Need some help with attribute

[BamaPlants]

ok.. My site is v1.3.9h with Twist of Nature template and COWOA and drop down Menu add ons.
I have ONE item that NEEDS ( kinda must most of the time) be shipped separate from all other items.. I don't mind refunding shipping to customers when and if I can combine with other things BUT so often I cannot and it ends up costing me money.. SO I want to know how I can make one item on my site calculate shipping separately from all other items all of the time.. It has been suggested that an attribute would work but I am not finding a clear answer anywhere.. ANY help would be greatly appreciated and thank you.

[Ajeh]

What shipping modules are you using for all of the other Products?

On this one Product, is it one charge to everyone for the same amount? Or are there differences? If there are differences then what are they based on?

[BamaPlants]

same product cost to everyone

USPS shipping module

[BamaPlants]

all of my shipping rules are based solely on weight MOST of my items are Live or lightweight but this one item is heavy AND bulky and cannot be shipped with live plants safely MOST of the time

[Ajeh]

If this heavy Product is in the cart by itself. what shipping module should be used?

[BamaPlants]

USPS..

this is the only delivery service I offer

[Ajeh]

You could customize it so you cannot checkout with the Heavy Product in the cart with any other Product in the cart by adding the code in RED to:
/includes/modules/pages/shopping_cart/header_php.php

// used to display invalid cart issues when checkout is selected that validated cart and returned to cart due to errors
if (isset($_SESSION['valid_to_checkout']) && $_SESSION['valid_to_checkout'] == false) {
  $messageStack->add('shopping_cart', ERROR_CART_UPDATE . $_SESSION['cart_errors'] , 'caution');
}
// bof: warn no checkout with mixed cart
$products_id_heavy = 12;
if ($_SESSION['cart']->get_quantity($products_id_heavy) != $_SESSION['cart']->count_contents()) {
  $messageStack->add('shopping_cart', 'Checkout unavailable with Heavy Product in cart' , 'caution');
}
// eof: warn no checkout with mixed cart

// build shipping with Tare included

/includes/modules/pages/checkout_shipping/header_php.php

// bof: warn no checkout with mixed cart
$products_id_heavy = 12;
if ($_SESSION['cart']->get_quantity($products_id_heavy) != $_SESSION['cart']->count_contents()) {
  zen_redirect(zen_href_link(FILENAME_SHOPPING_CART));
}
// eof: warn no checkout with mixed cart

// if no shipping destination address was selected, use the customers own address as default

/includes/modules/pages/checkout_payment/header_php.php

// bof: warn no checkout with mixed cart
$products_id_heavy = 12;
if ($_SESSION['cart']->get_quantity($products_id_heavy) != $_SESSION['cart']->count_contents()) {
  zen_redirect(zen_href_link(FILENAME_SHOPPING_CART));
}
// eof: warn no checkout with mixed cart

// get coupon code

And set the products_id for the Heavy Product where 12 is defined in these:

$products_id_heavy = 12;

to your Heave Product's products_id ...

This will display a message about no checkout when the Heavy Product is combined with other Products ...

[BamaPlants]

hmm.. ok this might work.. and thank you.. I will also make note on the heavy item's description warning of this and letting them know I will combine and refund IF I can..

thank you