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Questions about best practices when it comes to setting up shopping carts, calculating postage and choosing shipping methods are some of our most frequent, so we decided to share a few of our best tips here to help you – and your customer – get the best results.

How to set up shopping carts

Q: What shopping cart works best with Vervante?

A: We work with any shopping cart, so your choice is always the right one!

Q: How do you know when I get an order through my shopping cart?

A: To process orders from the shopping cart you use, we just need ONE of the following:

• A copy of the order email generated from your shopping cart, OR
• A shipping/fulfillment report, usually a csv file, generated from your shopping cart, OR
• An email with the order information

VERY IMPORTANT: All orders MUST include our Vervante part number. Most shopping carts have a field for part number or SKU.  Or the part number can be added in parenthesis after the title. For example, “My Book Title Here” (V123456).

For a download that specifies how to set an order email up, click HERE. This will work with any shopping cart and we recommend that you supply your technical support team with this info when adding new items to your shopping cart.

Q: Do you have instructions for integrating specific shopping carts like PayPal or Woo Commerce?

A: On our website HERE we also have specific instructions for integration with our system for some of the most-used shopping carts including 1ShoppingCart, Big Commerce, Click Bank, Infusion Soft, PayPal, E-Junkie, Woo Commerce, Thrive Cart and Premium Web Cart. We accept orders from ANY shopping cart, so even if you don’t see your cart logo on our order processing page we accept all orders.

Q: Do I need to worry about taxes when setting up products in my shopping cart?

A: We do not handle calculating or gathering sales tax for our customers. We recommend that you check with your accountant regarding sales tax collections and liabilities.

Shipping Methods

Q: Where do you ship?

A: We ship anywhere in the world using USPS and UPS services.

Q: How do I know which shipping method to use?

A: We automatically ship all books and products using the least expensive shipping method based on the weight and zip/postal code used. However, you can always select a different shipping method that best fits your needs. NOTE: We do not default automatically to Media Mail even if this is the least expensive option. If you’d like your orders shipped via Media Mail you need to select this as your default. (For more details about Media Mail, and why we don’t use this as our default, please refer to “The Pros and Cons of Using Media Mail” on our blog.

To designate a default shipping method for any of your products, click on the link for “Select Specific Shipping Methods” under the My Profile section on your Author Dashboard. There you will see a list of your products and a place to designate what shipping method you would like to use. If you make any changes, be sure to click on the "Update" button at the bottom of the page.  

Q: How do I know what my product weighs?

A: When we first set up a new item, we estimate the weight. That’s the number you’ll see in the “Est Ship Weight” column on the shipping methods page we referenced in the previous question. Once the item is in production, the final shipping weight can be viewed on the “Calculate Postage” page found on your Author Dashboard.

Q: How do I know when you’ve shipped my orders?

A: Here's how we keep you up-to-date on the status of orders:

1. We receive notifications from your shopping carts for orders placed.
2. Orders are completed and prepped for shipping, the package is scanned, and shipping labels are applied.
3. Products are mailed according to your preferred shipping method.
4. Shipping confirmation emails are sent to recipients with tracking information.
5. Order information such as status and tracking numbers are posted to your account online via the “View Orders and Status” link on your Author Dashboard.

Q: Can packing slips be customized?

A: Every package we send includes a packing slip inside and you have the option of customizing it however you’d like. Think of this as valuable real estate perfect for sharing information like:

• A greeting or message that makes a personal connection
• Your logo for brand awareness
• Return policies that eliminate confusion about timeframes or refunds
• Business address and contact information

(NOTE: Prices are NOT included on packing slips.)

To add personalized content for your packing slip, click on “Customize My Packing Slip” on your Author Dashboard.

**If you’d like more information about using packing slips, handling returns, and suggested content you can adapt and use for your packing slip, click HERE to read more on our blog.

Returns

Q: How does Vervante handle returns?

A: We highly recommend that you share your return policy on your packing slip to direct your customers what to do if they want to send a product back. We will accept returns, but all returns sent to us will incur a $4.00 charge to your account. For instance, if you would like returns sent back to your office so you can use them for prizes, promotions, display or to sell to other customers, please include instructions and address information on the packing slip for customers to send the products directly to you. 

Here are some of the ways we handle returns in more detail:

• If an order has an insufficient address or other address issues, it will be returned to our office. We will notify you when we receive it, and the reason for the return.
• If we receive a return for insufficient address or address problems, and you are able to provide us with an updated correct address, we will reship the order at no additional charge except for the postage.
• If a product has NOT been opened, used or is not damaged, we will re-use the product.
• If the product HAS been opened, we do not re-use returns. These products are discarded.

Calculating Postage

Q: How do I calculate shipping costs?

A: We’ve provided a postage calculator to help determine shipping costs. From your author dashboard click on the “Calculate Postage” link under the Support section. Your items and their weights are listed there for easy referral. All you need to do is use the official USPS calculator on that page to determine shipping costs.

Q: How do I make sure I’m using the best shipping method?

A: Using the shipping calculator to find the best rates is usually the best way to do. However, for some of our customers who ship internationally, it’s good to review your accounts from time to time to verify the costs. 

Q: Do you also charge “handling” fees?

A: For print on demand products, we do not charge handling fees. Here’s how we calculate charges: “Cost of printing book + Cost of shipping/postage = what we charge.” There are no other hidden costs. For products printed or produced in bulk, there is an order fee plus a pick fee to pull the item from inventory, plus postage. Order and pick fees only apply to individual drop ship orders pulled from inventory and shipped on demand.

Inventory & Warehousing

Q: Are there charges for using your warehouse to store products and ship them later?

A: We can print books and products, hold them in our warehouse, and ship on demand when you need them. There are no storage fees for products we print or produce. There may be storage fees for products that we store but didn’t print.

If you have any questions we haven’t covered here about shopping carts, postage rates, shipping and fulfillment be sure to check our website for more details or reach out to use at customerservice@vervante.com.