USPS RTR when I want UPS RTR

[iroshai]

First off, a little set-up info: My client wants everything shipped via UPS. When someone places an order, they pay via Paypal and a rates are calculated via the UPS RTR tool. The entires for USPS and FedEx are still in the database, but they are not enabled and every product is set to ship via a specific service: UPS. When he receives an order email, he logs on to UPS and sets up a package pickup from his business for the item.

Now: When we tested the cart, I ordered an item and was given a choice of UPS shipping methods- ground, next day air, etc. I chose ground, it looked up the rates and calculated the final cost, I paid via paypal and he got the email. All was good. Then he noticed, after his first real order, that the shipping rate quoted via the RTR lookup was less than the rate he was quoted when he set up the package pickup. When I went to test this again, the store was quoting USPS - not UPS - RTR info on the order page; and I was not asked what UPS method I wanted to use. However, the email I received showed the *UPS* rate, not USPS like the order page showed.

So, my questions are:

1) Why are the RTR quotes lower than the actual shipping cost? Since he's manually packing and shipping each order, will they be more accurate if "Ship as separate package" is checked for every product?

2) He's charged $4 per pickup when he schedules a pickup through UPS. Is there a way to add this into the final cost on top of the RTR?

3) (the biggie) Why is it showing USPS RTR on the web site but UPS RTR on the email, when it shouldn't be showing anything but UPS? Why is it no longer asking me what UPS method I want to use (ground, next day air, etc)?

4) Finally, shipping rule priorities: Is "1" a higher priority than "2", or vice versa?

[iroshai]

Well, I think I figured a work-around for #3 and sort of answered #1... "Ship as seperate package" seems to return more accurate rates; and "Ship using enabled services" gets me the UPS RTR, since UPS is the only service enabled. Still wondering why it was giving USPS rates when it was told to use only UPS ground.

Anyway, the other questions aren't as urgent; but they're still nagging me. Any comments welcome.

[Jamie]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay.

2) I am not sure if this will take care of this or not, but you can specify your pickup type on the shipping courier record for UPS. If you specify a daily pickup, it may add the charge. If it does not, we do not have a way to currentlly add extra fees to orders, such as a handling charge. That will be coming in the future.

4) This confuses everyone, with good reason. In the future, we will be referring to the priorities as being greater than others, as opposed to higher. Priority 2 is greater than Priority 1, and takes precedence.

I am not sure why you were getting USPS rates. I would have to login to your cart, and see it happening to be sure.

Thanks,
Jamie

[iroshai]

Daily pickup is already specified, so it isn't that. If the customer orders more than one item, the shipping seems to come out right; if they order only one item, it comes out too low.

I understand you make custom alterations, such as adding a flat fee on top of the RTR... How much would that run? I would have to check with my client to see if he would go for that or not... Failing that, would there be problems with my manually adding the code to the final checkout to add $4 to the total as a handling charge?