How do I split shipping for USPS flat rate vs. UPS calculated rate?

[sethwcaton]

My problem seems simple to solve, but I don't know what to do.  Can't find a forum post on it.

I've got 5 items for sale, we'll call them A, B, C, D, and E:
A, B, and C need to ship USPS flat rate box.
D and E are shipped UPS and that shipping rate is based on destination.

Customers usually only buy 1 of an item, occasionally 2, so quantity isn't as much an issue.  Currently if someone adds A and D to the cart, they get USPS flat rate --and-- UPS as options, but that won't work.  What I want is:
1. If A, B, or C items are in the cart, then USPS is the only choice available
2. If D or E items are in the cart, then UPS is the only choice available
3. If a combo of say, A and D, are in the cart, then UPS is the only choice available

What would be even better is if, for example, A and D are in the cart, then shipping is split so that USPS is charged for A, and UPS shipping is charged for D.

Here's the link to the store, which isn't "publicly" accessible yet: http://zrmenterprises.com/pa-shipping-address-online-store.html?categorylayout=0

Help?

I'm running Joomla 2.5.24 and VM 2.6.6 with the USPS and UPS shipping plugins.

[GJC Web Design]

there is no simple answer - it has to be coded

I would do it by JS probably.. just hide and show the method depending on prod id

[sethwcaton]

What would you recommend for someone like me who has no knowledge of coding JS?  Honestly beyond what HTML/CSS is needed for developing websites and a scrawny bit of MySQL, I don't have coding expertise.  Do you know of any workarounds or plugins that would help?  If not, then I can only think of 3 options, and I don't like any of them:
1. Pay someone to complete the task, and at this point have to eat that cost
2. Have 2 VM shopping carts: one for flat rate items, the other for UPS calculated shipping items, but someone who wants item A and item E will have to check out twice, and probably it wouldn't be a user friendly storefront
3. Scrap VM completely and post the RSS feed to their eBay seller listings instead

I didn't expect to get in this pickle when I got started, but this is my first VM shopping cart...

[GJC Web Design]

number 1... it's not a huge job...

am available but email me me if you want to discuss further

[sethwcaton]

I sent you a PM