How can I Configure Shipping for Small Items

[pinkchalkstudio]

I've hit the wall in figuring out a solution to my shipping requirements. I'm hoping for some guidance on how to solve it.

I'm selling fabric and sewing patterns. I've configured zone based shipping for US, Canada & Mexico and All Other Countries. I have 4 tiers based on the dollar value of the order. For US, the bottom tier is $4.60. This approach is fairly accurate for shipping fabric.

My problem is patterns. If a customer orders a pattern along with fabric I'm fine. The pattern slips in the box and goes along for the ride. Trouble arises when a customer orders a single pattern. I'd like to charge a US customer $1.14 for a First Class Mail parcel.

This is where my dollar value zone structure breaks down.

I'm really at a loss of how to fold this item into my shipping rates. Ideally I would like to have a surcharge per pattern that could vary by zone, I would also like it to disappear and not be added on if the order is mixed with fabric.

I also experimented with a weight based approach but my USPS interface didn't seem to work accurately for flat rate boxes. Maybe I need to code these rules myself? I'm really not looking forward to maintaining a weight for every item in inventory.

I've spent so much time attempting to get my current solution working, I'm hesitant to go in a different direction without some advice and a plan that will address my requirements. Please help!

I'm using version 1.3.8 and my development site is www.pinkbypost.com/store

[Webskipper]

I go by weight. Each item has a weight either actual or rounded up for an oversized box. Pretty good.

Not perfect and sometimes I have to email and explain the circumstance like a coconut cannot be carried by an English Swallow and therefore more postage is needed.

You could figure out a flat rate charge for say US48 only just for patterns and then let the shipping calculator figure out the rest.

You will then have to define Zone definitions.

UPS is best for boxes over 2 pounds, and tracking just for North America. USPS for International hands down.

[pinkchalkstudio]

Thanks for your reply webskipper. I was thinking I needed to move in the direction of weight based calculations. I was very married to my simple approach of order total tiers until it broke! I'll spend tomorrow giving it a test drive and report back.

[pinkchalkstudio]

Well, I've solved my problems by switching over to weight based zone shipping. Works like a charm and does everything I was trying to do the other way plus much more! Yay!

A few highlights for anyone reading this thread:

- I played a bit with the weights. Instead of using the actual weight of the fabric I gave the item a slightly higher value but made that amount constant for all fabric items. By doing this I'm able to have a Shipping Info page for customers that gives them a grid for shipping costs based on yards of fabric purchased, eg 2 to 5 yards $4.95, $6 to 11 $9.95, etc.

- I made the weight slightly higher on fabric because I'm not interested in encouraging people to buy the minimum amount of fabric, say a 1/2 yard. As soon as the totals reach 2 yards the flat rate shipping amounts kick in so the higher weight doesn't really come into play as a true calculator of the shipping price. Basically, you pay more than actual shipping cost for a small order but close to actual cost for an order of 2 yards or more.

- I left the patterns at their actual weight. This gives me the desired result of charging close to actual First Class postage for these items. I want to encourage people to buy patterns even if they just want one.

- I was concerned about accurately weighing and tracking every one of my products. I realized I don't really need to worry too much about that. By developing standard weights by item category (eg. every pattern is entered as 3 ounces regardless of whether it's a bit more or a bit less) I in effect get Item based shipping by zone.

- I was able to still offer free shipping on total orders over $200 to US customers. I used the Modules/Order Total/Shipping option. Works perfectly!

- A great side benefit of weight over dollar value will be more accurate shipping charges for sale items. I hadn't thought about that earlier but under a dollar value approach I'd not only be giving a lower price on the goods, I'd also be giving a deal on the shipping charges. Now that wouldn't be a good thing.

I've tested my site for 3 zones and all sorts of different combinations and I couldn't be happier with the results. I wanted to write this up in case it helps anyone. Thanks. Kathy

[Webskipper]

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