easiest and most reliable shipping method/module?...

[AliveMedia]

Hi,

I'm in the process of setting up my first virtuemart store for a client, and I'm wondering what is the simplest/easiest way to setup a shipping amount for products?  I'm using virtuemart 1.0.5 in joomla 1.0.8.  My client doesn't necessarily have a shipping pref as far as who ships it.  Just would like to see what your experience has been and what seems to be the most reliable module you have used in making this happen.  Thanks!

Alan

[LongBranchAssociates]

Try

VirtueMart > Store > Shipping Module List > Standard Shipping Module > Configure Ship Method
This allows you to have a number of Shipping options and rates based on Weight and Zip Code

To start
VirtueMart > Shipping > Create Shipper
List Your Shipping Companies
Then
VirtueMart > Store > Shipping Module List > Standard Shipping Module > Configure Ship Method > New
Add your Weight Ranges/Zip Code Ranges/Shipping Costs etc.

You can take a broad brush approach with limited ranges or a more refined model but the latter takes some time to setup

[AliveMedia]

okay, kind of an update.  I spoke with the client today and he was saying that there are two approaches they want to take:  1. probably half of these items are going to be drop shipped so it would be best to setup a set amount for those...how do I setup a set shipping amount for these items?

2.  the items that they do ship from the store, they'll be shipping via USPS.  I'm not sure if they have an account online with them or not.  Is that necessary to setup to ship USPS? 

Thanks in advance for the insight.
Alan

[LongBranchAssociates]

To set up a fixed shipping rate

virtuemart > store > shipping module list > flex > configure shipping method > complete form to suit

UPS > You can approximate this by the setup in my prior reply.  No account required, you can get the weight/Zip/Cost data from the UPS Web Site
Alternatively you can integrate your store into the UPS shipping module so that the store goes out to the UPS site and pulls back the shipping cost.  You do need an account for this and an API

We have never tried to mix both fixed rate and shipper rates so not sure how these interact

[rworton]

Hi, i have found the flex module in the virtuemart > store > shipping module list > flex > configure shipping method.

Ive configured it to my needs but how do I acrivate this and apply it to all groups/products etc..?

Thanks you so much.

[LongBranchAssociates]

You must insure that you add a weight for each product in the Product details

admin > virutemart > product list > products > product dimensions and weights

The product weight in the cart + shipping address Zip code then drives the shipping cost from the Weight/Zip/Shipping Cost tables you created

If you do not apply a weight to each product the shipping method does not activate

[hanhand]

Hello
I am using flex module and standard shipping and both are very good shipping modules but I am trying to configure them according the status of the customer. On my site we sell products to individuals and also to retailers and I want to use a different shipping module for each shopper. I want to use the flex shipping module for individuals and standard shipping for retailers.

I do not know php coding but i am trying to figure out what to do and i think that something like this will solve the problem:

Enter the code if( $my->id = 1 )  in the flex.php file,
then this will activate the flex shipping module for shopper 1

and enter the code
if( $my->id > 1 ) in the standard_shipping.php file
then this will activate the standard shipping module for shopper 2

I appreciate your help if you can tell me how and where to place this code if I am correct OR if you have a better suggestion

Thanks