Blackthorne & Shipping

[momoftwingles2]

Hi BT users!

Okay, I've spent today working on shipping costs. And it seems that with using BT that I have the option of having many shipping presets.

So I've got a few figured out (I THINK) that I can live with, however, I'll have to do some refunding in the lower end.

My question is this....if a Buyer buys something with PreSet A which is $2.85 + .50 for each additional item and then then buy something from PreSet B that is $2.75 + .25 for each additional item and then something from PreSet C that is $2.99 + .75 per additional item.....HOW DOES EBAY KNOW WHAT TO CHARGE?

That is the million dollar question!

Any info would be appreciated!

And, Bernie and Xena...I will be calling!

Susan
momoftwingles2

[recped]

HOW DOES EBAY KNOW WHAT TO CHARGE?

I don't think they do and I doubt that eBay's combined shipping rules will ever work in this type of complex situation.

To make this work you need a shopping cart which can collect items and keep a running total of the weights. For additional accuracy you need to factor in dimensional weight if it applies. Although setting this up (writing the code) is not so complex it is beyond the abilities of eBay's system.

I can only suggest two things.....

Average things out to make it simple, monitor and tweak as needed to ensure you are not taking a hit (if your actual shipping charges are similar to your examples it should be easy).

Or

Forget trying to automate combined shipping, provide examples in your listings of the potential savings and quote specific amounts when asked or when invoicing.

The more varied the widgets you are selling the more problems, some things are best done manually especially with eBay buyers.

[momoftwingles2]

Hi recped,

Tis my problem! I have so many different kinds of items in my store and can not lump them all into one category for shipping purposes. I have always manually combined my customers purchases to get them the best shipping.

It seems I may be doomed if I state shipping and doomed if I don't...in search even though I have raised status.

Some items in my store...even with only buying one HAVE to go as Small Packet...for example K & Company Chipboard or Queen & Company Bold or Large Brads. Shipping for them is much higher of course in that category.

Other eyelets/brads in my eBay store...I can ship 10 for $2.99.

Big difference.

I'll have to ask on the BT board why they even offer us the opportunity for different shipping presets! Here I thought I had found the clue to easy shipping.

Back to the drawing board!

Thank you for your help. It is always appreciated!
Susan
momoftwingles2

[coxengines]

Actually, the eBay system works perfectly if you set it up properly. We have categories of:

$1.95
$2.95
$3.95
$5.95
$6.95
$9.95

And additional items costs of:

$0.29
$0.39
$0.49
$0.59
$0.69
$0.95
$1.95
$2.95

When buyers shop and check out, the system automatically calculates the correct postage, exact to the dime.

We only got the hang of this some time ago but now, in the morning, we can count the hatched chickens and $$'s that rolled in overnight.

However, we still have plenty of buyers who buy one item, pay, then buy another item, pay, etc. They just don't get it and we end up refunding someone pretty well every day. Had they made all their purchases and then paid, the system would have worked.

We use Auctiva but Blackthorne should interface in the same manner.

Also, this will work well even if your buyer wins auctions and wishes to combine with store items.

Bernie