New tandem enthusiastic with big problem
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Bioethical
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New tandem enthusiastics with big problem.
Hello friends,
My wife and I decided to give up our gas car and now we move on our bikes and train. Very recently we purchased an used tandem bike on ebay. The seller lives in Fairfield, Connecticut and we live in Los Angeles, California. The seller lady can not pack and ship the bike to us so we are stuck tried to use FedEx services to pick up and ship the bike to not avail. We don't want to cancel our purchase since we both are really excited about riding together during our senior years. PLEASE HELP US with a suggestion. GLADYS AND VICTOR.
My wife and I decided to give up our gas car and now we move on our bikes and train. Very recently we purchased an used tandem bike on ebay. The seller lives in Fairfield, Connecticut and we live in Los Angeles, California. The seller lady can not pack and ship the bike to us so we are stuck tried to use FedEx services to pick up and ship the bike to not avail. We don't want to cancel our purchase since we both are really excited about riding together during our senior years. PLEASE HELP US with a suggestion. GLADYS AND VICTOR.
Last edited by Bioethical; 05-14-22 at 12:21 AM.
#2
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Hello friends,
My wife and I decided to give up our gas car and now we move on our bikes and train. Very recently we purchased an used tandem bike on ebay. The seller lives in Fairfield, Connecticut and we live in Los Angeles, California. The seller lady can not pack and ship the bike to us so we are stuck tried to use FedEx services to pick up and ship the bike to not avail. We don't want to cancel our purchase since we both are really excited about riding together during our senior years. PLEASE HELP US with a suggestion. GLADYS AND VICTOR.
My wife and I decided to give up our gas car and now we move on our bikes and train. Very recently we purchased an used tandem bike on ebay. The seller lives in Fairfield, Connecticut and we live in Los Angeles, California. The seller lady can not pack and ship the bike to us so we are stuck tried to use FedEx services to pick up and ship the bike to not avail. We don't want to cancel our purchase since we both are really excited about riding together during our senior years. PLEASE HELP US with a suggestion. GLADYS AND VICTOR.
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#3
Bioethical
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Thank you for your advice.
Maybe it would help if we call bike flights and shipbikes and ask them if they know a local bikes shop that can do the packing. What do you think 🤔?
#4
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They are unlikely to know.
I think most bike shops would do it for a fee. I did this several years ago when I bought a used bike.
I think most bike shops would do it for a fee. I did this several years ago when I bought a used bike.
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#5
Bioethical
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Congratulations on your good choice, both ethically and in choosing a tandem. My wife and I bought a tandem 4 years ago and haven't regretted it for one moment. We also decided to get rid of our car and now we cycle everywhere in all weathers, either on our solo bikes when going about our own things, but generally on the tandem. I hope you sort out getting your tandem delivered soon.
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Bioethical
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Your suggestion is great but nobody wants to pack a tandem
Thank you mikebian. I called seven businesses in the Fairfield area and offered even more than $200 for packing the tandem. The seller lady is willing to drop it off at any bike shop in the area of Fairfield, Connecticut.
Last edited by Bioethical; 05-16-22 at 04:49 PM.
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Thank you very much. I tried hard but no bike shop in the Fairfield area wants to package a tandem bicycle.
Last edited by Bioethical; 05-16-22 at 04:47 PM.
#12
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Sorry to hear that. I guess I got lucky when I bought mine a few years ago. I am not sure what else to suggest.
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Hello friends,
My wife and I decided to give up our gas car and now we move on our bikes and train. Very recently we purchased an used tandem bike on ebay. The seller lives in Fairfield, Connecticut and we live in Los Angeles, California. The seller lady can not pack and ship the bike to us so we are stuck tried to use FedEx services to pick up and ship the bike to not avail. We don't want to cancel our purchase since we both are really excited about riding together during our senior years. PLEASE HELP US with a suggestion. GLADYS AND VICTOR.
My wife and I decided to give up our gas car and now we move on our bikes and train. Very recently we purchased an used tandem bike on ebay. The seller lives in Fairfield, Connecticut and we live in Los Angeles, California. The seller lady can not pack and ship the bike to us so we are stuck tried to use FedEx services to pick up and ship the bike to not avail. We don't want to cancel our purchase since we both are really excited about riding together during our senior years. PLEASE HELP US with a suggestion. GLADYS AND VICTOR.
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Try searching for a bike club in or near Fairfield. If you find one, as them if they know anyone who can assist. Start with : https://www.soundcyclists.com
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If the sale can be cancelled, then, IMO that is the most practical way forward. As was observed earlier there are tons of used tandems local to the o.p. and it seems somewhat out of keeping with an environmentally conscious outlook to want to transport something as unwieldy as a tandem bicycle clear across the country. As awkward as I can imagine it will be, backing out of this deal, you will be, I think, better off for going through that pain. FWIW.
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#18
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See if there are any REI stores near the seller. I used them to pack and ship a tandem I bought on the West Coast to me on the East Coast. They did a very good job and were reasonable. That said, the idea of packing a tandem scares many people due to the oversize box and all that, so I'm not surprised shops are not very eager to handle it. Especially given how busy most bike shops are with repairs nowadays. Unless you got a good deal on the perfect bike, I agree with others that I'd look for something more local to you. Between packing and shipping costs, you're likely to spend $300-500 just on that.