Different shipping methods based on quantity

[falariem]

Salutations, fellow Zenners.

I am setting up a cart for a client that has four products. What she is looking to do in terms of shipping is as follows:

1. Individual-item purchases are shipped via USPS.

2. Multiple-item purchases are shipped via UPS.

3. On the multiple-item purchases, shipping is $3.00 for 2-5 items, and $5.00 for 6-9 items.

4. 10 or more would be "call for special ordering."

OK, with all of that, consider that I am still a bit of a rookie to Zen Cart, and absolutely green when it comes to shipping. Where should I start?

Any feedback appreciated, even it's a simple RTFM!

[falariem]

OK, either this is completely over everyone's head, or I have no frickin clue what I am talking about. Considering my experience in Zen Cart is limited, and doesn't include such concepts as tax and shipping, I'm going to assume the latter.

Let me simplify this request, then, to steps 1 and 2 above. Ignore the rest of my request. Is this doable in Zen Cart? I can't find anything in Goh Hoek's big fat manual on the subject.

Or is it standard online practice that the end user is left in 100% control of what shipping option they go with, even if its only one?

[Ajeh]

You say for Individual Items that you want USPS ...

Do you mean when there is 1 item in the cart?

Or, are you trying to say that many Products with Qty 1?


When you say Multiple Items is UPS but then go on to say that Multiple Items shipping is $3.00 for 2-5 items, and $5.00 for 6-9 items ... what do you really mean?

Do you want the UPS quotes based on weight ... or, do you want your Quotes and "happen" to be planning to ship UPS?


When you say 10 or more is a "call for special ordering" do you mean if I want to buy Product A in Qty 10, that I have to call you? Or, if I want to buy 10 different Products?

[falariem]

Hi Ajeh,
Thanks for replying.

1. By individual, I mean just one item. The four items are different setups of a lighting kit. The casual consumer would come to the site, select one, then proceed to checkout.

2. However, some customers may want to place a multi-item order mixing the four different products. In that case, the shipping option changes to UPS. Is this doable? I actually wouldn't be surprised if this is not possible, as I have done a lot of online shopping, and have never run into a situation where some of the shipping options weren't available because I ordered 1 instead of 5.

3. As for the $3.00 and $5.00 bit, I apologize. I'm new to the concepts of shipping and handling charges, and those figures are actually the handling fee that gets applied on top of the shipping amount. Now, I know a handling fee can be applied per box in an order, but can that fee be incremental, based on quantity?

4. Per the client's instructions, it looks like 10+ kits requires a "contact us for price" on the shipping, regardless of how many of the four items are in the cart. Is that something that's doable in the system?

Thanks again. I really appreciate the help in getting better acquainted with the system.