Question about shipping a folder

[Dynocoaster]

I am selling a folder and need to ship, but the shipping prices on some shipping sites are prohibitive. I am shipping in the USA any help would be appreciated, I tried a search but couldnt find anything.

[jur]

I bought a Swift frame from Peter Reich; it came in a home-made but sturdy box made from an original Xootr Swift box. So that's what i would do: build a sturdy box which will be able to be handled by USPS size restrictions. Carefully pack the folder, disassembled, in there and send it. Or you could go to a bike shop and ask for a folder bike box.

[CHenry]

Call a LBS and offer to buy a bike box. Alternatively, go to a shipping store and have them box the bike for you. You can get counter rates from FedEx Ground at most of their local depots, the same is true for UPS. Some large stores like WalMart and Meijer will take UPS shipments at counter rate. You will pay more to have a UPS delivery person come to your home or office and pick up the package, but you can arrange pickup and prepay shipping by credit card through their web pages. I think the worst deal for shipping is the all-inclusive shipping stores that really gouge on their rates. Price of convenience.

[CHenry]

BTW, I shipped a folder from Maryland to Chicago via FedEx Ground service. It was not cost prohibitive at all. The bike was sent in its hardside travel case.

[JeremyZ]

If you go to a UPS store and have them box and/or pack it for you, you're gonna get raped.

Find some bubble wrap or foam, a box that is bigger than you need, cut it down to the size you need, then you're all set. (as Jur said)

[Dynocoaster]

Was told today at the post office by an employee that DHL had the best shipping rates.

[edgross208]

I'm very impressed with your custom-built Swift. Currently I own a Dahon Helios (bought used via eBay) with 7-speed hub (Nexus) gearing. I use this bike for intermodal transport: I take a train or bus from Cape Cod, where I live, to Boston, where I teach and consult, and ride from terminal to worksite, 4 to 10 miles away. Boston's streets are hazardous to wheels and somewhat hilly in places, and the Helios has done reasonably well but I think a stiffer lighter bike would be of interest, especially if I can have the convenience and relative ease of hub gear; and a right-folding bike would definitely be an improvement and perhaps ease the hazard of chainring bending in travel. Do you have an idea of your final cost?

[jur]

I'm very impressed with your custom-built Swift. Currently I own a Dahon Helios (bought used via eBay) with 7-speed hub (Nexus) gearing. I use this bike for intermodal transport: I take a train or bus from Cape Cod, where I live, to Boston, where I teach and consult, and ride from terminal to worksite, 4 to 10 miles away. Boston's streets are hazardous to wheels and somewhat hilly in places, and the Helios has done reasonably well but I think a stiffer lighter bike would be of interest, especially if I can have the convenience and relative ease of hub gear; and a right-folding bike would definitely be an improvement and perhaps ease the hazard of chainring bending in travel. Do you have an idea of your final cost?The frame was $390, and the other bits amounted to about $800, scrounged mostly off ebay, shipping cost excluded.