Bikeflights: I’m done with them, too much hassle to ship when insured

Donkeeboy · Feb 12, 2023

So a while back Bikeflights started requiring a signature for insured items, anything over ~$750.

The problem with this is once you buy shipping with enough insurance to warrant a signature page, you can only ship directly from a UPS Customer Center OR through a UPS driver.

This ^ means no shipping from a UPS Access, like a mail center or a UPS Store.

In rural areas, there often isn’t a UPS Customer Center, and when there is one it’s generally only open M-F 8-5.

I spent two days tracking down a driver who would accept my bike shipment!

It’s a shame, I like Bikeflights and their prices are reasonable, but I don’t have the time or patience for this nonsense.

TiJoe · Feb 12, 2023

Good to know

Jeremy05 · Feb 12, 2023

That’s actually a UPS rule and not Bikeflights. I ran into the same issue when shipping an new fork for warranty via UPS. After calling UPS I found out that anything insured over $1000 is classified as a high-value package and is required to be drop off at a UPS center or directly with a driver. You also have to have the diver sign the high-value package form. Below is a link an snapshot to the UPS document.

https://www.ups.com/media/en/value-added_pricing_ak-hi.pdf

UPSed · Feb 12, 2023

Jeremy05 said:
That’s actually a UPS rule and not Bikeflights. I ran into the same issue when shipping an new fork for warranty via UPS. After calling UPS I found out that anything insured over $1000 is classified as a high-value package and is required to be drop off at a UPS center or directly with a driver. You also have to have the diver sign the high-value package form. Below is a link an snapshot to the UPS document.

https://www.ups.com/media/en/value-added_pricing_ak-hi.pdf

View attachment 2022666

View attachment 2022665

And oddly enough, we don't even control high values anymore. We used to set them aside and turn them into high-value clerks when we got back to the hub. Now they're just loaded in with everything else.

Little_twin · Feb 12, 2023

You know you can schedule a driver pickup for $5 right, it’s the option below “drop off at UPS center”

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Donkeeboy · Feb 12, 2023

Little_twin said:
You know you can schedule a driver pickup for $5 right, it’s the option below “drop off at UPS center”

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yeah, but you gotta be around for that and I have a job.

So if it’s UPS rule, then I shouldn’t be able to ship from a UPS Store … I’ll give that a try next time, I’d be surprise if they can’t ship without a driver signature.

Does FedEx gave the same rule?

WillDB · Feb 12, 2023

With ShipBikes offline, BikeFlights is, in effect, a monopoly.

Curious of the cost differential using UPS direct vs BikeFlights.

Shipping costs are astronomical and have been the limiting factor in selling stuff, especially when buyers re-neg on an offer when they realize I won't ship for free...

noapathy · Feb 12, 2023

Sanchofula said:
yeah, but you gotta be around for that and I have a job.

So if it’s UPS rule, then I shouldn’t be able to ship from a UPS Store … I’ll give that a try next time, I’d be surprise if they can’t ship without a driver signature.

Does FedEx gave the same rule?

Curious. Can they pick it up from where you work?

Jeremy05 · Feb 12, 2023

I just shipped a set of wheels and bike flights was 1/2 the cost. UPS was $54 and bikefligjts was $26. I will say the insurance on bikefligjts is higher than UPS. I also question how easy a claim would be through bikeflights. If you read their fine print they require you to pack according to their instructions and to take pictures of how you packed it.

when I shipped a fork UPS was the same price as bikeflights . I have found bikeflights is only better priced with oversize items.

Larsey · Feb 13, 2023

Sanchofula said:
So a while back Bikeflights started requiring a signature for insured items, anything over ~$750.

The problem with this is once you buy shipping with enough insurance to warrant a signature page, you can only ship directly from a UPS Customer Center OR through a UPS driver.

This ^ means no shipping from a UPS Access, like a mail center or a UPS Store.

In rural areas, there often isn’t a UPS Customer Center, and when there is one it’s generally only open M-F 8-5.

I spent two days tracking down a driver who would accept my bike shipment!

It’s a shame, I like Bikeflights and their prices are reasonable, but I don’t have the time or patience for this nonsense.

I recently shipped a couple of high-value bikes with BikeFlights. I dropped at UPS Store and left them with the signature paper and my email. Both times they had the driver sign it and emailed it promptly back to me after pick-up.

Jayem · Feb 13, 2023

I never even started with Bikeflights. It was going to be $150 one way, then $250 the opposite, and this was pre-pandemic. I'm at the 5th largest cargo hub in the world, so that wasn't it. If you can get bikes in with bulk cargo, you can potentially save some $$$...but everything gets ruined over time.

Cleared2land · Feb 13, 2023

Jayem said:
If you can get bikes in with bulk cargo, you can potentially save some $$$...

That's probably an inside connection.

Roge · Feb 13, 2023

I used bikeflights two months ago to ship a bike cross country to my brother. It was $175, plus an extra $100 for $5k worth of insurance. I don’t know if he had to sign for it, but the whole process was quick and easy.

Donkeeboy · Feb 13, 2023

Larsey said:
I recently shipped a couple of high-value bikes with BikeFlights. I dropped at UPS Store and left them with the signature paper and my email. Both times they had the driver sign it and emailed it promptly back to me after pick-up.

I tried, but I was refused at multiple stores.

BansheeRune · Feb 13, 2023

Sanchofula said:
yeah, but you gotta be around for that and I have a job.

So if it’s UPS rule, then I shouldn’t be able to ship from a UPS Store … I’ll give that a try next time, I’d be surprise if they can’t ship without a driver signature.

Does FedEx gave the same rule?

No you don't, you're on sabbatical...

OttaCee · Feb 13, 2023

Dropped off my bike at my LBS all packaged up. We did the BikeFlights there, UPS driver comes by everyday anyways. Super easy!

BIGTIMEBALLER · Feb 13, 2023

Used Bikeflights for the first time a few weeks ago.

Shipped complete bike that I sold on PB… literally across the country.

I messed around with the online estimator and was able to save about $50 by shipping in 2 separate boxes as opposed to 1 big box. Also messed with box dimensions to further reduce cost a few bucks. Started around $285 and ended up around $225 ($5000 insurance).

Yes, had to drop off at the UPS hub and get a signature. And of course buyer had to sign for delivery.

milehi · Feb 13, 2023

I have to drive an hour to use UPS/Bikefights, so USPS it is. Less expensive too.

Bikeflights: I’m done with them, too much hassle to ship when insured

Donkeeboy

TiJoe

Jeremy05

UPSed

Little_twin

Donkeeboy

WillDB

noapathy

Jeremy05

Larsey

Jayem

Cleared2land

Roge

Donkeeboy

BansheeRune

OttaCee

BIGTIMEBALLER

milehi

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