How to Troubleshoot Table Rate Issues

Overview

If you aren’t seeing the Table Rates you configured when testing in the cart/checkout, or if you are seeing a larger rate than expected, there are a few things that could cause this.

This document outlines common complexities to check in your setup that can affect Table Rate results.

A Note on Best Practice

The best practice is to start your table by only including what is absolutely required for your rate.

For example, if you offer $5 Standard Shipping no matter what items or price are in the cart, make sure that row doesn’t have any other conditions set on it. You can often use Shipping Rules to manipulate the rate and methods for special conditions, which we recommend.

But check out the below information to determine why your table might be producing different results than you’re expecting.

Check your Table Conditions

The conditions set in a Table Rate Carrier have a large effect on what appears in your cart/checkout.  The most common issue that can prevent rates is having too many conditions set.

Essentially, anything you set in a row on the table will  be required in the cart for that rate to display.

What Totalling Algorithm is set?

Depending on the Totalling Algorithm you’ve set for the table, your rates might compound on top of one another, or might only show the highest cost item’s shipping charge.

You can choose to have the table total rates Cumulatively, by Highest Price, Per Item, or by SKU. Check out details on each Totalling Algorithm here.

What Shipping Groups are set in the row?

Any shipping group set in a row on the table will be required for that specific rate to display.

  • If the table has BOOKS set as a Shipping Group for a rate, then the specific rate for that row will only show if I have BOOKS in the cart.
  • If items are not assigned to BOOKS, the rate will be ignored and fail to display.
  • If you have an item from a different Shipping Group–we’ll say DVDs–but I don’t have a row for DVDs in my table, or a row that encompasses all shipping groups (using * in table), no rates will show for DVDs.
  • Depending on the Totalling Algorithm you’re using, if you have two table rows for BOOKS that match on the same method name, the rate may apply twice.

Whenever multiple shipping groups are set on a single row together, things get trickier. See instructions for using multiple Shipping Groups in Table Rates here.

What Filters are applying for the rate?

If you’ve set Price, Weight, or Quantity thresholds in your table, ShipperHQ will only show the appropriate rate when that threshold is met.

  • If your “Standard Shipping” method is set to show as $5 up to 50lbs, then that $5 rate will only display if the cart is 50lbs or less.
  • To show a different rate on “Standard Shipping” when the cart is over 50lbs, you need to ensure you have a row defined for that.
  • If you have a price and weight threshold set in the same row, both thresholds must be met for the rate to apply. Depending on the conditions,

When using multiple filters on a single row together, things get trickier. Additional insight on our filters is documented here.

Do your Method Names match?

In some scenarios, you need different rates for specific items on the same method.  In order for your method to combine the rates for both items, the method names must match in the table.

  • If you charge $2.50 on “Standard Shipping” for BOOKS, but $5.00 on “Standard Shipping” for DVDs, the methods in your table for both rows must be called “Standard Shipping”. This will allow ShipperHQ to auto-merge the Standard Shipping rates when BOOKS and DVDs are together in the cart. [NOTE: this example assumes you are using the Cumulative Totalling Algorithm]

Does the rate require a Customer Group?

Similar to Shipping Groups, any Customer Group you have set in a row on the table will be required in the cart for the rate to apply.

  • If the rate has WHOLESALE set in your customer group column, the user must be in that customer group to see that rate.

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