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I don't use Shopify, so I wouldn't know.
I have heard they have a decent shipping calculator..
What I do is super simple and easy.
I must admit I'm quite surprised when I get something that someone may not appreciate this method.
I don't see what the big deal is.
I also don't believe the difference isn't obvious,
when you add a multiple of the same item the shipping doesn't change,
when you add a different item another shipping charge is added.
This method doesn't make any difference at all, nothing changes in the end..

Teddy
 
Don’t the store front services (eg Shopify) have a good algorithm built in?

Shopify's algorithms are actually kinda basic, as they're more based on weight. This works reasonably well for the typical products as they tend to be more compact.

Shopify doesn't have any clue about HazMat. Nor does it understand the idea of items that are long and skinny, which leads to what shippers refer to as dimensional weight.

For smaller stuff and no HazMat, Shopify's calculations are "good enough". When you get into HazMat and long items, their calculations severely under-calculate shipping.

For a small business, getting shipping "right" is important as the vendor not only has the cost of the actual shipping, but they've had to pay for boxes, packing materials, tape, labels, etc. So, under-charging on shipping by a couple bucks on a significant percentage of orders can quickly lead to significant lost to the business.
 
Shopify's algorithms are actually kinda basic, as they're more based on weight. This works reasonably well for the typical products as they tend to be more compact.

Shopify doesn't have any clue about HazMat. Nor does it understand the idea of items that are long and skinny, which leads to what shippers refer to as dimensional weight.

For smaller stuff and no HazMat, Shopify's calculations are "good enough". When you get into HazMat and long items, their calculations severely under-calculate shipping.

For a small business, getting shipping "right" is important as the vendor not only has the cost of the actual shipping, but they've had to pay for boxes, packing materials, tape, labels, etc. So, under-charging on shipping by a couple bucks on a significant percentage of orders can quickly lead to significant lost to the business.
Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh,
I forgot.
You would know this stuff Kevin..
Yeah,
I have a new kit line.
I spoke with Tim about this.
He said what you said.
He told me to not make any attempt at guessing the shipping costs of kits..
The longer the box is the further off your guess will be..
My intent is when everything else is done and I'm ready to put a "Buy" button on the kit pages
I'm going to put something similar to my shipping statement above at the top of each page..
But this statement is going to be there is no shipping added on these kits at the time of sale.
After the sale- purchase notification, I'll print a label and then ask for the shipping costs to be paid.
This is most certainly the best, easiest and surly the most accurate method for me..
I sure do hope nobody minds..

Teddy
 
Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh,
I forgot.
You would know this stuff Kevin..
Yeah,
I have a new kit line.
I spoke with Tim about this.
He said what you said.
He told me to not make any attempt at guessing the shipping costs of kits..
The longer the box is the further off your guess will be..
My intent is when everything else is done and I'm ready to put a "Buy" button on the kit pages
I'm going to put something similar to my shipping statement above at the top of each page..
But this statement is going to be there is no shipping added on these kits at the time of sale.
After the sale- purchase notification, I'll print a label and then ask for the shipping costs to be paid.
This is most certainly the best, easiest and surly the most accurate method for me..
I sure do hope nobody minds..

Teddy

Yeah, I might have a little experience with this. :)

Your planned approach works, as long as your volume stays low. But it can quickly add a lot of work, plus the headache of people cancelling orders after they learn what the shipping costs are.

-Kevin
 
Yeah, I might have a little experience with this. :)

Your planned approach works, as long as your volume stays low. But it can quickly add a lot of work, plus the headache of people cancelling orders after they learn what the shipping costs are.

-Kevin
Nope,
Why,
The shipping costs will be the same as they are from anybody..
Why would mine be a surprise ?

I'll be able to keep up with it without a problem..

Teddy
 
Nope,
Why,
The shipping costs will be the same as they are from anybody..
Why would mine be a surprise ?

I'll be able to keep up with it without a problem..

There are a lot of folks who have no idea what shipping costs these days. You're right, yours will be right in line with everyone else....but a lot of people don't pay attention and don't know what it actually costs.

Or "It's only 3lbs, why does it cost so much to ship?!" Because it's 48" long....

Gotta remember, I've seen a lot of these comments over the years. :)
 
There are a lot of folks who have no idea what shipping costs these days. You're right, yours will be right in line with everyone else....but a lot of people don't pay attention and don't know what it actually costs.

Or "It's only 3lbs, why does it cost so much to ship?!" Because it's 48" long....


Gotta remember, I've seen a lot of these comments over the years. :)
Hahahaha

That's word for word what Tim would say to me..

Teddy
 
Hello Zyzzyva1000,
I am constantly adjusting my shipping charges when I get orders though my website..
I refund a dollar or two or I ask for a dollar or two more..
This is front and centre on my website's homepage..

Shipping Charges
This website is extremely simple in the way it calculates shipping charges.
All it knows how to do is stack shipping charges for dissimilar items,
and add nothing for multiples of the same item..
Example-
if you want a 2 loop and a 3 loop harness of the same material it will stack two shipping charges on.
This is not correct..
It is because of this I am constantly refunding excess shipping charges,
and asking for a dollar or two more for shipping when two of the same harnesses are purchased..
Shipping charges will be determined in house, after we have everything in the order..
Any excess shipping charges will be refunded,
and a dollar or two outstanding for shipping will be requested.
Don't let this affect how you place your order..


For a business as small and simple as mine.
What do you suggest I do so this doesn't happen anymore ??
Running my business has given me newfound respect for any businesses website
that gets shipping charges on a wide variety of package sizes and weights even close to correct..
My site is stone cold simple..

Teddy

It's not the small amounts that I care about. There have been times I have been charged 40 or 50 bucks over. A few bucks here or there is not a problem at all. It's when the shipping algorithms are so far off that it's annoying. Primarily because I frequently find myself with visa gift cards for doing surveys etc. for stuff within my profession. When shipping charges are way off it makes it hard to use those cards (which help to keep my wife from complaining about rocket spending). Your shipping has never been a problem.
 
It's not the small amounts that I care about. There have been times I have been charged 40 or 50 bucks over. A few bucks here or there is not a problem at all. It's when the shipping algorithms are so far off that it's annoying. Primarily because I frequently find myself with visa gift cards for doing surveys etc. for stuff within my profession. When shipping charges are way off it makes it hard to use those cards (which help to keep my wife from complaining about rocket spending). Your shipping has never been a problem.

Ha,
Heyy,
We're all married.
We understand, lol..

Now that's funny..
I don't care who you are.. lol..

Teddy
 

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