Complex Free & Flat & Calculated Shipping - Advice?

I've been reading for hours and now my head is spinning with modules, zones, cloning flats, tables... :frusty: I'm sure 99% of the info is already here... I just need an expert to sketch out a high-level approach so I know where to begin?

Running version 1.3.9h with freeshipping & freeoptions, etc.
I know I need to run the SQL script for lower 48 states+DC zone.
I know I need the USPS module.
Pretty sure I need to clone a flat module.

FREE SHIPPING:

1. Free shipping for all US (incl AK, HI, PR, APO, FPO) <= 1lb = USPS Priority
2. Free shipping for lower48 > 1lb = UPS Ground

Notes: I would like to display the shipping method in cart/checkout even though it's free just so customer knows what to expect. Also, this allows shipping to PO Boxes free when 1lb or less, something we can't do when using UPS Ground.

FLAT FEE OPTIONS:
3. Flat fee $A for nearly all products, lower48 = UPS Next Day Air
4. Flat fee $B for specified oversized products, lower 48 = UPS Next Day Air

Notes: This flat fee is per order, not per item. Again, would like Overnight method for options A or B displayed, as applicable by product.

-- How do I set so if one item in cart is oversized and other is not, then only display flat fee $B... ?

-- What is best way to specify which flat overnight option by product? Oversized option B is based on size, not weight or category or type... or any other definable attribute.

CALCULATED:
5. Anything > 1lb to AK, HI, etc..., or > 1lb to PO Box to all US = USPS Priority calculated
6. Anything > 1lb to AK, HI, etc..., or > 1lb to PO Box to all US = USPS Express calculated
7. Any international shipping (when country allowed) = USPS Priority International calculated

-- Upon installation of the USPS module, is there a way to subtract a flat amount from the calculated fee for US orders? I build in cost of free shipping to price of items and can lower the calculated amount accordingly.

-- Best way to add a single flat handling fee per order for calculated international shipping?

-- Best way to exclude certain products from international shipping altogether? (This could be based on weight, size or legal restrictions so it needs to be on a product by product basis in catalog.)

I humbly thank you in advance. Again, just looking for a high level plan of attack here, I'm actually pretty good at finding specifics once I know what I'm looking for!
Regards,
Scott

Ok, looks like I was asking too much. Totally understand! Anyways, I'm pretty sure I've got it all figured out except for one thing: 2 separate flat fees for Next Day shipping.

I want to offer Next Day shipping for flat fee (per order) of $A for nearly every product, and $B for the few oversized products. I'm thinking I could clone the flat-rate module, set up another Product Type and somehow make fee $A for Product-General type and fee $B for Product-Oversized type.

Does this seem like an elegant solution? If so...

1. Is there any reason I shouldn't use one of the unused product types (such as Document - General) for the new type or do I need to go thru the process to clone the Product-General type? There will be no difference in fields, formatting, or anything else....

2. How would I modify the code so Flat-Rate $A is only used for Product-General type and Flat-Rate $B is only used for Product-Oversized, except when both are in shopping cart, then use only $B.

Thoughts? Thanks!
Scott

Hi Scott,

I can't help you I'm afraid, but I've been trying to do something very similar - 4 different flat rates, per order, depending on delivery location.

Can I ask how you clone the flat rate module? I don't know how to do this.

Many thanks,
J.

Hi J,
Just search key words: clone flat rate... there are several threads that deal with it and provide step-by-step instructions. Yours should be easy since the modules already allow you to assign each module by shipping zones.

Anyone have ideas for tying a flat-rate module to a product type?
Thanks,
Scott

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115687

Thanks schoolboy... but that thread is for two flat fee options for each product.

However I just found this thread: http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182988. It's for assigning flat-rate modules by product type. Looks like Ajeh provided some custom code to make it work. I'll give it a try and report back.

Anyone know any reason why I shouldn't rename & use an existing/unused product type like Documents-Products for my Products-Oversized type?

Thanks,
Scott