Suggestions re Shipping Methods

Thor

I have been putting a lot of work into my shipping methods and rates. Because US international postage rates vary so much country to country (even in the same region), I will probably have 20 different shipment methods and rates closely tailored to buyers in specific countries. Thus, for example, I will have separate shipping methods and rates for buyers located in Germany, the UK, France, Australia, Japan, China, etc.

Two tweaks I would like to suggest for improving the shipping methods feature on BO:

First, it would be very helpful and convenient if sellers could have one page displaying all their shipping methods, charts and rates side-by-side. This page should be downloadable and printable. Having all my shipping tables and rates side-by-side on one page would make it much easier for me to compare and correct rates and weights. This should be a private page viewable only to the seller (or perhaps give each seller the option to display these tables to buyers).

Second, I am using grams for my weight bands. However, BO only allows us to enter weights in these bands up to a maximum of 9,999.99 grams (or 22 pounds). I occasionally receive orders over 10kg and would, therefore, suggest that BO expand this feature to allow weight bands of 10kg or more. Or, perhaps better, allow sellers to instruct the buyer to "Request a Shipping Quote" for orders that exceed a seller-specified weight.

Thor

Lawrence

On the second point, you should be able to enter up to a stupidly high number, what happens for you when you try to enter a higher number?

Thor

OK, I see the problem now. Like a typical American I was using commas and the BO system treated it like a decimal in the weight bands. Thus, for example, 20,000 grams set the next band starting at only 20.01 grams. But if I type 20000 without the comma, the next band starts OK at 20000.01 grams.

I would still like to be able (for each shipping method) to instruct the buyer to send me a Request for Shipping Quote if the package weighs above a certain seller-determined amount. When shipping starts costing $100 or more, I would like to have more direct personal involvement in custom tailoring the best shipping option for the buyer and myself.

Thor

Lawrence

Okay, we use commas in the UK also, but not in website input boxes.

If I understand you correctly, you can just not specify a weight band over Xg and then the shipping method will not be available so customers will have to do request a quote

Thor

Understood. But what happens when a buyer attempts to check out and their order weighs more than the seller's highest weight band? Will there be some kind of note from the BO system? Or - assuming we have opted into Request a Shipping Quote for that buyer's country - will the BO system just show this RaSQ method as the only available shipping option?

I am just wondering if I have to write a note or instructions for those big orders, or whether the BO system will automatically divert them to the RaSQ method (if we have it).

Thor

Lawrence

If there is no suitable band, then the shipping method will not show. If you have requested quote enabled, no other shipping method are suitable, then only request a quote will show. If there are no shipping methods at all and you have disabled request a quote, it will say there are no shipping methods and tell the customer to have a go at contacting you.

Thor

OK, got it. Thanks for clearing that up Admin.