account accurate advance approach cart charge code codes common cost don easily error explained free general handle handling help number obtain order ordered package page perhaps plus prices priority product product-specific products rate sell seller separate settings shipping shopping single somewhat supported system type types unit zip

So here's my dilemma:

I sell bags of coffee from a location in NH (nice and neat—all 12 oz bags, all the same price)...and equipment from a location in IA (varying sizes, weights, and prices) all from a single shopping cart. Shipping is in the continental US. I need ideas on how to:

A: Use e-junkie to figure somewhat accurate shipping. (unlikely)
B: Come up with a shipping pricing strategy for something like a baseline shipping charge and add-ons.
C: Perhaps have a flat shipping rate up to $XX in merchandise, then free shipping up to XX pounds.

Shipments out of NH will be USPS, whereas shipments from IA will be either USPS or FedEx (which is not supported in e-junkie).

I'm also finding that the live rates from USPS for Priority Mail don't reflect the Regional Rate box rates. Is this an error in how I have things set up?

Any feedback is appreciated…thanks in advance!

Our shipping calculation settings are explained on this help page:
http://www.e-junkie.com/ej/help.shipping.htm

Our USPS rate lookups only obtain general Package rates for the order weight, number of separate parcels, and origin/destination ZIP codes. Our system can only handle a common origin ZIP code for all products in a given seller's account, so this approach may not work well for you with products being shipped from different origins.

I might suggest using product-specific flat rates per unit and/or the Cost settings for various Packaging Types to handle flat rates per different types of product -- e.g., you could do something like 6 bags of beans fit in a Small Box, shipped at $1 per bag plus $4 for the box (i.e., $5 for the first bag plus $1 for ea. add'l bag up to 6), so 7-12 bags would kick in another $4, etc. Different products could have their own per-unit rates and use a different Packaging Type with its own Cost. If you'd rather have the same baseline cost (first-item surcharge) regardless of the products ordered, that could be done most easily with a flat Handling charge rather than using the Cost settings on Packaging Types.