Shipping

TheConsignmentBarn · Posts: 55

Joyce, thank you very much. I didn't realize this. That will addressed very shortly. Thank you for taking the time to look at my store. God Bless. Terry

ClassicTreasures · Posts: 163

capitalus, excellent points on the fixed shipping charges! I have been using this model, and it works great. One more thing: I offer half off the shipping on like items (same weight group) for 2nd and 3d item; and if someone buys more than 3 of my items paid in one invoice, I throw in free shipping on the fourth item, then the number crunching starts from the scratch. I wish there would be a shipping system that could be set up to reflect this method, rather than manually calculating this.

cassiescloset · Posts: 11

I have set up the store but have not added any items. To make things easier, I will use flat rate shipping, just like most businesses. Do you have to disable the shipping matrix to use flat rate?

wtcollectibles · Posts: 2728

There's nothing to disable since you're the one who sets it up! If you haven't put anything into your matrix, then it's not going to do anything.

When you list your items, use the "fixed shipping" option and fill in your shipping amounts for the listed regions. You have to put something in the "weight" field even though it won't be used--I put a 0, some people put a 1, just something to fill the blank.

Be careful if you plan to sell internationally (other than Canada) because your international buyers will be charged $0.00 for shipping! I've read from BT and others that they just put in the ad that they will ship internationally and to contact them for a quote.

Hope that helps! Smile

Edited to clarify: I didn't explain that last part very well!! Don't check any international "Shipping Zones" if you're going to use flat-rate/fixed shipping, because there is no way to enter a shipping cost to the int'l countries. So they would be able to order and check out, but the shipping would be charged at $0.00...happy customer, sad seller!

Hope that's a little clearer!

noadi · Posts: 488

I have never (and probably will never) refund shipping charges that go over the actual postage. For one thing shipping materials are not free and I add them to my shipping charges.

Think of it this way, how many large companies have you ordered products from? Those which charge shipping have you ever had them refund if it went over?

Figure out what your shipping costs will be to ship the furthest distance in the lower 48 plus the average cost of your shipping materials for a given weight in the matrix and use that (since Hawaii and Alaska are separate in the matrix figure out that cost separately as well). I don't know why the matrix is so confusing, you put the price you want to charge for shipping a certain weight in the matrix and if an order is equal to that weight that's what the customer is charged.

Also remember if you pick flat rate shipping that doesn't mean your customer will be charged that rate for their whole order, just that item. So they buy 2 items both at $4 shipping they get charged $8. If you wan thte shipping the same regardless of how many they order you have to use the matrix (this is easy just enter the same cost into every column except the + column, for that you have to put 0).

wtcollectibles · Posts: 2728

My reply was based on cassiescloset's statement that she wished to use flat-rate shipping in her 6/14/08 posting. Everything else in this thread is from 2007 (which gets confusing if you read backwards!).

I too would recommend the matrix to everyone to try to see if it works for him/her--works great for me! If your items are of similar types and weights, it's fine. It won't work well for those who sell armoires and doilies and expect a buyer to order one of each, but it's great if your items are not too dissimilar in weight.

zickit · Posts: 21857

KratomKeepers · Posts: 4

I sell seeds and small herb packs in my store. I had an oscommerce site before but something went wrong with it. Then i found ecrater.

I use to charge a flat 5$ fee for all orders, no matter how many products.

Is there a way to do this here?

acread · moderator Posts: 11986

KratomKeepers · Posts: 4

I mean't flat rate shipping charge.

So no matter what the customer bought or how many of them the only charge aside from the products would be a flat 5$ shipping charge.

zickit · Posts: 21857

KratomKeepers - go to the shipping matrix and put 5.00 in every box except the last column on the right - put 0.00 in there.

In your listing check ship by weight option.

KratomKeepers · Posts: 4

Thanks for the info !!

divine-designers · Posts: 1

Is there a way to add the fixed shipping to all products at once?

zickit · Posts: 21857