2 different shipping amounts and a maximum per order for shipping

[scid]

I hope someone can point me in the right direction. I've been searching and searching and cannot find this exact problem. I'm only slightly versed in coding, but cannot write my own code. (I can copy and paste though).

I have several small items in my shop. Most can ship for $2.00 and I've been using a flat rate shipping of $2.00 per order. If someone orders a 2nd or 3rd item, the shipping rate only changes a few pennies and I'd rather make it simple. Well now I've complicated things because I'm adding 2 items which should only have $1.00 shipping fee if purchased inidivudally, original items should charge $2.00 if shipping individually, but I don't want to charge more than $2.00 total shipping even if they order a larger quantity or a mix of items. Can anyone help me figure out how to do this?

Thanks in advance!

[Ajeh]

You could customize the Flat Rate flat shipping module ...

    function quote($method = '') {
      global $order;

// bof: custom Flat rates
global $cart;
// check how many cart contains of products_id 6
$chk_item1 = 0;
$chk_item1 += $_SESSION['cart']->in_cart_check('products_id','6');

// check how many cart contains of products_id 18
$chk_item2 = 0;
$chk_item2 += $_SESSION['cart']->in_cart_check('products_id','18');

// check total count
$chk_cart_count = $_SESSION['cart']->count_contents();

// set rate based on total items in cart vs products_id 6, products_id 18 vs all products
switch (true) {
  case ($chk_item1 == $chk_cart_count):
  // only Item1 is in the cart
    $flat_charge = 1.00;
    break;
  case ($chk_item2 == $chk_cart_count):
  // only Item2 is in the cart
    $flat_charge = 1.00;
    break;
  default:
  // mixed cart
    $flat_charge = MODULE_SHIPPING_FLAT_COST;
    break;
}

      $this->quotes = array('id' => $this->code,
                            'module' => MODULE_SHIPPING_FLAT_TEXT_TITLE,
                            'methods' => array(array('id' => $this->code,
                                                     'title' => MODULE_SHIPPING_FLAT_TEXT_WAY,
                                                     'cost' => $flat_charge)));
// eof: custom Flat rates

      if ($this->tax_class > 0) {
        $this->quotes['tax'] = zen_get_tax_rate($this->tax_class, $order->delivery['country']['id'], $order->delivery['zone_id']);
      }

NOTE: Set the Flat Rate Fee to 2.00 on the module ...

[scid]

The only thing I don't think this will let me do is have some items be $1 if purchased individually and some items be $2 if purchased individually or am I missing something? It's pretty close though if it's the best I can do.

[scid]

Oh wait, I think I understand, there are 2 product ID's shown. So, I can just add the product ID of each type of item and separate by commas?

[Ajeh]

No ... I set this up to test for individual products_id ...

You would need to follow the pattern of the two examples if you want to add more that are $1.00 shipping products when purchased alone ...

[scid]

Hmmmm, in order to not need to add a product id each time I add a new product (frequently as each product is a one of a kind item, handmade) could I do this by catagory? All items in one catagory gets charged $1 shipping, all items in the 2nd catagory gets $2 shipping with a max shipping rate of $2??

[Ajeh]

All Products get a $2.00 Flate Rate Charge unless you build a test for them to see how many items are in the cart and if all of them are that item ...