Who are we?
We are the Federal Companies. We were established in 1913.
How will my bike
be shipped?
The bike will be placed on a 4x8 specially made motorcycle
skid and strapped down with 4 soft ties. It will be transported
in the back of an enclosed trailer. There is no need for
a loading dock since the trailers have lift gates on the
back.
How long is the
transit time?
Transit time is usually about 8-10 business days from
the time of pick up. Depending on the origin and destination,
the transit could take 12-14 business days.
How long will it
take to get my bike picked up?
We can usually pick up from most locations within a couple
of days to a week.
Can I ship extra
parts or boxes with the motorcycle?
No. Any paperwork, keys, boxes, or spare parts need to
be shipped separately. Saddlebags and windshields can
stay on the bike and helmets may be shipped as long as
they are securely strapped to the bike. Just make sure
that it is noted on the inventory sheet that a helmet
is attached to the bike.
What do I need
to do to prepare the bike for shipping?
The gas needs to be drained down to reserve, or as low
as possible and empty all belongings from the saddle bags.
The bike also needs to be unlocked so that the driver
can roll the bike onto the truck and onto the skid.
How can I pay for
the shipping?
All payments must be made to our office with certified funds or by credit card.
The mailing address is 101 National Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611, Attn: Motorcycle Dept.
Will I be notified
before the pick up and delivery?
The driver will try to call the afternoon before the pick
up and delivery, but it could be as late as the morning
of. He will try to give about a 4-hour window, but you
must allow the business day! The drivers try to make the
time frame that they tell you, but sometimes they may
run late due to traffic, weather, or other circumstances.
Can I have the bike
picked up and delivered to a residence?
Yes, as long as the residence is tractor-trailer accessible.
However, it is less expensive to have it picked up and
delivered to a commercial business. Commercial pick ups
and deliveries may also be more convenient because someone
is usually there all day to hand over and receive the
bike. If you opt for a residential pick up or delivery
you must allow the working day for the driver to arrive.
What kinds of businesses
can I use?
You can use any commercial business as long as it is not
a business run out of a home and it is tractor-trailer
accessible. Some common locations that people use are
local bike shops, the business that they
or their spouse works at, or a friends business. Someone
who works at the business must be aware of the shipment
and we need to have their name and telephone number.
Will my bike change
trucks and drivers?
Yes, the bike will change trucks and drivers along the
way. Once it is strapped to a skid, though, it will stay
on that same skid.
Will the condition
of my bike be noted?
The driver will note the condition of the bike at load
and delivery. Any damage that is found at the time of
delivery must be noted on the inventory sheet and signed
for. If the damage is not noted at the time of delivery,
Federal will not be held responsible for damages
and all claims will be denied.
What is Transit Coverage ?
When finalizing your quote, you would have selected a value for your bike, based on your needs. Your options range from carrier liability of 60 cents per pound up to full value for your bike. Damage must be determined the fault of the carrier in order for the damage to be covered.
Can I just meet
you in a parking lot?
No. We prefer to not meet customers in parking lots. It
may be hard for the drivers to locate the person if it
is a very busy place and many storeowners do not like
trucks showing up on their lot. Also, the driver will
try to give a window for pick up and delivery, but there
are factors that may cause the driver to run behind. If
the driver does run behind, you may find yourself sitting
in a parking lot for a majority of the day. If he were
to show up and you are not there, you would be charged
an additional 47.00 for an attempt fee.
Can you deliver
to my hotel?
Most hotels do not want our large trucks coming in and
out of their parking lot. If the hotel manager is ok with
this, then someone at the hotel must be the contact person
and be willing to receive and hold the bike for you in
the event that the bike arrives before you do. You are
better off locating a local bike shop
to have your bike delivered to. They handle motorcycles
everyday and would take better care of your bike until
you arrive for your vacation.
Can I give you the
money for the purchase of the bike?
No. Federal only handles money for the shipping cost. The
bike purchase needs to be worked out by the buyer and
seller. There are many online companies that provide that
service to help protect both parties.
What if my bike
does not fit on the skid?
Most bikes do fit on the skid. However, if you have a
bike that is longer than 8 feet or wider than 4 feet,
you must provide your own skid and this must go dock to
dock.
What is your damage
rate and average claim?
We ship about 13,000 bikes a year and the
damage rate is about 3%. The average claim is usually
cosmetic damages and is about $500.00.
