To be fair, if the last one who packed the frame did everything in their power to keep it right, you wouldn't have this issue. That would involve wrapping the frame and making it fixed within the box. As importantly, they would have used BikeFlights to ship it. Their insurance actually pays claims. Holiday76 said as much above and I agree; not your bag to hold.

Beautiful frame. It will be a sharp build for sure.

Very nice component choices. Can't wait to see it built up.

Inadequate.

Bikeflights? So you mean USPS, FedEx, UPS or whatever carrier gives them the best rate on any given day?

Coulda - woulda - shoulda.

Could the frame have been packed even better? Well, having the tubes encased in foam pipe insulation might have helped - we'll never know.

The frame was actually very well packed. The tubes were covered with cardboard, and the frame and fork were immobilized within the box with foam blocks. The entire set up was covered in thin foam sheeting. I think any reasonable person would have assumed that it would be sufficiently protected.

Mark has made thousands of frames, and I think we can assume that many of them were shipped to the customer. He said this is only the second time he's had one get damaged.

With all y'all's help, I made it through the seven steps of grieving in record time. I'm at peace with the whole thing.

I agree that that's well packed. Didn't intend to disparage the work of either gentlemen. The teaser photos are great; look forward to seeing more.

As far as I know Bikeflights uses FedEx exclusively. It's the same service, but I guess they are a reseller and that their volume gives them a better rate. The rates, customer service and insurance are why I use them. Oh, and it's even easier than FedEx's own site.

1-The shipper generally has to file a claim with Fed Ex, and the frame builder can do that, and should already have done so.
2-Photos are everything.
3-Holes punched in a box is generally pretty good evidence.
4-My guess is that Fed Ex would pay if it was presented correctly.

That being said, keeping the repaint money and then doing touch-up means you:

a-lie to Fed Ex and therefore lose any moral ground you feel like standing on. Pure and simple.

b-don't have the new frame you paid for, and I think you're entitled to a new paint job on Fed Ex's dime.

I'd work via the Fed Ex system, and see what comes. 99% of their claims don't have complaints. If I was handling the Fed Ex claim, the damaged box is pretty good evidence that it was exposed to perils outside the realm of their agreement, and then I'd get the quote from the frame builder, arrange for shipping (on Fed Ex's dime) back to the frame builder and then back to you when it was done.. Pretty easy.

They genuinely don't have time to damage packages; they're in the delivery business, so let the system work. If not, it does suck, and would hurt their Bike Flights agreement, so give them a chance. Just my recommendation. I try to leave any thoughts of revenge or sticking it to the man out of it.

Well said.

They get better rates because they ship on low volume days... Its not profitable for airplanes or trucks to fly/drive empty so shippers give discounts on those routes to fill up empty space. I've used bikeflights myself and found it to be marginally less expensive then FedEx. Bikeflights 'add-on' fees run up the bill.....

But this isn't about bikeflights....

Its about a frame damaged in shipping..... I'll withhold any additional comments simply because pertinent information is missing from this thread.

No, that cannot be true. I use them all the time. I am the one who chooses the ship date and delivers the package to FedEx or, for $5, FedEx picks up the package. Bikeflights provides the label. 95% of the time I am shipping the same day I request the label. My initial point was that, anecdotally, Bikeflights pays insurance claims without much fuss, which doesn't seem to be true for working with FedEx directly.

I don't know what "add-on" fees you are talking about. Again, I've used Bikeflights 50+ times and the only additional charge is $5 to residential addresses. Same as FedEx directly.

Again, Fedex does not offer insurance at all. They will accept limited liability at their discretion, and only up to $1000. If you ship a bike, ship it by 3rd party with independent insurance. Bikeflights seems as good as any. FWIW, my Riv frame was shipped via bikeflights. The frame was paranoid well packed. Took me 30 minutes just to free it from its box.

It has been my experience that Bikeflights is cheaper than my personal FedEx account. Comparing rates for me to ship from home to Las Vegas, they were $25 cheaper than rates calculated on my FedEx account. Guess it is volume.

bikeflights in my experience is always cheaper than regular Fedex. It's on par with the eBay discount when using fedex.


I realize we're beating a deaf horse at this point, but if I shipped you something and it got maimed, it's my responsibility to make it right either via third party or personally. That's the cost of doing business, getting it in tact into your hands.

Why in the heck is this any different?

+2. I closed my fed ex account because of the better pricing through bike flights.

You all need read bikeflights fine print. If your package is lost in transit, bikeflights coverage pays nothing. Their fine print says they usenmore than 1 carrier.... Bikeflights doesn't sell insurance...but they sell a value added coverage.

As I said, I've used them and may or may not in the future depending on circumstances. I've had bike stolen from the back of a FedEx truck.... FedEx paid up... Bikeflights...not covered.

Bikeflights also say your bike must be adequately packaged.....with foam.

If the horse was already dead, what does it matter that it got dinged during shipping?