FedEx vs. USPS vs. BikeFlights vs. Ebay
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FedEx vs. USPS vs. BikeFlights vs. Ebay
Frameset from 33167 (Tampa) to 62939 (Illinois)
12.5 lbs
40 x 9 X 24 box
Insured
Indirect Signature
Ebay FedEx $29.58
Ebay USPS $36.41
BikeFlights $28
USPS $34
FedEx $41.50
They tack on extras differently. Bikeflights adds $5 for home delivery but I couldn't find where to add insuranc. FedEx adds $3.50 for an indirect signature. USPS didn't give me an option for a signature.
I shipped it with Ebay via FedEx without insurance or a signature for $23.18.
12.5 lbs
40 x 9 X 24 box
Insured
Indirect Signature
Ebay FedEx $29.58
Ebay USPS $36.41
BikeFlights $28
USPS $34
FedEx $41.50
They tack on extras differently. Bikeflights adds $5 for home delivery but I couldn't find where to add insuranc. FedEx adds $3.50 for an indirect signature. USPS didn't give me an option for a signature.
I shipped it with Ebay via FedEx without insurance or a signature for $23.18.
#2
Banned.
eBay is by far the best way to ship, followed by Bikeflights. The only problem is you have to give eBay 13% +/- up front. I've been tempted to have a $1 BIN private auction to take advantage of eBay's FDX shipping.
#3
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Excellent information Jim. My understanding on eBay, anything over $250 without a signature required, delivery confirmation is not enough for proof of delivery.
Interested in your weight. I usually end up around 16 pounds +/-, mainly the weight of the box and packing material. I have one to pack tomorrow.
Interested in your weight. I usually end up around 16 pounds +/-, mainly the weight of the box and packing material. I have one to pack tomorrow.
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Thank you for posting this comparison. I'm preparing to sell my tourer (big bike Trek720/728) and I am concerned with shipping cost.
Great info!
Great info!
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On frames, I see very little difference between eBay Fedex and Bikeflights...usually a dollar or so. On whole bikes, it is a different story...
just shipped a large Schwinn Super Sport. eBay Fedex was 101, Bikeflights was 51!
just shipped a large Schwinn Super Sport. eBay Fedex was 101, Bikeflights was 51!
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Have you looked into UPS Ground? I get excellent, impossible-to-beat rates through my office (fairly high volume), so that's what I typically use. It's not ideal if the recipient needs/expects it in a rush, but it usually takes a reasonable 5-7 days. The last time I shipped a frame (from Berkeley, CA to Belmont Falls, VT), I paid $7.85. It was a light frame, though. For another data point, I paid $8.11 to ship a 12-lb. box with a set of wheels (and lots of packaging materials) from Berkeley to Brookline, MA, again via UPS Ground and it took 7 days. Signature and tracking info available.
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Have you looked into UPS Ground? I get excellent, impossible-to-beat rates through my office (fairly high volume), so that's what I typically use. It's not ideal if the recipient needs/expects it in a rush, but it usually takes a reasonable 5-7 days. The last time I shipped a frame (from Berkeley, CA to Belmont Falls, VT), I paid $7.85. It was a light frame, though. For another data point, I paid $8.11 to ship a 12-lb. box with a set of wheels (and lots of packaging materials) from Berkeley to Brookline, MA, again via UPS Ground and it took 7 days. Signature and tracking info available.
#8
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Of course, if you have access to a corporate account and they are willing to break their contract terms to let you ship your stuff, good on you. It's hella cheap.
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Excellent information Jim. My understanding on eBay, anything over $250 without a signature required, delivery confirmation is not enough for proof of delivery.
Interested in your weight. I usually end up around 16 pounds +/-, mainly the weight of the box and packing material. I have one to pack tomorrow.
Interested in your weight. I usually end up around 16 pounds +/-, mainly the weight of the box and packing material. I have one to pack tomorrow.
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I see here that Bikeflights does offer insurance for purchase based on declared. https://www.bikeflights.com/support.aspx Can anyone here that has shipped with Bikeflights speak to whether or not it is somewhere in the webform when you are scheduling an actual shipment? I would assume so, but you know how that goes.
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I see here that Bikeflights does offer insurance for purchase based on declared. https://www.bikeflights.com/support.aspx Can anyone here that has shipped with Bikeflights speak to whether or not it is somewhere in the webform when you are scheduling an actual shipment? I would assume so, but you know how that goes.
Last edited by miamijim; 07-14-15 at 08:17 PM.
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Bikeflights offers actual value insurance from a 3rd party for $1 per $100 coverage. They're all I've been using a couple of years and have had no problems. And it's very handy being able to email a label to somebody to ship you a bike, or let a buyer arrange his own shipping and email you a label so you do not have to lay out shipping costs. It's a good deal...
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Bikeflights offers actual value insurance from a 3rd party for $1 per $100 coverage. They're all I've been using a couple of years and have had no problems. And it's very handy being able to email a label to somebody to ship you a bike, or let a buyer arrange his own shipping and email you a label so you do not have to lay out shipping costs. It's a good deal...
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Not that I know of, maybe? There is a company that offers a bike box that is triangle shaped and will fit a complete road bike with just the front wheel removed, and the seat-post out. Bars stay straight and in place. Pretty nice if shipping a rare bike to a show, and great for custom builders for shipping a new complete bike. Probably expensive, but way worth it for the right bike.
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Having recently purchased a bike and a wheelset off of ebay that I had to sign for, from a buyers perspective, I like being able to divert the shipment to another location instead of my house. Both times the package was shipped Fedex and I just changed the shipping address to the Kinkos/Fedex store about a 1/2 mile away and picked it up after work. It sure beats having it go out on a truck and then when no one is home, you have to wait for the truck to get back or pick it up after a certain time at a distribution center or post office. And I don't have to change my normal ebay/paypal shipping address I can just change it while in route.
John
John
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+1 on Bikeflights. I just shipped a 66cm frame 1500 miles for $32 insured. Plus super easy to deal with and no account setups.
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Last frame shipped was from AL 35223 to somewhere just N of Indianapolis. The USPS Priority "List Price" was around $24, but the online purchase price was $11.80. I like USPS Priority for those short distance shipments.
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I almost used bikeflights but in the end it was my buyer paying for shipping, not me and I like the Ebays fully automated system.
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