Touring - Shipping a bike

This summer I plan to go coast to coast, and I'm trying to figure out the least expensive way to get my bike back home after I'm done. I've already spoken with a dealer at my destination, and he said that they could break it down and get it ready to ship for me. I visited my local UPS and gave them an estimate on size, weight, etc., and they ballparked the cost at around $180-$200, which is more than I was expecting. Does anyone have any insight/ideas about how to do this for less?

I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Rocco

I read this thread on the C&V forum about shipping. It had some example of prices in post #12

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?624543-When-shipping-via-Fed-Ex-check-the-label-THEY-print-and-Beware

UPS and FedEx both have shipping calculators on their web sites. Go put in your data and see. The costs depend much more on size than weight, so it helps to get it into as small a container as possible. And don't go above 165 for L+2W+2H or you'll move from "ground" to "freight" and your costs go way up. Distance matters too. It also depends (in a smaller way) on how much you want to insure it for, whether you need pickup at the start or whether you will drop it off (and where you will drop it off) and whether you need delivery at the destination (and where you want it delivered).

There's just way too many variables to ballpark it. That's why they provide the calculator.

I have always found that shipping through a shop is the cheapest. I paid 35.00 in Tenn and 125.00 - 150.00 in CA when I did it myself through UPS or FED X or Yellow ??. I paid 35.00 in NV also, though a shop.

But I have got to add that I ended up coupling my bike with the S & S system so I could fly it with me. Was just 25.00 for an extra bag last year.

I've had mine packed and shipped twice by local bikes shops. $100. I think many bike shops have shipping contracts with significant discounts not available to the public. Some shops won't offer this service, stating liability issues.