UPS charges, way under. HELP

I know there are tons of questions on the board about UPS. I did a search and find nothing.

I have installed the included UPS and installed the UPSXML module. Not using both at the same time. Tried both, same results.

The charges are well under what they should be. I am using the billed weight and not actual too. I added a handling fee, which makes it close

I know that it's the rate at the UPS server end.

But..

My boxes are large than the std, so I always estimate what the billed weight is and I put that as the weight in the product.

When a customer buys 2 products, the ship cost is grossly under.

Example. $20 to ship one product in one box, 20lbs
$30 to ship 2 products in 2 boxes, 40lbs

I know UPS is figuring one box at 40lbs.

Can I ship per box? will that help the total charge?

Any suggestions. My product is mainly one item, that ships in 2 boxes
24x116x8 and weights 11.5lbs (billed at 12lbs)
36x4x4 and weights 5.5lbs ( billed at 6lbs)

Total of 18lbs. I even bump it up to 20lbs. Not much help.

Just lost for what to do?

Thanks all!
Peter

ps. I can't really open for biz till I figure this one out or i will lose my biz...

If I understand you correctly

Any suggestions. My product is mainly one item, that ships in 2 boxes
24x116x8 and weights 11.5lbs (billed at 12lbs)
36x4x4 and weights 5.5lbs ( billed at 6lbs)

You will only have 1 product, but it always ships in 2 boxes, one being 11.5lbs and the other at 5.5lbs.

If this is correct, in theory you could set your Max ship weight to the weight of your heaviest item (12lbs is what you stated above), this would force the module to recognize multiple boxes... which MAY provide you with a more accurate shipping cost.

I am no expert here, and have not attempted to use this method in practice; but in theory, and seeing how it changes the shipping rate when more boxes are being used it should get you closer to your goal of accurate shipping quotes.

F.Y.I. UPS Ground has a max length of 108 inches, which means if the 11.5lbs box is 116 inches long, I doubt you will ever get the UPS module to be exact (as it doesn't get a quote for UPS Freight).

the ups module as well as the fedex and usps are all designed to use standard size shipping boxes,
none of these support dimensional weight,

IF this is your need you will be much better serverd using a table and a zone setup,

actually multi table multi zone by dreamscape might be your new best friend remember that shipping this way is an average,
you win on some you lose on some but it all equals out in the end

Hi,
Sorry for the delay, I appreciate the input

Yes, always ships in 2 boxes, one being 11.5lbs and the other at 5.5lbs.

I will play with the max set to see if it close.

Maybe zone will work?

Is there a way to only let the customer buy one item at a time? Maybe this will trick UPS into multiple boxes? If one item is $23 to ship, the 2 will be $43, etc.
Not just adding the total weight and ship thinking it's one box.

I need to read up on the zone thing? find it somewhere I am sure.

Also, multi table multi zone by dreamscape? Clue me in.
I am ok with the win some, lose some as long it is close. Or like Vegas and be the house :cool:

Thanks, appreciate it!
Peter

Peterelli:

Hi,
Sorry for the delay, I appreciate the input

Yes, always ships in 2 boxes, one being 11.5lbs and the other at 5.5lbs.

I will play with the max set to see if it close.

Maybe zone will work?

Is there a way to only let the customer buy one item at a time? Maybe this will trick UPS into multiple boxes? If one item is $23 to ship, the 2 will be $43, etc.
Not just adding the total weight and ship thinking it's one box.

I need to read up on the zone thing? find it somewhere I am sure.

Also, multi table multi zone by dreamscape? Clue me in.
I am ok with the win some, lose some as long it is close. Or like Vegas and be the house :cool:

Thanks, appreciate it!
Peter

This isn't the module that Merlin mentioned,
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63608&highlight=Shipping+based+on+zip+code
but might work for what you are after; as you can supposedly set it up based on Zip Codes, and you should be able to get a shipping cost based on Zones (Zip Codes) from UPS to get you pretty close to actual shipping costs.

I believe this http://www.dream-scape.com/pub/zencart/MZMT/ is what merlin was talking about.

Another possible option for you that might work for you (if you want to spend the time) would be to clone the "Per Item" shipping module, and set a price for shipping to each state you are willing to ship to (that would mean you'd have to clone it how ever many times you want a different rate). You can find information on how to accomplish that (cloning) here.

Hopefully one of the above options will work for you, and close the gap oh shipping charges.