Whice shipper works best?

**fisk** · 01-31-2007, 07:04 PM

I'm just looking for some opinions. Now that I have my paypal actually set up and working, i'm starting to think about who I want to ship with. I notice there are modules for UPS, Fedex, and USPS. Which one of those works best with oscmax? I'm guessing I have to register with the company that I want to use and they provide me with info needed to configure the module. So do any of them calculate the shipping cost based on the buyers zip code and then generate a tracking number also?

suggestions?

fisk

**michael_s** · 02-01-2007, 08:00 AM

They all work equally. It depends on what shipper you want to use.

They all base charges on buyers zip code and weight of the package. That is how shipping works.

**fisk** · 02-01-2007, 08:45 AM

Ok. I only asked because I havent seen hardly any info on setting up shipping. There's many threads about setting up payment options, but almost nothing on shipping. Are there any good docs, or how-to's on setting up shipping modules?

fisk

**michael_s** · 02-01-2007, 09:13 AM

That is because it is easy to set up. Turn it on. Add your account info. Select the shipping options if they are available, done.

**fisk** · 02-01-2007, 04:44 PM

Ok, I must be doing something wrong, because i'm trying to set up usps and it's far from easy. I registered and received the email from then. it gave me a usere id, but no password. If there's a default password, I didnt see any mention of it anywhere.

The email has all these directions about a testing server before you go to the production server. That's fine, but it doesnt tell me how to do the testing. It gives me a url that leads no where and a "testing script" with no directions on how to run it.

I filled out the info in the control panel for the usps, and I marked it as test, but I had to leave the password blank. of course it returned an error.

Also, I dont see any mention of tracking numbers. That's one thing I really want. Once I go live, and it actually works, will I be able to get tracking numbers? Also, do I have to install a module to print shipping labels, or is that part of what's already there?

thanks in advance....

fisk

**fisk** · 02-02-2007, 02:25 PM

no one?

Ok, I have a theory. I dont need to do the testing part of it. I just need to call them and have it switched to production and get my password. Am I in the ball park?

fisk

**michael_s** · 02-02-2007, 09:19 PM

Yep.

There is no need for testing, since the USPS module was already tested years ago. It works, so get it switched to production.

**JohnW** · 02-03-2007, 12:32 AM

Shipping is a big part of doing business online IMHO and it can impact your bottom line significantly in lost sales or lost profit. Some people are very sensitive to shipping costs and it can make the difference on making or losing a sale. A lot depends on the products you're going to ship like size, weight, fragility, value, etc... Also, whether you are selling and shipping to businesses or retail to houses. I have experience with both FedEx, UPS, and USPS (limited) so I can give you some advice, but if you reply with more about the items you're going to sell I can give you better advice.

You can set up an account with all of them and see which one appeals to you the most. Personally, I like the FedEx website more than the UPS and the FedEx site has some pretty cool capabilities. But, I haven't used the UPS site much because I have a partner that takes care of most of the shipping using a UPS computer.

Maybe give your customers a choice to see which they prefer and why. If you are on one of the coast the USPS priority mail gives you good transit time compared to UPS or FedEx. UPS and FedEx are very close with rates and shipping options, but they have some limitations where USPS is a better or only choice.

The shipping module might be a key part of your decision, since we only ship UPS the UPS (XML) module is the only one I'm very familiar with. It's a great module mainly because of it's product dimensions support and packaging routine, which was updated this week. It generates very accurate shipping charges by calculating the correct amount and size of boxes for the individual order by factoring the products dimensions as well as weight.

What are you selling?
Where are shipping to?