Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to select the carrier and shipping service for every order? Stamps.com PC Software's Best Rate feature can do the work for you. By adding Shipping Method rules, you tell Best Rate which USPS service you want applied to your shipments based on the Shipping Method selected by your customer or to select the service with the best rate for you.
This article will guide you through:
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Ensuring Best Rate is configured for your ODBC stores
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Creating the Best Rate Shipping Method rules
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How to manually apply Best Rate to shipments
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How to edit your Shipping Method rules
Best Rate Available in the PC Software
The Best Rate feature is only available in the PC software and not in Stamps.com Online. You can download the PC software from the Download Stamps.com page.
Learn how to create and use automation rules in Stamps.com Online.
Looking for information on how to automatically apply the shipping service your customer selected when checking out in your online store? Check out our Using Service Mapping help article.
When importing orders from an ODBC source such as your own database, an Excel spreadsheet, or a CSV file, it is necessary to ensure that the Shipping Method source column is mapped correctly in the Stamps.com PC software.
If you are importing orders from an online ecommerce store and not from an ODBC source, you can skip these steps and continue configuring your Best Rate Shipping Method rules.
To map the Shipping Method field:
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Select Orders. Then, click Manage Data Sources and choose Edit Source.
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Choose the store. Then, click the Edit button.
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Click the Mapping: link to open the Import Field Mapping window.
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Select the Order tab. Then, click the Ship Method: drop-down menu and select the field in your data source (your database, Excel spreadsheet or CSV file) that contains the shipping method information in your source file.
You are now ready to set up your Best Rate rules.
Create the Shipping Method rules to tell Best Rate which USPS service to apply to your shipments based on the Shipping Method selected by your customer.
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Select Orders. Then, click Manage Data Sources and choose Edit Source.
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Choose the store. Then, click the Edit button.
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Click the Next button. The options in the step may differ based on the store type you selected. If there is no Next button, close the Store Settings window.
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Select the Ship Methods tab. Then, click the Add button.
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Enter the shipping method name into the If the Shipping Method name is field.
The shipping method name you enter needs to exactly match the shipping method assigned to your orders when imported. In the following steps, you will tell Best Rate which USPS service to apply if the Shipping Method of an order has this shipping method name.
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Configure the shipping method for when the destination is domestic, international, and/or military by selecting the correct definition from the appropriate drop-down menus. Click the Save button when you are finished.
Definition Options
There are three main options to choose from when selecting a definition for your rule:
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Use least expensive service: Select this option if you wish for Best Rate to select the least expensive service based on the weight and dimensions of the shipment.
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Order must arrive within...: Select this option and enter the number of days in which the order must arrive to have Best Rate automatically select the best service based on the number of days in transit.
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Always Use [service]: Select the correct Always Use... option for the USPS service you wish to always be applied for this rule, such as Always Use First-Class Mail, Always Use Priority Mail, etc.
You will be prompted to select the correct packaging type after selecting any of the Always Use... options.
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Verify that the correct Preferences are configured. Then, click Done.
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OPTIONAL: Select whether to calculate the number of days using the Order Date or the Current Date from the drop-down menu. This only applies if you configured rules that require the shipment to arrive within a certain number of days.
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We recommend leaving the Apply Shipping Method rules on import option checked so that the rules are automatically applied.
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The rules that you configured will be automatically applied to new orders as they import from now on. Learn how to manually apply your rules to orders that have already been imported.
Best Rate rules are applied to orders as they import into the Stamps.com PC software. However, you may wish to manually apply rules to your orders. This can be useful after creating a new rule or after editing a rule.
To manually apply Best Rate rules:
To edit your rules:
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Select Orders. Then, click Manage Data Sources and choose Edit Source.
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Choose the store. Then, click the Edit button.
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Click the Next button. The options in the step may differ based on the store type you selected. If there is no Next button, close the Store Settings window.
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Select the Shipping Methods tab. Then, select the shipping method and click the Edit button.
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Make the updates to the rule. Then, click Save.
Use the Edit Button to Edit a Rule
Orders with Best Rate applied will display an Edit Rule button next to the Shipping Method field when editing the order. Select the order, then click the Edit Rule button to edit the shipping method rule that was applied.