Step 1

Step 8 - Setting up Ordering Rules

Introduction

This step's instructions and illustrations will show you the components of an ordering rule; however, before you view the ordering rule, let's discuss exactly what an ordering rule is. Ordering rules affect the checkout process and the final price of a customer's order. They can be configured to perform a wide variety of highly interactive functions, from calculating very basic to very complex taxes, discounts, shipping rates, and other fees, to suspending orders that cannot be fulfilled or redirecting customers to another web page. Each price set contains its own unique set of ordering rules, thereby allowing you to design rules that reflect the various regulations or circumstances existing under a given currency or pricing structure.

In brief, an ordering rule is like an "if-then" statement. You specify a series of conditions that must be met for the rule to take effect and for a specific set of calculations or functions to occur. If those conditions are met, then the rule applies and the resultant calculations take effect. If the conditions are not met, then the rule does not apply and the calculations do not occur.

Alright, let's go through and view the components of an ordering rule (In our steps we create a sample rule that will be a "FedEx Shipping Fee")

Activity 1: Setting up an Ordering Rule

Select the Products menu, and then click the Price Sets submenu in the right-hand navigation.
Double-click on an existing price set row, or click (highlight) the row and click the Edit button.
Ensure you are within the Ordering Rules submenu of the right-hand navigation (see below).
Ensure "Standard" is within the lower, left-hand pull-down menu and click the Add button.
You are now on the Ordering Rules edit page. Let's give the rule a name, comment, and type to start (see below).
Enter an appropriate name for the rule in the Name field. For our example we will enter "FedEx Shipping Fee." The name is displayed on the order form next to the tax, fee, or discount (as part of the Items Ordered element) whenever the rule applies.
In the Comments field, enter any comments about this rule that would help customers understand the fee. Comments are displayed on the order form within the Items Ordered element when this particular rule applies.
Select "Fee" from the Type pull-down menu.
Select the Help button at the bottom of the Ordering Rules edit page for information on the Exempt options.
From the Conditions pull-down menu, select the "Shipping Method" option and click the Add button (see below).
From the Shipping Method options select "Fedex" and click the Done button (see below).

IF THE FEDEX OPTION IS NOT LISTED, FOLLOW THESE BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS:
- Go back to the Ordering Rule submenu as instructed in Step 3.
- Click the Shipping Methods submenu directly below the Ordering Rule submenu of the right-hand navigation.
- From the left-hand pull-down menu, select "Federal Express" option and click the Add button.
- As you are now in the Federal Express edit screen, select the Done button.
- Return to Step 11 (shipping condition page)
After selecting the Fedex option, you will see it under the conditions section.
From the Calculations pull-down menu, select the "Per Item" option, and click the Add button (see below).
In the Add field type "2.50" and ensure the "Pound" option is displayed in the pull-down menu (see below).
Click Done.

You are now done setting up the sample ordering rule. Now if customers' checkout using Federal Express, then they will be charged a fee of $2.50 per pound of product ordered. Remember the "if-then" statement discussed above?

Obviously, this example is supposed to get your feet wet in the many possibilities of ordering rules. Use the Help menus to learn a great deal more about the condition and calculation options.

If you wish to test your ordering rules, you will need to have a self-validating credit card number. Use "4111111111111111" and then choose a valid expiration date. This will allow you to proceed past the billing questions and continue through the whole checkout process.

Step 8 Completed!
Click here to move to step 9.