TOPIC:

We're using VM2, Shipping Advanced, and ShipWorks and are trying to figure out how to configure VirtueMart so that we pay only for the actual postage necessary, not for what we actually charge for Shipping and Handling.

At this time we have only a single SKU (a gift-card like item) which customers will be ordering in multiples, so our shipping structure is flat rate for a quantity up to 3 units:

$2.95 S&H for the first item, +$1 for each additional up to 10 units. The code we're using is:
Name="{Products} products, {Articles} items"; Shipping=1.95*Products + Articles

But the actual cost of postage is .71 cents for a single unit (somewhat more for up to 3), plus our cost of supplies and labor. For some reason, Shipworks is picking up the total cost of $2.95 and wants to print a label at that price, meaning we're overpaying for postage.

To make matters more complicated, packaging changes when we get to four or more, because a padded envelope is required, which kicks the cost of both postage and materials closer to $2.75 per package.

I'm not sure if this is an adjustment I need to make in VirtueMart, in the shipping plugin, or in Shipworks. Hope someone can help.

Thanks in advance!

Dear Hammerhead,
I don't think this is an issue with the shipping plugin or VirtueMart. Or rather, VirtueMart does not have the notion of actual shipping cost and charged shipping cost. In VirtueMart you can only specify how much you charge your customer, but not what postage you actually pay to the postal service / carrier.
I don't know Shipworks, but a VirtueMart shipping plugin like ours can only return one value to VirtueMart: The shipping cost that is charged to the user.

I'm afraid, I can't be of help here...

Best regards,
Reinhold