Any Thoughts About Bikeflights ?
03-01-23, 01:18 PM
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Any Thoughts About Bikeflights ?
Thinking about having a bike shipped from Phoenix, Mesa actually. I'd appreciate any feedback on what I might expect.
TIA
Charlie
TIA
Charlie
03-01-23, 02:07 PM
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They're fine and yet if the fluctuation of rates are acceptable, overall experience is very good.
As for other, I was most pleased with Ship Bikes (based in Oak Park, IL) though they halted services last year due rate issues / contracts. They were top notch shipper for international as well. Had perfect and simple process, customs forms for bikes shipped to Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
That said, the two above are scratched for my use and now only Pirate Ship. Initially had a bit of anxiety to use them for rare bikes, but they've been excellent and best rates. Crossing my fingers-
Good luck!
As for other, I was most pleased with Ship Bikes (based in Oak Park, IL) though they halted services last year due rate issues / contracts. They were top notch shipper for international as well. Had perfect and simple process, customs forms for bikes shipped to Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
That said, the two above are scratched for my use and now only Pirate Ship. Initially had a bit of anxiety to use them for rare bikes, but they've been excellent and best rates. Crossing my fingers-
Good luck!
03-01-23, 02:43 PM
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I used Bikeflights a few times in the last few years. No real problems, but the shipping is taking longer and the prices have more than doubled for comparable bike boxes.
03-01-23, 02:50 PM
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ALL shipping has become more expensive, regardless of carrier. Best to use a shipping aggregator like BikeFlights or PirateShip, as the rates will be much, MUCH lower than retail. Recently had to ship my loaded EVOC bag cross country and it was $499 retail, $243 through PirateShip. Last bike box I shipped cross country was in April 2022 and that was $165, also thru PS.
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03-01-23, 02:58 PM
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The one thing about BikeFlights is in the event that the item to be shipped is picked up by UPS (vs. being dropped off at a UPS site), they advise that you have the UPS person scan the item in your presence to ensure the tracking gets into the system. I recall a little anxiety between the seller and I when UPS didn't scan it right away, but I received the frame with no issues.
03-01-23, 03:39 PM
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Without ship bikes, they are sort of the only game in town. I have had no problem with bike flights however. I have not used pirate ship.
And I agree with doc above, that everything has increased in price. Oddly, looking at some of the past shipping rates for catalogs in the 80s and 90s, rates Are pretty in line with inflation over the years.
And I agree with doc above, that everything has increased in price. Oddly, looking at some of the past shipping rates for catalogs in the 80s and 90s, rates Are pretty in line with inflation over the years.
03-01-23, 03:53 PM
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Pirate Ship is owned by Pitney Bowes. I haven't found better rates anywhere. You can also ship USPS with them at deep discounts, even 1st class.
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03-01-23, 05:41 PM
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I saw the biggest price jump was when I shipped a box greater in width than 8". going to 9" jumped the price almost double.
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03-01-23, 07:37 PM
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They were a lot cheaper when they shipped with FedEx, but they're pretty much the only game in town now that ship.bikes is defunct.
03-01-23, 07:48 PM
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Seems like Shipbikes was asleep at the switch, Bflights might have seen them coming, both were switching to UPS at the same time and we can see how that worked out. 
Whoever gets used, ALWAYS get insurance, its almost free by comparison.
Whoever gets used, ALWAYS get insurance, its almost free by comparison.
03-01-23, 08:01 PM
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Always a good experience but prices have tripled over the last 5 years, UPS has us all by the short hairs, talk about "Pirate". 
03-01-23, 08:55 PM
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Never a problem; the company is run by good folks. Ships UPS Ground at a reduced rate.
Silly not to use them if you're shipping frames, wheels, or a complete bike.
The usual warnings for packaging anything you ship as bomb-proof as possible still applies though - as it always does.
-Kurt
Silly not to use them if you're shipping frames, wheels, or a complete bike.
The usual warnings for packaging anything you ship as bomb-proof as possible still applies though - as it always does.
-Kurt
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03-01-23, 09:37 PM
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I shipped three Silca pumps and each time it was waay cheaper with BF than any quote with USPS or Fedex or UPS.
The last time (4 days ago) USPS quoted seller $70 for a pump! I paid $23.95....
The last time (4 days ago) USPS quoted seller $70 for a pump! I paid $23.95....
03-02-23, 02:08 AM
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Near as I can tell, they're just a broker for UPS. You go to the Bike Flights web site to pay for shipping, and they email you a label, but everything after that is handled by UPS. I guess if something goes wrong you'd have to go to Bike Flights for restitution, but I suspect even in that case they'd end up taking the dispute back to UPS.
The size of the box is very important. I can still get a small frame box (37"x25"x9") shipped across the U.S. for $50, but if any of the dimensions goes up by an inch the price jumps up to around $75.
The size of the box is very important. I can still get a small frame box (37"x25"x9") shipped across the U.S. for $50, but if any of the dimensions goes up by an inch the price jumps up to around $75.
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03-02-23, 07:43 AM
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I have used them 4 times: two were fine, one bike was damaged, one bike completely lost somewhere in Arizona. This is really on the shipper not bikeflights. I used ship bikes previously but it was much more expensive. The claim process on the damaged bike was OK but the claim on the missing bike took a lot of time and effort.
03-02-23, 08:45 AM
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A friend's bike was cosmetically dented during shipment. I believe BF paid full stated value without hassle. I sent them an email once suggesting the handhold areas of their cardboard box should be beefed up. They quickly responded asking for photos. I sent them photos and they sent me a new box. I wasn't asking for anything, just making a suggestion.
03-02-23, 11:20 AM
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I had one experience of shipping a fairly valuable bike across the country, via BikeFlights, and the frame was damaged due to mishandling by FedEx (the carrier at the time). BikeFlights payed my insured value very quickly, no hassle at all.
03-02-23, 03:00 PM
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03-02-23, 03:41 PM
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