Huge problem with working out which module and how to use it

Hi

I have attached the file as spread sheet. Don't worry its only 15 products. I am really confused as my client want mix shipping fees. Can it be done and how (in detail if possible please). Client does not use any of the mods yet and does not enter any weights or measurements for the products.

5 of items which can only be ship to AU/NZ at a shipping cost of $4.95 each
AND
the these five items $4.95 for the first dvd and $2.50 for each subsequent dvd in the same order. This is within Australia and New Zealand.

Remaining 10 products will have same shipping fees to AU/NZ at $36.95
AND
to Shipping to USA/Canada at $14.95
AND
Shipping outside of Aust, NZ, USA & CANADA $36.95

Thank you very much

Attachment is below

product list with freight charges

Anyone please? including the all mighty?

The default shipping modules only restrict shipping options at the shipping zone level for an entire order. It does not limit shipping options on a per-product level.

You will likely require some custom programming for your problem. Furthermore, you may also want to consider the following scenario and discuss with your client.

What if a customer from France buys a item 'AD' + item 'GS140-ABC_Lamb' in the same order? How will the store then ship the order and/or resolve the issue?

That is what I though but some reason I still hoped that there would be possible way. As you say you can not have different shipping charges within the same order and shipping is added to the total not per item.

Thanks. Now the difficult part of convincing the client or find a solution.

One of the challenges with clients who "configure" their own shipping fee structures, is that these often do not conform to general practices in the shipping/courier industry.

Most shippers base their charges firstly on the consignment's dimensions of weight and/or volume, and secondly on the distance the consignment has to travel. Another common practice is a flat-fee basis, and is usually agreed between the distributor company and the shipping company when the former agrees to keep a good quantity of business going through the shipper.

Zencart shipping modules are well-constructed to meet these formats, so it may be a good idea to meet with your client to discuss their shipping policy. Bring in their current shipper and discuss how the costs are calculated. See if it would be possible to agree a fee structure based on weight (or volumetric weight) and distance.

If you can get the client to buy into this policy, then your problem will be solved.

hear hear ..well said. and will do . Makes sense (to me). I have already notified them and they are considering either including the freight in the price or go with the volumetric weight.

Thank you

You also have to look at what customers will do if confronted with "unreasonable" shipping charges. One thing web shoppers HATE is to have surprises sprung upon them at the final stages of checkout, where it often looks as if the shop is trying to put profit margins into the shipping, rather than into the sale price of the item.

A recent survey on internet shopper behaviour revealed that suppressed charges (excessive handling and/or shipping added at the final point) resulted in abandonment of the cart in over 90% of cases!

People don't mind paying for shipping - they know that it costs money to have goods delivered, and factor this into the "convenience" of not having to get into the car and drive round the town for hours trying to find the goods.

But they like to know:-

1. What the total shipping cost will be BEFORE they reach checkout.
2. That the shipping cost is fair and reasonable.

Having said that, inclusion of the freight in the product could also work. Especially when you say shipping included in the price then there is no questions about it as long a the item justifies its total price and reasonable.

You can, or course, build the shipping into the price.

If your client is in a very competitive market and sells the same brands as other people, his prices may then look higher - especially if you configure your SERPs to render price info.

Consider what "first impression" is likely to be created when results show up in a Google search, for example.