ProductCart Shopping Cart Software Forums : Custom shipping options

Custom shipping options : I understand that UPS is making...

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 18:23:57 +0000

Author: cpgmar
Subject: 5785
Posted: 19-November-2014 at 6:23pm

I understand that UPS is making major changes as of the first of 2015 and the dimension of the box will make a big difference in charges on lighter weight packages. For example, a large box weighing 15 lbs. can be charged as 30 lbs. if the dimensions say that is what that box should weigh based on its size. It is called dim weight and Fed Ex is going to this set up as well. How can we calculate this in either shipping settings when we can only enter one box size in the settings.

Will there be any new changes to the UPS API soon? Will dim charges be accommodated somehow?

Custom shipping options : Great News, You just made my...

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:57:35 +0000

Author: LarryG
Subject: 5785
Posted: 21-January-2014 at 2:57pm

Great News, You just made my day, can't wait

Custom shipping options : Hi Larry,We are currently in the...

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:36:18 +0000

Author: ProductCart
Subject: 5785
Posted: 21-January-2014 at 2:36pm

Hi Larry,

We are currently in the middle of an extensive process to update ProductCart's certification with FedEx Web Services (based on their latest APIs). The new integration will be included in ProductCart v5 (scheduled for release within a few months), and will support Canadian merchants (i.e. shipments originating from an address within Canada). There'll be many enhancements, such as support for the FedEx Freight API, ETDs (Electronic Trade Documents) and much more.

Please look for more information about the new version on our Web site over the coming weeks.

Custom shipping options : Trying to find a solution...

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:53:15 +0000

Author: LarryG
Subject: 5785
Posted: 09-January-2014 at 9:53am

Trying to find a solution for accuratley determining shipping costs with FedEx in Canada as it doesn't work now and ProductCart seems to have no intention of addressing the issue.

The problem I have with the custom shippingoptions in ProductCart is that they completely ignore locations in determiningshipping costs. The returned rate for shipping a product down the street wouldbe the same as shipping it to the Arctic Circle. You can enter any address inthe “estimate shipping charges” and you get the same result ( you don't even have to enter an address you can enter anything. Once a customerpays for an order it’s not pleasant to go back and tell them shipping will be 2-5 times the amount indicated and already paid for even if you have all kinds of disclaimers. Getting pre-authorizationson the credit card and then having to figure out the exact shipping, then manually processing thecredit card transaction seems to defeat the purpose of a shopping cart.

For FedEx at least, Canada is divided upinto 6 pricing Zones based on postal code ranges in each province. Some zones havea higher shipping rate than others so there is a chart with rates ranging from1-150 lbs. and a different rate per lb.for each of the 6 zones. The first 3 letters of a postal code determines whichrate zone to apply. For example, Postal codes starting with B0A – BOE indicate Zone 6 so if thepackage weighs 5 lbs then column 6 is referenced 5 rows down to the correctshipping charge. So the postal code the customer enters for shipping needs tobe captured.

The database for the rates would have 150rows and 7 or 8 columns,

There are a few other variables,

All weights are dimensional (The product’sdimensions are used to determine this, something like L X W XH divided by 66)
If there is more than 1 package then eachpackage needs to be calculated and the total combined
Some postal code ranges have a delivery surcharge
Residential deliveries have a setadditional charge of 2.75 (there isalready an area in ProductCart that is set up to indicate commercial orresidential).

Is this something that would be ridiculously expensive to do ?