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I thought this would be simple. I need help.

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2 Mar 2010, 4:14 AM
#1
bcannon avatar

bcannon

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I thought this would be simple. I need help.

I have managed to set up a relatively simple site, and am now trying to figure out the best way to set up shipping. I am not a programmer, but I can follow directions pretty well.

I have 7 products, and I ship to 7 U.S. shipping zones via FedEx. what I WANT to do is be able to set a shipping price per zone per product. For example, Product #1 costs $4 to ship to Zone 2, 5$ to zone 3, $6 to Zone 4, etc. Because of their size, one unit ships in one box - always. I don't have to ship based on weight or formulas, I really just want to be able to have a fixed cost per zone per product.

It was all really very simple in my head, but I have spent the last couple of days going through the forums and doing a fantastic job of confusing myself. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

2 Mar 2010, 5:30 AM
#2
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

I take it that you will not have Fedex calculating these and that you want to set the cost yourself.
Additionally, that you have created your zones
See the tutorial and clone the zone module 7 times and set your costs or even flat rate if all is at one rate per zone
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=189

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3 Mar 2010, 5:02 AM
#3
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

I have 7 products, and I ship to 7 U.S. shipping zones via FedEx. what I WANT to do is be able to set a shipping price per zone per product. For
First set the weight not to display

Make each item you have a distinct weight

Use the zone rate - per weight and set up for your 7 zones
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=69

Then set up for each zone the table using your 7 distinct item weights - these are ones you just make up so that the cost you want is assessed.
So like:
Item 1 = 1lb
Item 2 = 2lb
Item 3 = 3lb
Item 4 = 4lb
Item 5 = 5lb
Item 6 = 6lb
Item 7= 7lb

And the table
Zone 1 Shipping Table
1:8.00,2:3.50,4:20.00,5:25.00,6:30.00,7:35.00

Zone 2 Shipping Table
1:8.00,2:3.50,4:20.00,5:25.00,6:30.00,7:35.00
change values to suit for tables 2-7

If this does not get you what you want there is a commercial module that is stated to be able to handle this but I have not used it and have seen remarks of others that have.

Google ceon advanced shipping mosule

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4 Mar 2010, 7:25 PM
#4
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

Hello this is FedexDolores. We would be happy to assist you with your shipping needs. You are looking for our web integrated services. Here is a link that you can view a demo on line http://www.fedex.com/us/pckgenvlp/fcl/bussol/drc/index.html. Also for more information please call 1-877-339-2774 and ask for web integrated service.

6 Mar 2010, 5:35 PM
#5
bcannon avatar

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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

Okay -
Weight doesn't display.
All items have a distinct weight.
I have cloned the Zone Shipping Module so that I have 7 modules and each has 7 zone tables within it.

I guess I just don't have a clear understanding of the relationships involved.

Let's say I have a widget which always ships in a box by itself, and I have set to a weight of 1lb. I am only shipping to 7 zones within the U.S., and I want a different fixed price per zone.
Zone 1 = $3
Zone 2 = $5
Zone 3 = $7
Etc...

I also have a fetzer which always ships in a box by itself, and I have set it's weight to 2lbs. What I want to charge for shipping this item is:
Zone 1 = $2
Zone 2 = $4
Zone 3 = $6

If I understand what I am supposed to do (and I'm not sure that I do) Each Zone Module should contain the States that make up that zone. I.E, Zone 1 for me is just the state of Georgia. Each Zone Table within it should contain the info for weights and prices. But it seems like that would create problems once you begin selling multiples or a mix of products. For example, I sell 2 widgets to someone in Zone 1, the total weight of the shipment would be 2lbs. Based on the info above and my limited understanding, shipping could be either $2 or $6. How is it determined? As I have read in the manual and in the online setup info, if you choose "weight" based, it is a function only of total weight of the shipment.

I know that to most people reading this I probably look like an idiot, sorry about that. This is my first effort at setting up a cart from scratch, and I thought this part would be the easiest... Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated.

10 Mar 2010, 5:09 AM
#6
bcannon avatar

bcannon

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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

Still looking for help/advice.

At this point it is pretty clear that what I want to do won't happen out of the box.

I am a rookie at all of this, and I really like Zen. Can anyone advise me, is this something that can be programmed at a reasonable cost?

10 Mar 2010, 10:16 AM
#7
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

bcannon:

But it seems like that would create problems once you begin selling multiples or a mix of products. For example, I sell 2 widgets to someone in Zone 1, the total

That's right, and is the best reason to try to simplify a complex shipping scheme like this. IMO, too many Zenners jump through a lot of hoops to try to wring every last dime out of shipping charges. Working out an average (or better yet, just use the shippers' calculators and charge the customer what you're charged) seems more rational to me.

That said, the mod (not free, but reasonable) kobra referred to has done a great job for a lot of peoople with complicated shipping problems, from what I hear. I haven't used it myself.

11 Mar 2010, 12:22 AM
#8
bcannon avatar

bcannon

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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

Due to the dimensions of the boxes I have to use, FedEx gets the charges correct on about half of what I ship. We tend to play a little back and forth game of them trying to revise freight charges after the fact and then coming out and measuring the boxes we use and readjusting the charges back again... Long story, but most of what I ship is within 1" of their length and girth limits. Oversize, rural delivery, and all kinds of other charges get thrown in as well. The flat rates per zone are a pretty solid actual cost based on 7 years of experience shipping them.

I have gone back and forth with Ceon several times today, and it looks like the perfect solution for me. I will HAPPILY spend the money to solve this issue instead of sitting in front of my computer and feeling my blood pressure rise...

I readily admit that I am a complete rookie at all of this, and there are those who will read this and just shake their heads at how naive I am. It seems so simple, in Miva, it is a series of 7 boxes that are labeled for shipping zones and you just fill in the price for a flat rate per zone... of course, that's a bolt on module for them too...

I appreciate the time Stevesh and Kobra, you guys pointed me in the right direction for sure.

11 Mar 2010, 7:08 AM
#9
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

bcannon,

Keep us posted as to how well advanced shipper serves your requirements

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23 Mar 2010, 8:45 PM
#10
bcannon avatar

bcannon

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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

Okay, I bought CEON Advanced Shipper Module.

SUPER easy to install.

Does EXACTLY what I needed it to do.

Setup was a BREEZE.

Output EXACTLY how I wanted it.

I had a few simple questions about little things along the way and Conor was extremely quick in answering me - even on the weekend.

In short, it was the best money I could possibly have spent.

On a scale of 1-10, somewhere around 15.

The module is very intuitive, and very flexible. I would suggest that anyone struggling with shipping just go ahead and buy it and save yourself hours of frustration (or in my case weeks).

No, he isn't a relative and he didn't pay me to write this. Really.

Kobra - Thanks for the heads up!

23 Mar 2010, 8:49 PM
#11
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

bcannon,

Thanks for the update - As I stated, I have not used it but have seen others that have
Glad you found it to be flexible enough to handle your issues

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24 Mar 2010, 2:38 PM
#12
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Re: I thought this would be simple. I need help.

bcannon:

Okay, I bought CEON Advanced Shipper Module.

SUPER easy to install.

Does EXACTLY what I needed it to do.

Setup was a BREEZE.

Output EXACTLY how I wanted it.

I had a few simple questions about little things along the way and Conor was extremely quick in answering me - even on the weekend.

In short, it was the best money I could possibly have spent.

On a scale of 1-10, somewhere around 15.

The module is very intuitive, and very flexible. I would suggest that anyone struggling with shipping just go ahead and buy it and save yourself hours of frustration (or in my case weeks).

No, he isn't a relative and he didn't pay me to write this. Really.

Kobra - Thanks for the heads up!

Nice result... I've been telling people who have complex shipping requirements about Conor's mod for years...

... few seem to have heeded my advice, so it's nice to see that someone is using it to proper effect.

20 years a Zencart User