Allowing for customer to input extra charges in their cart?

[rippyj]

Many of the products we sell are made to order which can lead to a longer lead time for a product. Based upon our agreements with the various manufacturers whose product we carry, they sometimes offer expedition of this build to order process for an extra charge. However this charge is not a set rate. This means we have to call the manufacturer first to see if this is available to us and then to get a quote.

Normally we simply process orders of this nature off-line over the phone with the customer. However we are interested in allowing for this to be done online since it is much easier to process the customer’s credit card this way.

Ideally we would have some sort of input box in the shopping cart where the customer would be able to add their previously quoted expedition amount to their order.

My first thought was to create an item with a variable price and then make it a global cross-sell item. But that doesn't seem to work. Anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks in advance!!

[rippyj]

Are you telling me that none of you brilliant people out there have any ideas?

Seriously though, if anyone does, that would be fantastic.

Happy Halloween!

[m2]

Could you use a variable price produce to add the upcharge? (It's only in Pro).