[SOLVED] FedEx Shipping Cost Solution

[pekinparadise]

Hi Folks,

After trying two FedEx shipping modules and learning that they do not work, I am trying a different solution. Before I enter in all of the lengthy data, could you review my plan and advise.

1. I get a 57% discount on FedEx Overnight and a 47% discount on FedEx 2nd Day.
2. For the purpose of reducing the data entered and covering myself, I will use 45% and 35% respectively. This will allow me to use weight ranges in 5-pound increments. Currently there are 7 FedEx Zones (Zone 2 through Zone 8).
3. I will be shipping packages up to 100 pounds.
4. So, I will have 7 Zones and 20 weight ranges. Does this mean that I have to set up 140 carriers for Overnight and another 140 carriers for 2nd Day? For example, FedEx Zone2 2DAY 5LB, FedEx Zone3 2DAY 5LB, FedEx Zone4 2DAY 5LB....FedEx Zone2 2DAY 10LB, FedEx Zone3 2DAY 10LB, FedEx Zone4 2DAY 10LB, and so forth.
5. The other option is to reduce the zones from 7 to 3. Since I am reducing the discounts, I can combine Zones 6, 7, and 8 and use the average rate for the weight given.

If I do this, can I eliminate the arbitrary shipping cost that is entered in the shopping cart....providing the customer signs in? Also, will it eliminate the long wait that comes with a module that connects to the FedEx site?

Any ideas or constructive criticism would be appreciated.

[tomerg3]

I am in the final stages of my Fedex module, if you are interested in becoming a beta tester (and get a copy of the module), or just play with it on my site, shoot me an email.

[pekinparadise]

It was time consuming, but I now have 4 FedEx services set in 2-pound increments to all 8 US Zones, with a 7% cushion. Since we ship fresh and frozen meat, I was also able to limit Ground shipping only to those States that are within a 3 day transit time. Then I removed the "Shipping" button from the shopping cart and installed the shipping estimator with a drop down State box so the customer can get real shipping estimates on any page.