SHIPPING INSUFFICIENCY

[TRC2020]

We have the Performance plan, which includes shipping by SHIPPO.  BUT, Square will not provide a schedule of these shipping costs.  Without a schedule of our cost, explain to me how we are supposed to set up our shipping?  We can't.  

I continue to be amazed at the failure of SQUARE to provide the basics for running a business.  

[TRC2020]

I'm going to continue my discussion of this.   EVERY SINGLE SHIPPING COMPANY ON THE PLANET uses a combination of WEIGHT and SIZE to determine rates.  WHY does SQUARE thing you only need weight?  To accurately configure your settings, you must be able to match the carriers.  How and why this has escaped the developers within Square is beyond me.  I continue to daily find huge insufficiencies and gaps in this product.  Basic things.  If they were a fishing company, they would provide you with the fishing pole and line, but not the hook.  I think that's an accurate comparison.

[BernadetteA]

Hi @TRC2020 Thanks for posting, and sorry for the frustration. 

You can assign a box size to your items if you are using the Real Time Shipping feature with the Premium plan. If you are using the manual shipping calculator, you will create your rates based on one of these rules:

• weight
• item quantity
• order total
• flat rate 
• free shipping

You will have the opportunity to add the dimensions of the box when you create the label through the Online dashboard. 

If you want to setup your rates based on weight, you can find Shippo's USPS price chart here. 

[TRC2020]

I realize all of this.  The system does not account for SIZE.  Having a box size is irrelevant.  The system uses WEIGHT only.  This should be made clear to users and it's not.  You are led to believe it considers both, but it does not.  The box SIZE is ONLY WEIGHT based.  There is no input in items for SIZE either.  The system DOES NOT TAKE SIZE INTO CONSIDERATION AT ALL.

We do have RTS.  Assigning a BOX SIZE when BOX SIZE isn't used in determining shipping is USELESS.

[TRC2020]

Further, no one is able to explain how or if assigning a specific box to an item affects the calculation. Without this, I and all Square customers that want to provide the most efficient shipping for thier customers are left in the dark.  Does the system assume the item needs the volume assigned to that box, thus resulting in a multiple purchase of that item being defaulted to a shipping box size much larger than required, which will affect the pricing assuming the system uses CUBIC pricing.  But, we are left in the dark, with no information on shipping rates either.  I'm assuming this is because the system still doesn't work well, leading to assignment of shipping charges that may be inaccurate and not in alignment with the schedule.

[BernadetteA]

I'm sorry for the confusion. I was under the impression that you were on the Performance plan, and not the Premium plan. I understand what you mean, and agree that the shipping setup is not very clear. Our teams will be spending some time revamping the shipping feature in the near future, and I'll be sure to pass along your feedback.

As far as your concern goes with the box size, it really depends on the shipping service you are using. For example, USPS does not apply dimensional weight unless the package is larger than 1 cubic foot in volume. Any package smaller than this will only be calculated based on the weight. I can take a look at your settings, and run a test order if you let me know an example item you have created that is assigned to a box that should fit this model.  

Also one caveat with box sizes: the system can only account for one box size per order. The largest box size for the order will be used to calculate the rate if you have multiple items assigned to multiple boxes in checkout.

[TX_FlowerChild]

This.

[TRC2020]

Hi Bernadette:  Thank you, but that's incorrect. Cubic rates are for .5 cubic feet and under 20 lbs.  We have cubic with our other provider.  Our shipping is perfected under our other system so as long as I can get the regions to work in the system and not have this ongoing issue with the US (I'm able to create multiple regions with all other options without issue), using our own rates makes more sense.  So yes, I think it's better for us and less risk to eliminate Real Time Shipping and go back to the Preferred Plan.  Your system exposes us to too much risk of loss associated with shipping and makes zero sense, particularly when it's a paid upgrade.

[TRC2020]

Bernadette:  I had my developer test her site to see if she expereinced the same glitch with the US selection and she did.  She is unaable to create a second US set.  Please look into this.  As it's happened on two separate systems, on two separate browsers.  Thank you.

[BernadetteA]

I'll have to see if I can get some more information from the team regarding cubic shipping rates. It does look like Shippo offers this but I was under the impression that the system would automatically calculate and apply the best rate.

I responded to your other post asking for an example state that you would like to split off into a separate US region. Once you reply I can see if I can duplicate the error you described.

[TX_FlowerChild]

It's almost 2024 and they still haven't figured this out???  I'm beyond words as well. We have spent hours upon hours, no one at Square understands, omg. But this exactly what I told the agent...you cannot allow us to integrate a courier and not provide the tools necessary to make accurate calculations.  I added 9 bulky items to my cart and RTS estimated $6.73 far from accurate and we at the moment only use USPS Flat rate boxes. System needs to take into account the size of the items, the weight is not even much of a concern for us as would be the measurements. Dimensions are necessary. So on the back end why can't their programmers figure out how to group items into the correct box?  Still can't create a second profile with only Texas as my region.  Seriously??

[copperlion]

I agree with you on this. What do you use that's better? Wix? GoDaddy? Shopify? PLEASE SEND HELP!

[TRC2020]

Bernadette:  The system just doesn't work because it's unable to use actual weight and size, period.  If it does use cubic shipping rates, that's actually WORSE.  Why?  Because your system has no accurate way to calculate volume, and until it does, it's putting everyone using RTS at risk for both under and overcharging.  Even if I assign a box, it's an estimate.  That estimate, from how I'm understanding the system, may result in an over estimation of the box size required (leaving my customer paying a higher rate than they should).  Alternatively, if I leave it at 100% weight based, and assign no box, I'm at risk of undercharging my client and being left with the bill if I have a light item that requires a large box (and this gets compounded with international shipping and the greater the US Shipping Zone).  The system is poorly designed and doesn't actually calculate Real Time Rates that are accurate.  When one advertises that you have Real Time Rates, it leads people to believe that they will be accurate, and they are not.  You have a system that guestimates the rates based upon a limited set of parameters that can result in inaccurate shipping charges to both the customer, and me, the client.

[BernadetteA]

I apologize again for the frustration. The real time shipping feature was never intended to be a 100% calculation for the shipping rate. Per our guide here it states: Real Time Shipping rates are estimates and may differ from the actual postage paid contingent on final weight and box size. 

There's also a notice towards the bottom of the article: Occasionally, carrier systems may be down and unable to calculate shipping rates, so the fallback rate will be triggered in those case.

The intention of the real time shipping feature is to provide as close to accurate rates as possible for each shipment.

I'm very sorry the service will not work for your specific needs, and I'm happy to pass along your feedback to the team.