Help us Choose the Best Website Format

[aczlan]

I have tried a automated system several years ago with R&L Carriers integrated into our website. The problem was the the customer plugging in his product information had to know weight, class, NMFC #, pallet dimensions and any accessorial charges that could be requested to make delivery. Needless to say, the customer knows none of the info that is used to allow the carrier to make a quote.
I have the close shipping gusstimate in my head, however, I am not always available. Ken Sweet

Is there a way to send that item info as a hidden form so that it is pre-entered?

Aaron Z

 

[sweettractors]

Is there a way to send that item info as a hidden form so that it is pre-entered?

Aaron Z

I am not sure, I will check into that. All you guys have came up with some very interesting thoughts. I really appreciate the feedback. Ken Sweet

 

[GreenWannabe]

One thing I haven't seen suggested yet, if you would list the freight from one of your five vendors, perhaps the one you use most often, you could use that as a not to exceed shipping price. Then upon shipping you might be able to pleasantly surprise the purchaser with a lower shipping rate. Just my thought.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

How about option 2, but you post on the website representative shipping prices. If your shippers would allow it, maybe just post the weight, distance and cost of the last 50 things you shipped to give buyers a flavor for what they're looking at.

I don't think people need to know the shipping details to the day and to the dollar. As an inveterate internet shopper I can say I just want to know the shipping isn't going to kill the deal.

 

[sweettractors]

I have been thinking about the US map zoned out into 4 or 5 zones and figure shipping for each zone and post base cost + each zones shipping costs with each piece of equipment. New equipment would be easy to do, however, each unique used piece put on would need to be hand figured and when a piece is sold, it would have to be removed from the website. The used pieces would very labor intensive to maintain. If I did something like that I would not put checkout online. My customers would still have to call or email or fax their order in.?? Just thinking out loud. Ken Sweet

 

[aczlan]

I have been thinking about the US map zoned out into 4 or 5 zones and figure shipping for each zone and post base cost + each zones shipping costs with each piece of equipment. New equipment would be easy to do, however, each unique used piece put on would need to be hand figured and when a piece is sold, it would have to be removed from the website. The used pieces would very labor intensive to maintain. If I did something like that I would not put checkout online. My customers would still have to call or email or fax their order in.?? Just thinking out loud. Ken Sweet

IMO that would be good enough for me. Just something to tell me if it will cost $50 or $500 to ship it.

Aaron Z

 

[Redneck in training]

There is an app available that calculates distance between two ZIP codes or addresses. Multiply the distance by the going rate per mile and weight and put disclaimer there what the tolerance of actual the price might be. Like somebody already said people want to know if the shipping is something they can live with or not.

 

[moored4]

Option 3: Open more stores so everywhere is within 1000 miles.



Bruce

Yes! Option 3::thumbsup:

 

[sweettractors]

PRODUCT-MODEL-BRAND-SIZE-DESCRIPTION-COST HERE-ZONE 1-ZONE 2-ZONE 3-ZONE 4

SICKLE......350......JD.....7 FT.....REBUILT.......$2,500......$2625...$2700...$2775...$2875


Menu of extra services available for Customer:

Residential or Farm Business delivery---Add $30
Lift Gate-----------------------------Add $75
Call Before Delivery-------------------Add $20

This is a rough draft of something I am thinking about. There will be a USA Zone map (similar to map below) so that the potential customers knows what his exact cost will be based on his location. Any feedback our suggestions appreciated. Nothing is locked in concrete. Ken Sweet

 

[civesnedfield]

PRODUCT-MODEL-BRAND-SIZE-DESCRIPTION-COST HERE-ZONE 1-ZONE 2-ZONE 3-ZONE 4

SICKLE......350......JD.....7 FT.....REBUILT.......$2,500......$2625...$2700...$2775...$2875


Menu of extra services available for Customer:

Residential or Farm Business delivery---Add $30
Lift Gate-----------------------------Add $75
Call Before Delivery-------------------Add $20

This is a rough draft of something I am thinking about. There will be a USA Zone map (similar to map below) so that the potential customers knows what his exact cost will be based on his location. Any feedback our suggestions appreciated. Nothing is locked in concrete. Ken Sweet

Nope don't like it at all. I never do when I land up in Zone 4.

 

[RyGuy24]

Nope don't like it at all. I never do when I land up in Zone 4.

Don't feel bad. I'm in the Canadian zone...we don't even get a number :s lol

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Nope don't like it at all. I never do when I land up in Zone 4.

Then move!

 

[beppington]

From my experience, if I'm shopping on the internet, I overlook most sites that I can't get a complete price without needing to contact them. There's nothing more annoying to me than a website that had items for sale on it, but no prices. Also, if I am price comparing, I need to be able to do that apples to apples, and having a complete price is necessary for that. So, I guess what I'm saying is I would vote for option #1.

x2 If I have to call ... unless you are the only game in town, or it's obvious your unit pricing is better than everybody else ... I'm probably going somewhere else.

 

[beppington]

Ken, I think that anything you can do to let people just click on your website to get the complete pricing will help you. This is the future, if not the now.

Sure some guys will still want to call, & you can continue to provide a phone # for them.

Also, I hope the long sentence at the bottom of your map was mostly a joke ... too many words! Too many exceptions! Killin' me with "the fine print"!

 

[MasseyWV]

At first glance, option #1 seems to be the best choice, but it's misleading because the "free shipping" isn't really free. Option #2 also has caveats, because the potential buyer has to call to get a shipping quote.

That said, I vote for option #3. Put the items/descriptions/pictures on your website, with prices, and include a shipping cost/estimate calculator so people may shop without the inconvience of having to call.

 

[GREEN FROG]

I work in the shipping industry with software that allows entry of the zips code and rate return. The catch is you need a database of each item so you can accurately weigh and rate each item. If you have this info or can obtain it ... Look into the automated software and some of the larger freight houses out there.

Definitely #2