How to get a bike from California to Toronto

July 28, 2008 11:05 AM

I'm in Toronto. A bike I want is in Berkeley, CA. I do not know the seller and he refuses to ship (anywhere). I have a relative in Fresno who does not drive but if the bike can get to him, he can ship it to me. Is there a service or something that I can pay to either ship the bike to me or deliver it to my relative? Ridiculous details inside.

I've already tried uship.com and got zero bids.

I've already tried MeFi Jobs and got zero response (though this was pre-my bro arriving in Fresno).

I've tried the forums on WeEndure, no response.

I've asked two local (to the seller) bike shops and one bike co-op if I could pay them to ship it to me. No go.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get this bike from the seller to me?

Thanks!

posted by dobbs to grab bag (13 comments total)

craigslist?
posted by asras at 11:21 AM on July 28, 2008

Tell him to drop it off at a UPS store and you pay to have them take care of the packaging and shipping.
posted by wongcorgi at 11:25 AM on July 28, 2008

Is your cousin willing to go to Berkeley on Greyhound bus lines? Your cousin could pick up the bike, then I'm almost positive he could take it back with him on the bus. If not Greyhound, then probably another bus line would take bikes as accompanied baggage.

This must be a really special bike if you're going transcontinental and international to get it home!
posted by Quietgal at 11:31 AM on July 28, 2008

I've had UPS mangle a bike in transit. If you go that route, insure it for its full value.
posted by ebellicosa at 11:31 AM on July 28, 2008

I may know someone who can GET the bike in Berkeley and DRIVE IT to Fresno. Mefi Mail me with and for details.
posted by liketitanic at 12:24 PM on July 28, 2008

I did a google search for "berkeley bike shipping service" and found a recommendation for a place called The Pedaler with a note to the effect that they had done a tune up on their son's bike and then shipped it to him at college. The about link has a very welcoming tone, at least for call-in questions. You might try them.
posted by plinth at 12:28 PM on July 28, 2008

posted by wongcorgi Tell him to drop it off at a UPS store and you pay to have them take care of the packaging and shipping.

Seconded. I sold a bike and shipped it by dropping it off at the UPS store on Shattuck, in Berkeley.
posted by optovox at 12:53 PM on July 28, 2008

Greyhound will ship a bike, either stand alone or as luggage. They'll charge you an over size surcharge though. They will also pickup via courier. However they just toss it under the bus to transport it and CA-ON is a lot of handling. If at all possible get your relative to source a box from a bike place and put the bike in that before sending it to you are it's likely to be pretty mangled by the time it get to you.

You probably know this but keep in mind UPS will hose you for brokerage.
posted by Mitheral at 1:35 PM on July 28, 2008

You probably know this but keep in mind UPS will hose you for brokerage.

True. Any chance you can get a friend with a car rack or a van to pick it up in Buffalo?
posted by tangerine at 1:52 PM on July 28, 2008

I live in Berkeley and have an unfortunately large amount of time on my hands, but I know nothing about bikes. If this is helpful to you in any way, feel free to MeMail me.
posted by needs more cowbell at 2:02 PM on July 28, 2008

I live in Berkeley and if you wanted someone to deliver it to the UPS store for packaging and packing, Mikes Cycles, or Missing Link (both of whom ship and would probably ship for you) I would be willing to help out.
posted by arnicae at 2:15 PM on July 28, 2008

Greyhound will ship a bike

Greyhound's courier service does not take parcels across the border.
posted by winston at 1:47 PM on July 29, 2008

Thanks everyone for your answers. A bunch of MeFites also MeMailed wanting to help and Zed_Lopez stepped it up and got the bike to me. Thanks everyone. Thanks Zed!
posted by dobbs at 8:45 AM on August 17, 2008