Handling in Zen

[aeonmedia]

I have a specific problem, which is that I need to set up some tare functionality but this time with set dollar amounts instead of a percentage. This is because the items in the cart may be less expensive, yet heavy. So a set $ amount will prevent problems.

Can anyone out there help me? I need the following weight in pounds/ hard dollar amounts for handling fees:

1 - 15# $6.00 Handling

16 - 30# $8.00

31 - 50# 10.00

51 - 75# 15.00

76 - 90# 20.00

Is there an add-on that will do this? Has anyone developed this before?

[Kim]

What module are you using for the shipping rates?

[aeonmedia]

right now - the USPS and the UPS modules are on.

[Kim]

There is not a module that will add a handling charge based on the weight. I would suggest padding the weight of your items to collect a slightly higher freight rate.

[aeonmedia]

Thanks everyone, for your support and information. I appreciate it.
I don't mean to be thick - but this is a real problem for me. Your messages are very useful - esp the one about 'padding' the weight.

This brings up several questions. The problem is that just because something weighs more does not mean the price is high enough to cover the handling. Unless I am misunderstanding this process. Bear with me here -

example - the item costs 3.00 and weighs 6 lbs. Shipping on this does not cover handling - right - so when i used the tare function in the shipping/packaging module what i am getting is some percentage of 3.00 added back. That's going to be too low.

Padding the weight will make that percentage go up and I understand that. But there is no way to rapidly do this - across the board - is there? I would have to do that for every single product and also - people may complain for paying higher shipping charges if they weight the items they get. also there are already about 400+ products i would have to edit. thats a lot of work compared to coming up with a global, universal function I can just plug in.

Is there some way to attach a 'zone' to a product. Like - its 1 of 5 sizes (lbs categories). Maybe I can do this in the attribute zone?

One item would be an 'a' zone and therefore a flat fee associated with that zone gets tacked on? I thnk I can do a rapid SQL import if i can come up with a formula or something.

thanks again for all the help.

[Kim]

I am confused- you have an item the retails for $3.00, it weighs 6 pounds, so the USPS charge would be $12.11 (parcel post) and you want to charge an additional, $6.00? Do people actually pay 6 times the item cost for shipping and handling?

[aeonmedia]

Yes. That's the handling fee. these are one of a kind items that require a lot of packaging. Also - these are consolidated and a minimum order amount is required. so they are often packaged into one box - thus the need for more wrap and so forth.

I was approaching the issue all wrong. Padding that weight would have caused me problems - it seems a bit like false representation to do that. Plus it wouldn't be accurate really.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiries - because your ideas really helped and - now i have the problem solved. It's a matter of using the attributes - split into zones and I also developed a rapid import - a filemaker pro to SQL bridge that allows me to populate the cart pretty rapidly. so i'll be able to modify those values in PHPmyadmin and get it done fast. those 400+ products should be no problem now.

It's just a matter of changing perspective. At the end of the day- as long as the packaging is paid for by that fixed handling fee - its all good.