Bike shipped to USA via MBE lost, 6 weeks ago.

[Wayne of LaVerne]

6 weeks ago I shipped my bike home on September 18th from Santiago to USA thru Mail Boxes Etc, whereas I saw this recommended on other threads.
It is now October 31st. My apple tracker & the MBE FedEx track shows it in Madrid, as it has been for many weeks. The first excuse was they were very busy and other packages took priority. The second excuse 3 weeks ago was the weather. I believe it is damaged or destroyed. MBE is no help what so ever. I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING MBE!.
In an earlier trip I used a local bike ship recommended on this site & it was fantastic (& a lot less expensive).

 

[Tincatinker]

In an earlier trip I used a local bike ship recommended on this site & it was fantastic (& a lot less expensive).

Which makes me wonder why you’ve used MBE this time?? Their website doesn’t even offer a pick-up / drop-off location in Santiago. Why didn’t you use Correos?

 

[naplesdon]

Might it be a customs issue?

 

[ivar]

I guess MBE shipped it with a shipping company, have you tried contacting the shipping company? Also, I know bikes with batteries are not allowed on transatlantic flights... not sure if that is an issue or not.

 

[Tincatinker]

Might it be a customs issue?

If the bike is still in Madrid it hasn’t hit US customs. Sounds like the bar-code has fallen off. Remember that closing scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark…..

One more item for archeologists to excavate when they make a start on the Anthropocene a million years from now

 

[peregrina2000]

I have never used MBE to ship anything home, but I go there every time I’m in Santiago to buy bubble wrap to pack up the many liters of olive oil that I always bring home.

Until a few years ago, there were always a lot of bikes inside the store on Rua Santiago Guayaquil, not far from Plaza de Galicia. The last couple of times I was there, there were no bikes - when I asked about it, they said that their bike shipping business had gotten so big that they had to get another space for the bikes. I’m assuming that their business would suffer if there were many incidents like the one you report. I’m not doubting what you say, but you may be the victim of some very bad luck.

MBE is a franchise, so I wonder if you have been able to contact the store in Santiago directly. I assume they issued the paperwork and would be willing to help you. I’ve always found the staff to be extremely pleasant, even to a low-ticket customer like me.

 

[Johnnyjenga]

Do you know what air carrier the bike is being shipped on? If so, do you have the air bill number? The only way to get this solved is to get some human involved in helping you. It might be helpful to contact the local office of that carrier. Call until you get someone who seems willing to help.

 

[Gringazolana]

I will be in Santiago in a couple weeks and (according to my husband) I am an expert complainer. In several languages! DM me if you want me to holler at someone.

 

[Saint Mike II]

One small question: why was the bike not shipped on the airline you flew home on? Back in 2015 I took my bike too and from Madrid. I flew Emirate Airlines!

 

[Skinnybiker]

Si, always fly with my bike, never, ever ship it; that must be the expensive option.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

Which makes me wonder why you’ve used MBE this time?? Their website doesn’t even offer a pick-up / drop-off location in Santiago. Why didn’t you use Correos?

I had MBE mentioned on this forum. Didn’t see Correa’s. Bike shop i used last trip had closed down.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

One small question: why was the bike not shipped on the airline you flew home on? Back in 2015 I took my bike too and from Madrid. I flew Emirate Airlines!

I did fly it in on my airline to Lisbon. No problem. I flew home from Madrid, hence i did not want to shuttle the bike from Santiago to Madrid on train, so i shipped it from Santiago.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

Do you know what air carrier the bike is being shipped on? If so, do you have the air bill number? The only way to get this solved is to get some human involved in helping you. It might be helpful to contact the local office of that carrier. Call until you get someone who seems willing to help.

MBE shipped it with FedEx. The label has not fallen off. It still shows in Madrid. Possibly revolving around a conveyor line 1,000s of times. No battery is involved. Surly disc trucker.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

If the bike is still in Madrid it hasn’t hit US customs. Sounds like the bar-code has fallen off. Remember that closing scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark…..

One more item for archeologists to excavate when they make a start on the Anthropocene a million years from now

Barcode is still on whereas it updates every few days with FedEx tracking showing location.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

I guess MBE shipped it with a shipping company, have you tried contacting the shipping company? Also, I know bikes with batteries are not allowed on transatlantic flights... not sure if that is an issue or not.

No batteries. When i dropped it off i mention it may be overweight where’s i was including loaded panniers. They said no problem, if a second box was required it is already included in the cost. I was surprised by this comment.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

6 weeks ago I shipped my bike home on September 18th from Santiago to USA thru Mail Boxes Etc, whereas I saw this recommended on other threads.
It is now October 31st. My apple tracker & the MBE FedEx track shows it in Madrid, as it has been for many weeks. The first excuse was they were very busy and other packages took priority. The second excuse 3 weeks ago was the weather. I believe it is damaged or destroyed. MBE is no help what so ever. I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING MBE!.
In an earlier trip I used a local bike ship recommended on this site & it was fantastic (& a lot less expensive).

 

[Stephan the Painter]

MBE shipped it with FedEx. The label has not fallen off. It still shows in Madrid. Possibly revolving around a conveyor line 1,000s of times. No battery is involved. Surly disc trucker.

How irritating.

I did have a small package caught up in Spanish customs, but I didn't know that because it always just said it was in transit. It might, in fact, be in some customs warehouse.

I don't know who the responsible party is, but it seems like FedEx. If it is insured maybe you can start the paperwork to file for a loss. Perhaps that will get some action... ?

I hope your situation resolves quickly and sorry for your hassle.

 

[Pilgrim9]

I am sure that you have already done this, but if the shipper provided a tracking number, input that into the shippers website and see what comes out.

Also, most reputable shippers provide a customer support number to assist. They will need the tracking number.

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

6 weeks ago I shipped my bike home on September 18th from Santiago to USA thru Mail Boxes Etc, whereas I saw this recommended on other threads.
It is now October 31st. My apple tracker & the MBE FedEx track shows it in Madrid, as it has been for many weeks. The first excuse was they were very busy and other packages took priority. The second excuse 3 weeks ago was the weather. I believe it is damaged or destroyed. MBE is no help what so ever. I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING MBE!.
In an earlier trip I used a local bike ship recommended on this site & it was fantastic (& a lot less expensive).

Update. November 8th, The bike has moved locations. It is now in Belgium!

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

Bike arrived in good condition almost 3 months after shipping. Box banged up, but bike is good. A second box also arrived the day before with my panniers and rear bike bag.
Happy thanksgiving!!!

 

[Pilgrim9]

That's great news, Wayne. Thanks for letting us know.

FYI to all bicyclists and micro-mobilistes out there: a free website called 529 Garage provides an on-line database wherein cyclists and owners of other micro-mobility devices can populate identifying info about their vehicle, including serial numbers, style, colour, a few photographs, etc. When a user's wheels are stolen, the user notes this in the database and other users are instantly alerted to Be On the Lookout (BOLO) for the stolen bike. The site also coordinates with a few police departments.

A number of bikes have been recovered thanks to the 529 Garage's BOLOs.

I populate all of my wheels into the database. What I do NOT do is include the storage location of my wheels.

Just a thought.

I wish you happy and safe riding.

Bike registration to reduce theft and help recovery | 529 Garage

Protect your bike for free: Register your bike in the 529 Garage, the world's best bicycle registry.

project529.com

 

[olemeg]

Bike arrived in good condition almost 3 months after shipping. Box banged up, but bike is good. A second box also arrived the day before with my panniers and rear bike bag.
Happy thanksgiving!!!

Glad your bike arrived, Wayne!
I have been leaning towards renting a bike, but lately on my longer rides I can't help but think that my own bike would be so much more reliable and likely more comfortable. I'm doing some traveling after the Camino so am now researching shipping my bike back home.

Given this recent experience and what you know now, what would you recommend to other bicigrinos who are looking to ship their bikes? Did you take out extra insurance when you shipped it back?

Thanks for your insight,
Megan

 

[Wayne of LaVerne]

No insurance. Would ship bike back with another company next time. Correas was mentioned by someone on this thread. Getting bike there was easy and free whereas the class I was flying with delta. Using points for upgrades is the most effective way to use them.

 

[olemeg]

No insurance. Would ship bike back with another company next time. Correas was mentioned by someone on this thread. Getting bike there was easy and free whereas the class I was flying with delta. Using points for upgrades is the most effective way to use them.

Thanks for this info, Wayne! Do you mind sharing what MBE charged to ship your bike? I'm having a hard time finding prices on the MBE or Correos websites. I'm trying to weigh the costs of renting vs. bringing my own bike.

 

[trecile]

I'm having a hard time finding prices on the MBE or Correos websites

According to the Correos site they only ship bikes to other European countries.

Bicycle transport on the Camino de Santiago

Send your bike to your starting point on the Camino or back from Santiago or Finisterre

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

 

[Skinnybiker]

Megan, a few thoughts but no answers;

* didn't Wayne's experience discourage you? Flying with you bike is always the best choice
* remember the fast / good / cheap venn diagram, you can only choose two
* search "international bicycle shipping" and you will find companies for the job
* investigate getting the bike to your departure city / airport. Store your bike in Santiago with Ivar or one of the bike shops then have them forward as necessary. Use Correos for delivery within Europe or travel with your bike, wherever you're going, and leave it at a hotel or storage facility.

Travelling by bike is freedom, travelling with a bike is a pita.

Richard