We get this question all the time about how to box/package your playfield for shipping.  Below are some examples (some good and other that I do not recommend).  We ship FedEx ground when we return/ship back a playfield within the USA.  Outside the USA we ship USPS.  UPS is fine but FedEx tends to handle to packages better (less damage).  Shipping a package (approx 50” x 25” x 2”) by FedEx ground or UPS runs about $30-$50 within the USA 48-States.  Shipping a playfield outside the USA ranges $100-$350. 

PLEASE ship your playfield in a quality box.  We have been receiving so many playfields that are only cardboard (no packing material) that tightly fit the playfield and sometimes the playfield has damaged corners because if it.   We can not ship a playfield back without the extra space needed to protect the clear coated restored playfield back safely.  If you ship your playfield back in a box that either is too big or does not offer enough protection for a restored playfield we will charge you extra for a new box.  Boxes are $10 and will fit the average size playfield (not the jumbo 1970’s-1980’s widebodies, like Space Invaders, Haunted House, etc.).

Wood boxes:  Wood boxes, most of the time, can cause more damage to a playfield than the protection that a cardboard box provides.  Wood boxes tend to transmit more shock (vibration or shifting) to the playfield inside the box unless the wood box is lined with a material to shield it from the vibration/shock.  A wood box is also heavier than cardboard so the total mass of the package (box plus playfield) can be a factor when the box is moved along the conveyor belts at UPS/FedEx/USPS, especially when boxes are dropped from conveyor belt to the conveyor belts under it.  The vibration that is transmitted from these wood boxes can cause the playfield to bounce around and cause scuff marks in the clear coat.  We have seen several playfields that have been shipped in a wood box that require additional buffing to remove the shipping damage caused by this vibration that is transmitted during shipping.