Code to read fields from db for freightquote shipping module

[jimmie]

this one. i use advanced shipper by ceon
Multiple (mixed) products are allowed and:
Customer can have multiple products in the shopping cart.
Customer can add quantities greater than one.
One package (with dimensions) per quantity of each product for shipping.

[jimmie]

if a customer orders more than 4 it will switch automatically switch to freight, which will than ship on a pallet.(1 size)

[lhungil]

...
Multiple (mixed) products are allowed and:
Customer can have multiple products in the shopping cart.
Customer can add quantities greater than one.
One package (with dimensions) per quantity of each product for shipping.

This means you will need to code the shipping module (for parcel shipping) to add each package (with product) individually to the order with the correct weight and dimensions. This will require creating custom code.

At the minimum the custom code will need to loop through the order / shopping cart to add each package to the shipping quote request. It may need to split up the order into multiple quote requests if the number of packages exceeds the number allowed by the shipping carriers quote API. There are a number of other factors which may also come into play.

if a customer orders more than 4 it will switch automatically switch to freight, which will than ship on a pallet.(1 size)

Do you already have modifications made to your existing shipping modules to trigger this "switch"?
Do you have ONE set size box or packaging you always utilize on the pallet?
How are you determining the freight class (weight + dimensions) when multiple (mixed) products are shipped on one pallet?

[jimmie]

advanced shipper has the ability to ship by category,number of packages,weight,product,manufacturers,ups,fedex,usps, i plan to have a notice that explains that these items require special shipping and handling and will ship independently of any others. The way my fedex is setup it is preset to

		<Dimensions>
				<Length>1</Length>
				<Width>1</Width>
				<Height>1</Height>
				<Units>IN</Units>
			</Dimensions>

so no matter what is in cart dimensions never change

[jimmie]

i had the freightquote module merged into advanced shipper

[lhungil]

Hope you do not mind all the questions, but the answers are very important. Hopefully they will help anyone reading this thread get a more detailed picture of what is involved (and the complexity involved with handling all scenarios involving dimensional shipping).

... so no matter what is in cart dimensions never change ...

You are asking for trouble and incorrect shipping quotes if the dimensions sent to the shipping carrier (parcel or freight) never change. The bulkier a package, typically the greater cost to ship. If dimensions are sent in the quote request, the dimensions need to be specified for each package (or shipping container) to avoid an operating loss due to under-billing. This is especially true for freight, were one is always charged based on freight class (combination of volume + weight) and the overall weight.

... freightquote module merged into advanced shipper ...

A quick look at the code from your post on the subject reveals a couple red flags in the shipping module portion of the code. For example if no freight class is present it defaults to the cheapest possible freight class. The code handling dimensions also fails to take into consideration a quantity greater than one.

For Example: One product which is 6x6x6 may fit in a 6x6x6 space, but five of those products will take up considerable more space (at least 5 times the volume - possibly more as square volume is used for most freight shipping).

Most of the freight API's I've worked with for quotes will ignore dimensions if the freight class is sent (thus quotes should usually be close if the freight class is correct and dimensions are wrong). However if the API uses the dimensions to calculate the class (and ignores the class or detects the class is incorrect) you may run into issues. You will also run into issues when an order contains large products and / or quantities (taking up more volume than the truck can carry); especially if the volume exceeds a TruckLoad.

From the shipping module in the other thread:

...
$product_list[] = array(
  'Class' => (zen_not_null($data->fields['products_freightquote_class']) ? $data->fields['products_freightquote_class'] : '50'),
  'ProductDescription' => $product['name'],
  'Weight' => ceil($product['quantity'] * $product['weight']),
  'Length' => ceil($data->fields['products_freightquote_length']),
  'Width' => ceil($data->fields['products_freightquote_width']),
  'Height' => ceil($data->fields['products_freightquote_height']),
...

[jimmie]

i sell flooring most of that will ship freight handled by freightquote (freight class is set it products) if a customer buys flooring everything is fine cause it ships freight, but if they didint buy enough and need another box or roll of pad i can send it fedex. In theory i could set up my weights like this, L x w x H /166 and take the higher number as weight, but than my freightquote would get wrong weight. If they order other than flooring they will see another quote from fedex or ups or usps.
Ex.
7 rolls of pad, 700 ft of Laminate flooring, Moldings all ship freight Price:$140.00
2 Knives, roll of tape, Nails all ship from Fedex or ETC. Price: 30.00
1 special laminate cutter made by crain shipped by crain Price: $15.00
Total Shipping is $ 185.00

[jimmie]

i have made a clone of advanced shipper and run it side by side 1 handles stock and 1 handles drop shipping

[jimmie]

i can setup box weight in advanced shipper

[jimmie]

Fixed here it
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...44#post1268144