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How to get a craigslist bike home, 2000 miles away

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How to get a craigslist bike home, 2000 miles away

Old 04-01-22, 06:39 AM
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Indytriumph
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How to get a craigslist bike home, 2000 miles away

I found a bike on craigslist that I have been searching for but it is 2000 miles away. How do I get that bike home? Has anyone have any experience with buying a bike like that, then having it shipped? My guess would be that I would fly out there, look at the bike then buy the bike. Then I would take the bike apart then box it. Then either take it on the return flight with me or ship it. Are there other ways that I dont know about? Buy time I fly across country, rent a car and ship the bike, the cost just makes it unrealistic.

Tom
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Old 04-01-22, 06:47 AM
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It depends on how valuable the bike is.

I think if I thought it was valuable enough, I'd find a local bike shop to the seller (looking independently rather than asking the seller), and see if they can give it an inspection. If the inspection was OK I'd pay the seller and get the bike shop to pack and ship it to me. It'll cost you maybe an extra $100 or so but more peace of mind that getting the buyer to ship it.

If it's a really expensive bike, and I had access to a bike box, I'd do what you suggest in flying there, view bike, box it and fly home. Of course, if the seller is nowhere near an airport, you've then got the expense of getting between the seller and the airport with a bike.
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Old 04-01-22, 06:54 AM
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Facilitators on this forum do exactly that. Volunteers who'll check out a machine for you and then fetch, pack and ship it. I've done it. Look around. When I did it the buyer paid the seller directly via Paypal and then tossed me a little for my trouble.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ling-able.html

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Old 04-01-22, 06:58 AM
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Find a shop local to the seller who will box and ship it. They have the boxes, skills, and many shops routinely perform this service for tourists.
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Old 04-01-22, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by thumpism
Facilitators on this forum do exactly that. Volunteers who'll check out a machine for you and then fetch, pack and ship it. I've done it. Look around. When I did it the buyer paid the seller directly via Paypal and then tossed me a little for my trouble.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ling-able.html
I just learned something new! How do I become a volunteer?

Tom
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Old 04-01-22, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by GhostRider62
Find a shop local to the seller who will box and ship it. They have the boxes, skills, and many shops routinely perform this service for tourists.
Yep. I have done that at least 6 times for tours, only using my own reusable box. I got on a first name basis with a couple of the mechanics at the Missoula REI. Also used a LBS in Rapid City, SD.

OP: If you can get the shipping label to the shop I would price shipping either through Shipbikes.com or Bikefligths.com
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Old 04-01-22, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Indytriumph
I just learned something new! How do I become a volunteer?
Post on the thread I linked to. Says so right in the title. Good on you for offering to help.
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Old 04-01-22, 10:44 AM
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If they're willing, I would pay the seller to have the bike boxed and shipped to you, with the understanding that you have 48 hours to inspect and approve the bike. If it doesn't meet your approval for any reason, you box and ship it back at your expense.

This requires good communication via phone conversations, as well as sharing physical addresses and other personal information to guard against scams.

I've done a few expensive guitar deals this way, with zero complications.
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Old 04-01-22, 03:20 PM
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Ask the seller if she would be willing to deliver it to a bike shop. Contact a bike shop and see if they'd be willing to receive and package the bike for shipping for you. I'm sure there'd be a charge for that: boxing, handling, shipping charge.
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Old 04-03-22, 02:48 PM
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You could ride it. That's what I did, but it was only a few hundred miles.
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Old 04-04-22, 02:07 AM
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Today, many people have become aware of how great the site is and use it regularly to buy or sell stuff. Most sellers are honest and some even provide pictures of their vehicles. However, sometimes things don’t go according to plan.
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Old 04-08-22, 12:18 AM
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First off congrats on the find. How does one search multiple CL adds at once? And what bike did you find so far away? Let me guess something from the late 90’s era ! Cheers
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Old 04-08-22, 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by PDXZach
First off congrats on the find. How does one search multiple CL adds at once?
​​​​​​https://www.searchcraigslist.org/
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Old 04-08-22, 06:00 AM
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Originally Posted by PDXZach
First off congrats on the find. How does one search multiple CL adds at once? And what bike did you find so far away? Let me guess something from the late 90’s era ! Cheers
I wish I can figure out how to do a search on all of CL at once.
I can tell you from this experience, I learned something that surprised me. I did a google search and did not come up with any results of a bike that wasn't already sold. A friend of mine out East did the same thing, a google search. His results was completely different than mine. His results showed several for sell on CL. Thats how I found it. I always assumed that anyone would get the same results from a google search.

The bike I found is a 1987 Schwinn Prologue

Tom
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Old 04-08-22, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Indytriumph
I wish I can figure out how to do a search on all of CL at once.

Tom
https://www.searchcraigslist.org/
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Old 04-08-22, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by PDXZach
How does one search multiple CL adds at once?
https://www.searchtempest.com/ works also
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Longbikes Slipstream
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Old 04-09-22, 10:31 PM
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I've done this a few times for bikes I really wanted. Important to establish a rapport with the seller, and make it easy for them to want to ship you the bike. There's a lot of risk on your end as the buyer, but if you really want the bike you assume that risk. I basically offer to cover shipping, give them instructions on packing and shipping (either suggest a LBS or bikeflight), and pay up front with some kind of electronic payment method, and maintain consistent communication until the bike arrives at my place.
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