what is a large package ?

under config---> Shipping/Packaging you find these two options

Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight

Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight

I understand how to add % or weight to the package i don't see what is considered a small to medium package and what is considered a large package. I'm sure there is a easy way to see this and change it but i just can't find it.

Depending on what you are shipping mostly and who you use as a shipper there are predicated limits as to size, weight, or width and girth.

UPS I believe has a 50lb package limit

A large package as far as Zen Cart is concerned is a package that weighs more that the value that you set in for "maximum package weight" in Admin > Configuration > Shipping/Packaging.

kuroi:

A large package as far as Zen Cart is concerned is a package that weighs more that the value that you set in for "maximum package weight" in Admin > Configuration > Shipping/Packaging.

I under the impression that the field Admin > Configuration > Shipping/Packaging > **"Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship" ** meant that anything over that generates a new box . so if i have it set on 50 pounds and the shipment is 60 pounds it would tell the UPS quote that it is going to be shipped in two boxes.

Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship
Carriers have a max weight limit for a single package. This is a common one for all.

doesn't sound like that has anything to do with large or small packages.

snarkys:

I under the impression that the field Admin > Configuration > Shipping/Packaging > **"Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship" ** meant that anything over that generates a new box . so if i have it set on 50 pounds and the shipment is 60 pounds it would tell the UPS quote that it is going to be shipped in two boxes.That's correct and is exactly the reason why you are given the option to calculate the additional packaging weight differently.

so if i have it set on 50 pounds and the shipment is 60 pounds it would tell the UPS quote that it is going to be shipped in two boxes

Yes this splits the shipment into 2 - 30# boxes.

snarkys:

under config---> Shipping/Packaging you find these two options

Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight

Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight

I have the same question, please forgive me, but I don't grasp the answers yet.

If a large package is set for 50. lb and will be divided into two smaller equal boxes, that I seem to comprehend. But if "Larger packages" has it own add percentage and is only in play above the setting of over 50 lb then it will never be a large package(?) as it will always be divided smaller. :dontgetit

So is there no other "Larger package" variable weight that can be separated for its extra packing material that often happens? Like for a well padded double walled boxed 15 lber as compared to a 1 lb simple mailer. (This is my needs)

Or is this set up to be (with 60 lb order and 50 lb setting as example) - (1) 50 lb box will be calculated on larger percentage, and the remaining 10 lb will be calculated on the Small to Medium percentage?

Or is this set up to be (with 60 lb order and 50 lb setting as example) - (1) 50 lb box will be calculated on larger percentage, and the remaining 10 lb will be calculated on the Small to Medium percentage?
No, there is not enough smarts included to determine that an order with a total weight of say 55lbs is comprised of

1 item @ 25lbs
1 item@20lbs
2 items@ 5lbs

or

1item@40lbs
1item@15lbs

You just have to do this manually when you are shipping and try to insure that your charges a suficient to contend with most orders.

It will always split this into to equal packages

What I and maybe others were assuming is that small packages could be set for a percentage to allow for various packing, and larger packages could be set the same, less, or more for extra packing material.

And that the Large box default set for 50 lb would just divide up the heavier than 50 lb orders. This would make multiple boxes, more packing and thus the need to adjust the Larger percentage, now it makes sense.

My example of a light packed 1 lb'er or a heavily packed 15 lb'er box, both way under the 50 lb default , would apparently be mailed the same per; "Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weightpercentage for small to medium", at least that is what my various tests for shipping estimates shows.

We have been manually trying to adjust shipping costs, but keep getting nicked on the larger packages (but less than 50 lb). Raising small to medium percentage then nicks the customers for small packages. I can now stop playing with the Larger packages packing percentage beings we rarely need two boxes and just average things out to what customers may accept.
Thank you,

On second thought, I could lower the large box down to 14 lb or some working amount, then the larger packing percentage would kick in, even though it is still shipped as one box. Our boxes can have a lot of heavy packing compared to very small orders.

I still need to think on it, I guess

guess that's what i assumed also , it could be worded better.

I assumed a small/medium package is exactly that and a large package is a large package. There a significant difference in packaging costs on a 6x6x6 2# box and a 16x16x16 box 40# box .

I'm sure i will be able to figure it out so it charges accurately with the % feature but maybe in the future this could be worded better so it more accurately describes what it does. The way this is set up, a large package doesn't mean large package at all , it means multiple packages.

I'm sure i will be able to figure it out so it charges accurately with the % feature but maybe in the future this could be worded better so it more accurately describes what it does. The way this is set up, a large package doesn't mean large package at all , it means multiple packages.
As each shop sells different items, only the owner can determine what package types they will require as to size and as to the weight that they can contain

kobra:

As each shop sells different items, only the owner can determine what package types they will require as to size and as to the weight that they can contain

I completely agree but its just that it should say

Multiple packages - added packaging on multiple box packages percentage:weight

instead of

Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight

Its not a big deal once you know what it means but it isn't very clear just from reading it.

small pkgs = 0-15lbs plus added % for packing
large pkgs = 15-50lbs plus added % for packing
multiple pkgs only trips if one exceeds the maxium package weight

So the description is correct as this is the added % for a large package that is under the trip weight

Now this grasshopper is confused again,

Please, could one just example the below needed settings to show how (if this is now doable:unsure:) a store that wanted all packages below 15 lbs to add 10% for the extra packing materials and all 15 lbs or more packages to have 20% added for packing material. And assuming that maximum large packages to be shipped is at 50 lbs. The store examples are the same for large or small packages. My mind has become mush and don't have any cheat sheet or the teachers addition book on hand at the moment.

Please make any necessary changes

Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight
What is the weight of typical packaging of small to medium packages?
Example: 10% + 1lb 10:1
10% + 0lbs 10:0
0% + 5lbs 0:5
0% + 0lbs 0:0

Answer:_______________

Please make any necessary changes

Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight
What is the weight of typical packaging for Large packages?
Example: 10% + 1lb 10:1
10% + 0lbs 10:0
0% + 5lbs 0:5
0% + 0lbs 0:0

Answer:_______________:wink:

Well I was also a bit incorrect....about what the cart classes as a large package and this looks to be one that is in excess of the max allowable pkg weight but

To get 0-15 with 10% added as tare in your answer #1set to
10:0

To get over 15 with 20% added as tare for answer # 2 set to
20:0

also set max pkg weight to 15

This will add the tare % that you want and then what is displayed can be refined

Are you providing the shipping charges or using another kije UPSor USPS to calc the shipping based upon total pkg weight?

I am using USPS module to calc the shipping.

I somewhat understand. Your answer will help me with my needs.

It appears we should set our large box size down to kick in for any heavier tare. I must admit, the admin wording and its examples was a bit confusing for me to comprehend. I'm sure its just simply obvious once I get it.

and this looks to be one that is in excess of the max allowable pkg weight

Did you mean my 20% example?

I really don't think 20% packing materials is what we were really going to do, I just threw that % out to see how it might fit in to the equation. We are still trying to fine tune what it actually costs us to ship well packed boxes without getting nicked.

For those who may read this thread and not aware;

Tare is a term in weights and measurements which refers to the weight of an empty container.

I think "Yes" to your latest question.

The values provided are 10% tare up to 15lbs and then 20% over 15lbs and you can set #of boxes to not show

Thanks:cool:

Sorry to revive this one, but it looks like the shipping price will then be multiplied by the number of boxes.

So reducing the Maximum Package Weight will increase your total delivery costs by multiples of the packages!

At least it is for me (using royal mail mod).