Multi package rate quotes
ABSOLUTELY need a more intelligent quote system here!!! I migrated to ShipStation specifically to use it's Quote system (to add carrier methods that BC doesnt' natively enable) only to find that ShipStation appears to utterly fail because it just totals all weight in an order, as if it's being shipped in a single box. (I have yet to find any setting to change this.)
This creates a serious problem. For example, shipping an 80lb package always costs MORE than shipping two 40lb packagesn (exceeding the 50lb threshold incurs a substantial fee increase). So we'd be overcharging customers who place larger orders, which is counterproductive, making us less competitive in the marketplace. And worse, suppose I have an order for ten 30lb cases. That's 300 lbs which is unshippable, meaning that customers cannot even check out!
Fortunately, BigCommerce offers a quick & dirty solution: A carrier-wide setting where I can UPS to quote based on putting EACH product into a separate box. I then have FedEx and USPS quote all items in a single box. This way, big multiple package orders get an accurate UPS shipping option even though FedEx and USPS get outrageously expense and over a certain weight limit, fail to return any shipping option at all. On the other hand, at lower weights, products are co-mingled into a single box, which works since small weights always win via USPS. And then FedEx picks up the middle ground. It's not a great solution; a bit like painting with a brick really. But at least it gets the job done. Surprisingly I can find NO ability here in ShipStation to do the same!
The ideal solution, however, would be to enable quotes to intelligently parse packaging based on setting a weight threshold. For example, I often ship packages in the range of 27-32 lbs. With such a threshold placed at 35 lbs, the system co-mingles products into a single box up to that set amount. Items that would exceed that threshold are automatically separated into another package. Then this separation quoted to customer is then passed into the shipping program already configured for the multiple shipment!
Let's say we have an order for 7 products: one 30lb cases and six 4 lb items. It will be cheaper to ship the 30lb case separately and the other six items in a 2nd box @ 24lbs, than to ship one box at 54lbs. This is still not perfect of course, but it's an improvement over the carrier-wide choice of all items in 1 box, or each item separately. And that is a HUGE improvement over all items in one box, which, as I've said, is useless for anyone trying to sell large, heavy, multi-package orders. The only solution there is flat rate (or free shipping). And that really means that customers far away from you are getting subsidized by customers near to you. Not the best solution if your goal is to pass on your efficiencies to the customer in the form of a more competitive price.
Same here. We are paying for the convenience of using Shipstation, but we're constantly having to login to the UPS and FedEx websites to obtain accurate quotes on multi-box shipments, and ultimately to print labels, which are the majority of our orders. We get discounts on multi-box shipments when using our own carrier accounts, especially when the boxes exceed a certain weight. Really wish they would add add this feature to the calculator, it's been years...
This is evidently not something Ship Station is willing to tackle. Has anyone found other options outside of Ship Station that will allow large orders to be split into multiple boxes while providing the customer with real time accurate price quoting for the shipments?
Right here with you. How is this not a thing. Wanted to use Shipstation for UPS, but absolutely require the ability to quote multiple pieces.
Hello @TrackingColis!
Thank you for inquiring about the status of this feature request. While it is not currently on the roadmap, the team has informed me that they are beginning the initial research to determine what it would take to launch multi-package rates.
Happy Shipping!
-Cara
@CaraAdmin This is a very important feature. Your customers have been asking for this for the past 6 years and nothing has been done. Can you please provide an updated timeline for this feature's availability? We need an easy way to rate multi-package shipments.
Hello, @weneedchange!
I completely understand the urgency of your request! While the developers don’t have a specific timeframe at the moment, the good news is that it’s on the roadmap. I’ll make sure to keep the community updated with any progress or developments on this feature.
-Cara
@CaraAdmin your customers have been asking for this feature since 2018....that is a very long time for this feature to still be on the roadmap. Can you ask your product team for a release date on this feature?
Hello, @weneedchange!
Thank you for your post! Our developers are excitedly researching this feature request. While we don’t have a launch date yet, I’ll share updates with the community as soon as I have more details. We truly appreciate your patience and enthusiasm for this feature!
Best,
Cara
Hello @Sadmuel!
Thank you for inquiring about this feature request! I've contacted our developers to check for updates, and I’ll share any new information as soon as I have it.
Happy Shipping!
-Cara
Hi @CaraAdmin
Can you be more specific on the implementation of this feature? Look at all of the customers requesting this feature and it would be very similar to implement as you already have multi package shipments available; it just needs to be added to the Rate Calculator screen.
Thank you for all of your support and for being an advocate for us who seem not to have our voices heard.
Hello @weneedchange!
Thank you for reaching out about this feature request! I’ve connected with our development team to check for any updates, and I’ll share any new information as soon as it becomes available.
We genuinely appreciate your persistence and thoughtful feedback—it plays a valuable role in shaping future improvements!
-Cara
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