First, I admit that I am fairly new to eCommerce, and getting the shipping rules right has absorbed my attention this spring, but I think we have a good plan set up.
(Anything worth learning is worth the learning curve involved too, right?)
Once orders and shipments have passed through my sytem a while I will be able to tell if I need to make any adjustments. My goal is to give you the most economical deal possible.
Since I am dealing in models that weigh a fraction of an ounce, and it takes 35.27 oz to reach 1 kg, I've discovered that I need to look in "Small Packets" for shipping rates. We are dealing in mere ounces and grams at this stage, for two main categories: Farm Machinery, and Collectors' models.
Maybe at some point I can offer free shipping...!
The Shipping Options shown here should easily apply to orders going to the USA or to other countries internationally. If that proves not quite so, I will show adjustments here in the Options from which you can choose your preference.
Since these are tangible products - Shipping is a given; something we must take for granted. At present the main shipper that I know can deliver in Canada and beyond is our Canada Postal system. If you, as a customer, have a very unique situation arise, and you are willing to pay the more expensive delivery via other shipping means, (ie. Fedex, United Parcel, etc.) then you can let me know, but I will need time to set up an account with them, and get the parcel on the way to you.
Out of all my brother Tom's models, I have begun working with the smallest ones, like the farm machinery items, and then, Collectors' Hangers. Later I will get to the larger scale cars and trucks and semi-trailer trucks, which can get up to 2 to 3 feet long. So for this start I will only show two sizes of cartons, but since they can hold more than one model, I believe it will save on shipping costs if you choose to buy two or three models at once and I can pack them all in one box. By setting forth these various Options, it will make it easier for the shopping cart system (Ecwid) to work with Canada Post's regulations to quickly name your total costs.
In case you missed it; I see that you might save on the shipping of your second and third product if you choose them all for your shopping cart before you check out. As the farm machinery models generally weigh only a fraction of an ounce, I don't expect adding another model or two will increase the shipping fee by much. Or, only by small change.
[Note: C means shipping to a Canadian address. U means shipping to a USA address. I means shipping to an International country. The number indicates if this is the first, second, or third option.]
Shipping Smallest Packet Option C-1;
The smallest box is 6" x 6" x 4" deep. (that's 15 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm deep). Choosing this option means you want only one model/product in that box. Canada Post will calculate the shipping fee from the weight, the box measurements, and the distance it is to be shipped.
Shipping Smallest Packet Option C-2;
The same box 6" x 6" x 4" deep (15 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box.
Shipping Small Packet Option C-3;
This time, if we choose the larger box 8" x 8" x 4" (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but now you want the shopping cart system to see all three of your chosen products to ship in this one box, not separately. So you should, hopefully, only be charged one shipping fee that covers all three models.
If shipping to a Canadian Address choose Option C-1, C-2, or C-3.
[You may wish to see the page of photos where I show these arrangements with the real models and shipping boxes.]
Please note that as a Canadian resident I do not have access to the United States Postal System from here. However, I'm sure Canada Post can deliver to your nearest USPS station, which will then finish the delivery to you.
Shipping Smallest Packet Option U-1;
The smallest box is 6" x 6" x 4" deep. (that's 15 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm deep). Choosing this option means you want only one model/product in that box. Canada Post will calculate the shipping fee from the weight, the box measurements, and the distance it is to be shipped.
Shipping Smallest Packet Option U-2;
The same box 6" x 6" x 4" deep (15 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box. So you should only be charged one shipping fee that covers the two models.
Shipping Small Packet Option U-3;
This time, if we choose the larger box 8" x 8" x 4" (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but now you want the shopping cart system to see all three of your chosen products to ship in this one box, not separately. So you should, hopefully, only be charged one shipping fee that covers all three models.
If shipping to a USA Address choose Option U-1, U-2, or U-3.
[You may wish to see the page of photos where I show these arrangements with the real models and shipping boxes.]
Shipping Small Packet Option I-1;
The smallest box is 6" x 6" x 4" deep. (that's 15 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm deep). Choosing this option means you want only one model/product in that box. Canada Post will calculate the shipping fee from the weight, the box measurements, and the distance it is to be shipped.
Shipping Small Packet Option I-2;
The same box 6" x 6" x 4" deep (15 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box.
Shipping Small Packet Option I-3;
This time, if we choose the larger box 8" x 8" x 4" (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but now you want the shopping cart system to see all three of your chosen products to ship in this one box, not separately. So you should, hopefully, only be charged one shipping fee that covers all three models.
If shipping to an International Address (any other country) choose Option I-1, I-2, or I-3.
[You may wish to see the page of photos where I show these arrangements with the real models and shipping boxes.]
[Note: C means shipping to a Canadian address. U means shipping to a USA address. I means shipping to an International country. The i, or ii, indicates if this is the first, or second option. (I see two Collectors' Hanger models facing each other upside down, can fit into this box. However, if one or two of these are smaller - it is possible to get 3 of those into this size box!)]
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option C-i;
Thiz box is 8" x 8" x 4" deep. (that's 20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm deep). Choosing this option means you want only one model/product in that box. Canada Post will calculate the shipping fee from the weight, the box measurements, and the distance it is to be shipped.
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option C-ii;
The same box 8" x 8" x 4" deep (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box.
If shipping to a Canadian Address choose Option C-i, or C-ii
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option C-iii;
The same box 8" x 8" x 4" deep (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box. This is a bit more 'iffy' - some Hangers have larger blister-bubbles for the model - but if you choose one or two models to be on the smaller side, it is possible to get three into this box.
If shipping to a Canadian Address choose Option C-iii
[You may wish to see the page of photos where I show these arrangements with the real models and shipping boxes.]
[Note: C means shipping to a Canadian address. U means shipping to a USA address. I means shipping to an International country. The i, or ii, indicates if this is the first, or second. (I see two models facing each other upside down, can fit into this box.)]
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option U-i;
The next box is 8" x 8" x 4" deep. (that's 20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm deep). Choosing this option means you want only one model/product in that box. Canada Post will calculate the shipping fee from the weight, the box measurements, and the distance it is to be shipped.
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Options U-ii;
The same box 8" x 8" x 4" deep (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box.
If shipping to a USA Address choose Option U-i, or U-ii
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option U-iii;
The same box 8" x 8" x 4" deep (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box. This is a bit more 'iffy' - some Hangers have larger blister-bubbles for the model - but if you choose one or two models to be on the smaller side, it is possible to get three into this box.
If shipping to a USA Address choose Option U-iii
[You may wish to see the page of photos where I show these arrangements with the real models and shipping boxes.]
[Note: C means shipping to a Canadian address. U means shipping to a USA address. I means shipping to an International country. The i, or ii, indicates if this is the first, or second. (I see two models facing each other upside down, can fit into this box.)]
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option I-i;
The next box is 8" x 8" x 4" deep. (that's 20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm deep). Choosing this option means you want only one model/product in that box. Canada Post will calculate the shipping fee from the weight, the box measurements, and the distance it is to be shipped.
Shipping 2nd Size Packets Option I-ii;
The same box 8" x 8" x 4" deep (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box.
If shipping to an International Address (any other country) choose Option I-i, or I-ii.
Shipping 2nd Size Packet Option I-iii;
The same box 8" x 8" x 4" deep (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) but you want the shopping cart to include the second model you selected of similar size in this box. This is a bit more 'iffy' - some Hangers have larger blister-bubbles for the model - but if you choose one or two models to be on the smaller side, it is possible to get three into this box.
If shipping to an International Address (any other country) choose Option I-iii
[You may wish to see the page of photos where I show these arrangements with the real models and shipping boxes.]
I started with preparing the smallest models and have taken time to check more thoroughly into the best option, which seems to be via Canada Post, where they have a Small Packet category in the rates charts.
The farm machinery and Collectors' Hangers, weigh just a fraction of an ounce for most of them. But the smallest shipping boxes I can source are big enough to hold at least two or three of those small models. If I fill a box with three models and weight it, the total still comes to just over One Ounce to maybe...sometimes, Two ounces.
Of course, I can stuff the box with extra packing materials around one item.
You should also see an option for tracking your purchase; that will be an extra charge but can provide security when you fear it has got lost in shipping.
When I get to the larger models I will add more shipping categories, but at present I want to get the sales and shipping happening with the smallest categories.
Whew! This is where we have allow ourselves to think of all the terrible things we do NOT want to happen to your purchase and whether or how it arrives at your place.
You can choose the option of Tracking your shipment. This means you will be given a link where you can check it's progress from day to day, and whether there are any adjustments to the time of arrival at your address.
What if the model(s) arrive damaged, or never arrive at all?
First of all, let me know, and I'll shed some tears on your behalf, and do whatever I can to check on the whereabouts if the packet has not arrived when it should. But I should point out that my brother only collected one, sometimes two, and rarely a third of exactly the same model, so the chances that I can replace the model are extremely slim to none. - I don't feel that I'm obligated to hunt all over the world for an exact replacement model, when they were not part of the collection to begin with. So I can certainly reimburse your purchase. But that will be about the only thing I can do.
My Dad was very handy at repairing things; believe me I really miss him when things go foo-ey at my house! But he died in 2007, and I'm sure I could not persuade Dad to come back even if it were possible.
So if the model(s) you ordered arrive in a broken or destroyed mess, please take some photos and send them to me, and I will reimburse you with my sympathies. (Mind you, if you appear to have deliberately smashed them yourself, I may choose to refuse to reimburse you.
If you are simply terribly disappointed in the model(s) you may write to inquire about returning them, but that will be at your own expense. I can put it back for sale on the website - unless, you have dramatically altered or changed the model.
At this point - in the beginning - I am doing all the work myself, so the order processing time may vary according to the number of orders that come in daily, but I like to think - if I can keep up - that I can get orders packed and off to the post office the same day from Monday through Friday. But I will say to allow two days to cover weekends, or when I have other commitments. Canada Post will keep that in mind when forecasting when it should arrive at your address, or post office.
In the Shopping Cart, there are options you can choose, such as shipping by air, etc., that can speed things up. That may depend on how frugal you are.
I do not process the exchange of funds at the website, this is done for me by good payment processors like Stripe, who have it down to a fine art, and PayPal. You pay them via a popup window. Then they deposit my share minus their fee, to my financial institution.
Stripe has become a very common, popular and quick way to process credit card payments. I've learned to really appreciate them. Their fees are lower than PayPal for the most part. So, if you are paying with your credit card (kinds that are accepted are: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, China UnionPay, Cartes Bancaires in France , e-Transfer, SePA, iDeal, Alipay, and debit cards, to name just a few) then choose Stripe.
PayPal - If you don't have a credit card but are willing to connect your bank or financial institution to your PayPal account, you may use this payment option. Years ago, when PayPal first appeared, I signed up, and was able to make some transactions without a credit card. Now, I notice there can be some frustrating delays with them, and I know people who won't do any business with them if they can get around it. But it is still a viable option.
Purchases based on promises of payment in the future are NOT an option. Nor do I have the time to debate that! Just keep checking back if you have your heart set on a certain model. See if it is still there, or has a SOLD sign. (Once delivered it is moved to a "Sold" folder.)
I've had some hassles with hackers and spammers, so I now longer publish my direct contact info on my websites. But if you will go to the Let's Connect form on this site, and explain what you want or need, I can then decide if we should continue by phone or by email.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ruth Marlene Friesen |
I invite you to visit
|
Legal Documents: |
Privacy Policy ~~
Sitemap
Bouquet of Enterprises © 2004-2024 Ruth Marlene Friesen
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada