FEDEX module DOES WORK AFTER ALL

[delia]

We are definitely having problems with the rates. One of my customers has had it installed for several years but hasn't used it til now. The rates the cart is showing are close to one-half the rates the fedex site shows. I've looked at everything and can find no reason for it.

I also did find another thread that mentioned rate problems.

[braggweb]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I will need to do some extensive testing to see if our FEDEX module is working or not. Question is, why does it come with the Zen Cart package if it doesn't work properly?

[delia]

doesn't come with - it's extra.

We just put in an add percentage of 95% to get the rates to come close to correct as a temp measure.

I swear I got everything right in admin!

[braggweb]

I just ran a test purchase for a product that weights 1.6 lbs. The FEDEX module calculated a rate based on this weight. Then I went to the FEDEX site to compare that rate to theirs. But the FEDEX site then asks me for the dimensions of the box. Well, I don't see a place to add the dimensions of the shipping box in Zen Cart. Without going any further, I realize the rates are not going to match. I need to do a little more research on this.

[delia]

I believe that the package size is only a problem if you have an oversized package.

Remember though that the amounts returned are only estimates, not actual shipping costs.

[braggweb]

Yes, I just confirmed that with our Controller -- FEDEX is only concerned that boxes are not over-sized. Still, there was quite a discrepancy between their prices, and my Zen Cart prices, especially when it came to faster deliveries. I need to run some more tests. Might have to add the surcharge like you did.

[braggweb]

Last test order results -- A COMPARISON of rates between the Zen Cart FEDEX module and the FEDEX website:

Zen Cart/FEDEX Module calculates as follows:

FEDEX 1st Overnight: $182.46 [FEDEX site: $170.68]
FEDEX Priority Overnight: $75.20 [FEDEX site: $137.06]
FEDEX Standard Overnight: $65.98 [FEDEX site: $119.50]
FEDEX 2-Day: $48.92 [FEDEX site: $79.09]
FEDEX Express Saver: $39.95 [FEDEX site: $63.55]
FEDEX Ground: $15.66 [FEDEX site: $16.16]

Of course, the rates are not expected to be identical, but they should at least be CLOSE. As you can see, they are close at the top and the bottom, but in between, we've got some problems. I should add that a 5% surcharge has been added to the FEDEX module in Zen Cart. Not sure what to think at this point.

[braggweb]

Just did another test comparing rates generated by the Zen Cart UPS module, and the UPS website. These rates were much more in accordance with each other. Looks like we have to use UPS with Zen Cart, and NOT FEDEX.

[Merlinpa1969]

you may want to ask fedex then why the rates are returning low,

all this module does is sends the ship to ship from info and the weight.

fedex then returns the rates, zen cart has nothing to do with this.....

[braggweb]

I did speak with FEDEX about it not long ago, but I need to call them again to confirm the problem is on their end. Most likely, they will blame the module.

I wonder where the UPS rates are coming from, because it's not necessary to enter any account information for the UPS module in Zen Cart.