Distribution, Manufacturing, and Internet Modules

[jatses]

Currently for shipping charges we have the customer call for a quote or offer a flat rate if the shipping is over a certain amount. However none of this is calculated in the order total anywhere. On the order confirmation page it merely states "Here is your order total $ ###.## plus shipping charges." and the customer is supposed to figure it out themselves. Horrible, I know. 

What I want to do is generate shipping charges on-the-fly according to the official UPS formulas (currently they are our only non-LTL carrier). Has anyone been able to successfully setup an "advanced" shipping system for the EBM? I would also like to display the shipping charges throughout the checkout process so the customer knows their true order total.

Thanks in advance for any assistance,

[SPyle · Accepted solution]

This is not hard to do, it just takes a lot of coordinated effort.  You can get the UPS shipping tables from their web site and create the tables in MAS.  Then you can import the rates into the shipping table.  This is something you will have to do quarterly as you adjust the shipping tables to include the fuel surcharges.  I built an excel spreadsheet that is linked into an excel database for this process.

Secondly, you have to add the weight into the inventory record.  Needs to be the fractional pounds per standard unit.  Depending on the types of items you sell, this should be the shipping weight (not item weight) for best accuracy. 

After you do these two items, selecting the UPS shipping method and putting the zip code in the shipping address zip field should give you the UPS charge.

Have fun.

[jatses]

I was successfully able to import all the shipping codes, weights, and prices. However, depending on the items in the order, additional handling charges or fees need to be applied due to the item size. I can't find any way to get a shipping rate to function with that kind of complexity. Even if I could apply multiple shipping rates per order depending on the items would work.

Another thing, is it possible to display the shipping charges while viewing the shopping cart rather than waiting until the confirmation page? What about applicable taxes?

Thanks in advance,

[SPyle]

I haven't tackeled the problem of oversize, which we have from time to time also.  I also haven't tried to move the shipping calculation around on the store.

I finally caved and went with a flat rate for most shipping.  If there is something that may cause me to take a big hit, I contact the customer and negotiate a rate.  I also have the "reserve the right to cancel any order" on the policy page somewhere as an out.