ok I have realised that each individual variant of a product also needs weights in order work with the shipping module.
could there be provission that if no weight/dimensions etc are entered into a product variant then the shipping module would assume that the products weight/dimensions and such are then read in from the Parent Item?..
of course this is only good for products whose weights are consistant and the variants are for other possible attributes.
just a thought.
now I have to go through some variants 20+ for each item and manually add weights etc.
you Guys are Awesome and have excellent Support! Keep up the great Work!.