Shipping Motorcycles

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I have used Federated, expensive by U-Ship standards, but they run the whole show, from quote to dispatch to the drivers. They sent me a link so that I could see where they were when they were. They take pictures of the bike(s) before they touch it, as did the seller(s).

The last shipment I made with them was a '78 BMW R100 with a windjammer fairing from Seattle to the Boston metro area about 5 years ago, $675 in 6 days. I'm sure the same shipment now would be much more expensive now.

Whether it's parts, service or shipping you get what you pay for. If you choose the least expensive of anything and get less than you expected: WEEP NOT!

Frugality and stupidity are close cousins.

Best.
 
RoadScholar said:
I have used Federated, expensive by U-Ship standards, but they run the whole show, from quote to dispatch to the drivers. They sent me a link so that I could see where they were when they were. They take pictures of the bike(s) before they touch it, as did the seller(s).

The last shipment I made with them was a '78 BMW R100 with a windjammer fairing from Seattle to the Boston metro area about 5 years ago, $675 in 6 days. I'm sure the same shipment now would be much more expensive now.

Whether it's parts, service or shipping you get what you pay for. If you choose the least expensive of anything and get less than you expected: WEEP NOT!

Frugality and stupidity are close cousins.

Best.
Click to expand...
I've been telling my wife that for years! Walmart is King in her book, You can't find much there that is not made in China. Even the smoked oysters are coming from China now. Damn I just got myself started again. LOL
 
RoadScholar said:
I have used Federated, ... '78 BMW R100 with a windjammer fairing from Seattle to the Boston metro area about 5 years ago, $675 in 6 days. I'm sure the same shipment now would be much more expensive now.
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That's about what Keyboard & JC charge, with EXCELLENT, professional, dedicated service.
 
I sold a bike to a guy in CA. I'm in VA. He went with haulbikes. They plan to pick it up sometime between Apr 30 and May 15. Reading their site it will cost him a lot if I'm not available when they want to pick up. It will also cost him a lot if their driver is not comfortable coming to my house with his 18-wheeler. In fact, trying to learn about them on their site just teaches you the penalties they have in store for you if something goes wrong. Also, I needed to send a good sized, 40 pound box with the bike - haulbikes won't. So, I mailed it for $130.

I know people are happy with them. I don't doubt that they've done good work. It is May 6th and we have no idea when they are coming. The "plan to pick it up" is not a concrete pickup date range - it is subject to change. The guy in CA lives on a winding road - they won't take to to his house. He must collect it at a terminal and ride it home. I think this is his first Norton.

uShip is just like eBay. They bring shippers and haulers together for fees and provide a little bit of safety. They also sell insurance. The shipper fee is high, the hauler fee is really high, the insurance is expensive. I have been 100% happy with each hauler I've worked with and 100% of them have done exactly what they said they would. I never take the first few bids - they appear to be bigger companies auto bidding. I wait for the individuals, message back an forth until I'm comfortable with one of them and then accept the deal. In other words, I'm patient and and I do my due diligence.

BTW, my shipment before last was from Nashville. I had an 18 hour window to pick it up three days after the purchase. I got it done for $365 including fees through uShip and it was picked up in the morning and delivered to me that night as agreed.
 
Just got word bike is in Harrisburg PA., 40 miles away! Still couldn't give me a delivery time Monday will call and pick up if I must for a credit on price. I suppose they were waiting to include bikes from Mecum's auction.
 
I wish people would just use JC Motors & Keyboard, the world would be a happier place.

FULL DISCLOSURE: They have never discounted a shipment for me, even after around 20 shipments each, and after referring dozens of other clients over the years. So, there's NOTHING in it for me...
 
grandpaul said:
I wish people would just use JC Motors & Keyboard, the world would be a happier place.

FULL DISCLOSURE: They have never discounted a shipment for me, even after around 20 shipments each, and after referring dozens of other clients over the years. So, there's NOTHING in it for me...
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How about web site addresses.

I tried finding them last time you wrote about them and JC Motors brings up hundreds of entries and apparently jcmotors.com is not the right one.

I think I found Keyboard but maybe the wrong one: they don't cover the pacific and mountain time parts of the of the country and you must be 18-wheeler accessible for home pickup and delivery. They also charge much more than I've ever paid in the Eastern time zone. Finally, they specify 21-28 days for delivery with no guarantee. They include insurance which is good.
 
marshg246 said:
How about web site addresses.

I tried finding them last time you wrote about them and JC Motors brings up hundreds of entries and apparently jcmotors.com is not the right one.

I think I found Keyboard but maybe the wrong one: they don't cover the pacific and mountain time parts of the of the country and you must be 18-wheeler accessible for home pickup and delivery. They also charge much more than I've ever paid in the Eastern time zone. Finally, they specify 21-28 days for delivery with no guarantee. They include insurance which is good.
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Well, it has been over a year, and Covid, so I guess things changed. I knew they had limited Pacific zone service, i mentioned that.

JC Motors - https://motorcycleshippers.com/
 
Bike was delivered to their terminal Friday, still in Harrisburg Pa. Can't get any delivery date! They need a least one day notice for me to pick up, but won't make appointment at this time
 
mean gene said:
Bike was delivered to their terminal Friday, still in Harrisburg Pa. Can't get any delivery date! They need a least one day notice for me to pick up, but won't make appointment at this time
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Any luck? I'm guessing that once you get delivery I'll get a pickup relatively soon after. Their Apr 30-May 15 is looking quite doubtful for pickup from me!
 
Picked up bike at Harrisburg today.. refunding $265 Talked to a none management person and asked him what was going on" Look at the trucks in lot we don't have drivers for them" The warehouse was full of bikes! They have a contract with Harley to deliver all the Harley Trikes, they come first. I would use them again ,they always were polite ,knew where the bike was at all times, it was clean. They can't help the situation that the USA is in with all the shortages and give-a-way president
 
Larry, you and will never agree when discussing politics. But at least we both enjoy Norton Motorcycles!
 
I take a dim view of companies who contract to do something and then don't do it. I couldn't care less what excuse they have - don't make the deal if you cannot deliver and REALLY don't leave your customers in the dark! Therefore, I now take a dim view of haulbikes.

The guy who bought the bike from me signed with them 4/19/21. They said pickup between Apr 30 and May 15. He's heard nothing and can't even get them on the phone to give a new estimate. Fortunately, I don't mind the bike sitting here. Often, sellers won't allow that or will charge storage fees. It is a little costly since I have to keep it insured until it gets to him incase of fire or theft.

I understand that others are happy with them and this is my only experience with them - this will be my only experience with them!
 
They give you $15,000 free insurance and have always answered the phone when I called. Sometimes there was a wait because of other callers. They always knew where my bike was. They give you ref number or contract number. They called when picking bike April 2 but never tied down a delivery date
 
mean gene said:
They give you $15,000 free insurance and have always answered the phone when I called. Sometimes there was a wait because of other callers. They always knew where my bike was. They give you ref number or contract number. They called when picking bike April 2 but never tied down a delivery date
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I know it worked out for you - not that they did what they said, but they made you happy.

From their site:
  • Total transit time 21-28 business days from booking to delivery. Northwestern states have longer transit times.
  • OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, UT and CA zip codes beginning in 955 (in green on map) - 26-35 day transit time.
Was that true for you? It absolutely will not be true for my buyer - it's already 27 days and we have no idea when they will pickup or if they will.

I can't see the insurance as "free" just like there is no such thing as "free shipping" when you buy things online - it just means no separate charge.
 
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