This was my first time using the service since they: (1) changed from FedEx to UPS and (2) started requiring you to create an account and log in.

Had previously used them for 4 round trip shipments with them between 2014 and 2017. Easy purchasing (with the exception of the policy discussed at No. 3 below). Only once was a return shipment delayed in transit one day due to severe flooding in the Midwest.

This time, not so much fun:

1. Slowest/cheapest shipping time to is now 5 business days instead of 4 days like it was when FedEx was the shipper. And beware that they don't count the date of pickup as one of those 5 business days. So you are really talking 5 business after the date of pickup.

2. When trying to schedule outbound pickup and delivery dates, the web site kept giving me wonky numbers at first. Then when I went to buy the shipping a day or so later, the site wouldn't work properly. Every time I hit the purchase button I was sent back to the same screen. Tried 4 times and finally gave up. Had to start all over again the next morning, when it finally worked.

3. The "We won't send you your label more than 10 days before your shipping date" can really throw a monkey wrench into plans when you are touring. As a result of the policy, I had to hang out in Whitefish until the library opened so I could have access to a computer and printer. The only other option was to do the same thing in Missoula at the end of the trip. Felt better about leaving my loaded bike outside in Whitefish than in Missoula. I like to hit the road by 7 a.m. at the latest. The Whitefish library doesn't open until 10 a.m. There goes more than 3 hrs. of my day wasted.

4. Pro tip: Now that you have to log into your account to purchase shipping, make sure you write down your password or otherwise have it with you. (You're on a foreign device hooked to a printer that doesn't know your password.) I didn't and had to go through the step of resetting it.

5. While trying to purchase return shipping I kept getting an error message about the zip code for pickup location I entered. Seems Google Maps, which the Blikeflights site is apparently linked to somehow, didn't recognize the zip code for the Missoula REI. After 3 or 4 tries I finally gave up and used the default zip code the site had picked. When I did, the site thought I had changed my pickup location and forced me to start all over again in case the price was different, which is ultimately was not. I'm 'bout ready to rip my hair out at this point because it's now going on 11 a.m.

6. Checked my email today and noticed a couple of messages from Bikeflights. No explanation as to why, but my bike was not picked up on Monday as scheduled, but rather the following day. Call customer service to try to figure out what rent wrong. No one answers, so I leave a message and ask for a call back. Leave my cell phone number in case they call while I am lunch. Get an email around noon saying the bike was picked up. My response: I know that, but it was not picked up as promised and I was expecting a call back with an explanation. 30 min. ago I my work phone rings. The number is that of bikeflights. First call fails. They call again. Second call fails. They call again. Finally works, sort of. The guy sounded like he was under water half the time. Not much customer service if you cannot explain to me why I didn't get what I paid for. Dude didn't really seem care either. And after telling him about all the problems I had he gave me the "That's not my department" excuse. Wonder if he's really going to pass along my feedback like he said he would. Cannot wait to fill out the feedback form they sent me.

7. Pickup when they used FedEx was an additional $5. It's now $15 with UPS.

I have to have some minor surgery on Wednesday that could keep me off my feet for a few days. Thanks to the failed pickup, my bike is going to arrive at the shop that day, instead of on Tuesday. I had planned to pick it up that day because I was going to be in the car for work. So much for that idea.

Have a nice holiday weekend!