#Leanne - EasyPost
ashen lintel
I'm a project manager helping a client get Stripe integrated as an ecommerce solution. EasyPost is a shipping solution that "plays well" with Stripe.
A lot of my questions are functionality specific.
high helm
Gotcha. This is a Stripe developer community server focused on code/technical questions about Stripe itself. It sounds like you probably need to talk to either EasyPost support, Stripe support, or both, but I'm happy to take a look at your questions and answer them if I can.
ashen lintel
Ok. You're awesome. I'm probably in the wrong arena but have my questions all typed up... hold on... i'll paste the novel here and then you can maybe tell me where to go. (no pun intended)
(deleted 1 and 2)...
3. When using EasyPost in conjunction with Stripe, will the client be interfacing with the EasyPost website when they need to create new shipping labels, or does that get integrated into Stripe?
4. The client wants to set up promo codes for their product, so they can run specials as desired (such as new or existing customer discounts). What are the details on using promo codes with Stripe? (I know they offer it as an option)
5. Need more intel on Stripe eCommerce's subscription setup:
o The client only wants to offer annual payment plans, but will need to ship out bulbs 2x a year (every 6 months). Does Stripe remind the client of when each customer is scheduled to receive their next subscription shipment, or is that something they need to track manually?
o If Stripe keeps track of when the next subscription shipment is scheduled for, will it automatically work with EasyPost to generate a shipping label, or is that something the client needs to initiate manually?
o Is there a way for the customer to have the option to prepay for the bulbs but not get their first batch until 6 months from their order?
Ex: if they're ordering the client's main unit, they'll get their first bulb as part of that. They won't need their first replacement bulb until 6 months from then. Will they eternally be in a cycle of having an extra bulb hanging around if they purchase the replacement bulb subscription at the same time as they purchase the initial unit instead of waiting to start the subscription until they need replacement bulbs?
o What limitations are there to / how flexible are the subscription plans?
For example, if someone plans on installing the client's product in 7 of their control panels, they'll need 7 replacement bulbs every 6 months. Would they:
and...
- Be able to customize their subscription to be for 7 bulbs biannually?
- Need to sign up for 7 separate subscriptions? And, if so, can this be done all at once (basically like a dropdown, saying you want a quantity of 7 subscriptions), or will they have to add it to their cart 7 times, or run it as 7 separate transactions?
What are the implications for the client? Will they get 7 reminder emails or whatever Stripe's method (if any) is for reminding them of upcoming subscription fulfillment, or one email letting them know this customer needs 7 light bulbs, etc.?
My client wants to make sure Stripe will do what it needs to do out of the box and, if they have a requested function outside of the box, what dev time/$ might need to be spent. That's what we are figuring out, scoping, right now.
high helm
To clarify, are you integrating with Stripe directly, or integrating only with EasyPost (who in turn integrates with Stripe)?
ashen lintel
Wanting to integrate, start using Stripe as the ecommerce solution and use EasyPost in conjunction with Stripe.
Or.... do we need to integrate with EasyPost and then Stripe. Is that what you're saying?
It's why I want to talk to a person.
Essentially, doing a product launch and needing an ecommerce solution (Stripe) and the ability to ship worldwide (EasyPost).
(thank you for helping me)
high helm
Okay, so the EasyPost side of things I can't answer, but if you're integrating directly with Stripe I can answer some of these questions through that lens. Would that be helpful?
ashen lintel
It would be a start. If you have any solid answers to any of the questions I posted above, you'll be my favorite person of the day. : )
high helm
I'll give it a shot! Give me some time to type up my answers...
ashen lintel
Fantastic. Thanks so much. You can always point me elsewhere too if that makes more sense.
high helm
- When using EasyPost in conjunction with Stripe, will the client be interfacing with the EasyPost website when they need to create new shipping labels, or does that get integrated into Stripe?
I don't know the answer to this one, you would need to ask EasyPost.
- The client wants to set up promo codes for their product, so they can run specials as desired (such as new or existing customer discounts). What are the details on using promo codes with Stripe? (I know they offer it as an option)
You can read about Stripe Promotion Codes here: https://stripe.com/docs/billing/subscriptions/coupons/codes
- Need more intel on Stripe eCommerce's subscription setup:
o The client only wants to offer annual payment plans, but will need to ship out bulbs 2x a year (every 6 months). Does Stripe remind the client of when each customer is scheduled to receive their next subscription shipment, or is that something they need to track manually?
This is something they would need to track manually.
o If Stripe keeps track of when the next subscription shipment is scheduled for, will it automatically work with EasyPost to generate a shipping label, or is that something the client needs to initiate manually?
N/A
o Is there a way for the customer to have the option to prepay for the bulbs but not get their first batch until 6 months from their order?
Ex: if they're ordering the client's main unit, they'll get their first bulb as part of that. They won't need their first replacement bulb until 6 months from then. Will they eternally be in a cycle of having an extra bulb hanging around if they purchase the replacement bulb subscription at the same time as they purchase the initial unit instead of waiting to start the subscription until they need replacement bulbs?
This logic can be built into a Stripe integration, to basically bill when needed/desired.
o What limitations are there to / how flexible are the subscription plans?
For example, if someone plans on installing the client's product in 7 of their control panels, they'll need 7 replacement bulbs every 6 months. Would they:
and...
- Be able to customize their subscription to be for 7 bulbs biannually?
Stripe Subscriptions support this, yes. A single Stripe Subscription can have multiple items on it, either different Products or multiple quantities.
See here: https://stripe.com/docs/billing/subscriptions/quantities
And here: https://stripe.com/docs/billing/subscriptions/multiple-products
- Need to sign up for 7 separate subscriptions? And, if so, can this be done all at once (basically like a dropdown, saying you want a quantity of 7 subscriptions), or will they have to add it to their cart 7 times, or run it as 7 separate transactions?
This should not be required, at least not for the Stripe side of things.
What are the implications for the client? Will they get 7 reminder emails or whatever Stripe's method (if any) is for reminding them of upcoming subscription fulfillment, or one email letting them know this customer needs 7 light bulbs, etc.?
This I'm not sure about as it doesn't seem Stripe-specific.
Does that help?
ashen lintel
It does. THANK YOU. For verifying functionality questions like this, where do you recommend I ask those? I'm sure there will be more questions as the process continues.
high helm
You can contact Stripe support here: https://support.stripe.com/contact/email
And for the EasyPost stuff you would need to contact their support.
ashen lintel
You're the best! May you get the pay raise and days off you deserve! : )