Adding information to Products

[VictoriaTG]

Is there a way to add fields to products in the Product Category? For instance, I would like to be able to input information for L x W x H on my products as I later want that information to tie into shipping.

Here is the whole story as quick as I can -- I use an inventory management system (IMS) that has a connector that links it to my online store. The IMS has fields for product Length x Width x Height and I would like those to be reflected in my online store for all of my products. The LxWxH information would then be relayed to the Shipping method to give me a more correct price. At this time, the shipping method does not give the correct price for most of my product as it is not using the correct dimensions and I want that to change.

Any ideas?

[jpf]

Short answer - yes you can.

Longer answer - why reinvent ALL of the shipping mods?

Put in the PROPER cubic weight. That is why your getting incorrect shipping estimates.

MOST carriers base their rates on a MIN weight of 10 lbs (or 15 lbs) per cubic foot. Shipping a 12"x12"x12" box with a USB thumb drive (WAY under a 1/2 lb) in it - UPS would charge you as if the box weighed 10 lbs. Send a industrial U-joint in the same box - and weighs 20 lbs -they charge 20 lbs. Put the USB with it plastic retail cover in a 9x6 bubble envlope - this would be cubed at maybe 0.4-0.6lbs


The formula is easy.... take the average package size of the item HxWxL in inches. (I base mine on adding 1-2" more to each dimention than the actual size to account for box/packaging)

H X W X L / 1728 X 10lbs (or 15lbs) = lbs cubic weight. Now if this is MORE than the actual - then use the cubic weight in the item.


When packing to ship items - use aproperate size box. Learn HOW to cut down boxes to save space. Simplest thing is to get a "marking guage" (works on new and use boxes) - mine is plastic and cost me like $8.00 or so. This has a Ajustable height platform and long "depth gauge" with a dull metal "pin" on the end---this is used to crease cardboard box to make a fold. Pack box level - - fold flaps out, adjust guage height to the amount to "cut" the box down to. Run the platforn along the top edge and "scribe" on the inside of the box - cut in corners - from this line up then fold at new crease. Voila - no need to have 10-30 sizes of boxes on hand---or use a ton of packing stuffing.

[VictoriaTG]

That works great when I have one board (we make skimboards) in a box. I would be able to go into all of my product and change their weight to actual billable weight and then the shipping would be somewhat close. But when I have a customer order 2 boards or even 3 boards, it appears that they will be paying quite a bit more for shipping than they should. If that gets around, then people might not buy from my site.

Yes, the number of people that buy more than one board is limited but it is something that happens.

What I cannot understand is how the program is actually interacting with the shipping site to get rates. The rates from the online store do not match UPS from the internet nor do they match what I get through my Worldship. For that reason, I am not sure how they are computing their rates. Do you have any idea?

To me it seems that in some way shape or form, dimensions need to come into play when talking about the online store and its communications with the shipping programs.

[jpf]

See: UPS: Dimensional Weight

Also you may have to deal with over size charges if your shipping large items.


2 solution:

Give a general weight that works for most items. Put a disclaimer - ESTIMATED freight charges (may change if shipping multiple items). Then refund overages.

or

The UPS mod has the OPTION of adding XX lbs to the listed weight to account for packaging..... Back calculate the AVERAGE bulk that is added to ship a single unit vers 2 or 3 units - get a straight number or even a percent might work.


The dollar value comes from UPS. If there are any differences then it has to do with the SIMPLE weight addition and the difference of packing multiple items into the same box.

[VictoriaTG]

The shipping module is baffling as it does not seem to work on logic in my opinion. Either way, I have a different question for you.

Is it possible to turn off shipping options? I would like to only show Ground and 3-Day options and then have customers contact us for 2-Day or Overnight shipping.

Just a thought. Any idea?

[jpf]

Untinstall it.... then edit the shipping mod and look for the service offered - and remove the ones you don't want to offer.

[trochia]

See: UPS: Dimensional Weight

Also you may have to deal with over size charges if your shipping large items.

2 solution:

Give a general weight that works for most items. Put a disclaimer - ESTIMATED freight charges (may change if shipping multiple items). Then refund overages.

or

The UPS mod has the OPTION of adding XX lbs to the listed weight to account for packaging..... Back calculate the AVERAGE bulk that is added to ship a single unit vers 2 or 3 units - get a straight number or even a percent might work.

Hello JPF, and I have a question regarding this also...maybe you or Michael can clear it up for me please?

table > products has the fields : products_length products_width products_height

Yet why are they not available during product entry please?

Thx...Jim

[jpf]

That mod is no included in osCMax. You have to manually add in the mod. I have no experience with it myself.

[trochia]

I have no experience with it myself

Thx!! for the reply...and I wanted to check before doing anything.

It really needs to have (2) sets of: LxWxH

actualProductDimensions & actualShippingDimensions



I think I am just going to CHEAT and after "new product is entered", pass to another form to access table "products" to fill this in...as the "product" needs to be populated first...and if I do end up doing the site for a person that is interested...I will post the "hack" here to do this ...forothers.



Thx again for the reply,