SKULabs makes shipping easy and cost-effective with a default shipping option called "Least expensive".
This option automatically finds the cheapest valid shipping method that's within your budget based on destination, time in transit, etc.
If there isn't a way to ship a package using a rate within your store's auto-purchase limits, SKULabs will automatically warn and prompt you to choose a rate manually.
Configuring auto-purchase limits
By default, each store's auto-purchase limits are $50 USD for domestic shipments and $100 USD for for international shipments.
You can set your own price limits for auto-selecting shipping methods in your store default shipping settings.
Bypassing the Least Expensive selection
By default, the "Least expensive" option is used for all shipments if you have not already set up our other recommended shipping configurations.
If you want to use a different shipping method, it's easy to change:
In the ship window, click the Rates button to compare live valid rates for the shipment as configured. Select a rate to ship via that method.
In the ship window, select a different service from the Method dropdown.
Use shipping method links and shipping rules to choose how SKULabs automatically selects your shipping methods
Control which methods are enabled
Enabled shipping methods are used for the "Least expensive" option. If there are certain shipping rates you don't want to use, like "Media Mail" or "Library Mail", you can exclude and hide them using enabled methods.
Why Least expensive skips a cheaper rate: delivery expectations
When an order has a deliver-by date, "Least expensive" skips rates that would arrive too late, and rates whose carrier gives no delivery estimate. In the Rates list these show the reasons Arrives after deadline or Unknown delivery expectation.
If you would rather always use the cheapest rate, even if it may arrive late:
Go to Settings > Shipping > Carrier accounts and edit the carrier account.
Turn on Bypass delivery expectations.
Save.
"Least expensive" then ignores those two reasons for that carrier account's rates. Other reasons, such as a rate above your auto-purchase limit, still apply. The option is not available for Amazon Buy Shipping, and it never applies to Amazon orders, so Amazon delivery promises are always respected.