[jebba]

<p>A few months ago, we hosted a young woman and her boyfriend in our house overnight.  They were friends of friends, so we didn't know them, but they were very nice people who just needed a place to crash for one night.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The young woman had been biking across the state, and needed to catch a plane, so she asked if she could leave her bike at our house.  We have plenty of space in the garage, so said sure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For the last 2-3 months, we've been working on how to get the bike back to her.  She tried to find someone who was going to pick up the bike, but after several email and text exchanges, that didn't happen.  Then she asked if we'd hold onto the bike for a month or so.  We said sure.  This weeks she contacted me and asked me to either mail the bike, or allow her to list in on craigslist for sale, and then mail her the check.  I told her I'd mail it.  I really don't have time to host strangers coming to the house to look at this bike.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, she said she'd be happy to reimburse the cost of the mailing, or send baked goods as thanks.  To me, that sounds a bit like saying, "You pay for it, and if you insist, I'll pay you back."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>She seems like a very nice person, and on the one hand, I don't mind doing this for her.  But on the other other hand, I think she's either incredibly naive or really f-ing annoying not to realize that this is a huge pain in the ass to hand a virtual stanger.  If it were a friend or family member, I wouldn't be annoyed.  So that's telling about my personality, I suppose.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I need to find bike shipping boxes.  The bike needs to be dismantled and packed, and taken to the post office.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To top it off--and to show my very petty side--she also texts and emails with multiple exclamation points!!!!!!!!    Thanks for reading!!!!!!</p>

 

[Lincoln]

<p>I vote you burn the bike...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd be super annoyed if someone wanted me to mail a bike.  And then not explicitly say, "I'll mail you a check."</p>

 

[coachie]

<p>sounds like a doofus.  She should send you the money to mail it BEFORE you send it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And then when she gets it, she should send you some "baked goods" as a thank you.</p>

 

[Buxtehude]

<p>No good deed goes unpunished.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>!!!</p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<p>If she's a friend of a friend, give the bike to the friend and let them handle it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barring that, I don't think that shipping a bike is going to be a trivial amount of money.  You have to buy boxes and packing material.  And I can't imagine that shipping is inexspenvie.  Plus, as you say, you need to dismantle the bike.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's a collasal waste of your time.  Baked goods my ass.  Definately get the money before you ship. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>You're a lawyer, think of the billable hours.  </p>

 

[Mrtambalynman]

<p>Does the bike fit you? <span><img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd figure out the cost of having it professionally packed and shipped and give her the estimate.  Ask her to send you a check or paypal for that amount and you will ship the bike back to her.  If she doesn't send the money keep the bike for your own use or sell it.  You've stored it for months now.  If her friends are local by all means pass the problem on to them.  If not tell her to put up or shut up. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyone who goes on a cross country bike trip and doesn't figure out a way to get the bike back with them doesn't really care about the bike IMHO - the only way I'd leave my bike behind is if I had a family emergency. </p>

 

[jebba]

<p>Gah!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for the commiseration.  What makes it worse is when you talk to her, she's just the sweetest person ever.  She ran from Boston to San Diego and raised money for Girls on the Run.  She's really a great person.  Except for this darned bike thing.</p>

 

[muzicgrl]

<p>Get a quote from a bike shop to do it all and send her the price beforehand. I suspect she will be surprised at the price.</p>

 

[4boysmom]

<p>Yep.  Bike shops are used to shipping bikes.  Ask them what htey charge to pack a bike (they have boxes) and if they have a ballpark idea for shipping.  Email the girl and let her know what it's going to cost.  Then she can decide!!!!!!!!!!</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>I feel your pain.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now on to what guys do, give advice.  Is your friend close by?  Can they pick up the bike and deal with it?</p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Mrtambalynman</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72658/would-you-be-annoyed-i-e-commiserate-with-me#post_1984300"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Does the bike fit you? <span><img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Actually, this might be the best idea yet.</p>

 

[RaisingArizonainNH]

<p> 4boysmom has the right idea.. unless you can  deal it over to the friend as Grizzly advised.  She may be sweet but she is assuming, so be kind but realistic and direct. You are not her mother.   Call a bike shop and or one of those shipping outlets= get a quote. Email her with the amount. REMIND HER that you have stored it for FREE all this time. If she does not want to pay for that then advise her that the bike will be yours or gone .. but DO NOT do craigslist for her  _ACK .. She needs a reality  check!</p>

 

[markalan]

<p>Craigslist it, sell it, keep the $$$ -  if the bike was that important, she'd figure out a way to get it</p>