UPS Charges not matching Worldship

[broknspyrl]

Our company is currently using UPS WorldShip software for shipping via UPS. It calculates the cost of shipping and prints a label for the package. The cost that comes up when using the software is what we are billed for.

When using the UPS module for ZenCart, a different amount appears for the same address. For example, using Worldship, a Ground delivery to 17055 is $3.85, and the cost calculated using the module for ZenCart for the same ZIP comes to $5.85, plus the handling fee we are adding to it.

Since we accept orders via Phone, Fax, Email, and the website, we need to ensure that shipping is the same for each of these ordering methods.

Does anyone know if there is a different UPS module that accepts a UPS account number, and calculates cost based on our account details. I think we are getting discounts on shipping with our account, and these discounts are not being included in the calculated cost in ZenCart.

If not, is there a way to set up multiple shipping options with predetermined costs?

[Merlinpa1969]

here is a clue,

when you use world ship you are seeing list rates.....

zen cart displays public rates


List rates = the really kool discount that you get for using UPS as a business and these are PRIVATE rates,

you want em to match adjust your rates,

better yet drop your handling fee and look that much better in your customers eyes....

[drkramer]

I too have discount rates from UPS because of the volume we ship with them through worldship. There is 0 handling fee, but the retail rates are driving off business.

I want to drop my shipping charges below UPS retail. How do I do this? If the Zen-Cart UPS module cannot get to my contracted rates, is there a different module I can use? Is there some way I could go in and take a percentage off UPS retail rates? I wouldn't mind taking a straight 15 or 20% off the retail - in fact, I think that would be preferred.

Let me say, a discount off the GROUND rates - no discount off other services (UPS doesn't give much of a break there).

Thanks in advance.

[Merlinpa1969]

you want to drop the shipping prices,

drop your weights,

you are not allowed to display lower rates then the Posted rates

[drkramer]

I tried dropping weights, but a pound is a pound, and half a pound is a pound. The per pound rates are higher than affordable.

I really am not displaying UPS rates - I am displaying the what I charge to my customers for shipping via UPS. I think this is a common practice.

Is there no easy way to base my rate for shipping UPS at say 20% less than the retail rate?

[drkramer]

you are not allowed to display lower rates then the Posted rates

I checked the UPS terms and conditions (http://www.ups.com/media/en/terms_service_12012007.pdf) and there is no provision there stating anyone is obliged to show only their rates or to charge their listed price.

I think if they were to force others to only charge their determined rate, it would be a violation of at least 3 federal laws.

Are we talking about the same thing here or is there something different?

[Merlinpa1969]

Are you displaying the rates FROM ups,

if so then you are NOT allowed to display rates lower than their published,

this is the same as with fedex, and I fought with them for 3 years,

all you can do is DROP your weights ( tare included ) to get close to what your list rates are,


otherwise go with a table based system

[Merlinpa1969]

lol,

they have published rates and list rates for a reason,

I have givin you the answers , aparantly you dont like what aI have to say so I will head out,

[drkramer]

I appreciate your responses, and perhaps I stated my intention inappropriately from the start. I don't want to expose what I pay to UPS. Customers do not need to know what I pay.

What I want to display is an amount I will charge my customers for shipping a package by UPS. I want to discount or subsidize part of the UPS rate myself. There is no provision in the UPS agreement to prevent that. It states I can use their computer systems for the purpose of shipping packages through their service, which I would do. I would even show their retail/rack rate in their estimate (but I would let people know I split the shipping charge with them - a bonus of shopping with me).

I am asking if there is a developed programmatic way using Zen-Cart. I would take showing a separate line that said 20% shipping discount, or UPS rate less 20%.

[DrByte]

There is not such a feature built-in, but you could add it, perhaps as an additional custom order-total module.

If your UPS account has web-tools support connected to it, you might try using the UPS-XML module which logs into UPS using *your* account, and just might end up quoting you based on your account profile. You can find the module link in the wiki under 3rd-party contributions.