Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1
    Plugin Contributions
    0

    help question Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    OK. So I have a conundrum. Up until this point, our Zen Cart installation was based on table rate as the only option. The table rates were all skewed way too low, and required a loss on our part for shipping costs. I have remedied that by enabling the USPS shipping module and charging exact rates for packages based on weight and zones from the USPS webtools connection. Seems to work fine.

    Now throw the Flat Rate Box in the mix. How would one manage to determine whether it's best to ship out flat rate or not using zen cart?

    Here's an example. We ship out cloth diapers. A 12 pack of them basically fills a flat rate box (with very little room left), which saves the customer, since assuming we're shipping to Delaware from Florida, it would cost the customer 9.80 using the USPS rates, or 8.10 using the flat rate box. However, there are some items that may not fit in the flat rate box at all (seeing as how diapers can be light but full of "stuffing").

    Any one have any suggestions as to how to handle this, without soaking the customer (in other words, we want to charge shipping without a handling fee, and to go the best way)

    I have looked into UPS, but we don't have a strict rate quote from them yet based on our business volume. The standard rates may end up more expensive from them.

    Thanks for any replies and help is appreciated.
    Thinkdreams.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    33,715
    Plugin Contributions
    0

    Default Re: Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    Honestly- keep it simple, just use the published rates.
    Please do not PM for support issues: a private solution doesn't benefit the community.

    Be careful with unsolicited advice via email or PM - Make sure the person you are talking to is a reliable source.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    20
    Plugin Contributions
    0

    Default Re: Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    Is there any way, in general, to say allow the flat rate box shipping option if the item is under a certain weight, to get rid of some of the disparate published vs flat rate box rates?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    14
    Plugin Contributions
    0

    Default Re: Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    You can use the Flat Rate shipping option in admin. IF you want to give instrustiond about when a customer may use flat rate then modify the page checkout_shipping with the instructions. You can also modify the color of the shipping instructions in your .css file. I use Flate rate & tell the customers on the checkout shipping page that they can not use flat rate for stringer kilns etc.. So far everyone has used flat rate correctly.In my product description I indicate that this item may not be shipped flat rate.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Spudville
    Posts
    62
    Plugin Contributions
    0

    Default Re: Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    How about charging them the published rate and if you can send it in the flat rate box, offer them a shipping refund?! Your customers will appreciate your integrity and the refund.
    www.PrairieRoses.com
    A Country Sensibility

  6. #6

    Default Re: Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    Quote Originally Posted by Kokonutmama View Post
    Is there any way, in general, to say allow the flat rate box shipping option if the item is under a certain weight, to get rid of some of the disparate published vs flat rate box rates?


    To allow for Flat Rate boxes I am using the USPS and the table module.
    In the table module I have the following setting:

    Enable Table Method
    True

    Shipping Table
    2:4.6, 10:8.95

    Table Method
    weight

    Since I have my store is for books, I have the flat rate envelope and the flat rate box listed. When the client checks out they are able to chose either the USPS or the table rate (it normally bolds the best rate).

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    San Fran
    Posts
    382
    Plugin Contributions
    0

    Default Re: Shipping Based On USPS and Flat Rate Boxes

    Quote Originally Posted by zhylosa View Post
    To allow for Flat Rate boxes I am using the USPS and the table module.
    In the table module I have the following setting:

    Enable Table Method
    True

    Shipping Table
    2:4.6, 10:8.95

    Table Method
    weight

    Since I have my store is for books, I have the flat rate envelope and the flat rate box listed. When the client checks out they are able to chose either the USPS or the table rate (it normally bolds the best rate).
    What is the table module you are speaking about here?

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. v139e Combine Flat Rate shipping and shipping cost based on weight
    By dang in forum Built-in Shipping and Payment Modules
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 13 Nov 2012, 05:45 PM
  2. Flat Rate Shipping based on UK/EU and ROW
    By Taffman in forum Addon Shipping Modules
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 8 Nov 2010, 05:08 PM
  3. USPS Flat Rate Boxes
    By noderaser in forum Built-in Shipping and Payment Modules
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 6 Sep 2010, 09:25 PM
  4. USPS and flat-rate shipping
    By mzimmers in forum Built-in Shipping and Payment Modules
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 17 Mar 2010, 03:23 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
disjunctive-egg
Zen-Cart, Internet Selling Services, Klamath Falls, OR