Drop ship shipping charge

[ajbeckwith]

I'm using UPS shipping calculations on most of my items, but I sell a few items that will be drop shipped for a specific charge. ($30.00). I have added the charge as a handling fee with no weight specified on these items.

The charge does not show up on shipping in the shopping cart unless it is ordered with another weighted item. I can get it to work if I also enable a second shipping method (flat shipping for example) but then if the customer orders other items as well, they are offered two choices for shipping in the shopping cart: one for the drop-ship fee and another for the drop-ship fee plus the shipping on any other weighted item ordered along with it. I don't want to depend on the customer to select the correct option.

Am I on the wrong track here? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Andy

PS major newbie here so be kind...

[Jim]

I believe that the handling fee will not be applied to a product unless there is also a shipping charge. So if you give the product a minimal weight the handling fee will be added on.

[ajbeckwith]

That's true Jim and thanks for the reply. However adding even a minimal shipping weight will add the full one pound shipping charge from UPS. I was hoping there was another way to work it out. Andy

[VinceS]

Easy solution. Add the $30 to the item cost and tell the customer that shipping and handling is included.

[ajbeckwith]

Thanks Vince. I'll probably do that. Andy