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Moving house with Pinball Machines

JAG555

JAG555

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5Years
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Messages
2,990
Location
Essex, UK
Evening,

I am after some advice and experiences from any of you that have moved house with your pinball machine(s).

We look to be moving to a new house in a couple of months. I have a small Games Room currently with 3 pinball machines and 3 arcade machines.

My initial plan (and still current plan) was to hire a Luton can and move them myself, with a mate. I don’t trust the moving companies to move them and take care of them.

So I guess my question is, what have other people done?

Did you move them yourselves?

Did you get the moving company to do it?

Did you get someone specific to move them for you?

Thanks.
 
When I moved last year I only had to move one machine, an EM where the head came off. I got the moving guys to move it. I took the head and legs off myself and gave them clear instructions of how I wanted it moved and they did it, even put a padded bag over the head to give the backglass some protection. They also took it down a flight of stairs no hassle.

Obviously that was a £650 already tatty EM and if I was moving multiple expensive machines I might approach it differently. If you don’t trust the movers or want to do some decorating in your new pinroom before moving them in, you could hire a storage unit for a month or two or leave them with a trusted friend who has space. Then you can move them in your own time.
 
I did it myself from London to West Wales, think I had 4 pins and about 8 arcades. Hardest part was my aquarium😖

I rented out two 7.5 ton trucks, I drove one and the bro in law drove the other. That was 24 years ago, not sure I would be able to do that so easily now though.

No dramas, could even drive one of the trucks into my garage and close the door😂
 
I had 2 machines upstairs. The removal company just took it in their stride and got them downstairs into the removal van.
 
we regularly take 9/10 pins to shows from people's houses using a Luton van with a tail lift. If it's a flat run it's a one man job, but if stairs are going to be involved you need help
 
I moved 5 years ago with 7 machines. I wrapped them like I was shipping them overseas with blankets and cardboard and pallet wrap. Got the removal company to move them. Emphasised the importance and the fragility of them. Watched them like a hawk load and unload. Told them not bash them or touch anything when lowering them down on the pallet truck.
They totally underestimated the amount of **** I had and had to come back with a bigger lorry. 😆
 
I loaded my machines onto the moving guys van myself, then let them load the rest of my belongings.
At the other end, they unloaded everything bar the pins which I unloaded myself.

That way if they got damaged it was my own fault.
 
I moved my 3 myself John, with a Luton.
Just make sure the van is decent before you take it away from wherever you hire it from.
The one they tried to give me had the rails that you strap to, hanging off.
Other than that, as long as it's got a tail lift and access is easy at both ends you will be able to manage yourself, if not I'm sure there's plenty of guys around you to give you a hand.
Hope the move goes well buddy.
 
I sent three to @cooldan and had one go with the movers. Due to the terrible access available in the day, they carried it down a flight of outside stairs crying at the weight and pain whilst I shouted to look after my machine.
My experience was to treat them as separate as you can from the rest of the move. But they can go in the same van.
 
Thanks for the replies, looks like a mixture of both. The other issue I should have mentioned is they will need a third lorry (yes, we have a lot of sh*t), so that is at least another £1k.

Plus, we are only moving about a mile up the road, with great access. So I am leaning towards getting a Luton and a mate.

Anyone had any damage stories with movers?
 
JAG555 said:
Thanks for the replies, looks like a mixture of both. The other issue I should have mentioned is they will need a third lorry (yes, we have a lot of sh*t), so that is at least another £1k.

Plus, we are only moving about a mile up the road, with great access. So I am leaning towards getting a Luton and a mate.

Anyone had any damage stories with movers?
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I have had damage when I moved from England to northern Ireland,, not from a pin but furniture an antique kitchen thing. What I can say is the insurance is absolutely worthless, for claims they want the original receipt and then they deduct wear and tear and make it so difficult you just give up. Best to look at insurance separately.
 
My move was odd. They over estimated the requirement and so one van was packed incorrectly so things moved and did suffer damage. And the access was terrible, in the dark and rushed as we were held waiting until very late afternoon.
We were at the stage of the vans taking our stuff away for overnight storage and additional cost, when I brokered a cash deal for them to unload via French doors into one empty room in the house.
The rest of the house was in such disarray that their movers may have started packing up our stuff.

By this stage, any damage in driving or moving had to be ignored or risk higher costs.

By 19:00 we were in. The sellers left after 01:00 and a room full of their stuff. We laugh about it now…

IMG_1461.webp
 
I've moved a couple of times with pins and arcades and always done it myself with a tail lift Luton. One time it was direct from old house to new house and another time from a storage unit to new house. If I was going to use someone else then I'd probably see if it's something Martin would be up for rather than using a normal moving company but it probably depends on how much you trust your movers :thumbs:
 
I always injure my back if I even move one machine, so I can't even think about the horror if I ever do finally get to move house 🙄
 
I sold mine for cash so I had one less thing to worry about.
It's six months later and I'm still pinless, not recommended!
 
OTRawrior said:
I sold mine for cash so I had one less thing to worry about.
It's six months later and I'm still pinless, not recommended!
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I will never get another Big Buck Hunter as nice as my one (I am not sure one exists) and then Star Wars LE is rare. I also have a refurbished Fish Tales, which I did think about selling before the move, but decided to take it.
 
Always moved myself , and close family, with a mate or 2 and a 7.5 ton lorry, no real need for a tail lift (even with luton) as everything comes off at carry height. My medium wheelbase transit can take 6 pinballs on their bases or at least 8 tombstoned
 
Wayne J said:
I loaded my machines onto the moving guys van myself, then let them load the rest of my belongings.
At the other end, they unloaded everything bar the pins which I unloaded myself.

That way if they got damaged it was my own fault.
Click to expand...
I bet no bungees were involved? 🫣
 
Kenny Taylor said:
Yep, wrap them like you are going to sell them would be my advise.
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If you see the state of some of the ‘wrapping’ I have had games come delivered to me, that might not be the best advice!

Some people think just a ratchet strap is all the wrapping you need!
 
honestly haven’t got a clue who i got it off mate. I’m terrible at remembering. Been so many over the years. I could trawl my PM’s but I’ll save him the embarrassment
 
Spandangler said:
honestly haven’t got a clue who i got it off mate. I’m terrible at remembering. Been so many over the years. I could trawl my PM’s but I’ll save him the embarrassment
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I normally get a panic call from @Will2.0 ….. ‘ Agggh nightmare , have you got any shrink wrap and straps. I’ve only got clingfilm and a length of hosepipe ‘ 😅
 
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