Example 6.5. Defining Packages with Package Shipping Rules
In this example, let's say we run a store that sells coffee mugs. While many of our customers purchase just one mug when they buy from us, some purchase many more than one, for example, if they need to buy mugs for all the workers in their office. When we stock our mugs, we know that they come to us in boxes of 60 mugs each, and within those big boxes, there are smaller packages of 6 mugs each. If we get an order for 60 mugs, we'll use the big box for the package. If we get an order for 6 mugs, we'll use one of the smaller boxes. For anything that's not a multiple of 6 or 60, we'll ship the remainder in our own packaging. With this knowledge, we can create a set of Package shipping rules to help us provide the most accurate UPS and USPS quotes possible for customers during checkout.
Shippping Configuration ->
Shipping Rules
screen, and click the "Add New Record" link. On the subsequent form,
select "Package Size or Weight Rule" for the "Type of Shipping Rule" field. Give your shipping rule a
name to help you keep track of it and click the "Add New Record" link to save it. Shippping Configuration -> Shipping Rules
screen and click on the "Details" link next to the new rule you created.Shippping Configuration -> Shipping
Rules
screen and click on the "Details" link next to the new rule you created. Then click
the "Rule Ranges" link from the detail page, and the "Add New Record" link to create the first "rule
range".In our example, we'll define a package range for the big 60-mug box that our coffee mugs are packaged in by default. We'll set both the floor and the ceiling at 60. In addition, on this screen we'll enter the corresponding weight and dimensions of the box. After we add a range for the 60-mug box, we'll add another one for the 6-mug box. The result will look like this:
Table 6.1. Package Shipping Rule Ranges
Floor | Ceiling | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
6 | 6 | Small Box | 3.4 lbs. |
60 | 60 | Large Box | 40 lbs. |
See the global UPS settings for more information on UPS settings.
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In addition to the above examples, you can use wildcards when setting up shipping method limits. For example, you could allow or disallow "UPSShippingProcessor|*", meaning all UPS methods would be disallowed. |
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In setting up the "Rule Ranges" for a Shipping Discount Rule, you must enter the shipping methods to apply the discounts to. If a discount would apply to all shipping methods, simply use the wildcard "*|*". |
If a Shipping Discount Rule is applicable for user's order, the user is shown the original shipping price and the discount shipping price on the checkout screens when choosing a shipping method. They are also shown the names of any discounts that have been applied. This is a nice way to show the user what is happening. For instance they might see:
UPS: Ground
Discount: High Quantity Product X Shipping Discount
Price: $12.00
Original Price: $34.00
The rule processor will apply all possible discounts that match against the shipping totals until those methods hit $0. The user could see multiple discount lines above if multiple discounts were found to match in their basket for that method.
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If you setup a discount for a certain SKU that takes 100% off the total shipping price, the user could still be ordering many other things in their basket. The discount comes directly off the *total* shipping amount. So, if you give free shipping when you buy 12 product A's, it will still be free if they also had a bunch of other products in their basket. |
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When defining the states and countries for a particular 'Method Limits by Location' rule, keep in mind that the rule will be applied if there is a match on either the state or the country. In other words, if you want a rule to apply just to customers in Alaska and Hawaii, do not select "United States" for the country because that will apply the rule to everyone in the U.S. Leave the country selection alone and just select Alaska and Hawaii from the state selection box. |
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