Configure UPS default packaging weight

[Quimbly]

I'm using Zen Cart 1.3.9b -- I haven't upgraded to 1.3.9c yet. The "c" version was released the day after I made the upgrade to 1.3.9b

It appears that the built-in UPS shipping module add 3 lbs (three pounds) to the product weight by default. I find this is inaccurate and I would rather measure and save the total shipping weight for each item myself.

So, a couple of questions on that subject:

1. Is it possible to change the default UPS packaging weight to 0? And if so, how?

2. Do other shipping modules work in the same way? In other words, do they assume that the weight I specify for each item is the item weight without packaging? The other shipper I'd probably use would be FedEx. I've installed the following FedEx module, but am still working on configuring it: http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=367

3. Is there built-in support (out-of-the-box Zen Cart) for combined item shipping in Zen Cart? If so, how do I set it up? If not, is there a good module to add this support?

4. Is there built-in support (out-of-the-box Zen Cart) for tube shipment? A lot of the items I'm shipping will be poster prints.
If so, how do I set it up? If not, is there a good module to add this support?


Thanks!

[RodG]

So, a couple of questions on that subject:

1. Is it possible to change the default UPS packaging weight to 0? And if so, how?

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=85

2. Do other shipping modules work in the same way?

Probably most, but not all... or maybe not :-)
It really depends on the module. EG, the Per Item method quotes are based on (wait for it) a specific cost for each item), therefore the tare weights won't make any difference.

3. Is there built-in support (out-of-the-box Zen Cart) for combined item shipping in Zen Cart? If so, how do I set it up?

Yes. This is zencarts' default behaviour.

4. Is there built-in support (out-of-the-box Zen Cart) for tube shipment? A lot of the items I'm shipping will be poster prints.

This is a *packing* issue rather than a *shipping* issue. Zencart (and indeed, any other ecommerce software) will have no concept of how you choose to "pack" any given item.

Cheers
Rod

[Quimbly]

Thanks for the reply and the info.

Found the "tare" setting, thanks.

Regarding combined shipping...
So, if I have two items in my shopping cart, Zen Cart will assume that both items will be shipped in the same packaging? If that's the case, then I assume it would only add the tare amount once for the order, not for the item. Is that correct? Is there a limit? How many items would be assumed to be in the order before the tare is applied more than once? Or is it determined by weight?

Regarding tube shipping...
Well, granted, I don't expect Zen Cart to do my packaging for me (), but shippers often charge different amounts for tubes than they do for box packages of the same weight. Is there any way to specify this?

Thanks again.

[Ajeh]

You could try adjusting the weight on this product to get a better quote ...