What is Rates at checkout and how do rates work?
Rates at checkout
Configure the shipping options and prices your customers see directly at checkout.
What is Rates at checkout?
Rates at checkout allows you to configure and display shipping rates directly to customers during the checkout process.
Rates can be configured according to your shipping strategy using criteria such as delivery area, order weight and order value.
You can offer different delivery options, such as standard or faster services, and account for applicable handling charges or surcharges where required.
How do service levels and rates work together?
A service level represents the delivery option shown to the customer, including its expected delivery timeframe.
Examples could include same-day, overnight or a standard 1–3 day delivery option.
You can configure multiple rates within a service level, each with its own conditions.
Which rate does the customer see?
When a customer checks out, Bob Go evaluates the configured rates against the order's criteria, such as delivery area, weight and cart value.
If more than one valid rate matches, the cheapest matching rate is selected. The exception is when a No rate configuration matches.
Setting up a rate
When creating a rate, configure the conditions that determine when it should apply.
- Select the applicable delivery area or zone, where required.
- Configure the applicable weight range.
- Configure the applicable order value range.
- Choose the type of rate you want to use.
Rate types
Courier rates
Courier rates request live rates directly from the courier at checkout. The rate is calculated using the order weight, customer delivery address and collection address, providing current courier options for the shipment.
Dynamic rates
Dynamic rates use cached rates collected for the applicable service level, delivery zone and integrated couriers. This allows Bob Go to return competitive shipping options without requesting a live courier rate every time.
Fixed rates
A fixed rate charges the customer a set shipping amount whenever the configured conditions are met.
To offer free shipping, create a fixed rate of R0 for the orders you want to qualify.
Formula rates
Formula rates calculate the shipping charge according to a weight-based formula.
Configure:
- Minimum charge
- Minimum weight
- Rate per kilogram thereafter
No rate
Use a No rate configuration when you intentionally do not want to offer shipping for a specific delivery area or set of conditions. If the order matches the No rate conditions, no shipping rate will be returned for that service level.
Common setup examples
Free shipping above a certain order value
Use a Fixed rate of R0 and configure the minimum qualifying order value.
Charge a standard delivery fee
Use a Fixed rate for the relevant weight, order value or delivery area conditions.
Charge more as parcel weight increases
Use a Formula rate with a minimum charge and an additional amount per kilogram.
Display current courier pricing
Use Courier rates to request live pricing using the shipment details and addresses.
Exclude an area from delivery
Use a No rate configuration for the delivery area or conditions you do not want to service.
How it works
Create a service level → configure one or more rates → set the conditions for each rate → Bob Go evaluates the customer's checkout details → the applicable shipping option and rate are displayed.
Enabling Rates at checkout
Rates at checkout must also be enabled for your connected ecommerce platform.
Good to know
Rates at checkout gives you flexibility over how you charge for shipping, from live courier pricing and automated dynamic rates to fixed, free or custom weight-based shipping options.