Shipping by Category?

[Lil Boy--Big Woods]

I need help, please. I have 5 Categories of Items. One category can be shipped for a flat rate. The other 4 categories need to be shipped based on weight.

Is there a way to have an "intelligent" look at the items in the cart that is being checked out to offer flat rate if all items are in the 1st category, but not to offer it if any are in any of the other 4 categories? Can it be done at all? HELP, please.

Thanks

[Ajeh]

It could be done ... but this would take some custom coding as there is not an option for shipping by category at this time ...

[Lil Boy--Big Woods]

Would it be a "major" project (very expensive?) or modest to some extent, in your truly expert opinion? I am very interested in doing this, but need to be within my budget. I would value your thoughts, including any interest you may have to do it.

[Ajeh]

It would really depend on how the shop is setup ...

There isn't anything right now as there is such a variety as to how categories are laid out ... and whether this would manage 5 categories or 55 categories or 555 categories can really make a difference in how this should be written ...

[bbqboys]

Store set up is as follows: 6 Categories, total of 37 items.
One category is only light weight seasoning packets (1-2 ounce) Everything else is more weighty.

Need is to have the shopping cart evaluated at checkout.

If the cart contains up to 12 items of Category 3, we would want the Flat Rate $7.00 shipping option to be shown. If there are items from any other category present, or if there are more than 12 Category 3 items present, we would want that Flat Rate to be hidden or not shown as an option. Possible?

[Ajeh]

What happens when 13 items are in the shopping cart for Category 3?

[Lil Boy--Big Woods]

We would ship via FedEx Ground, like all the other categories

[Lil Boy--Big Woods]

up to 12 packets fit perfectly in a USPS Priority Envelope for 4.85

[Ajeh]

Do you have other Categories like this?

Let's say you have Product A from Category 3 and Product B from Category 23 ...

You order <= 12 of Product A which is $7.00 Flat ...

You order <= 12 of Product A which is $7.00 Flat ... you order 10 of Product B ... what is being charged here for shipping?

You order 13+ of Product A ... you switch to FedEx ...

You order 13+ of Product A ... and 10 of Product B ... what is being charged here for shipping?

[Lil Boy--Big Woods]

If there were anything different than the 12 or less of Category 3, then the Flat Option would be hidden and the other options would show(ie: USPS, FedEx and Local Delivery). If other, heavier items are ordered, we provide economy to the customer by just bundling the heavy and the very light packets together in the FedEx ground box.

The idea is to provide an option only if someone wishes to order just seasoning packets. FedEx seems to have a base of about 8.00 for almost any package. We want to give a viable option on the light stuff. Thanks.