"The shipping calculator talk"
Uncap your pens, warm up your engines, put the kids to bed and take your turkey out of the oven, folks...! It's time for us to talk some hard-core shipping calculator stuff! [insert crazed yelp of wild animal here]
Test case overload! Possible debugging cases exceed sanity.
History
A brief primer for the 90%+ of our merchants that don't use calculated shipping is probably in order. Since launching with UPS support in late 2008, the Bonanzle shipping calculator has gone through three significant iterations, each time adding features like new carriers (USPS and Fedex) , new options (ability to specify exact dimensions, and weight in ounces), new optimizations (shipping profiles) and plain old bug fixes (ensuring that the batch editor and direct item form do not set incorrect values in the item). But, despite abundant forward progress, there remain some cases where the shipping calculator predicts values inconsistent with what sellers are charged. By most accounts, these cases tend to be focused around edge cases like very large or heavy items, but issues even with more standard packages are occasionally reported.
Bonanzle is a marketplace where we pride ourselves on not settling for merely "good enough" on important issues, so we have spent weeks of development time over the last year trying to resolve the cases we receive where our calculator is inconsistent with X, Y or Z other shipping calculator. In total, we have probably spent about as much time on the shipping calculator as we have on key Bonanzle features like item traits, Twitter/Facebook integration, and site search. And from what we hear, it's surely ain't done.
Why do you keep saying it's so hard, you lilly livered pantywaists?
Every shipping transaction is different. Almost every time we calculate shipping, it is with a different package size, different weight, different carrier, and different start and end locations (not to mention different times of year and different delivery speeds). In short, this is a developer's worst nightmare: the thousands of potentially incorrect cases have to be evaluated, with no systematic solutions on how to "make it work" in a predictable way once-and-for-all. To get the rates we show today, we are directly communicating with the individual carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx), telling them exactly what dimensions and weight and location the package is being shipped to, and still they quote us prices that do not match our sellers' expectations.
We have considered a number of options on how to address this problem. Do we continue to incrementally improve the calculators as we have time through the guess-and-check method of reviewing individual transactions and trying to ascertain where the inconsistency originates from (where the answer is often times the carrier)? Do we limit the types of packages that can be used with calculated shipping to exclude those that have been problematic? Do we consider removing calculated shipping altogether, since to some sellers it seems to cause more strife than good vibrations?
The fact that there is no upper bound to the time a site could spend tweaking calculated shipping probably explains why a company 10x bigger than us like Etsy still only offers flat rate shipping (as well as other heavyweights iOffer and eCrater, from what I've heard). Still, we don't want to give up calculated shipping without a fight, so
Let's talk solutions
Help find us a shipping partner who can do calculated shipping good enough for us to keep it! Here are our requirements for this vendor:
- Handles USPS and UPS with one API
- Good reputation for uptime
- Has an API that we can call in real time to get shipping calculated OR has an application we can install that will allow us to calculate the rates immediately from within our app
- Can prove that their rates are accurate
- Easy-ish to install from our end
We would love to see the smiles on our users' faces when the shipping calculator arrives at a point where it consistently does the Right Thing. But if we're going to be honest with ourselves, we will need help to make that happen. I think that if a reputable shipping company hears the call from numerous Bonanzlers that they should work with us to get calculated shipping perfect, it is a grass roots effort that might be wacky enough to work.
You have always been a community that chooses to be part of the solution, and helping us to get this nailed down once and for all would be another impressive example of that. If you find an entity that you think is up to the task, have them email us at our support address and we'll take a look to evaluate their fit.
Go forth and conquer, emboldened shippers of the calculated variety!
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82 responses to "The shipping calculator talk"
Just as a side note because I would be in the minority – but when implementing something like this that would suit a lot of sellers here on Bonanzle – please don’t forget us out of town folk – who cannot use it – we still need to be able to set up shipping as well.
It’s a difficult situation, of course. Can you tell us in plain English how you want us to participate, please? Write to/call the postmaster general, for example? Please give us contact information of whom you want us to contact.
I am a firm believer in Calculated shipping. Why charge a buyer who is in the next town the same as a buyer across the country? Doesn’t seem fair or right to me – or to the overcharged buyer!
Well, I hate to mention it, but eBay Calculated Shipping Calculators seem to work just fine, most of the time. So why not model after them?
The problems only occur with the odd stuff – over sized or odd shaped packages that require a surcharge that the Seller does not know about. I had it happen once in over 700 sales. I learned real fast about over sized packages!
BTW – I currently ship mainly USPS, but am seriously considering switching to either UPS or FedEx due to ineptness.
Like ZenGirl said, please tell us exactly how to accomplish this and who we should be contacting. Sofyblu2 mentioned in a thread last night that Fedex has been ready and willing to work with Bonanzle to get Fedex set up, so in that case, she has done all the ground work. Is it possible to get inside information on who developed eBay’s calculators and copy the model, or is this a secret thing that is highly guarded?
Generally I believe the entire community would jump on the bandwagon if we knew exactly what it is you want us to do. What is good for Bonanzle is good for us too, so having a vested interest would definitely motivate me to start knocking on doors, and if necessary breaking them down.
I have very few issues with the calculator as it is, except when it comes to combining shipping and Oversized packages.
I don’t think peeps should concern themselves with Parcel Post, because the Post Office keeps advising that is being phased out…or so they say. By the time this is resolved, the service may not be around anymore. Better to focus on more wide spread solutions.
And has anyone noticed that AMAZON has no shipping calculator? Everything is flat rate based on service chosen. Even PayPal only offers two options so we can’t really expect to have every possible shipping option made available to us.
I also use calculated shipping when I list. It is the best way for my customers to see what the price is to their location with insurance if necessary.
To do without it would be a disaster.
I concur with FirstOliveoyl in that the bay’s calculator seems to work just fine most of the time.
It allows for different services, and it allows for combined shipped calculations that are simple to achieve by sellers so they can move things along properly.
In a matter of moments, a seller can join together items and
have the correct amount to invoice their buyers so the transaction is smoother.
If you can mimic their calculator, for me that would be fine.
BTW- I use usps be it priority, media, first class, parcel post for my buyers due to the fragile nature of my product line.
I know others use other carriers but am just adding my 2 cents.
Sent out an email this morning to a possible provider. It will be interesting to see who answers this call
Phaedra
First, I’d like to say that I’m glad to see this issue is being taken seriously. I only offer flat rate shipping because of the problems with the calculator. If the calculator worked, I would be using it and my item prices could come down a bit. So, yes, this is important to me for more than one reason — as I’m sure it is to at least most of us.
I’m sure something could be found via an internet search for a “shipping calculator” or “shipping calculator service”. Maybe if you tell us what you’ve already tried in your endeavor to find such a service, we’ll know where to start and/or what to avoid.
It would definitely be a good thing for all involved to get this issue resolved ASAP. After all, it does us no good to get the traffic and then scare them away. LOL
We need a shipping calculator that not only shows correct shipping costs but the ability to combine Shipping.
Refunding overpayment of Shipping Costs is not professional and when a buyer see Very High Postage – they just hit the back button.
I’ve also heard people say they had problems with ebay’s shipping calculator .. and I hate those things because I always end up with a ridiculous shipping price when shopping for some reason ..lol
I’m sure that I could fix the problem in no time though .. of course, I know all about computer programming … LOL Not in this life time !!
I don’t know what should be done about it .. but I have noticed that most sellers do not use it anyways, even on ebay as they were having so much problems with it. Why does ebay continue to offer it? I do not know, but it’s a frustrating thing for buyers to loose out on an item because the shipping was was so high, when actually it could have been a mistake.
I would like to see an option for different currencies on the site though, for our international customers.
I know what to do .. do a survey to see if you should keep or drop the calculator .. that way there will be no hard feelings if you have to drop it.
This is the company that is said to be behind ebay’s shipping calculator .. FreightCenter.com
Here is an article about it .. the best thing is that this one is widget people can put directly into their listings, so Bill will be free to do other stuff for us ! Like going to pick up cheeseburgers .. lol
http://welovetruckssite.com/wpress/49527/freightcenter-releases-new-shipping-calculator-for-ebay/
I do not know how reliable it is.. and are they going to tell us?
From their website About us:
Our History
Entrepreneurs Matthew and James Brosious co-founded American Freight Companies – the parent company of FreightCenter – in September of 1998 to facilitate freight shipping services to one-time, occasional, and small-business shippers. Innovation was the foundation of FreightCenter and the key to its success, offering instant online quotes and facilitating freight shipping for those not familiar with the process. From its conception, FreightCenter began to promptly develop strong relationships with a large network of local, national, and international transportation carriers.
FreightCenter.com has grown at an accelerated pace from its beginnings. In a short time, they have become one of the largest Internet-based freight logistics companies, offering instant pricing online from its internal database network of more than 100 freight carriers and varied services.*
Committed to continued growth, FreightCenter.com has integrated many processes to further streamline the customer experience at FreightCenter.com. These include implementing a shipping calculator for both eBay and commercial customers, offering unique shipping solutions for specialized industries, and customized API shipping integration.
The executives of FreightCenter stand firmly behind their mission to provide innovative ways to serve their customers and handle all types of freight needs. With continued revenue increases, more new and returning customers, innovative technology and e-commerce web solutions, and strengthening carrier relationships, it is evident that this vision has turned into reality for the hard-working, focused employees at FreightCenter.
Sounds like they might be the ones to talk to Bill?
Contact us: http://freightcenter.com/ContactUs.aspx
Make a Shipping Calculator: http://freightcenter.com/WidgetInfo.aspx
I think so !
and it seems that the widget they have recently created can be used on any web site ..
‘’Create a custom freight calculator in secondsThe Freightcenter.com shipping calculator let’s anyone quickly provide shipping rates to their customers by pasting a few lines of code into their eBay listing or website. It’s completely customizable and will provide your customers with instant shipping rates, further convincing them to purchase your product. Create a calculator →’’
I looked up reviews and couldn’t find any complaints, so that must be good news also …
I don’t usually like shipping calculators, but from the comments above it seems that some sellers really need them .. and maybe this one is better since it is the most recent.
HI
FreigthCenter is a logistics company to handle primarily LTL and/or full semi. Small packages are handled as LTL. The package must have the class code.
FreightCenter is not economical for small lightweight packages. We use them for logistic solutions to move freight. A 2 pound package from me to Arizona costs around $200.00 to ship.
I still would prefer to see a Calculator that works with Bonanzle all the way through checkout. Something like this would only offer the consumer a “Quote” of what it would cost to ship. The calculator has to be built in to the shopping cart/checkout.
I am really happy to see that we have been offered the opportunity to help hash out these issues in a forum that speaks to the issue itself. Many minds can surely come up with a great solution.
Freight center looks like a good choice to me! But there are still certain “imponderables.” For example: buyer purchases 3 items, each one of which has its own package size and weight. But shipped together, the weight MIGHT be LESS than all 3 added together, because just one box. But the dimensions of the one box will be greater than any of the items individually, and bump the item into a nnew rate stucture. And all of this will, no doubt, vary in accordance with the carrier being used. Arrggghhh. Ebay has tried to get arund this by allowing either a discount or a surcharge to be arbitrarily set by the seller. But the best any of us can hope for right now is to “get close.”
And freightcenter may do just that.
Oops: based on Judy, f/c looking bad. UNLESS they write a custom API just for us….?
bluepennylady, if I understand well .. I think that they give you quotes from other companies as well ..
I wonder if the widget integrates with checkout on ebay?
I wouldn’t know .. anything seems possible now of days. lol
OK, Bill, how about THIS:
http://auctioninc.helpserve.com/index.php?m=knowledgebase&a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=2
jsgeare, that company seems very interesting and it has the shopping cart to go with it .. they seem to know their stuff.
I don’t pretend to understand the big picture with shipping and the issues involved but I do believe in ‘keep it simple’.
My 2 cents is to keep a form of calculated shipping but make it a simpler backend.
Offer a standard shipping based on weight and zip code. Perhaps have an field that a seller can add an additional charge to compensate for size variations that is added into the final shipping calculation. Forget about combined shipping as sellers will be happy to quote that shipping (at least I am) and have an oppportunity to interact with the buyer. When a buyer gets a response that shipping has been reduced 50% for combined (or whatever) shipping that should make them smile a bit.
My customers don’t want to fart around, they just want the item yesterday.
A shipping calculator along these lines would be simpler and sellers will get used to making the necessary adjustments in short order. Albeit, it will be a pain for those with many items listed.
As I see it the shippers are fairly competitive give or take some and having a general calculator base with a way for a seller to modify the total in the listing is as easy as it will get with out going to a flat rate system only.
I like calculated shipping and I’m open to whatever can be done to ‘keep it simple’. I think most sellers have a pretty good idea of what shipping to charge but not to every zip code without the manual operation of going to look it up.
In the listing have a weight field and an adjustment field and calculate that by the zip code on the backend.
That is the best I can suggest.
I meant to post this earlier.
I ordered some boxes off site the other day that I couldn’t purchase here, and I noticed they used the term ESTIMATED SHIPPING and this is what it showed you in the shopping cart. I wonder if they have a process that calculates and adjusts after the shopping cart is filled and then on it’s way to the checkout process? And did seeing Estimated shipping (Which I thought was high) stop me from purchasing?
No it didn’t, though I will admit to hesitating. I really had to have the product.
Another time, I was charged $7.95 for a 4 ounce package. I contacted the company and asked why their shipping was so high. They said because they had to use one shipper and that shipper was UPS. They also offered to cancel the transaction if I was not aggreeable to their terms. So I am sure that having to offer so many options for so many sellers is going to be a tedious job to map out.
Great Link JS…looks promising~
@ angies: So I thought – and you can get the calculator with or without cart. Might be worth a look.
@greenappliance: I’m with you on this, and have often thought the difference between the first 2 digits of the “from – to” zip codes might be enough to calculate a cost that is “close enough.” If that’s true, then the seller could actually populate the look-up table with their own rates as part of the booth set-up. Just a thought.
We should not get rid of the shipping calculator altogether. I am also a shipping calculator seller. I am grateful with the progress that has been made with the shipping calculator. It would be a let down to just let that progress go. From what I understand Auctiva is completely separate from Ebay, but yet sellers who sell on Ebay can become a member of Auctiva (paying a 10.00 monthly fee which the membership is not what I am referring to with Auctiva in this discussion). Auctiva has an excellent, reliable shipping calculator. Perhaps you can contact Auctiva and talk with them and see where that takes you. You say that only 90% of the sellers use it, but I am not looking at the seller percentage. Whether we want it to be the case or not Ebay is still one of the top selling sites. The buyers they have we want here. Most of them are used to calculated shipping without having to contact a seller for a shipping quote. It is about convenience. I would say the percentage of those buyers is high up in percentage. I know I am missing out on international buyers because I do not have their shipping calculated. I am a buyer who does not want to go through the steps of contacting a seller for a shipping quote. As for combining shipping on multiple items purchased, when it came to that on Ebay, my instructions given were for the buyer to contact me for a quote. They made their purchases and Ebay had it set up where I could combine the purchases into one invoice and manually put in the shipping price. I do not see how combined shipping could be set up with multiple purchases. I’m not sure that is what we have meant with calculated shipping exactly. Thank you management for all you have done. We do appreciate the hard work you have done!!
Maybe this is far-fetched by why does ONE calculator have to fit all shippng methods? Why can’t there be links to shipping calculators for each service ? Like UPS? USPS Fedex (who else is left these days?)
If I sign up to use UPS I can invoke the link for UPS in my listings? but if I hate UPS and only want FEDEX (or vice versa etc) I can just link the USPS calculator and the FEDEX calculator (or is that too much link over-thinking it? and would buyers use it?)
well that’s my brain storm for this month, I’m going back to the cave til October.
Beth
PS. The reliability of our shipping calculator here by far outweighs the one time it did not work for me which actually was a very minor error. I understand that in Sofy’s case, and others, and the way she needs to ship it needs some tweeking.
Yes to what moms said. A very BIG thank you for giving us this opportunity to speak with you and us talk amongst each other!
I sell alot of items that are in boxes over 1 cubic foot. I wish that we could have the options to add Parcel Post mail and also First Class Mail for lightweight stuff. I know that we want out buyers to have their items quickly but to ship an 18×16×6 box weighing 3 pounds or more is very expensive by Priority Mail. I give the buyer the parcel post option when I invoice or accept their offer.
Hi all
FreightCenter is great to work with for LTL or even full semi trailer loads. AND they will deliver smaller packages to even construction sites.
You need an account to get quotes, which I have one. The calculations are based on whether or not the shipper and receiver have a dock and forklift, etc. naturally residential is much higher than business
We use them sometimes to send stuff to construction job sites like smaller 200 pound boxes of fasteners or components. 4 days to most places. Plus one of their Carriers is old Dominion who is literally in our backdoor, about 20 minutes from here so pick up is really easy.
Judy/blue
I searched for “integrated shipping calculator” and then for your first requirement, “Handles USPS and UPS with one API” and got so many results I didn’t know where to start. There are a mountain of resources out there but I’m no programmer so I couldn’t tell you which would give you ALL that we need. Honestly, I’m not sure the “perfect” calculator exists that will do all that we want it to do. Here’s the perfect “get rich” idea for a programmer, develop the perfect shipping tool, one that accurately quotes shipping both domestic and international, magically knows what packing materials you will use , the weight and the size box it will require.
Angiesjewelry
Yes FreightQuote gives you a long list of quotes from all available carriers they broker with. But it is Yellow Freight. Old dominion, Vilbar, etc.. usually shipping companies that deal in LTL.
The quote I checked on this morning with them offered about 10 or so different carriers.
IT is just the FreightCenter is for larger items,,, not first class or even priority type product. The shipping charges would be extremely high. FreightQuote is about the same way. Which we use them as well for moving freight.
I just wonder if ups worldship could aggregate something for us.. hummm, off to call my ups rep.. If they will give a discount to the entire other site why not us too
Ups can also handle smaller packages. it takes around one day longer for a package to be delivered. Like first class and priority stuff. But it is totally trackable throughout their system..
Judy/blue
I’m back Lilly Livered Pantywaists LOL (you knew mom eh?)
For FedEx…first off they will NOT email you..YOU have to call them which is no big deal and they answer fast!.
Call 1-877-339-2774 press option 2 then option 3 to get the WEB SERVICES DEPT. From there a rep will walk you thru the set up. If you do not use a rep the info will never be correct. There is NO fee for their software. They use API and Web Services (their newest) but again just taking it off the net yourself will not work
They guarantee that what comes up on the calculator here will match the actual FedEx calculator on their site.
Go forth young genius….I have total faith you guys can pull this off no problem
And just think….you won’t have me bugging you! sweet eh?
Need assistance? Click “Chat Now” to chat with a live agent.
http://www.auctioninc.com/info/page/shipping_api
Live Support
Log In Shipping Engine Products Domestic International Shipping API Register Shipping Calculator Web Service APIRequest Info
“Auctioninc’s shipping API service is very useful and robust and has exceeded my expectations. The API itself is very simple and straightforward to implement, yet the features are rich and flexible . Auctioninc’s API engine is very efficient. The elapsed time of most of my requests is under 700ms and I have not experienced any downtime. This API and service have dramatically improved my customers’ shopping experience and reduced my order processing time. I am completely satisfied with this service and will recommend it to others. "
-Hansen Wang, Gemmall.com
Why Lose A Customer Over Shipping?
Paid’s Shipping API provides website and e-commerce venues the ability to integrate a shipping rating, comparison, and packaging engine into an existing website or application. We provide developers access to a pre-built software module using a well defined data structure and subroutine calls. Calls to Paid’s web service return shipping calculations based upon your business rules and shipping preferences, which can then be exposed to your shoppers. The shipping API is a way for programmers to enhance or add shipping calculation functionality into an existing product.
Common Uses:
E-commerce venues looking to incorporate shipping calculations for their vendors.
Programmers and developers who need to provide shipping quotes for their web store.
Mail-order call centers that need to provide quick shipping quotes over the phone.
Hosting companies looking to improve /add shipping calculations in to an existing shopping cart.
Integrated into the Rainworx and PHP ProBid auction platforms.
Benefits
Never lose money again on shipping calculation errors
Convert more shoppers into customers by removing concerns over shipping
Tiered shipping promotional discounts increase conversion rates and order sizes
Improved customer satisfaction since your shoppers now are able to have a choice as to the cost and speed of delivery of their items
Reduce Costs – High costs are involved to internally develop and maintain APIs to multiple carrier. The Shipping API requires only one API for all carriers domestic and internationally which helps to development costs.
Rapid Deployment – Our web service uses industry standard XML over HTTP making it simple to integrate your application regardless of software language or hardware platform. Software Development Toolkits available for various languages makes integration a snap.
Features
One API supports ALL carriers
Comparative shipping across multiple carriers in one API call
Through our “XS” API version, supports multiple sellers
Domestic Shipping Rates from FedEx, UPS and USPS
International shipping rates from DHL, FedEx, UPS and USPS
Calculate shipping of multiple items/packages in a single API call
Packaging algorithm handles splitting items into multiple packages automatically
Supports items consisting of multiple units (i.e. set of 4 wheels)
Able to factor in weight of packaging materials
Dimensional weight supported
Insurance automatically calculated base on order value
Support for 3rd party insurance (i.e. U-Pic, PIP)
Promotional Tiered Shipping Discounts based on order value
Unlimited drop-ship locations
Flexible Handling Fees at the order, package, carrier service levels
Support for USPS Pre-paid fixed rate shipping boxes
SDK Toolkit available for PHP
Many, many more…
Thinking about using the Carrier APIs directly?
Click here.
API Pricing
We want you to use our API, and we have priced it accordingly!
Retail Customers:
For a low fixed rate of $25 monthly, you may call into our API up to 10,000 times per month and gain access to our cutting-edge shipping engine technology. This threshold accomodates all but the very largest sellers (overages are charged at one cent per call). Save even more with an annual payment: just $250 (in advance) for a whole year. Call us if you prefer this plan. These rates assume that you will be using our API on one site and supporting one single seller via our “SS” calls. Our retail accounts prohibit integrating the API into a commercial product or service, and prohibit reselling the data from our API.
Integrators/Resellers:
Our “XS” calls, available to integrators only, supports unlimited sellers. (Integrators are intermediaries, such as cart products or auction platforms, that are managing multiple sellers.) We offer a variety of flexible pricing plans or even revenue shares for integrator accounts. Please call us so we may discuss with you what method of integration will meet your needs and what pricing models are appropriate. We would be happy to set up a development account for you to get you started. Our toll-free phone: 866-323-8833.
Our Customers
Here is a small sampling of customers using our API:
Aerosmith.com
Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
PBA Galleries, Auctions & Appraisers
Simple Auctionsite.com
Andreas Cahling Enterprises, Inc.
Gemmall.com
Formor International
National Direct Reprographics
Total Seal
Fitec International
Kapela Auctions
Executive Graphic Systems
Ellsworth Adhesives
Liquidation Time
Big River Darts
MonsterTrade.com
Alpine Internet Solutions
List 99
LocalMakers
Level Four Storefront Flash Cart
Rainworx Auction Software
Wholesale Central
Working Girlz
The Remba Project
The Vision Forum
http://www.usps.com/webtools/rate.htm
Technical Guides Download instructional guides to learn more. Service Providers Need assistance with integrating? Use a service provider. Register now to begin using the USPS Web Tools. Register now to begin using the USPS Web Tools.We also need the Canada Post shipping calculator available for Canadian based Bonanzle sellers to use too.
Any progress on getting that on this site?
Thanks, John
I do not use calculated shipping. However, this is something I have been asking for to get fixed for almost 2 years since it is so important to so many of our sellers. I know it has messed some of them up with their sales. That hurts them and this site, thereby trickling down to hurting us all.
Yes, ebay has one that works fairly well. It didn’t always but seems to have been doing well for years. Other sites have working ones also.
So, I am sure there is something out there that will work with the Bonz.
I sure hope this is a priority since it affects so many sellers and yet another holiday season in staring us straight in the face.
thanks
That is the biggest concern there…will it be fully functional before Holiday shopping begins. The thought really scares me. I’m sure many of us have invested alot of time and money into preparations for a better season than what we had last year. The holidays are our biggest opportunity for multiple sales within the same transaction. Combined shipping is very important.
lilly livered pantywaists?
This is why I will never sell anywhere else! I do use calculated shipping for over 3 lbs and for UPS. I would love to see a calculator for everything, but I have no suggestions, just stopped by to comment and thank you so very much for addressing this issue. I do think we need all options, priority, first class, media mail, the whole ball of wax. Refunding after the fact is not the best method.
@all: What we are after, in more English terms, is a service provider who can take the data that our sellers have provided and convert it into a shipping price.
Currently, we are taking the information provided to us by sellers and sending it directly to UPS, USPS and FedEx, and using their web services to get calculated shipping prices.
This works OK, most of the time, but as alluded to in the blog post, the central problem with us managing this is death by 1000 edge cases. We do not have the means to be able to test whether an 100 lbs. oblong box shipping from Nantucket to Algeria is generating the correct price from all three major carriers. Until we can afford a programmer to work on the calculator specifically, we will probably continue to not have the resources to do that.
That’s why we want to find a third party that specializes in all the vagueries of calculated shipping. It seems like some shipping provider somewhere ought to be able to swing this. What we want is to get some help in determining who can do this reliably and simply. Keep the good ideas a’comin!
I do a lot of combined shipping on little items, but the problem is when they go from mailing in an envelope to a box because all the items won’t fit in a bubble mailer. Because we only accounted for the acutual weight of the item, and not the weight of the box. I hate having to foot the bill for the extra weight, and when I print the label, also paying for delivery confirmation.
hehehe, just grinning here:
Test case overload! Possible debugging cases exceed sanity.
Bill, you do a great job, all the ‘others’ have struggled with this too at first. It affects me too but there are worse things in life
(Ducking tomatoes now)
truthfully this topic is very confusing… I solved the problem by buying a postal scale, and only using First Class Mail with USPS, and Priority Mail for my heavier orders. I know most people are shipping heavy or large items, but if you have light weight items like jewlery or coins your items shouldn’t weigh more than a few oz.
eg: one coin bubble wrapped and put in a 4×6 bubble mailer is less than 2 oz, I always round up so that I don’t get embarrased with additional shipping fees that the buyer would have to pay upon delivery.
2oz = $1.58
3oz = $1.75 etc. this also includes a tracking number that you can give to your buyer to track their shipping. if you were to even put your shipping as low as $1.99 and $0.50 – $2.00 for extra items bought within the same transaction for these light weight items… you get your bonanzle fees paid for too!!!
It really doesn’t cost that much to ship within the USA for these light weight items. It pays to have a scale!!!
I agree with firstoliveoy.
My additional 2 cents is; we need a good calculator. Buyers do not need to overpay for postage, as it is high enough already.
Priority Mail for everything can be considerably higher in some cases than Parcel Post. Such as if it is a longer distance or over sized package.
The calculator is a fair way to go. Most sellers can handle the large dimensional packages, it just takes one to teach you to watch out for them, even Ebay’s calculator is not good for them.
The buyer should be able to choose how he wants the package sent.
Also it would be nice if a seller could add a handling charge. If you buy box, and packing supplies you need to add a little something to cover it. But I would be happy with just a good calculator.
I use the calculator here and so far have not had a problem, but I would not know if someone tried to buy my item and saw a big shipping charge and I lost the sale.
I say good luck. I am happy you are looking into it . I love Bonanzle Great to see you ask our advise.
We need to keep calculated shipping. I use calculated shipping for anything that is over 13 ounces. Anything that is 13 ounces or less, or Media Mail can be flat rate because I have those tables printed out for quick reference. Also Flat Rate envelopes and boxes don’t need calculated rates. But anything else needs to be calculated according to zone. I only had a couple of instances on eBay where the calculated shipping was completely off. It was always right-on the money. I don’t know about here yet because all of my sales have been flat rates and not any on my calculated rates. But the ones that I have checked, were giving me the correct amount if I were to mail the item to myself. I never put in package size. I simply choose regular package.
If we could have choices in the calculator to give the buyers options for Priority, Parcel Post, and UPS, that would be great. Some very fragile or expensive items I would not offer Parcel Post, but most items, from my experience on eBay, when I offered the choice of Priority, Parcel Post, or UPS, most people chose the Parcel Post even though it only saved them a few cents or a dollar or two.
@Bill “Currently, we are taking the information provided to us by sellers and sending it directly to UPS, USPS and FedEx, and using their web services to get calculated shipping prices.”
If WE are in fact the ones sending the information to USPS, why does the default have to be Priority Mail? When I first started selling here, I used calculated shipping on almost all of my items. I received a couple of e-mails asking why my shipping price was so high. I then started combing the forums and discovered the Priority default. Needless to say, I switched to a flat rate Parcel Post format. All of a sudden, my sales started to pick up. I would rather issue a partial refund for overpaid shipping charges than have no sales because of the Priority default.
It is very doubtful that the average buyer is going to read the entire listing so chances are they would never see a message stating “contact me for exact shipping quote.” They are just going to see the calculated charge and either buy or move on. I don’t know (and I really don’t want to know), how many sales I might have lost before I became aware of the Priority default.
Yes, we need a shipping calculator. Yes, it would be nice to have one that works as it should and with more options. I’m glad to see that the issue is being recognized and that Management has asked for our input.
I am pretty sure most of us have a shipping scale, but if you sell many different types of product it gets mailed by different methods. Hmmm, shall I hike up the shipping, in case it goes to Calif.? Well that just made my customer who is in Ohio decide not to buy as the shipping is too high. I am still of the opinion that refunding shipping is not too cool. If they pay with Google Checkout, becomes even less cool, slipping it in the package, well I hope the package gets to buyer. I am so tickled to see this happening.
ps Mustard and onions on the cheeseburger please!
I wanted to add that when I said I’d like to see international calculated shipping, what I more or less mean is that, for example, I have a pair of pants that could ship as international first class and priority mail for the United States. As expected, the price jumps from international first class mail to international priority mail. I would like to see a shipping calculator where I can calculate a different shipping method to international and one to the United States on the same item. There are too many different international locations that I am wanting to ship to for me to figure out piece by piece how much it would be to ship. Also, shipping increases usually from year to year. This will be very time consuming going back in and changing the flat rate prices. Thank you Bill.
Having read all the posts, all I can conclude is that whatever script Bonz is using to send information to USPS is flawed, and if not, could something else within the site be interfering?
Now maybe not here, but in the discussion that resulted in us being here, someone says, a package that has one side longer than 12 inches ships as a regular or normal package. That must vary from one P.O. to another.
If I take a 9 lb. box that measures 16 × 12 × 12 into my P.O. and ask for Priority, out comes the tape measure and I’m told this is a large package.
If I plug in the weight only on the USPS website, Priority comes to $23.95 and Parcel Post is $14.47 from 74403 to 04401.
When I also include dimensions, Priority comes to $31.40 and Parcel Post is still $14.47.
Plugging in weight and dimensions on the Bonz calculator, Priority came to $23.95. (Regular)
If I went with that figure, I would lose out big time.
So the Bonz calculator only needs tweaked to get the right quotes every time. When that is accomplished, then there should be no problem applying the package size (wt.&dim.) to any option. Currently, 13oz. or less quotes 1st Class; anything above quotes Priority.
If you can make do for those two options, then why not Parcel Post and Media; and also for the pair of pants (International).
OK … NO offense Bill .. but you saying you and your staff of ‘Wizards" (wink to Ryan)don’t know of any? Or is this just to see if your sellers might know a trade secret or two?
Personally … I havent a clue … and simply can use flatrate for most of my items
Funny thing … when I do a search for best or most accurate shipping calculator, I find nothing ! lol .. but the site jsgeare mentioned claims that their’s is indeed the most accurate. Maybe they could make one especially for Bonanzle?
I can see the headache with shipping calculators.. there are so many different services to consider etc. Yikes .. I’m very happy not to be Bill right now. lol
Bill..what is wrong specifically with this company?? Look at Kapela Auctions..they use this service provider. Shipping shows up clearly for all kinds of USPS, UPS , FedEx and International shipping
http://www.auctioninc.com/info/page/shipping_api
Out of all the techno people that you, Alex, Jordo and Ryan know, there isn’t anyone you can ask for help for a service provider or is it a matter of money?
Even ebay can’t get their shipping calculator to work right all of the time, many sellers were complaining about it when I did a Google search and how many customers hit the back button without anyone knowing? I don’t know how many times I was reimbursed .. or not reimbursed for that matter ..lol
I was checking the Internet out and by accident I almost posted the same link that Sofy did. They present their company very professionally providing detailed information. It would be a great idea to check them out. I’ll post the link again anyway. http://www.auctioninc.com/info/page/shipping_api
I’ve noticed and recently reported that the Bonanzle calculators are way off, both USPS and especially UPS. The ebay calculators when used correctly come out close to perfect for me every time.
I’m assuming this is an expensive fix for Bonanzle or it would have been corrected by now. I’m not a “techi” so I have no advice or solution.
Personally here on Bonanzle, I’ve been selecting flat price or Free shipping for my lightweight items but I’m at a loss for those 3-10+ pounds because the calculator is so inaccurate.
I hope Bonanzle finds a solution for this problem as it is a fundamental element in successful selling.
When I started on Bonanzle I used the shipping calculator. It worked great for me. Something went wrong and I had to resort to flat rate shipping. My items are small and light and I ONLY ship priority mail. I cannot get the calculator to show USPS priority mail prices. It only shows first class. I would go back to the calculator if it would work.
Mr. B…did my email scare you at all when I said the Bucket lady was going to chase you down till you wrote me back on this?..good to see you responded on here but you must be a lil scared of me to not reply back in my box.
Although I did get a customer service response it was not from you.
And it can’t be right. There is no way the system is set for priority shipping…it is more like overnight!
Mark sends me this below..
Thanks for your email and sorry for the confusion. Sounds like the shipping calculator is working as designed (ours defaults to Priority). We are currently investigating the enhancement of our Shipping Calculator. You can read more about it and also submit feedback by viewing out most recent blog:
Now…being new here only a week frustrated with the system and I did lose a customer who was just about to buy when I said I had to get back to them on the actual cost. They never came back by the way.
I am not a computer whiz…but yesterday, I had two browsers going at the same time..testing the calculator with various zips..and against the actual cost at USPS.gov
I didn’t have to click on if it was a large box or not.
On your manual measured option I put in my measurements 14×14×14 and it came up $45.70 for the same area that was only suppose to be $13.03 parcel post which I needed.
Guess what?
YOUR SYSTEM IS SET FOR EXPRESS MAIL!!!!
SEE BELOW…the $45.70 right on the same line as EXPRESS.
Express Mail® Mon, Sep 13 $45.70 $43.39SEE IT??? the $43.39 is if your paying online.
SO TELL MARKY…HE IS OUT OF A JOB!
I AM TAKING HIS PLACE!
I THINK YOU NEED A BUCKET LADY to fix this calculator!!
Express Mail® Hold For Pickup Mon, Sep 13 $45.70 $43.39
Priority Mail® 3 Days $19.90 $18.71
Priority Mail® Large Flat Rate Box
USPS Supplied Large Box: 12″ × 12″ × 5-1/2" 3 Days $14.50 $13.95
Priority Mail® Medium Flat Rate Box
USPS Supplied Medium Box:
13-5/8″ × 11-7/8″ × 3-3/8" or 11″ × 8-1/2″ × 5-1/2" 3 Days $10.70 $10.20
Priority Mail® Small Flat Rate Box
USPS Supplied Small Box: 8-5/8″ × 5-3/8″ × 1-5/8" 3 Days $4.95 $4.85
Parcel Post® 7 Days $13.03 Not available
Media Mail®
Restrictions Apply 7 Days $4.33 Not available
I also work with the “guesstimated” flat rate shipping method. I give a middle of the road price and choose what works best at point of sale, first class, priority, or parcel.
I feel that this allows a customer to see the entire cost before checkout. It’s been pretty accurate, whereas I only rarely have to eat shipping costs. AND I refund overages, which seems to amaze customers, at times.
I found another calculator and they offer a 30 day guarantee ..
http://www.sonicode.com/php_shipping_rates_calculator.php
I’m sure Bill is terribly afraid of Internet bucket ladies LOL
UknowUneedAnother, I was using that system when I was shipping heavier items and I found it was the one that generated most sales.
Would be interesting to see a customer survey about it.
Bonanzle’s not the only one … saw this on another site.
‘’Sorry! UPS has made it virtually impossible for us to deal with their API for shipping cost calculations. You will need to complete their tedious form manually. Use Derwood as the city, 20855 as the zip code, and 12″ × 10″ × 4″ as the package dimensions. Choose daily pickup and “Your packaging”. Again, our apologies for UPS’s behavior.’’
Most of my items are very lightweight (most are only 1-3 ounces and are rarely more than 8 ounces), so shipping services other than USPS First Class Mail are quite unreasonable for me. For heavier items, other shipping services might be better than USPS.
@justmygoodies..had that happen to me as well
Bill/Mark sent the dimensions that are set as the default here
Shipping Package Large Envelope 15×12×.75
Shipping Package Regular 40×10×10
Shipping Package Large Package 45×15×15
Shipping Package Very Large Package 45×20×20
From what we’ve been able to determine is that regardless of how you set up the shipping profiles that the calculator here defaults to the longest allowable length in that package size. The Post office calculator recognizes it as 14 × 14 × 14 and shows the correct shipping price. Our calculator seems to recognize the largest default dimensions listed and goes ballistic often times pulling up prices for express mail (found that out last Christmas)
Here is a current thread on combined shipping problems with both calculated and flat rate…
http://www.bonanzle.com/forums/4/topics/130437?page=1#posts-1861578
Limit one item per each sale. Problem solved!
what gets me on this shipping is about the time you get it work out andd with in a few cents what it going to be then they usps iI am talking about throws a curve like I new that a bracelet with delivvery confirmation would run around a one price maybe off .15 to .25 cents last couble times I went same weigh same size but dollor and fifty seven cents more when ask how come just got one those looks and told to talk it over with the post master and have one package lost with a confir, number and because I didnot buy insurance they cant help me ? why pay for the delivery confirmation number if its no good with out insurance and I have took this one to three states and the post master and still have no help.
I won’t be using it any longer. Just lost money on it with combined shipping. It’s not worth it to me. I hope you can find a fix, but until you do, no more shipping calc for me.
@AllThingsVintage44, You can choose NOT to combine shipping and still use the shipping calculator. Then, it won’t discount.
@Bill, et all, I need calculated, plus a discount for combining; BUT, when I have sets, if a buyer adds more items, then, I either have to ship two boxes or one large box, which, for example, has caused a loss of about $10.00 in one instance.
I thought I had a work-around, but in logging out and pretending I’m a buyer on the other side of the country, I see the buyer won’t get a combined discount. My idea was to list, say, a set of three dishes, with a flat rate. Then, if they buy an additional two individual items, I hoped the calculated rate would give them one discount. But the default sticks with the flat rate discount, which I’d set as $.01 in order to get the flat-rte discount to work at all. So, my buyers won’t get a discount over $.01 if they buy a set and add to it.
I’m wondering if, I could do a flat discount for each thing at, say $2.00 each, would it help the buyer enough? and it wouldn’t cost too much for me if I had to ship it two boxes?
Dear Mr. B….
Up there in my home state..I just want to apologize to my fellow Washingtonian~ I reread some of my messages directed at you. And well…it sounded like I was yelling.
Ok..I admit it I was…
I am only PMSing this week..so mark your calendar for next month..lol
I will work around not using the calculator till you get it fixed. BUT JUST DON’T TAKE FOREVER..(wasn’t yelling..just having it bold for you to not miss it).
I do appreciate a auction site with less rules.
I do appreciate all the helpful kind people that join in to try to help others out.
I feel you got a great new site to offer a lighter side compared to the darker side and everyone knows how much you lose on the darker side when you make a sale…and it’s not from shipping.
So..here’s a hug, I’m sorry.
But please..so the next victim doesn’t attack you.
Put a red flag on the shipping choices regarding the malfunctions so the Newbie sellers and the buyers need to be told to…so they don’t freak and just ask for a second quote from seller.
Let them know we all are working thru this and they simply ask the buyer the weight to go direct to .gov and get a comparable quote if needed.
COMMUNICATION I think is the key here for all buyers and sellers..So no one runs off seeing a ridiculous shipping calculation….or attacks in anger towards you.
Thanks, CW
Mea culpa if the following has been addressed…didn’t take time to read everything above…but I’m very busy and just discovered once again that my int’l shipping on some items has been set to “free shipping”. egads, thankfully not many buy these days here.
10% of your merchants don’t use calculated????
That either means they don’t trust the system here, don’t know how to use calculated shipping (even if it did work) or they are passing the cost onto the buyer, and are not offering the lowest price possible on their items. Point blank.
It costs a lot less to ship next door than across the continent…let alone overseas…if shipping was calculated correctly.
Ok, all I ask is that you fix this and make it a priority. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made sure ever SINGLE one of my items had the shipping set up properly, only to come back a week or two later to see that many of my items were offered at “$0” for shipping…esp. for int’l.
This has gone on too long.
How many potential buyers have abandoned shopping carts due to crazy shipping prices? Do you do a visitor survey to try to figure this out? I’d be very curious to know.
I guess I just need to delete all international shipping altogether for now.
sorry to sound short, I’m just in a hurry. very busy. but I do love Bonanzle, and that’s why I take the time to chasten , er, um, I mean…encourage you all to fix this obvious major defect.
If you want more details, feel free to email me.
Since I’m a penny pincher on the brink of bankrupcy, I know my shipping cost options very well.
Interesting thing for me is that the current shipping calculator has been “right on target” for calculating shipping. I have read and reread this post, but it confuses me still. (I always use USPS).
I have sold smaller items, bundled, and the calcuations went to Priority Mail with no problem carrying the appropriate weights.
Sure would like to see the same thing for International.
Still, all in all, things are great…and improving regularly.
Always appreciate advancements! Love you guys!
At least I found out now why some of my heavier items are not moving.
I didn’t check the calculator and was in for a shock.
Guessing game is the best right now. So be it that I have to eat some postage fees – which I did yesterday:
ate ‘ONLY’ $10.00 sh….
I have an idea that may save some buyers from running away due to even your flat rates or so called FREE Shipping listings which come on we all know the price is tacked in.
Everyone needs to have a paragrah on their front profile page. Letting all the NEW PEOPLE looking and even NEW SELLERS that didn’t find out yet.
That we need to HAVE OPEN COMMUNICATION…not be afraid to question the asking price. JUST ASK? that is going to be what I put on my front page. WE all could wear BUCKET HEADS..lol getting the word out..need a bucket?
COME GET EM!..lol
You can go and read what I added…it’s not for just me.
It’s for all of us. When we welcome new people in. Say HI, but then be a friend and let them know we all want to give them the fair rate. Just to ask?
Maybe Mr. B can have a set message that is on all the front pages in BOLD RED that none of us have to come up with ourselves.
WEll..that is my temporary fix~..but hopefully only temporary~!
CW
Appears that we may be on our own here people, to find a service provider that Bill will consider working with. As indicated above he wants us to find the provider, and wants that provider to contact him and then MAYBE we’ll stand a chance. It’s clearly put on our shoulders to do the work. Apparently only 10% of us want the calculator..although I fully believe that percentage would greatly rise if the calcs worked. Personally we may only be 10% but I feel that we are just as worthy as the other 90% selling here. Don’t know about you guys but I can’t handle another crummy Christmas season! This will be our 3rd Christmas here. Last year was so geeked up about sales untl I stupidly realized that sales wren’t happening bcecause they showed express mail prices.
So I ask that you help me find us provider if that’s the only way it will get fixed! Please!
A few years ago as a Mailroom Coordinator, I researched a few Multi-Shipping Software vendors that had Rate Comparison modules for my Company.
The ones that topped the list online as well as in the Mailing & Shipping trade magazines were Neopost, Pitney Bowes, Kewill.com and Harveysoft.com.
some of the smaller software/hardware vendors used Harvey software in their systems.
You may be able to obtain a shipping calculator from some of them that includes the dimensional weight charges, and the accessorial fees for residential, out of delivery area, oversize,etc that is part of USPS, FedEx and UPS in exchange for a little advertising. may be worth a try?
Or possibly at a reasonable cost seeing as you are only looking for a shipping cost estimator.
Either that or a search for Multi-Shipping Software vendors with Rate Comparison modules should turn up more companies than you can shake a stick at.
Well, it IS easiest to use the regular shipping carriers…even if there are cheaper alternatives. I say that as a broke person. Let’s get real. It’s easy to ship using USPS or UPS via paypal, or even at the USPS or UPS sites…I’ve done both.
Parcel is cheaper than Priority, but only after about 3-5 lbs. Before that, they’re about the same. And UPS is cheaper than USPS after about 5 lbs. (I maybe be off a bit on lbs., but this is my general experience.)
And for heavier packages, why use Priority Int’l when you can use 1’st Class for much less.
And why use Priority Domestic when youc an use Parcel Post for much less?
Flat rate is just for folks who don’t take time to compare rates, don’t care or need to save every penny they can, or are shipping heavy items like iron.
This has all been said MANY times before.
Why get a different carrier when the ones that exist offer much cheaper services than Bonz chooses to utilize?
What’s to say Bonz would utilize the cheaper rates of a different carrier if one were offered, when they’re not using the cheapest rates available/offered by the most popular, and respected/trusted carriers to date?
jmsohoio (just my not so humble, openly indignant opinionj)
GUESS WHAT!!!!
THIS IS REALLY GOOD NEWS!!!
EARLIER TODAY I REMOVED ALL MY SHIPPING PRICE CALCULATORS AND JUST LEFT THEM AT THE OPTION…
SEE DESCRIPTION. WHICH MY DESCRIPTION IS I WILL QUOTE YOU.
DID YOU KNOW THAT IF THEY GO TO PAY THRU PAYPAL IT AUTOMATICALLY GIVES THEM THE CORRECT SHIPPING RATE?
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. MY CA. CUSTOMER WHO YESTERDAY WAS QUOTED $21.00 WITH THE BONANZLE CALCULATOR.
WENT THRU PAYPAL AND GOT THE CORRECT RATE OF $9.00 ACTUALLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN $9.65..BUT THAT IS CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME!
SO JUST WANTED OTHERS TO KNOW THEY DON’T EVEN HAVE TO CHOSE WHAT SHIPPING THEY WANT SET UP..JUST
CHOOSE “SEE DESCRIPTION”
AS LONG AS THEY ARE USING PAYPAL
PAYPAL HAS THE CORRECT RATE.
I DON’T KNOW IF IT WORKS FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES IF IT GROUPS ALL THEIR STUFF TOGETHER. I HAVE NEVER TESTED OR PURCHASED FROM THIS SITE YET. MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS?
LATER..I’M A HAPPY CAMPER!…
CW
I agree with what Sofy said up there.
This is just my opinion, but I think most sellers here do not have the where with all to seek out what management is asking for help with regarding the calculator.
Perhaps the owners need to network more with others who run sites to find out how to resolve this issue rather than with the sellers who bring products to market.
JMHO.
It would be so very hard for one of us to find a Company with a Shipping Calculator that would work for Bonanzle, we are not Programmers or Designers.
With all the different Computer Languages that are used, how would we know which company would have a Shipping Calculator Software that would be compatible with Bonanzle.
Just to take a Software Product off the shelf is not the answer. There would most likely have to be re-writes and testing to get the calculator running correctly.
It is now September, how can this be accomplished for the 2010 Holiday Selling Season.
Some test results comparing Bonz Calculations to USPS
Package weight – 4 lb. 6 oz. (Rounds up)(No Flat Rate Box Used, Item Too Big)
Dimensions (when used) – L=20; W=15; H=10 (70 inches in combined length and girth)(Applies to Zones 1-4)
Zones 5-8 that exceed 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) are charged based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in DMM 123.1.4), whichever is greater.
This package equals 3000 divided by 194 equals 15.463918 or 16.(lbs.)
Using Normal Package (Bonz); USPS uses Package:
Both quoted the same for Priority @ $15.85
But this was not a Normal Package due to the dimensions.
Select Large Package and plugging in the Wt @ 4 lb. 6 oz. and dimensions @ L-20; W-15; H-10 on USPS gives Priority @ $37.20 which is the same as a 16 lb. package without dimensions. (Balloon Price).
Bonz Calculator Manually-entered size (Dimensions) quotes $15.85 which is regular Priority not requiring dimensions. (Big Loss)(Didn’t Balloon)(Should have been $37.20)
Using Large Package (Bonz + no dimensions), Bonz quoted $41.10 (Same as USPS Package @ 18 lbs.)(Somehow, the Bonz calculator took a 4 lb. 6 oz. Large Package without dimensions and turned it into an 18 lb. package going Priority.)(Lost Customer)(Need To Get Rid Of This Choice)
Using Bonz Very Large Package (again no dimensions) Bonz quotes $96.82 which just happens to be the same as USPS Parcel Post Oversized = $96.82 (This from 4 lb. 6 oz. without dims.) Also should get rid of this, not needed when you use Manually-entered size)
Unless Bonz wants to calculate Parcel Post Balloon Prices, for example, if this package exceeded “More than 84 inches but not more than 108 inches, and the piece weighs less than 20 pounds, use the 20-pound price (balloon price) based on the applicable zone.” The 20-pound price would have been $22.52 (Parcel Post). (Somehow Bonz missed it)
Again, I think as far as USPS is concerned, the Bonz calculator needs tweaking, something is wrong. I think they tried to offer too many options for one thing.
been 2 days and no response from Bill…I have to ask this and please don’t get ticked. Is this blog merely to humor us and shut us up or will anything be followed thru on? I don’t want to waste my time if this is going to be totally ignored. You don’t want to find a provider..that’s on us. You don’t want to contact the provider, they must contact you. Guess I want to know if I spend the time to do this for the site is anyone actually going to talk to any of these providers? Or will any of them be considered?
I hate to say it but a fully functioning Shipping Calculator is an absolute necessity for Any selling venue, and if not, a definite understanding of what shipping method is to be used in conjunction with a booth here (like it is on Amazon) before the Venue can be considered an online shopping site. One way or another, this has to be fixed, and should be dealt with immediately. Though I can make do with it for MOST of my products, I totally understand the frustrations others have and know they are very real and valid complaints. I can’t imagine selling anywhere else Bill, especially after all the work I’ve done to build my store up. But I have to agree with the others who feel this must be resolved, even if it means paying someone else to do it.
@momspennies, so true: “a fully functioning Shipping Calculator is an absolute necessity for Any selling venue”
@Bill you say you don’t have resources for a programmer to fix this?
I’m sorry, but just an observation, in no way trying to usurp your authority or prerogatives, especially since I don’t know everything that goes on behind scenes, BUT…
It seems the priority here is less functionality and more to make the place look and feel nice and there are lotsa unique bonus features added constantly…
Again, how many shoppers have abandoned shopping carts due to crazy shipping costs?
I’d think fixing the shipping program should be not just priority, but #1. It’s so HUGE of an issue.
Thanks to those above who provided links to sources they located that could potentially be of service. We will be investigating those over the next few days and will report our results in the coming weeks.
As stated above, we would love to have a working calculator, but with how few of our merchants use it (just did an actual database query: 4.3% of items use calculated shipping currently), and given the fact that Etsy can do $300m in revenue without a shipping calculator, it is hard to justify dedicating one of our two programmers to work on the calculator full time. If we are going to be able to offer calculated shipping at this time, I am increasingly convinced that we are going to need to find a third party provider who has full time resources to dedicate to making sure the calculator works (and fixing it when it doesn’t). It’s not that we don’t think that calculated shipping is important — if we didn’t care, we wouldn’t be asking for help; however, we have a lot of important initiatives we’re working on for this holiday season, so we have to be mindful of the game-changing differentiators we would give up if we were to single-mindedly pursue the creation of our own perfect shipping calculator.
I am going to close this blog commenting at this point since the flow of constructive solutions and ideas seems to be dwindling. However, we will continue to appreciate any assistance we can get from our selling community in investigating third parties that purport to handle calculated shipping. AuctionInc and Sonicode will be researched to start, but you would think there would be more options than just these that could get shipping right. Please send any additional suggestions to our support address and we’ll continue to listen and hope we can find a better solution than ceasing to offer calculated shipping.
P.S. Cursory examination of Auctioninc looks promising. We have created an account and are currently in conversations with their team to ascertain whether their solution can work for our calculated shipping sellers. Fingers crossed!
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