Setting up a WebStore. Need Opinions on Shipping Payment...

modessitt

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Setting up a WebStore. Need Opinions on Shipping Payment...

I am finally getting around to adding a WebStore to my website so I can start thinning out the multitude of Manuals, PCBs, artwork, misc parts, etc that I trip over every day. It has already been tested by a member here. It takes PayPal automatically so I don't have to be online for someone to purchase, and has a rate calculator for shipping via USPS. It sends out receipts and shipping confirmation e-mails, etc.

My biggest problem before going live seems to be in the shipping calculation. The USPS calculator should give a fairly accurate amount as long as I give accurate size and weight info (with adjustments for packaging) in my product listings, but I'm not sure whether those prices will be Priority shipping (or whether I even should worry about shipping priority), whether multiple items would be shipped cheaper in a Flat Rate box, whether multiple items could be packaged to ship cheaper than they might calculate as separate pieces, etc.

I'm beginning to understand why Bob Roberts charges a set rate for certain items regardless as to the actual shipping.

My current thought it to just let it charge what it does, then refund any differences if the shipping is less than what is charged. I guess I can adjust up certain future items if the actual shipping comes out as more than what is calculated.

Or I could just set the shipping price at "Free", and adjust all the prices per item up to a "shipped" price, although that would mean that a $1 item would end up being priced at $6.

While it may be nice to just let someone order, then figure out the shipping before they pay (like Bob does), my checkout system won't do that.

So - what does everyone think? What would you be happy with? If the postal calculator is for Parcel post instead of Priority, is that okay? Can you wait for it to get there?

thanks...
 
at my work we give refunds if our shipping calculator is way off. i think for manuals you should run a flat rate like 4-5$

I could stick a manual in a manila envelope and mail it normal mail for under $5 I think. And what if someone wants 2 manuals? $10?
 
I had a flat rate of $6.95 for the first pound via Priority on my site but now that USPS went to tiered pricing based on destination zip code, I went with actual priority cost + $1.00.
All this is calculated upon checkout. Now shipping for the first pound can be anywhere from $5.95 to $7.45
 
Your store should add up the weight and decide what can fit inside the biggest dimension you have declared.

For example, you sell something you ship in a 12x12x2 box, you put that in for your dimensions with it's actual weight including the box.. then the software should be smart enough to say if you sell something else that fits in a 1x2x1 box it should fit inside the first box and add the new weight to it. I use SquirrelCart for my store and that's how it works and it's really good.. Often the number it calculates with USPS is to the penny what I actually get charged.. sometimes it's up or down 50c or so but usually it's dead on. All about how accurate you are with the dimensions and weight.

As for shipping method, the store software should also make that configurable what you allow and pass the same values with a different method applied as chosen by the buyer. Wierd how often the first class rate is within a very small amount of the priority rate but people still pick first class :) I usually end up shipping priority anyway if it's close.
 
That's fine, but my problem is that it's an automated checkout. If I list a manual as 8"x11" @ 1-lb, from Austin to Chicago would cost $5 in a flat-rate envelope. If the Manual costs $5, then my checkout system would charge $10 - which would be fine.

Now, if they buy TWO manuals at $5 each ($10) @ 2-lbs, then my system would charge them $7.50 for shipping. However, if I can get both to fit in a flat-rate envelope, then it'll only cost $5 to ship. So, my system would charge $17.50 when it would actually cost $15 (maybe). In that case I would refund the $2.50 after I shipped the item and realized the actual cost.

Does anyone have a problem with that? I don't want someone bitching that I'm "charging $7.50 to ship two manuals", especially since I will refund the difference if they are overcharged....
 
Your store should add up the weight and decide what can fit inside the biggest dimension you have declared.

For example, you sell something you ship in a 12x12x2 box, you put that in for your dimensions with it's actual weight including the box.. then the software should be smart enough to say if you sell something else that fits in a 1x2x1 box it should fit inside the first box and add the new weight to it. I use SquirrelCart for my store and that's how it works and it's really good.. Often the number it calculates with USPS is to the penny what I actually get charged.. sometimes it's up or down 50c or so but usually it's dead on. All about how accurate you are with the dimensions and weight.

As for shipping method, the store software should also make that configurable what you allow and pass the same values with a different method applied as chosen by the buyer. Wierd how often the first class rate is within a very small amount of the priority rate but people still pick first class :) I usually end up shipping priority anyway if it's close.

Well, I went with a free store/cart setup offered thru my hoster called nopCommerce (v1.30) and I'm not sure if it does all that or not. I can enter in the various dimensions and weights for my products which are sent to the USPS calculator at checkout, but I'm a bit unclear as to whether or not it totals the weight, figures out whether or not two items can fit inside one box, etc...
 
I assume all your manuals will go flat rate envelope? If so, just rate them all at .1 pounds and then as many as 10 manuals will only get charged at your 1 pound rate.

No remember, paypal will take 3% of your shipping fee. And if you use self adhesive shipping labels like I do, those run about 8 - 10 cents each.
 
I had a flat rate of $6.95 for the first pound via Priority on my site but now that USPS went to tiered pricing based on destination zip code, I went with actual priority cost + $1.00.
All this is calculated upon checkout. Now shipping for the first pound can be anywhere from $5.95 to $7.45

Do you add the $1 in the shipping settings, or as a handling fee?

I know some items I'll need to add on packaging costs, as I'm not shipping a glass bezel without insurance and double-boxing....
 
I assume all your manuals will go flat rate envelope? If so, just rate them all at .1 pounds and then as many as 10 manuals will only get charged at your 1 pound rate.

I doubt I could get 10 manuals in one envelope. Also, some manuals like Ms. Pac-Man are a lot bigger and heavier than Centipede.

No remember, paypal will take 3% of your shipping fee. And if you use self adhesive shipping labels like I do, those run about 8 - 10 cents each.

I've been thinking about that paypal surcharge. Dunno if I should add a 3% fee to offset it (like some sites do), or just adjust the prices of various items up a couple bucks to counter it....
 
I use Godaddy.com for my shopping cart and I can add whatever fees to the USPS rates.
The $1.00 is to cover the 3% paypal takes (4% for my merchant account) on the shipping rate, my labels, packing material, etc.
 
I doubt I could get 10 manuals in one envelope. Also, some manuals like Ms. Pac-Man are a lot bigger and heavier than Centipede.



I've been thinking about that paypal surcharge. Dunno if I should add a 3% fee to offset it (like some sites do), or just adjust the prices of various items up a couple bucks to counter it....

this is the "fun" part about running a business...finding out the right ratio to where you don't loose money and don't lose sales to to excessive shipping charges.
 
I have goDaddy, and got the NopCommerce add-on thru them. I like it so far. I just want to automate the checkout as much as possible so i can come home from work and take care of any orders that may have come in that day...
 
Either way you do it, if you are reasonable, most folks, at least here, should be cool with it, then when you have a problem, because inevitably you will, you will adjust to customer needs. I like the flat rate option at checkout, if the customer decides not to take it, then default to a confirmation/invoice where the customer waits for shipping charges to pay. If you give folks a choice, one for those who want to pay and dont want to mess with it, and one for those willing to wait for invoice, I think you kill two birds there......
 
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