Shipping a bike one way: UPS, USPS, FEDEX?
03-23-11, 07:10 AM
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Shipping a bike one way: UPS, USPS, FEDEX?
I'm shipping a bike in a bike box. The box is the same size as the box that the manufacturer used to ship the bike after production.
What in the best & cheapest way to ship the bike. I don't care about speed, but I do want reliable, trace-able, insurable and cheap.
What in the best & cheapest way to ship the bike. I don't care about speed, but I do want reliable, trace-able, insurable and cheap.
03-23-11, 07:19 AM
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I've had great luck with FedEx Ground.
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03-23-11, 07:27 AM
#4
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fedex ground was always the best option for me until recently. About 2 months ago their prices went up substantially and they ended up being more expensive than USPS. This was for large frame/bike sized packages, and I believe I experienced this both with international shipping to Canukistan and within the US.
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03-23-11, 07:30 AM
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I go through www.shipbikes.com
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03-23-11, 08:09 AM
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FedEx ground. Be careful selecting a shipping location. Some are great, some are total rip-offs. If you have an account and can send it to a business address, you will get the lowest cost.
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03-23-11, 08:19 AM
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FedEx Ground. If possible, ship to a commercial address. Much cheaper than residential. I always ask recipients if I can ship to a work address.
03-23-11, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Zaphod Beeblebrox
I go through www.shipbikes.com
03-23-11, 08:54 AM
#10
No one cares
ALL FEDEX GROUND PRICES WENT UP RECENTLY.
So check all three and make sure you arent paying more than you need to.
So check all three and make sure you arent paying more than you need to.
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Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
03-23-11, 09:09 AM
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I agree the few bikes I shiipped I used FedEx. the price was great, about $40 from So Jersey to St Paul and it rode on one truck from local hub to local hub. frames can be much more expensinve.
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03-23-11, 09:12 AM
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The bike box may be perfect, but the original shipper may well have had a huge discount on their shipping plan.
I use Fed Ex ground, and always from the terminal.
I never go to Fed Ex / Kinko's, etc.
Double-check the label they print there, and if it's right, it's tight.
I use Fed Ex ground, and always from the terminal.
I never go to Fed Ex / Kinko's, etc.
Double-check the label they print there, and if it's right, it's tight.
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03-23-11, 09:13 AM
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FedEx Ground for me. It's also most convenient as I ship from my neighborhood Kinkos store.
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03-23-11, 09:18 AM
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+1
FedEx Ground, drop off at an actual FedEx station. The one on Howard might be close to you!
Last year I shipped a complete bike to PA, for about $40. Rates may have gone up, but I just got a frame/fork from FL, and that shipping was slightly under $40. Fast service too; shipped Weds from FL, delivered in Chicago Saturday.
FedEx Ground, drop off at an actual FedEx station. The one on Howard might be close to you!
Last year I shipped a complete bike to PA, for about $40. Rates may have gone up, but I just got a frame/fork from FL, and that shipping was slightly under $40. Fast service too; shipped Weds from FL, delivered in Chicago Saturday.
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03-23-11, 09:42 AM
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Check with Amtrak.. If they have a station in your town, and a station in the town where you are shipping it too, they can ship it. Also, if you were traveling on the train, I think it would be $5 to put it in the baggage car..
03-23-11, 09:47 AM
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I prefer FedEX for cost and speed of shipping along with insurance(alway's on any big item). I first get a bike box for a local bike shop, most likely have to cut it down to size(primarily for dimension purposes to reduce cost), wrape the bike(or frame) in plastic, because of crumbling newspaper for packing and saving weight, reinforce the sides internally with additional cardboard strips(adds weight and protection), tape up the box, then weigh with a luggage scale and body scale. Once I have the specifications, I go to UPS, USPS and FedEX website for prices on shipping. With Fedex, you can print out the estimated price and show the clerk at your local FedEx drop off store, if agreeable you can ship it directly with confidence. UPS will accept, but bill you for more, read their policy, they can doc you credit card or hold for more money. USPS will take a long time and will eventually get there, while you are dealing with an upset customer. Overseas, USPS is the only way to go as long as your package falls within the parameters of dimensions.
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03-23-11, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
I'm shipping a bike in a bike box. The box is the same size as the box that the manufacturer used to ship the bike after production.
What in the best & cheapest way to ship the bike. I don't care about speed, but I do want reliable, trace-able, insurable and cheap.
What in the best & cheapest way to ship the bike. I don't care about speed, but I do want reliable, trace-able, insurable and cheap.
Then ship the bike at any Fedex Office billing to your account (will bill your credit card upon delivery). Much cheaper than paying the Fedex Office location. Fedex Ground is insured, the box will arrive without damage, and there is tracking and insurance.
Avoid UPS at all costs. Anyone who has ever visited or worked in a UPS facility can testify that boxes get thrown, not dropped, THROWN. You cannot begin to overstate the strife between hourly workers and UPS. Never ship a bike frame UPS.
USPS, meh...
03-23-11, 11:02 AM
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I'm curious, has anyone here actually got a frameset packed in a box that was under the usps required max dimension. I cut my boxes down so the frame fits with just enough room for packing materials. But I have yet to get one under the USPS max dimesion, so I end up going fedex because usps is never even a option.
03-23-11, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by lunch money
I'm curious, has anyone here actually got a frameset packed in a box that was under the usps required max dimension. I cut my boxes down so the frame fits with just enough room for packing materials. But I have yet to get one under the USPS max dimesion, so I end up going fedex because usps is never even a option.
Neal
03-23-11, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by lunch money
I'm curious, has anyone here actually got a frameset packed in a box that was under the usps required max dimension. I cut my boxes down so the frame fits with just enough room for packing materials. But I have yet to get one under the USPS max dimesion, so I end up going fedex because usps is never even a option.
03-23-11, 02:50 PM
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I shipped a bike today from Chicago to Austin, TX. The box was 59x29x8". It went FedEx ground for $54.21. This is a residential shipment and I do not have an account, it was insured for $999.00.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-23-11 at 02:53 PM.
03-23-11, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Chicago Al
+1
FedEx Ground, drop off at an actual FedEx station. The one on Howard might be close to you!
Last year I shipped a complete bike to PA, for about $40. Rates may have gone up, but I just got a frame/fork from FL, and that shipping was slightly under $40. Fast service too; shipped Weds from FL, delivered in Chicago Saturday.
FedEx Ground, drop off at an actual FedEx station. The one on Howard might be close to you!
Last year I shipped a complete bike to PA, for about $40. Rates may have gone up, but I just got a frame/fork from FL, and that shipping was slightly under $40. Fast service too; shipped Weds from FL, delivered in Chicago Saturday.
03-23-11, 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by gioscinelli
I prefer FedEX for cost and speed of shipping along with insurance(alway's on any big item). I first get a bike box for a local bike shop, most likely have to cut it down to size(primarily for dimension purposes to reduce cost), wrape the bike(or frame) in plastic, because of crumbling newspaper for packing and saving weight, reinforce the sides internally with additional cardboard strips(adds weight and protection), tape up the box, then weigh with a luggage scale and body scale. Once I have the specifications, I go to UPS, USPS and FedEX website for prices on shipping. With Fedex, you can print out the estimated price and show the clerk at your local FedEx drop off store, if agreeable you can ship it directly with confidence. UPS will accept, but bill you for more, read their policy, they can doc you credit card or hold for more money. USPS will take a long time and will eventually get there, while you are dealing with an upset customer. Overseas, USPS is the only way to go as long as your package falls within the parameters of dimensions.
03-23-11, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
I shipped a bike today from Chicago to Austin, TX. The box was 59x29x8". It went FedEx ground for $54.21. This is a residential shipment and I do not have an account, it was insured for $999.00.
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