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Flat Rate shipping vs shipping calculator

Discussion in 'eCommerce' started by Nefertari, Dec 24, 2009.

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  1. #1
    I want some advice on what to do. Right now on my website I have a shipping calculator that returns shipping rates to the customer based on the zip code they enter. Now I will say they are more times than none when I end up losing money because the calculator returns really low rate and I have to make up the difference. I'm thinking about charging a flat rate fee, which one do you use and which do you think instills confidence and yields better results?

    thanks
     
    Nefertari, Dec 24, 2009 IP
  2. herbalife

    herbalife Peon

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    #2
    im having this same issue....can someone help?
     
    herbalife, Dec 25, 2009 IP
  3. usedagain1

    usedagain1 Member

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    #3
    I guess the first question is which platform are you using. And the second question is why is your calculator sending back low rates? Maybe you should make sure residential is turned on. Depends on if you are using UPS Fedex or USPS.
     
    usedagain1, Dec 27, 2009 IP
  4. mhuy2x

    mhuy2x Peon

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    #4
    I did some research on how to help you with your problem regarding shipping rates and I have stumbled into this plugins.

    Hope this helps

    http://www.auctioninc.com/info/page/shipping_plugin
    PHP:
     
    mhuy2x, Dec 27, 2009 IP
  5. jestep

    jestep Prominent Member

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    #5
    Get a better calculator. You should be able to get very close to the actual amount being charged. Make sure to select residential address by default because it's more expensive to ship, and most orders ship to residential unless you are a B2B company. You can also add a small packaging/handling fee to buffer for any errors in the projected vs. actual shipping rate.
     
    jestep, Dec 31, 2009 IP
  6. psilocybin

    psilocybin Peon

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    #6
    It depends on the size of the item being shipped also. If it is small, but heavy, you are better off with a flat rate shipping box in most cases.
     
    psilocybin, Dec 31, 2009 IP
  7. tgloetzer

    tgloetzer Peon

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    #7
    Just an idea: what if you build the flat shipping rate into your price and offer free shipping? You could make the free shipping a selling point...
     
    tgloetzer, Dec 31, 2009 IP
  8. parplex

    parplex Peon

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    #8
    I agree with psilocybin. What are you shipping and is it ok for USPS? Flat rate for usps is awesome, and it works for so many things. But it also depends on the size of what you are shipping. If you can fit everything in a padded envelope(16x11x1) you can use usps priority mail for $4.80 flat. USPS for the same thing to a residence is $11. Its also fast 3 days max to almost any location and of course saturday delivery.
     
    parplex, Jan 2, 2010 IP
  9. gogo1699

    gogo1699 Peon

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    #9
    What i did is i mark up the price for my product and make the shipping free,
    it did increase my buying rate like 15%
     
    gogo1699, Jan 2, 2010 IP
  10. m_media

    m_media Active Member

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    #10
    I also agree that shipping should be included in the price and advertised as free shipping. When i want to buy something i want to know the total price (including shipping) so having free shipping makes things easier.
     
    m_media, Jan 2, 2010 IP
  11. TheMonkII

    TheMonkII Active Member

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    #11
    I couldn't agree more. I blew my brains out trying to get a calculator working right, mixing with this that and the other thing, then ultimatly went to free shipping anyways. Most customer service geared sites operate this way IMHO.
     
    TheMonkII, Jan 8, 2010 IP
  12. popo50

    popo50 Peon

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    #12
    Free is key. The power of free shipping will attract more buyers even if you are in heavy competition with other sites. When I see free, I think "less hassle".
     
    popo50, Jan 8, 2010 IP
  13. Bohra

    Bohra Prominent Member

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    #13
    But guys if we add shippin to the price the price will rise whereas the competitors will show a less price and charge more in shipping that way there are chances of loosing sales
     
    Bohra, Jan 8, 2010 IP
  14. hhsaus

    hhsaus Active Member

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    #14
    I would strongly disagree with free shipping, unless pretty much all of your competitors offer free shipping, or all the big e retailers offer free shipping and consumers in your particular location are totally accustomed to it.

    We've tested Free shipping on two of our sites about 15months ago and it has proven to be a disaster. Most people are not that dumb and know free shipping is a rip off. We only use actual postage costs now. And we use it as a selling point (fair prices, fair service, fair dinkum) and expose our competitors with free shipping as being more expensive and dishonest.
     
    hhsaus, Jan 8, 2010 IP
  15. fireo

    fireo Peon

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    #15
    depends on what shopping cart you use, you could provide a few alternative shipping methods. One use flat rate, then another use a expediated shipping with slight higher cost
     
    fireo, Jan 15, 2010 IP
  16. Jstetson

    Jstetson Peon

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    #16
    Does your shopping cart allow you to mark up the shipping rates or charge a handling fee? What if you increase the ship weights of the products?
     
    Jstetson, Jan 15, 2010 IP
  17. haiwin

    haiwin Peon

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    #17
    on my website, i set flat shipping rate. it is ok becuase the postage to most locations is same.
     
    haiwin, Jan 18, 2010 IP