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Shipping Setup:
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Shipping Carriers
eBusinessSystem can be configured to handle an unlimited number of shipping methods or services (carriers). For each service you can specify the shipping rate, and how it is calculated (rate method). Go to Shipping/ Carriers or Add New Carrier
Service Names
Under the "Name" header you will see a list of all services in your database. To modify the service, or delete it simply click on edit. Create your own Service Name for example: Ground Shipping, Express Shipping...etc. |
Ship To Country
If you want to offer a particular service only to a specified country, select a country.
Ex. Create a shipping name "Canada: BC, AB" and select country Canada. When customer check out with registered country Canada, this shipping name will appear for selection. You may create more shipping name for customer selection.
Rate Add-Ons: UPS, USPS, FEDEX...
If you are using any Rate Add-Ons, you must setup a service for each Add-On service. If you do not see a "Real-Time" selection, than you may not have purchased or enabled the Add-ons required. See Rate Add-On.
Order Subtotal Method
This means the rate will be calculated according to the order subtotal. You can specify ranges, and for each range you can specify an actual charge or percentage of the total.
Weight Method
This means the rate will be calculated according to the total weight of the order. You can specify ranges, and for each range you can can specify an actual charge or a per lb/kg rate.
# of Items Method
You can charge shipping based on the number of items purchased. You can specify ranges, for each range you can specify an actual charge or a per item charge.
Per Item Shipping Charge
When this method is selected, the "Shipping Charge" entered in each item's setup will be used. Be sure you enter a Shipping Charge for each item.
Determined Later Method
When you choose this method your customers will not know how much shipping will cost. No rate is displayed. "Unavailable" will be shown in place of a rate.
Estimated
When this box is checked, the rate you enter will be displayed to your customers as an "estimate" with an asterisk "*". This is useful if you want to determine the real shipping charges at time of shipping.
Free Shipping
You can offer free shipping by using the Order Subtotal setting or # of items. First setup the condition that will result in a 0.00 (zero) shipping charge. Then, check "Use Alternate Text" box and specify what text should be displayed in place of 0 zero, ex. "Free"
Handling/Surcharge
This amount will be added to the rate after it is calculated.
Minimum Charge
After the rate is calculated, if the shipping charge is less than this amount, the Minimum charge will be imposed.
Add-on Shipping
If you purchase the add-ons, they will be available for you to set up the Shipping (Carrier). The Rate Add-Ons integrate with Admin to provide real-time (live) shipping rates. When enabled, during checkout the actual shipping charges for the order are retrieved from UPS, USPS, or the InterShipper service. The Add-Ons may require activation or you may need to establish a special account, see below.
UPS Rate Add-On
You will need to Enable the Add-On UPS Rates. You have to apply your own UPS online tools development key and merchant account from www.UPS.com to use their rates. When you have the key number, you can enter it to replace the system's key number.
USPS Add-On
To use the USPS add-on you will need to register with the USPS and obtain an XML WebTools User ID and Password. Registration is free, but must be done with USPS (United States Postal Service) before using or testing this add-on. Register at http://www.usps.com/webtools/. After your receive your XML Webtools User ID and Password from USPS, you will be required to test the add-on. The USPS does not allow you access to the "live" production rate servers until you have successfully tested the interface. You can test the interface by selecting "Test Mode" in the USPS setup in Admin. Test mode does not produce accurate rates, the rates are fictitious and are designed for testing purposes only. Once you have successfully tested, you will need to contact the USPS Internet Customer Care Center (ICCC) by telephone or email (icustomercare@usps.com) and they will activate your user ID and password so that you have access to the production server. See your emails from the USPS for instructions on activating your user ID.
InterShipper Add-On
To use this Add-On you must subscribe to the InterShipper service. InterShipper is a 3rd party service that provides instant, real-time shipping rates. Please contact InterShipper before using this Add-On.
Testing the Add-Ons
To test the Add-Ons, simply use the "Shop Rates" button on each Add-On setup page. For the UPS/USPS Add-Ons, you can click the "Show XML Response" box to display more detailed error messages if you do not receive rates. In most cases, problems with the Add-On are associated with incorrect account numbers, addresses, weights, or you did not install or activate the Add-On.
Setting up Services/Carriers
For a UPS, USPS, or other InterShipper service to appear during checkout, you must setup each service in Admin. From the Admin menu, click on "Shipping" and click “New Carrier/Service" to create a carrier/service. Enter a name and select the appropriate "real-time" method. Repeat this step for each service you want to make available to your shoppers. Or, you can click on "Import Services" from the Add-On setup page (this process will add ALL available services for you automatically).
Error Handling
For each Add-On you can specify how to handle errors. For instance, if an error occurs while processing rates, or the rate cannot be retrieved for a service/carrier, or the service is not available between your default Address/Zip code and the shopper's. If you select "Your Rate", the default settings for that service under "Your Rate" will be used. You can also specify if the rate should be shown as "Unavailable" or just hidden. If you receive a "Some Rates were not available" message during the checkout process, this can mean that one or more of the services you setup as "carriers" is not available for your package (based on the "Default address" you entered in Admin and the "Shipping address" you entered during checkout). To troubleshoot rate related issues, use the "Shop Rates" button on the Add-On's page; duplicate the same conditions for your checkout session and see the error messages as reported by the services. | 
