).

jeff H.

[saloonkpr]

The BEST way to get your slots delivered in one piece is ! Pack well.. 2 MOST IMPORTANT Put them in a box ( I use boxes from work that heavy items were shipped in ) These boxes have hand holds cut out on the side. All shipper has to do is put hands in lift and place.. Never Had ANY Problems.. UPS has a Worst Record

[cpdretired]

About five years ago I had a vintage pinball machine delivered by Fed Ex. The day of delivery I stayed home so I wouldn't miss the delivery. It was getting late in the day maybe around 5PM. So I checked the tracking and found that it was delivered. I walked out the front door to find it sitting in the middle of the driveway. No knock at the door or ringing of the door bell.
I have never had any complaints with UPS.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

We are no longer living in a time period, that we can expect safe handling & delivery practices from most anyone.
Both UPS and FedEx have become a horror-story to many. I used UPS for many years, with only one bad experience,
because the shipper didn't pack & protect the glass portion properly. My other methods were with Gene Sandberg,
when it came to shipping from VCA auctions, and especially Victorian Uprights from customer restorations. They were
all blanket-wrapped, and delivered to the shop. I also used United Air Freight, which I crated and strapped to a small
pallet, which was the request of Stan Harris, whom I had restored many high-dollar machines for. Not one problem.
The only bad experience that I recall, was in the late 80's, when a customer sent me a Mills cast iron "Liberty Bell" to
be restored. He worked for Greyhound, (out of state), and chose to ship with them, because he would pay minimal
price for packing & shipping. I had a tentative delivery date, which didn't happen. After numerous phone calls, and his
checking the system for about two weeks, finally discovered that it was sitting at a terminal in the opposite direction.
Guess no one knew where California was! By luck, it did arrive without damage, and made the return trip without any
problems, but it was a nail-biter, regardless. One very reliable company to use now-a-days, is Craters and Freighters.
I have not had, or heard of any bad instances with them, regarding broken machines. They have services and locations
all across the U.S. Their home office is in Golden, Colorado. My local branch, is near SFO Airport. There are also a few
other good methods at this time, that collectors have used. But my suggestions at this time, is to NEVER use UPS or
FedEx, to handle a slot machine. "This Side Up", and "Fragile" means nothing to them. If there is a way to destroy it,
they know how. I haven't had any bad experiences with trade stimulators as yet, as long as they are packed properly.
But, I have also used our good-ole U.S.Postal Service for them as well, with only two small problems, because the
customer did not pack properly. I won't bore you with those. One was plain stupidity.

[petcmc]

Thanks for comments on this!!! - Peter

[oldpinguy]

I have posted this advice before, but hoping it helps someone avoid a heartbreak, I'm posting it again;

Done this only a couple times, but it works. I built a sturdy wooden box big enough for most machines, with a top that screws down with a dozen screws, Depending on the machine, I added styrofoam pieces in the box to pack around the machine. I opened my own FedEx account (no cost to do so). I ask the seller if I can send him a box and prepaid label for shipping, and have the machine picked up at his door. Most are delighted to save the hassle of finding packaging materials and a trip to the shipper. I then go to FedEx on-line and create a Return Shipment. They send the seller an email with the label to print. Now, I take one of my least favorite CDs and throw it in the box, screw down the lid, and take it to the post office marked MEDIA MAIL. The box weighs 28 lbs and the media weighs 2.8 OZ, but USPS doesn't care, and they ship it to the seller for usually less than $15. When he gets the box, all he has to do is unscrew the lid, put the machine inside with styrofoam, and maybe add some extra bubble wrap etc around it, screw the top back on, and wait for FedEx to come by and pick it up. Last one was a few years ago, but the FedEx was $90, or less. So, save time, save money, and mitigate damage. Here is a picture of the box.

I wouldn't try this with UPS (OOPs!) though. They are quite capable of finding a way to break it anyway. Maybe like that guy in the insurance commercial throwing things off the back of a pick-up truck speeding down the highway. They are practiced at the art of destruction and it is apparently just the kind of thing they like to do to amuse themselves. They have mastered the art of the "corner drop" to inflict maximum damage.

Stan