Sophio manages shipping in various ways. The preferred method is to ask
UPS, DHL, USPS, or FedEx for a 'real time' freight quote based on the weight of
a shopping cart. Some of our catalogs only have estimated weights while
others have specific weights. In both cases, the weight of a shopping cart
along with the shipping zip code and destination zip code is sent to the web
services at the shippers mentioned above. The results are a 'retail
freight' quote for the various services offered. Our clients then have the
ability to offer 'free' freight on orders at a specified amount (with CAPS
available for weight or amount). For example, the system can give free
freight on orders of $50 or more provided the weight does not exceed 10 lbs.
Depending on your integration, and who's doing the fulfillment, defines who
is charged for the shipping. Consumers are often charged retail freight on
orders that do not qualify for free shipping and merchants normally pay the
freight that their supplier charges them. In some configurations it is
possible for the shipping warehouse to use the merchant's shipper account
number. The choice is between the merchant and the supplier.
Tracking is automated with all of our integrations with UPS, DHL and USPS.
The responsible party is the warehouse or manufacturer shipping the product who
must use the Sophio order number in the 'reference number' of each shipment.
Sophio has a module which we refer to as 'Sophio Central' that allows WD's and
Manufacturers who are not necessarily affiliated with Sophio to use the system
to fulfill orders for our merchants.
