FedEx destroyed my bike
09-18-17, 09:36 PM
#26
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I would refund or replace any item no questions asked, so I had no incentive to hide undisclosed prior damage or any similar shenanigan. I'm just saying from experience, personally shipping tens of thousands of items per year, that shipping damage was never a serious concern. If a seller did have a lot of "shipping damage", you're probably right.
@FBinNY I used crushproof boxes, just don't overstuff except with foam. Plus bubble wrap of individual items.
Last edited by wphamilton; 09-18-17 at 09:41 PM.
09-19-17, 02:31 AM
#27
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Think about cars for a moment, and why you wear seatbelts. Without them, the car crashes and slows as it crumples. meanwhile, you continue until you hit the now slower moving car and smash your face. The seatbelts protect you by making you part of the car. Now imagine how much better you'd do if the entire car was filled with foam so there was absolutely no room to move. Now you get the full measure of protection the car can offer, and the impacts are spread evenly over your entire body.
09-19-17, 11:11 AM
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No experience with bikeflights but I had a complete bike shipped by FedEx and it arrived mangled. Think when the boxes get to a certain size or weight the people handling them just slide, shove, kick, drag, drop, or do whatever to move the box around. For this reason I will only buy complete bikes locally. I've purchased framesets and had them shipped without issue. The box is more manageable though so I think that's a big part of it.
09-19-17, 02:27 PM
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I really want to see this golf ball-sized hole in the frame...
09-19-17, 02:39 PM
#30
Banned
Just saying you can buy epoxy in large cans, here a marine hardware store is the source.
and there are places to buy Carbon fabric..
less than pretty external patching can be done
a boat that leaks, and takes on water really demands the hole be filled over..
..
and there are places to buy Carbon fabric..
less than pretty external patching can be done
a boat that leaks, and takes on water really demands the hole be filled over..
..
09-19-17, 02:43 PM
#31
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09-19-17, 04:57 PM
#32
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I get that, so where do you factor the shippers responsibility to pack properly?
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
09-19-17, 06:15 PM
#33
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Of course, if it is in fact well packed, it may be a pain to open it up and check it, then reseal the box. Could they do it with fluoroscopy?
09-19-17, 06:27 PM
#34
Sr Member on Sr bikes
09-19-17, 06:48 PM
#35
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Retail shippers tend to be the ones with damage issues, so unless you believe that they somehow select some shippers to punish, you have to ask why some but not others.
BTW there are carriers that are better adapted to handling larger or more fragile goods. These include moving companies, bus freight, and independents who'll act as courriers, and can be found on the Internet.
I've helped my family moved all sorts of stuff from multiple pieces of furniture to single pieces like a dresser mirror, and when you factor the risks of damage, they're not that much more expensive.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
09-19-17, 07:13 PM
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scott s.
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09-19-17, 08:31 PM
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What's the advantage of using a service like BikeFlights versus dealing with FedEx directly?
09-19-17, 08:37 PM
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But in some cases they can save you money. They might also offer specific damage insurance that the common carriers don't.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
09-19-17, 11:02 PM
#40
Farmer tan
Could one tell it was a bike from the packaging?
It could have been intentional.
Not everyone loves cyclists.
It could have been intentional.
Not everyone loves cyclists.
09-20-17, 03:09 AM
#41
Senior Member
Will DEF use hard plastic case next time and not rely on insurance
Just pay for the extra insurance, if you haven't learned the benefit of buying insurance by now, don't ever apply to me for a job. You thought you would save $200 by not buying additional insurance, and how much did you end up "saving"? No matter what kind of case or container in which you ship your bike, you still run the risk of having it damaged or stolen.
Whenever I travel or ship goods, I buy insurance. I own an export company, I deal with shipping companies every day, and know very well how good they and customs inspectors are at damaging or destroying expensive things.
Just pay for the extra insurance, if you haven't learned the benefit of buying insurance by now, don't ever apply to me for a job. You thought you would save $200 by not buying additional insurance, and how much did you end up "saving"? No matter what kind of case or container in which you ship your bike, you still run the risk of having it damaged or stolen.
Whenever I travel or ship goods, I buy insurance. I own an export company, I deal with shipping companies every day, and know very well how good they and customs inspectors are at damaging or destroying expensive things.
09-20-17, 03:24 AM
#42
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Your bike was weak. You should thank FedEx for exposing that, and then put your $100 toward a steel frame.
09-20-17, 05:58 AM
#43
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In my time working on the ramps for one of the major carriers I learned a few things.
First off. All the ramp workers loading your parcels are paid jack squat, aside from one or two of them per shift. They don't care at all about your package. The biggest concern working there is that you not get paired with a thief so as not to lose your job for them opening a package...that's another story.
ALWAYS over pack your item. Make sure it can be handled by the Samsonite Gorilla...because it will. Never mark anything fragile or that it has liquid inside, etc. It comes across as "challenge accepted" with most of the package handlers. If it is an item that you can't lose, over insure it and make sure you understand the terms of the insurance. In some cases if you cannot produce receipts proving the value (of the item shipped) you are screwed (like USPS).
When an item is destroyed, knowingly or accidentally, it has to be shipped to the destination regardless. The person getting the package has to file the claim.
First off. All the ramp workers loading your parcels are paid jack squat, aside from one or two of them per shift. They don't care at all about your package. The biggest concern working there is that you not get paired with a thief so as not to lose your job for them opening a package...that's another story.
ALWAYS over pack your item. Make sure it can be handled by the Samsonite Gorilla...because it will. Never mark anything fragile or that it has liquid inside, etc. It comes across as "challenge accepted" with most of the package handlers. If it is an item that you can't lose, over insure it and make sure you understand the terms of the insurance. In some cases if you cannot produce receipts proving the value (of the item shipped) you are screwed (like USPS).
When an item is destroyed, knowingly or accidentally, it has to be shipped to the destination regardless. The person getting the package has to file the claim.
09-20-17, 08:16 AM
#44
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I can say that in my cases, all my damage was me not packing the bike well enough, and parts being able to move around slightly inside the box. Again, it is damage that while it is simply annoying and ugly on my steel bike, it could well have been fatal on a CF bike.
09-27-17, 11:20 PM
#45
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Hi all, I shipped my brand new, $3k carbon Specialized - my daily commuter - coast to coast via BikeFlights for an endurance race. It was handled by FedEx and arrived with a golf ball-sized puncture in the carbon frame. 2 bike shops said it's beyond repair and that it would be more economical to buy a new bike vs replacing the frame, and Specialized won't cover as it's not a manufacturer's defect. I finished the race and shipped it back, at which point additional bike accessories were destroyed, having been delivered on its side. It was well-packed both ways, just destroyed by the violent apes and pro wrestlers at FedEx.
Because the BikeFlights part was just $60, I wasn't going to pay $200 in insurance, so I got the base - which covered only $100. That claim was paid, and the decision to go with the base is in the rear view now.
On its face it seems I am screwed and must buy a new bike, but I'm wondering if there are any nuclear options? Years ago we found our credit card paid for car accident damage, and I know some have had success calling out companies on Twitter etc. BikeFlights was eager to settle up for the $100 when I shared my situation, but at the end of the day, I paid for my bike to be transported and instead FedEx destroyed it. Any suggestions here or am I completely SOL?
Because the BikeFlights part was just $60, I wasn't going to pay $200 in insurance, so I got the base - which covered only $100. That claim was paid, and the decision to go with the base is in the rear view now.
On its face it seems I am screwed and must buy a new bike, but I'm wondering if there are any nuclear options? Years ago we found our credit card paid for car accident damage, and I know some have had success calling out companies on Twitter etc. BikeFlights was eager to settle up for the $100 when I shared my situation, but at the end of the day, I paid for my bike to be transported and instead FedEx destroyed it. Any suggestions here or am I completely SOL?
09-28-17, 07:48 AM
#46
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I had a similar experience using BikeFlights. I accused BikeFlights of being an undesirable partner with FedEx, and my bike was the victim. They denied this bad relationship exists, but in a decade of shipping bikes with UPS and FedEx that was the only time my box was thrashed...and it was really trashed - like on purpose.
i still don't trust them.
i still don't trust them.
So you must believe the FedEx employees who handled your bike purposefully trashed your bike because you bought FedEx shipping through a discount broker (which is basically what Bikleflights is) instead of through FedEx directly because once you purchase FedEx shipping through Bikeflights, the company drops out of the picture absent a claim. Bikeflights plays no role whatsoever in the actual shipping process. It doesn't pack your bike. It doesn't pick up your bike. It doesn't deliver your bike to a FedEx location for shipping. It doesn't transport your bike to its destination. And the only way FedEx employees would even know that you purchased the shipping through Bikeflights would be to examine the little notation that comes on the shipping label you are emailed. Do you really believe employees along the handling chain take the time to do that or otherwise give a rat's *** about how you purchased your shipping. Think rationally about it for a second. What could possibly be the upside for FedEx and/or Bikeflights from purposefully trashing bikes?
I have read a lot of conspiracy theories on BF in my day. This this one is the most incredible.
And yes. I have used Bikeflights. I have used them at least eight times. No damage whatsoever.
09-28-17, 09:48 AM
#47
The Left Coast, USA
So you must believe the FedEx employees who handled your bike purposefully trashed your bike because you bought FedEx shipping through a discount broker (which is basically what Bikleflights is) instead of through FedEx directly because once you purchase FedEx shipping through Bikeflights, the company drops out of the picture absent a claim. Bikeflights plays no role whatsoever in the actual shipping process. It doesn't pack your bike. It doesn't pick up your bike. It doesn't deliver your bike to a FedEx location for shipping. It doesn't transport your bike to its destination. And the only way FedEx employees would even know that you purchased the shipping through Bikeflights would be to examine the little notation that comes on the shipping label you are emailed. Do you really believe employees along the handling chain take the time to do that or otherwise give a rat's *** about how you purchased your shipping. Think rationally about it for a second. What could possibly be the upside for FedEx and/or Bikeflights from purposefully trashing bikes?
I have read a lot of conspiracy theories on BF in my day. This this one is the most incredible.
And yes. I have used Bikeflights. I have used them at least eight times. No damage whatsoever.
I have read a lot of conspiracy theories on BF in my day. This this one is the most incredible.
And yes. I have used Bikeflights. I have used them at least eight times. No damage whatsoever.
As I said, it looked like my bike box was targeted for some special treatment by the FedEx handlers. Dozens of bike shipped FedEx and UPS for over a decade, and no problems...and the first time I use BF -- this happens.
I'll just leave it there.
09-28-17, 05:53 PM
#48
Senior Member
Well, Fedex is free and clear on this. You shipped with BikeFlights so they are the responsible ones. I mentioned just such a scenerio before on a "bikeflights" discussion and got razzed to no end. I'm not against BikeFlights at all but there is a reason they are so cheap.
Sorry though for the problems.
Sorry though for the problems.
09-28-17, 05:58 PM
#49
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I thought BikeFlights USED FedEx. I know that ShipBikes does, at least. I always assumed it's because they get the corporate rate and pass some of the savings on to their customers, but you're implying that they ship via least-expensive gorilla? That's wouldn't be a good business model.
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