We are now using the Viart cart and so far its great and the support is excellent.
 
But I have discovered a shipping problem that needs to be addressed. We ship packages in all sizes both in the US and International. I have setup up USPS and Fedex and in the Fedex module used parameters of 10" x 10" x 10". This is fine for most packages but I also have items that are 45"x 18" x 10". In this example Fedex would return a rate of approx $10 where it would be $40-50 + based on the size.. This is for ground rates in the US. Not easy to absorb that much money lost.
Then shipping Internationally, it gets even worse.. Most of the shipments I send by USPS, many of the countries have size restrictions and specific shipment methods allowed.
 
I have used a cart previously where I could input these sizes for each item that required it with the weight. When the order was placed, these requirements would be sent to the USPS and Fedex rate servers and the correct shipping charges would be used.
 
Has anybody come up with a solution yet?
 
Brian

Hi Brian:
 
We have exactly the same problem, and it is an issue with shipping.
 
I am trying to rally a few of us to get together and have some custom work done. if you are interested please visit the Customization Forum and leave us a not there.
 
Perhaps a few of us can share in the cost and get this done ASAP.
 
Regards,

Hi Rocketman, Have the same problem...I use 2 different solutions:
1- Make a entry that states shipping is ESTIMATE-ONLY
ask for zip/postal code and email fee's.
2- this works best...adjust product weight to come close to the actual shipping costs... example product weights 7 lbs..shipping is quoted @ $11... adjust weight too 34 lbs and see if it comes out close to actual costs....
takes a bit of trial and error, but overall it will come close to all areas.

I am not in favour of the first option.
 
The second option would work out ok for a short time frame, assuming the carrier you are using does not change their shipping costs to you dramatically. So you have to constantly monitor the shipping costs (a tedious task in the long run)
 
The only viable solution for this is a modification in the ViArt software to allow the flexibility that is required in the shipping module.

Actually fox... has worked ok for us....
We monitor all sales/shipping fees... and adjust accordinany....
 
You might loose on a cple,,,, make it back up on the next....
 
We agree that it would be nice to have the courior's...
canada-post/ usps/fed-ex/ups/... etc too maybe talk with this software creator, and get these items we keep asking for working ????....
Havent found a better program as of yet...... Have been through alot of update head-acks.....

If you visit the Custom Forum (I don't want to duplicate the effort), I am hoping to get more people on board that would be interested in getting some sort of customization done for shipping and printing of shipping labels.
 
I know that the new vers has some shipping enhancement, but I don't believe that it is good enough. Perhaps for most shops it may work.
 
My question is what happens to the shipping if a person buys 5 units of an item from your shop and it takes 2 boxes to fit it in, how do you indicate that even in the new vers?
 
I think this shipping change is necessary. Also we need to have the software generate shipping labels for us.
 
So if you are interested in joining up with a few others we can have this customized.

Hi Rocketman and others:
 
I have a quote from ViArt to modify the shipping module for $300. I am hoping a few of us that require this change would chip in and reduce per user fee.
 
Please advise if you are interested.

Hi foxtrot. What have you specified for the customisation?

What I am proposing is as follows:
 
Each qty within each product have the ability to indicate # of boxes, weight of each box, dimension of each box.
 
I am also proposing that we have a shipping label printed for our boxes.
 
In all honesty I will have to make sure that ViArt understands exactly what we need.
 
What do you think?
 
Regards,

Hmmm. Interesting. I will see if we can use that and get back to you.
 
Even without the addition multi-box functionality, label printing is required. Something that can support (or be admin customised) a wide range of label printers.

I feel with the correct shipping and label module it could greatly increase sales for a shop. A good shipping module will reduce shipping costs and thereby increase sales.

this is pathetic actually, but the same issue Fox and I have been discussing for weeks now and the same problem I have been trying to render with Viart. I do believe they are working towards a fix.

I am glad you brought it up. I am actually surprised that a lot more people don't see this problem.
I think most people either overcharge or undercharge their clients for shipping, and I believe it is the former.
With a solid shipping module, you get accurate online rates which are a lot lower then advertised rates, so your clients pay less and buy more from you.

WE are hearing you....
Iv'e gave up on trying to get it worked out...we offer so many products that ship in so many box sizes and weights, that it would be impossible for any carrier to properly give an exact shipping and handling fee...
 
So we have advised are canadian client's, that we charge actual shipping / handling fee's... Any Overpayment / UnderPayment.. Will be credited / Debited to your account....This is posted on the checkout page...
 
So far everyone is kool with it... And we have not had any problems..."touch wood" on those that were under charged, and now have a negative acct balance...
 
We have actually seen a Nice increase in repeat business from those users who did find a refund in thier acct..

I understand exactly what you mean. You would need some serious programming logic or algorithm to accommodate every situation, but you can have a pretty good shipping module if designed well. You would cover most cases and it certainly would help.
I am actually surprised it's working for you, considering your complex shipping needs. I am glad though.
ViArt has quoted me $300US to do some custom programming. I would be interested if I could get a few of us to chip in and make it reasonable for all.

Needless to say, we were told it was a possibility for the next version release.
 
For the moment, we have rendered the situation by using the 3.6 shipping patch and passing the weight_total_2 to paypal. So far, its working perfect and I personally can't thank Natalia and Viart enough for that. No more worries about dimensions, weight, or shipping. :)

Can you explain how you worked around the situation, Dravekx please?

Paypal doesnt use that....... why do you keep saying it drav ????
Please fill us in on how ????