#29 Postage Rates - Increased Flexibility

[alfredjcrabbs]

Is there any way to specify some items have postage but others do not? If a customer orders all items that have no postage, no postage would be charged on the order. But if even one item has postage, then postage will be charged.

For even more flexibility, what about different postage rates depending on the item ordered? For example, a 4x6 print would cost $1 to mail, but a 16x24 print would cost $8. In a situation where multiple postage charges are applicable, I would think using the maxium charge would be the best solution (if I order a 4x6 print @ $1 postage and a 16x24 @ $8 postage, I would expect to pay $8 total).

To make this even more flexible, the ability to specify if the postage charge is cumulative or not could be useful (or even allow for a separate cumulative/multiples rate).

For example:
Item Postage Cumulative Cumulative Rate
---- ------- ---------- ---------------
4x6 $1 no n/a
5x7 $2 no n/a
8x10 $5 no n/a
16x24 $10 yes $5
24x36 $20 yes $20

If you ordered 1 - 4x6 or 20 - 4x6 postage would cost $1.

If you ordered 1 - 16x24 postage would cost $10. Two 16x24 postage would cost $15.

If you ordered 1 - 24x36 postage would cost $20. Two 24x36 postage would cost $40.

If you ordered 4 - 4x6 and 1 - 16x24 postage would cost $10 (max normal postage).

If you ordered 4 - 4x6 and 1 - 16x24 and 1 - 24x36 postage would cost $25 (max normal postage of $20 + $5 cumulative rate).

I think something like this would be pretty flexible and be able to handle just about any postage situation. Whether or not it is worth the work and how many people would find it useful, I don't know.