How does this work for flat-rate of multiple items?

[Former_Member]

I have my shipping set up for flat-rate and regional rate where I know how many of a certain item can fit into each box. Is there a way to have the calculator "know" that, for example, I can fit one 5-piece set into a large flat rate or 2 sets into a regional rate C?

I'd love to be done with the overcharging and then having to refund, but I am not sure how this might work for me.

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Pink Birdie, you can test out how your calculated shipping is working by either signing out of your shop and then going back in and shopping. You can add different zip codes to check putting things in your cart to see what shipping prices come up.

Or you can open another browser and shop from there. I use IE all the time, but I use Chrome to open to my shop and test.

[Former_Member]

Also, the calculator will work on the dimensions you put in your listing. It will put your items in the smallest and cheapest option you have set up based on the sizes you entered and the zip code it is going to.

Sometimes you do have to work with your dimensions a bit to make sure you are fitting the right number of items in a box.

And if you want the calculator to only select the boxes you want to use, you do need to uncheck the box that says Use Etsy Common Size boxes. Otherwise the calculator may put things in an oversized box or a box you don't use .

[Former_Member]

Wow, this is going to be a bit of a learning curve. Thanks, Kathy. I know you understand about shipping heavy items and not always the same sizes. Let's hope this works.

I guess I will have to get to measuring. And making sure I measure the items after they're wrapped in their bubble wrap or it might try to fit more in than I actually can.

[Former_Member]

That is exactly right Pink. And yes, it does take some work, but wow, when you finally get it all set up it is fabulous especially for those heavy items.

I've had to go back and tweak occasionally. I had an order for 10 sets of mini cupcakes and they got put in a medium flat rate box. They did fit, but I would prefer that only 8 sets go in because they are a little delicate. So I went back and added an inch to the height, and now the calculator only puts 8 sets in like I want.

And if you are measuring with bubblewrap, as you know, you can squish it a bit. So there is some give for what dimensions you put in. I originally had my pens with a height of 2 inches - but actually if I squish down on the bubble wrap a bit I can fit them into a small flat rate priority box which has a height of 1.6. So I changed my dimensions height to 1.5. Now if someone wants priority shipping, they will get the small flat rate box for up to 3 pens just like what I can fit in that box. For four or more it will either go to a Box A or straight Priority depending on their zip code and which is cheaper.

[Former_Member]

I'm kind of excited to set it up now. Thanks so much for your help!

[Former_Member]

Good luck Pink! Always happy to answer questions.

[Former_Member]

One more question, how do I do measurements for listings that come with multiple sized items? For example, again, my 5 piece bathroom set. There are 4 different sized jars in that listing.

[Former_Member]

Pink are you talking about variations?

If that is the case, unfortunately they do not have CS working with variations yet. They are aware that people need that, but for now, the only way would be to do separate listings for each size.

[Former_Member]

No, not variations, but I can see that being a problem for people. Some of my listings come with 1 quart size, 2 pints, 1 half pint and 1 jelly jar. Stuff like that, where they all come together, but aren't all the same size.

[Former_Member]

Oh I see in your shop that you sell sets that including various sizes. I guess you would need to give dimensions on what the whole set measures.

This is what I would do. Take a set. Wrap it up for shipping. See what size box that 1 set fits in or what you usually ship it in. Make sure the dimensions you put in your listing is within that size.

Or, if you want to fit two sets in a particular box like you said above, You seem to already know that 2 sets fit in a Box C - make sure your dimensions will also fit two overall in that size box.

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much, Kathy! I really appreciate your help!

[Former_Member]

Pink, you said you fit one set in a large flat rate box - so you basically already know the dimensions of a set. It's the same as the Large Flat Rate box. You could use those box dimensions basically.

However, if you want to put 2 in a box C - make sure the dimensions also work for that if doubled.

I'm not talking about actually changing dimensions of things, but figuring where you need to put certain inches - length, width, height.

An example. Yesterday someone was trying to fit 2 of an item in a 12x12x8 box - they knew if they put them on their sides they fit in that box that way. So they needed to change around the way they entered their figures so the calculator would do that.

I hope that makes sense.

[Former_Member]

I looked up the actual dimensions for those 2 boxes

Large Flat Rate is 12 x 12 x 5.5
Box C 14 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 11 1/2

So that is tricky. I understand you have separate items so they fit in both.
Maybe someone better at math can help. lol

[Former_Member]

I would try 12 x 5.5 x 5.5 and then do a test.

[Former_Member]

Yeah, that's going to take some tweaking. But when I get it to work, what an improvement!