Complicated Shipping Methods

[TerranRich]

On a store that I'm developing for a client, he wants a rather complicated set of shipping options that involve zones.

However, the three zones are as follows: (1) Contiguous United States (all states except AK and HI); (2) Alaska and Hawaii; and (3) International (all countries except U.S.).

1. Is it possible to create zones that involve certain states, instead of entire countries?

Next, in each zone, the shipping cost depends upon two factors: the total sub-total price; and the shipping method chosen. For example, in the contiguous U.S., if an order is between $400 and $699.99, and the customer chooses 3-Day Shipping, the total shipping cost is $34.40. If it's between $700 and $999.99, and Next-Day is chosen, the total shipping cost is $65.30.

I'm looking how to create my own shipping module, but there are no resources on the web as far as I can see that explain what the different variables involved are, as well as how to access various pieces of information.

2. Is there clear documentation on how to create a shipping module, or can anybody steer me in the right direction as to how I can go about setting up the three zones, the price ranges, and the shipping choices I want to offer?

If anybody needs it, I can provide the shipping table for each of the three zones.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[schoolboy]

Many shipping modules can be "CLONED" - you can create a "copy" of the module so that its behaviour is replicated, either to facilitate the same shipping process as another module, but for a different zone, or to have a variety or shipping rates for ONE zone.

fairestcape has a good tutorial on CLONING here:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115687

[TerranRich]

OK, I defintiely see the benefits of cloning. So let's say I clone the Table Rate module (which is what I'd use if I simply wanted price-range based shipping costs), so that there would be different Table Rates for different shipping methods (i.e. Ground, 3-Day, 2-Day, Next Day). How would the zones fit in? Or would I have to hard-code that (i.e., check in the script which country/state the customer is from, and select the proper shipping method/table rate combination)?

I'm an expert in PHP coding, but I just don't know how the Zen Cart system works well enough to do these things right off the bat.

[TerranRich]

I just found this add-on: http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73166

It seems to add the ability to set Table Rates for different zones. If I installed this module, and cloned, would it be possible use different Zone-Tables for different shipping methods? Problem is, there are different ship methods for different zones.

Contiguous U.S.: Ground, 3-Day, 2-Day, Next Day
Alaska/Hawaii: 2-Day Air, Next Day Air
International: 12-Day Air, 4-Day Air

Would that work?

[JSWeb]

TerranRich,

Our recommendation for the best shipping module is by far the CEON AdvShipper - not only is the documentation great but there is very little that can't be achieved. Certainly worth you giving it a go.

I hope that helps

[TerranRich]

$75? I don't know.

If I did purchase this, how would I be sure it would do what I want it to do? I was trying out the test admin area, and I don't think it can do what needs to be done. Basically, there would be three zone, and each zone would have multiple shipping methods. Each method would then have a Table Rate (i.e. 0-99.99 @$8.50, 100.00-199.99 @ $12.95, etc.). If I'm going to spend $75 on this add-on, it had better be useable.

However, I really don't have the money to spend, and would really rather accomplish this using the built-in methods.

Here's what I was thinking... I would clone the ZoneTable add-on like so: ZoneTableGround would be assigned to Zone 1 (all US except AK and HI), and would have its own Table Rate schedule. ZoneTable3Day would be Zone 1, as would ZoneTable2Day and ZoneTableNextDay. Then, ZoneTable2DayAir and ZoneTableNextDayAir would be for Alaska and Hawaii (Zone 2). ZoneTable12Day and ZoneTable4Day would be Zone 3 (all other countries/international).

Would that be doable via cloning of the ZoneTable add-on?

[schoolboy]

Yes... can be done by cloning ZoneTable module. I have done this on numerous occasions with UK Royal Mail (which is a nightmare otherwise).

Thing to remember for ZONETABLES.

BEFORE YOU INSTALL this module and its clones, your ZONE DEFINITIONS must be properly set up FIRST or you will get php errors.

See my posts under this thread: http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...ne+Definitions

CEON's Advanced Shipper is unquestionalby the answer to ALL shipping setup challenges, and like JSWEB, I would recommend this route if you want a quick, hassle-free solution. The developer of this mod put literally hundreds of hours into its development, and it is quite simply a brilliant one-size-fits-all solution. In my opinion, the $75 is a mere snip.

However, what you are after CAN be achieved by cloning the zonetables module... but set up your zone definitions FIRST... The module's self-configuration relies on a COUNT of the number of zone definitions. if you add more zone definitions AFTER installing the module(s) the COUNT that the self-configurator establishes on installation will not match the actual count, and the module(s) will need to be uninstalled and then re-installed to get this COUNT integer correct.

[TerranRich]

Does the ZoneTables mod allow for state-specific zones? For example, different shipping to Alaska/Hawaii than to the rest of the U.S.

[TerranRich]

Never mind, I missed the fact that you have to create Zone Definitions. Of course, a definition that includes every country other than the U.S. required some clever PHP scripting on my part to craft MySQL queries that selected all zones outside of the U.S., then inserted them into zones_to_geo_zones, etc.

Now that the Zone Definitons are created, I'm moving on to cloning the Zone Table modules. Since no shipping method (e.g. Ground, Next Day, 2-Day Air) can be found in more than one zone, I'm assuming I should create a Zone Table clone for each zone/method combination (8 total): ZoneTableUSGround, ZoneTableAKHI2Day, ZoneTableIntl12Day, and so forth. Then, each ZoneTable___ module will only utilize one zone, and use a Table Rate based on pricing.

This seems to solve my problem! Thanks schoolboy and JSWeb for all your help!!

[schoolboy]

Never mind, I missed the fact that you have to create Zone Definitions. Of course, a definition that includes every country other than the U.S. required some clever PHP scripting on my part to craft MySQL queries that selected all zones outside of the U.S., then inserted them into zones_to_geo_zones, etc.

Doing it this way is possible (I've done it a few times), but it's risky, because you can unintentionally make mistakes. Use the admin console locations / taxes interface to thoroughly inspect your work, and this will give you an orderly display of the choices and settings you have done through phpMyAdmin

Now that the Zone Definitons are created, I'm moving on to cloning the Zone Table modules. Since no shipping method (e.g. Ground, Next Day, 2-Day Air) can be found in more than one zone, I'm assuming I should create a Zone Table clone for each zone/method combination (8 total): ZoneTableUSGround, ZoneTableAKHI2Day, ZoneTableIntl12Day, and so forth. Then, each ZoneTable___ module will only utilize one zone, and use a Table Rate based on pricing.

Essentially, yes... this is the right track.

Using ZONETABLES clones, the differential between each module is the shipping SERVICE being offered.

So you would set up one clone as GROUND, another clone as 2 DAY, another clone as INTL 2 DAY... etc.

Then it's just a case of inserting the applicable RATE(s) for each of the DEFINED zones you have set up.