UPS Rate Change Effective Dec 29, 2014

g2ktcf:

The "Shipping Boxes Manager" appears only to manage a db of shipping box size and dimensions. This would be a useful tool in what I am planning but it is not the complete solution.

I need to retract this statement fully. In the observer class definition, there is a "box packing" process. I am reviewing it now and will comment once I understand it better.

g2ktcf:

I am beginning to wonder about customer service now. I have tried getting in touch with my account rep everyday since this post. No returned messages at all.

About a month ago, I signed up with FedEX and spoke with a very polite lady in the commercial department. After a 30 minute conversation about my shipping volume she says my account is too large for her department and she will have a local account executive get back with me. That was 6 weeks ago. I even called 2 weeks later to ask why I have not gotten a return call. This particular agent was quite short with me saying that she can only forward a message to them.

Has all customer service been lost with these guys? I cannot even get my local Postmaster to return my calls.

FedEx like most larger companies is not the best at returning phone calls, I have found to just start shipping items then they will assign an account rep. Also if you ship a lot via FedEx, Smart Post may be an option. It's similar to UPS SurePost.

bislewl:

It not only manages the boxes you have but it also keeps track of your items, so it determines what size box they can go in additionally. You can select an item to ship in it's box, to skip looking for a box.

Also it has the ability to nest products. So lets say you are selling wire. and you know that 10 gauge wire is 10 inches around and has a 5 inches whole. The module can calculate the amount of space in the middle of the wire (5 inches) along with the available space between the round wire and the square corner of the box. Quite handy.

Are you using this in a live store? How often does it get the shipping info right?

g2ktcf:

Are you using this in a live store? How often does it get the shipping info right?

There are several people using this on live stores. Can you please clarify your second question so I can be sure I'm giving the proper answer?

bislewl:

There are several people using this on live stores. Can you please clarify your second question so I can be sure I'm giving the proper answer?

Basically, is anyone tracking the variances between what it "estimates" and what the "actuals" are for the shipment weights and box sizes.

g2ktcf:

Basically, is anyone tracking the variances between what it "estimates" and what the "actuals" are for the shipment weights and box sizes.

I don't think so. I think most people test it using common orders, to determine the accuracy.
Most I have found if properly configured are spot on.

bislewl:

I don't think so. I think most people test it using common orders, to determine the accuracy.
Most I have found if properly configured are spot on.

Properly configured is definitely a key lol. I am going to install this on my local test site and see how the configurations work.

g2ktcf:

This is not good news for anyone using an online shipping system. Dimensional Weight is about how you pack your order and not the total order weight. I have a call into my UPS Account Manager for clarification now. The UPS Dimensional Weight usually only applies to shipments where the package volume is larger than 5,184 cubic inches. The above statement seems to contradict that.

More to follow after my call is returned....

I finally got a call back. It does appear that there is heavy traffic into all the account managers regarding this change. It would not hurt if everyone showed their displeasure at this.

My account manager admitted that he did not understand the problem to begin with. He now does as he has spent time researching the problem as well. This decision was made high up in the management system. So it is clear that they did not fully think the process out beyond "we make more money". He has agreed to continue to find answers (and his bosses agree as they are confused by all this as well).

Heuristic Algorithms, NP-Hard Solutions, Genetic Code are just a few of the terms you will find when researching this problem. This is a full 3-D Bin Packing solution that no small business owner can afford.

I am still looking into Numinix's Shipping Box Manager and I think I have a good idea of what it is doing but I need to finish looking through all the code.