My unique Shipping and Handling scenario

[biglazy]

I am setting up a zencart shopping cart for the first time, and I think i'm stuck because of the unique set of shipping fees my site will need. I've tried searching through the forums, but have only been able to find bits and pieces of what I need, but am not sure I know which pieces to use and in what order.

Here is the scenario. My site will be selling products where the prices are going to be pretty much set in stone. The shipping is a different matter. Shipping will be done through something like UPS, FedEx, or DHL (It doesnt matter to me which one).

The cost of shipping will depend on both weight, dimensions, and location shiped to. There will also be a 5% handlind fee added to the cost of shipping. But if a customer lives in a certain zone based on location (lets say CA for instance or area code) That 5 percent needs to increase to 20%. In addition to all of this, there will also be items that will need to be shipped via freight.

Since i'm new to zencart I would love to have someone just give me a step by step talk to me like a child explanation. Every time I think I got an idea of how to set this up, I keep thinking of problems with my ideas.

I'm running v 3.8 if that is important.

I appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks,
Mike

[dbltoe]

You've installed the UPS shipping module from the admin panel and it is not sufficient for your needs?

[biglazy]

I installed the UPS module, but I can't figure out how to set it up for the requirements I need.

[biglazy]

Is there any walk through or FAQ, or documentation for the UPS module, because all I can find is a bunch of random questions on the forum relating to very specific scenarios, but I would like something that gives a more basic overview of using the module incase i'm missing something.

I bought the ZenCart Book, but they don't cover the UPS module.

[dbltoe]

Which one of the ten basic questions the module asked are you unable to answer?

[biglazy]

Ok the fist part i'm having problems with is the handling fee which i think is only set up as a specific price and not a percentage. Plus I dont see anyway of setting up multiple handling fees based off of mailing address.


Is there something on the UPS side that allows me to set up some of the features I mentioned in the original message.

[biglazy]

Can someone please help me with this?

I really need some help with this. I've looked and it doesn't look like there is any way for me to set this up with any of the existing modules as they exist. Does anyone know how I could modify the Fed-Ex or UPS modules so that I could do some of the things mentioned above.

Maybe someone can point me towards some documentation on how to modify modules in Zen.

[biglazy]

How about this since no one seems overly excited to help me so far.

If I design a database (mysql) that stores all of the information needed to figure out my shipping and handling charges, is it possible to create something that can query the database and pull in the right information.

Would something like this be done through php, xml, or some combination of both?

I really really would appreciate any help anyone could provide.

[stevesh]

Sorry, but what you're really asking for is some serious custom coding of a new shipping module. You'll probably have better luck posting in Commercial Help Wanted.

Is there no way you can modify your requirements to fit what's possible with Zencart's capabilities?

[dbltoe]

How about this since no one seems overly excited to help me so far.

I think a more accurate description would be: "Those that volunteer their time may not fully understand the full depth of changes I need to make."

I've been wracking my brain (took a small rack) trying to figure both how AND why you are needing this setup.


I guess I'd need to know more about what system is currently being used to perform this task. For example, why would one zone be charged more than another?

As stevsh said, you've gone beyond the realm of the volunteer help to serious coding.