UPS and USPS rates per weight and size

[rjspomer]

This may have been answered several times but I have not found it. I have a problem in setting up my shipping options. I have a few different products that weight from 2lbs up to 7.5lbs.

Using the UPS and the USPS modules work fine for the single small products that can ship easily in the usps priority boxes and if someone purchases more then the weight makes UPS a better choice for price.

BUT and this is the problem when the box size gets to big for the weight then the UPS and USPS modules don't work.

An example:

I just sold 15 wastepaper baskets that are 12"x12"x14" they weight 7.5lbs each
I put 2 per box
Total package weights (tare) 18lbs
box size 18"x18"x28"


If the total of the w x l x h exceeds 5,824 cubic inches, UPS uses the the total width x length x height /194 to get the cost which in this example is 47 which means the package is based on 47lbs.

So the shipping charge is $48.50 not $11.59 like the estimator module shows.

What can I do to make a work around for this.

I have now set the max weight at 9lbs. The tare is 5:.8

I do appreciate all your help
Thanks
RJ

[DWells]

Not sure if this will work for you or not... but instead of setting the Max weight at 98 pounds... set your max weight at 7.5 or 8 pounds, in theory that would make the module put each item in it's own box, and should get you closer to the correct shipping costs, you could use a handleing fee to get even closer.

If you haven't tried it, you might consider looking into that method. Otherwise your next best option is going to go with a per-item shipping method, and set the price for what it cost to ship one item <- the unfortunate thing with this method is you either over charge the customer, or under charge them.

[rjspomer]

Thanks for your reply.

I do have the max weight set at 9 lbs and that kind of works like you said it forces the item to be estimated in their own individual box. I have the quantity of boxes turned off also.

I just learned the hard way today when this large order came thru.

Being new to online sales I didn't realize how UPS figures their charges. It makes sense a light box taking up the space of one the same size but heaver.

This all worked fine when someone just ordered one item. I would hate to sell something like pillows using this setup.

It would be nice to have a way that the shipping was estimated just like the shipping companies are quoted using the box size and the weight. I am not sure how you would go about putting together the many combinations of possible products and the correct packaging size.

RJ

[rjspomer]

With some tweaking and help from the Uline box companies catalog I have been able to work out a solution.

http://uline.com

example:

send from 38112
ship to 91201

18 x 18 x 28 @ 18lb = $46.84 UPS
14 x 14 x 24 @ 18lb = $20.78 UPS

So if I choose packaging to fit the maximum size 5,824 cubic inches by using uline's catalog you can save a bunch and make the module somewhat work. Uline indicates which boxes are the maximum UPS size before the Dim.WT. Fees are used.

I have changed the max setting to 18lbs and this will work for two of my wastepaper baskets slipped inside of each other. I will buy 14 x 14 x 24" boxes for the my larger multi product orders. These will work with the UPS settings.

I just wanted to pass this on to any other newbie who may have this same issue.

Size matters.

RJ