In-Stock v. Pre-Order Shipping Charges Query

Shopify Discussion
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1

I am seeking a solution that may involve third-party Shopify applications, Shopify’s native Shipping Profiles, or any other suitable recommendations.

Context: In our Shopify store, we offer two types of products: in-stock and preorder. Preorder items require a longer production time, and customers often order a combination of in-stock and preorder products. When a customer places an order, a $7 fee is charged for each shipment. Here’s the breakdown:

  • If a customer orders only in-stock items, we can ship the entire order immediately for a flat fee of $7.
  • If a customer orders only preorder items and wants them shipped together once they become available, the shipping cost remains $7.
  • However, if a customer orders a mix of in-stock and preorder items and requests separate shipments (in-stock items now and preorder items later), the shipping cost increases to $14. This covers the $7 fee for each shipment.
  • Some customers prefer that we hold onto their entire order until all preorder items are ready, allowing for a single shipping charge.
  • Other customers prefer the shipping to be split into multiple orders.

The solution I am seeking aims to reduce customer friction by capturing their shipping preferences during the checkout process. I need a way to include this step in the cart to accommodate their preferences.

Here are the ideas we have considered so far:

  1. (App) Infinite Product Options: This app would address the questionnaire we need for the products. However, when discussing the possibility of incorporating additional shipping charges with their team, it appeared to be complex.
  2. Shopify Shipping Profiles: One option we explored is creating a separate location with the same address and associating it with the pre-order products. This would ensure an additional shipping charge is applied. However, if a customer chooses to hold the shipment until all items are ready (to pay only one shipping charge), this approach might not have the necessary functionality.

Additionally, I am using the Pipeline-Clean theme as the base for the site. I appreciate any guidance or recommendations you can provide to help resolve this issue effectively.

2

Hi,

I can think of an hack for this using shipping profiles.

First you create 2 shipping profiles - General and Pre-Order.

Next you create 2 “rates” for both the shipping profiles.

  1. Standard Shipping ($ 7 charge in both general and delayed)
  2. Delayed Shipping ($0 charge in general and $7 in pre-order)

Now, if the customer has a product from both and chooses to hold the shipment until all items are ready (delayed shipping), he will only see ($0 + $7 = $7) rate.

Further, you can use an app like Shipr to automatically add and remove products from Pre-order profile based on inventory count.

LMK if it works.

3

This is great, thank you! We’ve had one additional condition that has come up — if you could advise.

Now, on top of the $7 standardized charge for each order mailed — there is a “bulky” rate that will be designated for a portion of products for a flat rate of $12.

But, if a customer orders product that ships for $12, any $7 item will fit inside and therefore should not be charged the extra $7.

Is there any conditional set up (a native feature hack or through Shipr) that you might recommend?

Customers who wish to be sent preorder items as they come in, will still need to be charged $7/12 per order. Would having a list of shipping profile options appear on the checkout page (via the Shipping Profile rates) be the best way to go? I’m just unsure of how to designate rolling over $7 items into the $12 item if a cart is mixed with those products.

Thanks for your help and attention on this. It is deeply appreciated.

4

Unfortunately, as far as I know, this isn’t possible currently in Shopify.

5

Hi @journeylab ,

It is possible to have such shipping logic as you mentioned above by using ShipMagic app. As it is a new app, we are giving it away for free to a few users to try the app. Let me know if you are interested in trying it out.