Question on shipping for those of you who've had to deal with this.

[evitagen]

Hey guys, I have a question for you guys about shipping a cabinet.

My sister lives a few states away from me and wants to buy one of my arcades from me for her kids christmas present and I'm fine with selling it to her, but I've never had to deal with shipping one of these big things.  Taking it a part just wouldn't work because she wouldn't be able to put it back together.

My question is, where do I go to get this thing shipped?  I'm assuming it would ship via freight but I honestly don't even know where or whom to call.  And do they come to my house to freight it all up, or what?

She's covering the cost for shipping, I just want to ensure nothing gets broken on the way to her.  Would you guys recommend strapping and taping down all of the components?

Any advice on this would help.

Think I'm going to use the money she's giving me to just make a new cab.

[RayB]

Search this board for "NAVL". You have to deal with "Michelle" in order to get the best, proper quote.

[evitagen]

Thank you.  I'll give it a go.  Any other advice from you guys is appreciated.

[evitagen]

One more quick question.  With NAVL, how exactly do I contact this "michelle" person?  I'm sure they have tons of people with that name working for them.  Is there a contact number or something you guys have?

[RayB]

One more quick question.  With NAVL, how exactly do I contact this "michelle" person?  I'm sure they have tons of people with that name working for them.  Is there a contact number or something you guys have?

Follow my instructions and you'll find out.

(hint: there's a button up top that says "SEARCH")

[evitagen]

One more quick question.  With NAVL, how exactly do I contact this "michelle" person?  I'm sure they have tons of people with that name working for them.  Is there a contact number or something you guys have?

Follow my instructions and you'll find out.

(hint: there's a button up top that says "SEARCH")

I did follow your instructions, which is why I had to reply again.  I searched the forums but everything I've found lacked any kind of detail at all.

For example, your post here:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=70352.msg720419#msg720419

The link you provide is old, I'm assuming.  Not to be pedantic, but I do know how to use a forum and search the site.  Either I haven't seen instructions on how to get a good rate with NAVL(other than, call michelle), or the information just isn't there.

I've obviously never shipped freight before and I am unsure if there is a specific number to call when I ask for this "Michelle" person.

[Turnarcades]

Not sure how delivery practices work in the US, but in the UK the ideal solution isto souce a genuine arcade freight company (who deliver fuit machines andother arcade machines exclusively) or to source a 'point-to-point' (man with van) type courier who handle large items like furniture and won't generally move your cabinet between vehicles or through a despatch centre.

These methods sometimes ask you to palletise your goods, but 9 times out of 10 shrink-wrapping is enough.

Trawl the small ads in your local paper or use tried and tested sources like ebay or craigslist for you yanks.

[1UP]

I have done this, and it is a little more complicated than a phone call.  I couldn't find anyone to "freight it up."  You'll need to provide your own packaging.  I had to get a pallet to strap it down to with steel straps (Uline.com for those, and the tensioner and seals you'll need.)  You'll also want to at least pad it with some corner protectors (foam or a few layers of folded over cardboard taped to all the corners) and several layers of plastic wrap and/or a refrigerator-type box to protect the finish.  Then call UPS Freight (find the number on their site.)  It will probably run you at least $200-300 to ship something this bulky and heavy.

Have fun. 

[evitagen]

Thanks for the replies!  Still have a while before I'll need to ship it, but this is good advice.  Sucks that I'll have to put it on a pallet myself, but no big deal.  We have dozens of them everyday at work.

[RayB]

Very first result Googling for "MIchelle" and "NAVL" has NAVL phone number, and her extension:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=michelle+NAVL&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g2g%3As2g4g%3As1g1

[Hogie1418]

I used Navis to ship a cab once... pretty expensive if I rememeber right... around $400... Cabinet arrived in great shape though