Why are my shipping rates not calculating correctly on checkout?

[Rita20]

For past two months, my shipping prices are off. First they were grossly overcharging, so I reached out to Shopify for assistance and it was recommended I select a package with almost no weight. All my items have specific weights already so not sure why I was told to do that. Now shipping a 13" x 10"  10 ounce package at current checkout can go first class mail for $3.18, which is not realistic, it's more like $4.89 and generally goes either UPS ground for $6.99 or USPS priority for $7.00.  Below is found under my settings and note the one that is marked "This package is used to calculate shipping rates at checkout"  I think this is messing with my rates, but the associate told me to select this and now things are wonky on the low end. I was told you can not deselect these shipping packages. I don't want to select any one, as my products are all different sizes. Does any one have an idea on how to rectify this as support hasn't been able to help make this issue go away so far.  Thank you.

Below is found under Settings>Shipping and Delivery

Shipping Packages

The packages  you use to ship your products.

Saved packages

Add package

Custom soft package (13 × 13 × 0.75 in, 0.5 lb)

Edit

ornaments (9 × 6 in, 0.6 lb)

Edit

ornaments thick (9 × 6 × 1 in, 0 oz)

Edit

pillows envelope (15 × 11 in, 1 oz)

This package is used to calculate shipping rates at checkout                  *Not sure why this has to be selected*

Edit

Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thx!

[nexuscommerce]

Hi,

I understand your frustration and I'll do my best to help you rectify the issue.

You're correct that the package you've marked as "This package is used to calculate shipping rates at checkout" can influence the rates displayed at checkout. Shopify uses the dimensions and weight of this package to request rates from your shipping carrier(s). If the package dimensions or weight are inaccurate, it can lead to incorrect shipping rates.

However, Shopify also allows you to set up a variety of shipping rates and methods, which could be a better fit for your situation given the varying sizes and weights of your products. You might find it useful to set up weight-based rates, which charge different amounts for shipping depending on the total weight of the customer's order. You can set up these rates for different weight ranges, to reflect the varying costs of shipping lighter vs heavier items.

Here's how you can do that:

1. Go to your Shopify admin, then to Settings > Shipping and Delivery.
2. Next to the shipping profile where you want to add a weight-based rate, click Manage rates.
3. Next to the zone where you want to add a rate, click Add rate.
4. In the Add rate dialog, enter a name for the rate.
5. In the Price section, select Weight based.
6. Enter the weight range for this shipping rate.
7. Enter the price that you want to charge for shipping orders in this weight range.
8. Click Done.

If the issue persists after setting up weight-based rates, you may want to consider using a Shopify app that allows for more detailed shipping calculations. There are several apps available in the Shopify App Store that offer features such as real-time carrier rates, rate adjustments, and zone-based rates.

If the issue still persists, it could be a problem with how your carrier is calculating rates. You may want to reach out to your shipping carrier(s) to ensure that the rates they're providing are accurate.

I hope this helps, and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions!

[Rita20 · Accepted solution]

Hi there Alton,

I want to know why there has to be any SAVED PACKAGES, first of all. Until this thing was accidently on my behalf, I think, was selected and unable to deselect now, is when the issue started.  I will try what you have suggested and I hope that it works across the board for shipping in the US and Canada with my diverse bunch of merch with different weights. To your knowledge, if I select this and it doesn't work out, will I be able to unselect it? I don't want to open another can of worms. Please advise before I do any changes, that I can't undo this time. I will wait for your reply. Thank you.

[Rita20]

Oh my gosh, it worked! I spent 2 hours "chatting" online with Shopify advisor the other night and never came close to this. Thank you so much!

[nexuscommerce]

Happy to help!

[Billetbars]

It still will not know which package it’s using because Shopify makes this impossible to be accurate. And by not allowing a phone number to speak to someone about ANY issues is absolutely absurd. Got Boxify app to try and pick up where Shopify lacks and it still isn’t working correctly.