OT: Shopify Kinda Sucks - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 08:48:14 am
content: I'm trying move my EEVblog store from Woocommere to Shopify, and, well, it's not going well.I've discovered that there is no integration with DHL Australia via API whcih means that I'm going to have to setup 7 different country shipping zones manuall, AND repeat that for EACH 500g weight category where the pricing differs.And then while trying to do that I discover that I can't select AUD for shipping rates to another country. It has to be set in that countries current, or my store currency which needs to be USD (because I buy my products in USD), but I need to set AUD pricing because that's what I pay shipping in.This is really starting to such. EVERYONE raves about how Shopify is the ducks guts (apart form the pricing, and even simple thing being optional), but right off the bat this is an inflexible nightmare.BTW, I'm using Shopify because:a) You can integrate it with Youtube so it shows up under your videos automatically like it currently does for the my Teespring merch store.b) Woocommerce is literally falling apart on me.c) It support affiliate programs and the like.Anyway, just a thread for me to

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 09:23:03 pm
content: I checked various shipping rates on eevblog store and the difference is not much, like $14 for malaysia, $15 for usa/canada, I know you wouldn't like it but could you just fudge the numbers to the higher rate for everyone outside of AUS?For whatever reason DHL bill us in USD even though we are in Canada.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 11:11:43 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on August 14, 2023, 09:23:03 pmThere can be huge difference depending upon the country and provence within the country. There are 7 different price zones, all with different weight categories.DHL actually charge me just over AUD$40 for shipping to the US now, it's nuts.I'm going to have to find a US re-shipper who can hold my stock and offer local postage.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 11:58:21 pm
content: So losing money on shipping then, not great. Your rates were incredibly low ($15 for ~500g from AUS to CAD), didn't know how it was possible.40 AUD = $26 USD. Which is reasonable to me, considering my order was 3 days delivery to Canada.To send that 500g back to AUS would cost $46 USD with DHL, or $32 with UPS on my end.

author: br4n_d0n
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2023, 03:31:30 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 14, 2023, 11:11:43 pmI might be able to do it for you if you want; let me know.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2023, 05:46:41 am
content: Quote from: br4n_d0n on August 15, 2023, 03:31:30 amThanks, but sorry I want a proper big fulfillment centre that does this as a business.

author: br4n_d0n
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2023, 06:17:04 am
content: That's understandable. Hope you find something that works for you.

author: rernexy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 05:59:48 am
content: Is eevblog.store having issues? Trying to buy something now fromhttps://eevblog.storeand I get "Shipping not available Your order cannot be shipped to the selected address. Enter a different address.". It's an Australian address, doesn't matter if it's a PO Box or a street address.Should we be usinghttps://eevblog.storeor stick tohttps://www.eevblog.com/store?Why ishttps://www.eevblog.com/storeshowing me US dollar prices? Is that the default now? Will I be charged in USD instead of AUD?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 08:32:19 am
content: Do NOT use eevblog.storeThat is my new Shopify store that is being set up. I have not advertised or linked to it yet.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 08:34:20 am
content: Quote from: rernexy on August 20, 2023, 05:59:48 amYou will be charged in AUD as per the checkout. It auto displayed USD pricing as most sales are overseas.

author: rernexy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 10:05:59 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 20, 2023, 08:32:19 amWill do.QuoteI stumbled upon "eevblog.store" because it showed up in my Google search results for "eevblog bm036".

author: Fractal
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2023, 09:13:38 am
content: Ye nah I wouldn't exchange my woocommerce shop for anything atm - esp not Shopify, can't stand subscription-based services.Got mine in a pretty good place with a minimal amount of plugins for everything from elementor (free with the pro open source elements) to deep inventory management passing by review reminders with individual incentive coupons or 3rd party POD merch integration.If you're into not owning your CMS I've heard good things of BigCommerce though

author: zilp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2023, 10:59:40 am
content: I have no experience with either woocommerce or shopify on the seller/admin side, so no idea about the specific systems--but I am just surprised how you are ranting about corprorate behaviour, and at the same time putting all your eggs into another corporate monopoly, as if you couldn't anticipate how that's going to turn out ...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2023, 09:02:30 pm
content: Quote from: zilp on September 05, 2023, 10:59:40 amShopify has 10-25% market share, depending on what metric you are looking at, so don't think its a monopoly.But yes, considering their financialstate, they'll likely raise rates in the future. Its all a question of time invested, additional income, monthly plan cost ($5-80/month range), etc.There was a recent dhl vid, didn't watch yet:

author: zilp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2023, 12:00:23 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on September 05, 2023, 09:02:30 pmWell, that depends on what you consider "the market". My point here wasn't that shopify has a monopoly on online shops, but that their customers are in a lock-in position, which is a form of a monopoly, as they can't easily switch to a competitor. (In contrast to woocommerce, where you presumably can easily switch hosters because your data isn't locked into a proprietary format of the hoster.)Quote from: thm_w on September 05, 2023, 09:02:30 pmWell, yeah, but the critical point is that you have to estimate the pricing power that they gain by reducing competitive pressure through lock-in to figure out whether it's worth it. Historically, people usually underestimate that factor.Quote from: thm_w on September 05, 2023, 09:02:30 pmYeah, that's the rant about corporate behaviour that I meant.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2023, 02:11:49 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on September 05, 2023, 09:02:30 pmI'm talking to them about DHL integration. The yclaim they had it, but it was just for shipping, ironically using the system I alreayd use, StarShipit.So DHL's shipping systemhttps://dhlexpresscommerce.com/is actually just a StarShipit back end, same menu, same interface, everything.I might trial Sendle for international shipment on Shopify and see how it goes. Not as fast as DHL, but pricing is intergated, possibly a bit cheaper, and they do pickup.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2023, 03:12:30 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 16, 2023, 05:46:41 amDoesn't Amazon already provide fulfillment services? I thought they even had it set up where you could fulfill Amazon sales and third party sales from the same inventory? Or are they too expensive or have some other issues?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2023, 09:45:51 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 06, 2023, 03:12:30 pmYeah looks like you are right:https://www.junglescout.com/blog/integrate-amazon-fba-with-shopify/https://supplychain.amazon.com/pricing#fulfillmentSelling directly on amazon he said was 17% rate, but that seems to be covered by the price differential (eg $199 on amazon $154 in eevstore).There is a monthly storage fee as well (this should be the case everywhere).

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 09, 2023, 11:51:36 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on September 06, 2023, 09:45:51 pmCorrect, I sell a lot of meters on Amazon and they hold the stock, it's called FBA Fullfilment By Amazon, and yes it's about 17% or so.Crazy high, but so many people just like getting their free same or next day Prime shipment.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2023, 12:02:16 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 09, 2023, 11:51:36 pmBut do they not also offer the option of selling on your own platform with them handling the pick/pack/ship for a flat fee (not correlated with sales price)?b/t/w, 17% for the whole show isn't as crazy as you might think--Prime card holders get 5% right off the top and then shipping is free. So a BM235 is $139 from Amazon, $132 after my discount and shipping/30 day return is included. If I buy it from your store for $115 and pay shipping, I'm saving.....how much?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2023, 12:06:07 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 10, 2023, 12:02:16 amNo. They are not a general fulfilment business. You can either ship it yourself, or you can have them do it, but the product has to be sold on their platform.I could save like 10% of that 17% by shipping myself and just using Amazon as a shopping front end, but the point of Amazon is that people want that Prime service.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2023, 08:26:44 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 10, 2023, 12:06:07 amDid you see the link above? MCF is general fulfillment."Non-branded packaging. Your MCF orders will be sent in unbranded packaging–Not in Amazon packaging."https://sell.amazon.com/fulfillment-by-amazon/fba-multi-channel

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 11, 2023, 11:47:33 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on September 11, 2023, 08:26:44 pmI didn't see that, will check it out, thanks.Amazon are a horribly complicated and regimented system though, I can't imagine the problems trying to ship direct from my manufacturer to an amazon warehouse.

author: Kasper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2023, 01:58:10 pm
content: Dhl is very unpopular in Shopify's home country, Canada.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 17, 2023, 05:28:15 am
content: Went to a lot of effort to set up 5 different DHL shipping zones all with indvidual pricing for multipel weight categories.Only then did I discover that you can't have a product in more than one shipping profileSo I start from strach putting the 5 zones under one shipping profile with all products, onyl to then find that it for some reason forces Australia into ALL zones. WTF.