Classic & Vintage - Buying a Bike and shipping...?

I'm always looking at e-Bay for another bicycle I don't need, so far, I've bought two bikes from e-bay, and both had to be shipped to me, I think I've had good luck, both arrived in good condition. How do I judge a potential shipper? and what's the going cost to ship a bike and have it arrive in good condition.

I'm sure there are some real horror stories of e-baying shipping practices.

In before RandyJawa plugs his website. Only thing you can do is check the feedback. I shipped a bike from Florida to MN for ~50 bucks.

I'm one for three on ebay shipments as a buyer. (One good, two bad, really bad). Look for feedback that they have sold and shipped many bikes. Myself, anymore, I don't take a chance and go for ones I can pick up in person.

The worst one was tossed loose inside a bicycle box, zero packing, nothing! And the handlebars were loose in the box, so they pretty much destroyed the frame (bike shipped from Seattle). Sellers response: "I used a bicycle box." I put in a claim on that one.

I'm one for three on ebay shipments as a buyer. (One good, two bad, really bad). Look for feedback that they have sold and shipped many bikes. Myself, anymore, I don't take a chance and go for ones I can pick up in person.

I've received really well packed bikes, and some that were tossed in a box.

...and I got to pay the freight and box charge for that privilege.

Anything I pick up on vacation this summer will be packed by me.

The tricky part is the handling in between.

Sometimes a little prayer doesn't seem to hurt....

Most everyone here will advocate spending too much time packing a bike. IMO, there are 2 objectives when packing a bike.

1. Secure the dropouts. They are the structural weak point of the frame.
2. Nothing should rattle or rub. This includes any loose components against the frame and the overall bike against the box.

Ask a shipper for these 2 objectives and your bike will be fine. How the shipper accomplishes this is irrelevant, although I'm sure I'll get flamed about that. No amount of packing material will save a bike from truck wheels or forklift blades.

I bought a bike via eBay which was packed and shipped fantastically, especially considering it was only a $60 bike. I think I paid $50 more for shipping, but have no qualms about that seeing how well it was packed. I added this seller to my "favorite sellers" list so I can purchase from him in the future if I want another bike. (Scratch that "want" part: if I decide to buy another bike.)

I know it's a gamble no matter what when buying over eBay. The best I could recommend is read the seller's feedback and see how they've shipped other bikes. Of course, this only works for people who regularly sell bikes. The people who are just selling their old ride aren't going to have a history.

I have shipped one bike and received one packed via the Miami Jim method, which makes sense as he is the one who shipped me a bike. Maybe it's overkill but it sure works.

Right now I'd be most concerned about shipping rates. Fed ex ground used to be a good deal ($40 for a Bianchi from Chicago to Pennsylvania) but I recently shipped some art via that carrier, in large boxes but smaller and lighter than a bike and the prices floored me. $100 for a maybe 3x4' x 8" package, unframed art so not heavy, Chicago to PA. :- (

I would reiterate checking the feedback. I always ask my buyers to give me positive feedback and mention the packing if they can. I've bought about 20 bikes off eBay. About half were packed well the other half not so well. Only two were damaged to the point that I felt the need for some compensation, which I think means I got pretty lucky. For what it is worth the buyer is responsible for the bike until you accept delivery, period. Those are the eBay rules. If there is shipping damage contact the seller. If they are not helpful then make a claim. I both cases where there was damage enough to feel I needed compensation I contacted the seller and got a partial refund in both cases.