shipping costs
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CCX
Jul 11, 2011, 4:22:07 PM7/11/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
Hey Rivsters-
How are you all shipping bikes (conus)? I just looked up prices on
UPS and FedEX and they were both in the range of 160 bucks. Geeze
where have I been over the years, the last time I shipped a bike it
cost 40.00 buck.
jc
How are you all shipping bikes (conus)? I just looked up prices on
UPS and FedEX and they were both in the range of 160 bucks. Geeze
where have I been over the years, the last time I shipped a bike it
cost 40.00 buck.
jc
Eric Norris
Jul 12, 2011, 1:33:37 AM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I've always had better luck taking my bikes directly to the UPS shipping facility (not the storefront locations) when I ship them. The last time I shipped a bike it was a little over $40, but much less than $160. The storefront locations usually want to charge two to three times the amount I pay at the shipping facility.
--Eric
campyo...@me.com
www.campyonly.com
www.wheelsnorth.org
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George Schick
Jul 12, 2011, 11:09:16 AM7/12/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
Eric sez "...I've always had better luck taking my bikes directly to
Is this still possible? I notice that when you look up UPS facilities
on their web site the main shipping locations aren't even listed. I
know where they are around these parts, but I've never tried to take
packages to one of them in recent years. Used to be back in the old
days that the shipping locations were the ONLY place where you could
directly take packages. Everything else was scheduled pickup &
delivery from/to your business site by one of their trucks. Nowadays
I'm not so sure. Seems like they're trying to push walk-in business
away from the shipping (dispatch) locations out to the storefronts.
On Jul 12, 12:33 am, Eric Norris <campyonly...@me.com> wrote:
> I've always had better luck taking my bikes directly to the UPS shipping facility (not the storefront locations) when I ship them. The last time I shipped a bike it was a little over $40, but much less than $160. The storefront locations usually want to charge two to three times the amount I pay at the shipping facility.
>
> --Eric
> campyonly...@me.comwww.campyonly.comwww.wheelsnorth.org
the UPS shipping facility (not the storefront locations) when I ship
them..."
Is this still possible? I notice that when you look up UPS facilities
on their web site the main shipping locations aren't even listed. I
know where they are around these parts, but I've never tried to take
packages to one of them in recent years. Used to be back in the old
days that the shipping locations were the ONLY place where you could
directly take packages. Everything else was scheduled pickup &
delivery from/to your business site by one of their trucks. Nowadays
I'm not so sure. Seems like they're trying to push walk-in business
away from the shipping (dispatch) locations out to the storefronts.
On Jul 12, 12:33 am, Eric Norris <campyonly...@me.com> wrote:
> I've always had better luck taking my bikes directly to the UPS shipping facility (not the storefront locations) when I ship them. The last time I shipped a bike it was a little over $40, but much less than $160. The storefront locations usually want to charge two to three times the amount I pay at the shipping facility.
>
> --Eric
the ill postino
Jul 12, 2011, 11:31:02 AM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
New to the forum, so sorry if I'm posting widely-known (or incorrect!) info, but I believe if you're getting exorbitant price quotes you're probably getting hit with an oversize penalty.
In other words, the most important thing for shipping a bike is the size of the box, not weight. To avoid oversize penalty for Fedex (and I think UPS) the box's length plus "girth" has to be less than 130 inches. ("Girth" = the two smallest dimensions added together, doubled).
So for example a 58" x 27" x 11" box weighing 50 pounds has a total dimension of 134" and might cost around $120 conus (depending on specific locations of course).
But if the box was just slightly smaller at 56" x 26" x 11" (still weighing 50 pounds) the total dimension would be 130" and shipping fedex ground could be around $60 insured (I think the days of $40 are gone with fuel costs what they are, but for short distances you might get close, but probably not with insurance).
Getting a used box from a bike shop in which a "large" bike (say a 58cm+ road bike) was shipped is a good way to get a box that is as big as possible without going over.
I think you also get the best price if you open an on line account (free) and print the label at home (regular paper applied with clear packing tape is fine). With a tape measure and a bathroom scale you can get all the info you need (round up a pound or two -- it will barely change the price -- but don't fudge the dimensions). You can then drop the package off at any fedex or ups location without getting hit with the up charge from storefront locations, and without needing to travel to a shipping facility.
The size issue means that in some instances it can be more economical to ship two boxes. This all assumes of course that you do your own packing and are willing to do some disassembly.
-Nate
In other words, the most important thing for shipping a bike is the size of the box, not weight. To avoid oversize penalty for Fedex (and I think UPS) the box's length plus "girth" has to be less than 130 inches. ("Girth" = the two smallest dimensions added together, doubled).
So for example a 58" x 27" x 11" box weighing 50 pounds has a total dimension of 134" and might cost around $120 conus (depending on specific locations of course).
But if the box was just slightly smaller at 56" x 26" x 11" (still weighing 50 pounds) the total dimension would be 130" and shipping fedex ground could be around $60 insured (I think the days of $40 are gone with fuel costs what they are, but for short distances you might get close, but probably not with insurance).
Getting a used box from a bike shop in which a "large" bike (say a 58cm+ road bike) was shipped is a good way to get a box that is as big as possible without going over.
I think you also get the best price if you open an on line account (free) and print the label at home (regular paper applied with clear packing tape is fine). With a tape measure and a bathroom scale you can get all the info you need (round up a pound or two -- it will barely change the price -- but don't fudge the dimensions). You can then drop the package off at any fedex or ups location without getting hit with the up charge from storefront locations, and without needing to travel to a shipping facility.
The size issue means that in some instances it can be more economical to ship two boxes. This all assumes of course that you do your own packing and are willing to do some disassembly.
-Nate
James Warren
Jul 12, 2011, 11:40:15 AM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I've recently picked up packages right at the closest shipping location to me. I called ahead to arrange it when it was too difficult to catch the truck at my house. I've never tried sending from the shipping location.
Eric Norris
Jul 12, 2011, 11:59:39 AM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com, RBW Owners Bunch
There's a UPS shipping facility near here in West Sacramento. I was there not too long ago to ship a large package.
Yes, they're trying to push business to the storefronts, but the actual UPS facilities are still your best bet.
I'm going to be driving through West Sac today--I'll see if that facility is still open.
--Eric N
Sent from the iPad 2
stevep33
Jul 12, 2011, 1:54:35 PM7/12/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
It varies. Packing and shipping usually costs about $125 at my LBS,
and I think about half of that is the (UPS) shipping cost. For a nice
Riv, it may be worth having a trusted bike shop pack it up for you
with bike-appropriate packing materials.
On Jul 12, 11:59 am, Eric Norris <campyonly...@me.com> wrote:
> There's a UPS shipping facility near here in West Sacramento. I was there not too long ago to ship a large package.
>
> Yes, they're trying to push business to the storefronts, but the actual UPS facilities are still your best bet.
>
> I'm going to be driving through West Sac today--I'll see if that facility is still open.
>
> --Eric N
> Sent from the iPad 2
>
and I think about half of that is the (UPS) shipping cost. For a nice
Riv, it may be worth having a trusted bike shop pack it up for you
with bike-appropriate packing materials.
On Jul 12, 11:59 am, Eric Norris <campyonly...@me.com> wrote:
> There's a UPS shipping facility near here in West Sacramento. I was there not too long ago to ship a large package.
>
> Yes, they're trying to push business to the storefronts, but the actual UPS facilities are still your best bet.
>
> I'm going to be driving through West Sac today--I'll see if that facility is still open.
>
> --Eric N
> Sent from the iPad 2
>
Steve Palincsar
Jul 12, 2011, 2:13:28 PM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
On Tue, 2011-07-12 at 10:54 -0700, stevep33 wrote:
> It varies. Packing and shipping usually costs about $125 at my LBS,
> and I think about half of that is the (UPS) shipping cost. For a nice
> Riv, it may be worth having a trusted bike shop pack it up for you
> with bike-appropriate packing materials.
> It varies. Packing and shipping usually costs about $125 at my LBS,
> and I think about half of that is the (UPS) shipping cost. For a nice
> Riv, it may be worth having a trusted bike shop pack it up for you
> with bike-appropriate packing materials.
Lucky you to have a LBS that will ship as well as pack. Mine won't.
Packing a bike costs $65. I'll find out later today what shipping will
cost.
Michael_S
Jul 12, 2011, 2:19:10 PM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I've shipped many bikes and frames. Fedex Ground is the cheapest I've found. From the West coast to East coast cost me about $65-70 for a full bike, maybe $50 for a frame if you can get the box dimensions down by cutting and taping. I've also shipped framesets cheaply via USPS if you cut box down to their size limit.
I tried UPS once, too much $$. Businesses like bike shops must get better UPS rates than individuals. Also I pack my own bikes.
~mike
Steve Palincsar
Jul 12, 2011, 3:42:30 PM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
It is now "later." FedEx wants $52 to ship a bike box to Ohio. UPS
wants $72 for the same package to the same address.
cyclotourist
Jul 12, 2011, 5:47:47 PM7/12/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I think one of the tricks is to ship to a business address. So if you can get it shipped to your work or some "business" there is a discount. UPS and FedEx are like that. I like Fed Ex a bit more and they seem to be cheaper, but YMMV
--
Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA
...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would probably benefit more from
improving their taste than from improving their performance. - RTMS
--
Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA
...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would probably benefit more from
improving their taste than from improving their performance. - RTMS
dougP
Jul 12, 2011, 8:56:31 PM7/12/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
The "gotcha" when shipping a bike is the size of the box. Both Fed Ex
& UPS have a dimension of 130" that's the trip wire into "oversize".
This is the girth of the box (tape all the way around the 2 shortest
dimensions) plus the length. It is NOT the same way airlines
measure. My 58 cm Atlantis just barely fits into such a box, and not
comfortably. For reference, a bike box 8" wide by 29" tall x 56" long
is 130". OK for a frame only or a 54 or smaller; snug for a 58 &
quite a challenge for anything over 60 cm.
I recently checked rates for an upcoming trip. Shipping from the Left
Coast to the mid-west will bein the $70 range for 128" container. A
couple of years ago I paid around $120 to ship from So Cal to Seattle
because the box was a couple of inches over the limit. Caveat
emptor.
FWIW, weight rarely is a factor.
dougP
On Jul 12, 2:47 pm, cyclotourist <cyclotour...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I think one of the tricks is to ship to a business address. So if you can
> get it shipped to your work or some "business" there is a discount. UPS and
> FedEx are like that. I like Fed Ex a bit more and they seem to be cheaper,
> but YMMV
>
> --
> Cheers,
> David
> Redlands, CA
>
> *...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would
> probably benefit more from
> improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS
& UPS have a dimension of 130" that's the trip wire into "oversize".
This is the girth of the box (tape all the way around the 2 shortest
dimensions) plus the length. It is NOT the same way airlines
measure. My 58 cm Atlantis just barely fits into such a box, and not
comfortably. For reference, a bike box 8" wide by 29" tall x 56" long
is 130". OK for a frame only or a 54 or smaller; snug for a 58 &
quite a challenge for anything over 60 cm.
I recently checked rates for an upcoming trip. Shipping from the Left
Coast to the mid-west will bein the $70 range for 128" container. A
couple of years ago I paid around $120 to ship from So Cal to Seattle
because the box was a couple of inches over the limit. Caveat
emptor.
FWIW, weight rarely is a factor.
dougP
On Jul 12, 2:47 pm, cyclotourist <cyclotour...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I think one of the tricks is to ship to a business address. So if you can
> get it shipped to your work or some "business" there is a discount. UPS and
> FedEx are like that. I like Fed Ex a bit more and they seem to be cheaper,
> but YMMV
>
> --
> Cheers,
> David
> Redlands, CA
>
> probably benefit more from
> improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS
Frank Brose
Jul 12, 2011, 6:44:26 PM7/12/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
I always use FedEx. 45-75 FRNs. depending where they are headed. Like
Cyclotourist stated a business address is always cheaper. Must be a
business brotherhood thing. I don't know.
Cyclotourist stated a business address is always cheaper. Must be a
business brotherhood thing. I don't know.
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