+1 on UPS shipping being very poor.
Not only do they damage, they overmeasure to get a higher rate.

Lately, I'm using Priority Mail on a cut-down box.
Disassembly and foam is the key for me.
With disassembly, you're basically dealing with two wheels and a frame.
Everything else, wrapped in bubble wrap, becomes cushioning.

If you receive a box that looks bad, make the driver stay and open it in front of him, and note the damage then. He's got to input it into that box he uses, and the claim is opened at that point. I refuse the item, and ask them to hold it until I can meet with their OS&D clerk. Generally, you can inspect it again at the terminal, and the clerk's job includes making the claim go away.

These are small claims for them, but the right of refund does go to the shipper.

If you are arranging for someone to ship it to you, make it from you, also, using your address.
There is no rule against that, and you technically are the shipper, with the right to claim damages.
In most states, the recipient merely has the right of refusal, not indemnity, from a shipper.
The recipient must seek indemnity from the shipper/seller.

That's why you go after the seller. It's based on offer/consideration/acceptance.
Your offer is your bid, the consideration your payment in exchange for the eBay ad.
Acceptance is the seller taking your money. That's your deal with the seller, $ for bike.

The shipper has a deal with the seller, or whomever paid for those services.
The offer is the agreement to send a bike. Consideration is the price paid, acceptance is actually the printing of the label. the deal is $ for moving the bike safely.
The seller, therefore, is wronged if the shipper damages the item.

That's the only reason, IMO, to let a UPS store pack and ship a bike. If they do, all the blame is theirs. Once they accept your offer to pay them to pack and ship, they're on the hook.

Then again, that does the bike little good when some Upland Gorilla treats it like Samsonite.