AUSTPost module

Hey Rod

Here is the Error message I get, I re-read your post regarding just allowing the satchel options so once again I disabled EVERYTHING except the Satchels (Reg and Express) go to checkout shipping estimator and gett the following error message:

ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.

Go back to the Shipping module options enable Regular Parcels click apply go to check out click estimate shipping and it estimates the cost of shipping (farther away the post code the more expensive). So what I have found out is that Regular Parcel MUST be enabled to get any type of shipping estimate for the customer...

I will continue to experiment but so far everything I have tried does not work mate

thanks for your patience

OK

Some progress when I change the dimesnsion of the product with only the satchels enabled it displays the two options but does not include the price!

Hi,

I've been reading up on Austpost, and in installing it, I've managed to get myself the following error (at the point of uploading the auspost.sql file):

1067 Invalid default value for 'date_added'
in:
[CREATE TABLE geo_zones ( geo_zone_id int(11) NOT NULL auto_increment, geo_zone_name varchar(32) NOT NULL default '', geo_zone_description varchar(255) NOT NULL default '', last_modified datetime default NULL, date_added datetime NOT NULL default '', PRIMARY KEY (geo_zone_id) ) TYPE=MyISAM;]
If you were entering information, press the BACK button in your browser and re-check the information you had entered to be sure you left no blank fields.

There was a solution that someone found regarding dumping a database, however I am extremely new to this and have no idea how to do so - and if I tried I would probably muck something important up. Any help would be much appreciated!

Michael

This is really strange I have been working on it for ages!

Basically No matter what I do it wont caclulate the postage cost if there is a quanity more then 1 of a product. If I have one product in the Cart and click estimate shipping it says 0.00 for both Regular and Express.

The only way I can make it work is if I add the handling fees to be 5.50 and 7.90 respectfully but this fails if a customer puts the quanity for a single product to more than one then it gives me the above error about not being able to connect to the server.

My Current settings are:

(IN GRAMS)
Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship 500
Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight 0.0
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight 0:0

0.0 Because the satchels weigh nothing really.

AND

Default Parcel Dimensions
21,12,4.8


Which is pretty much the most common sized product I sell....


Thoughts?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mirage

Hi,

I've been reading up on Austpost, and in installing it, I've managed to get myself the following error (at the point of uploading the auspost.sql file):

1067 Invalid default value for 'date_added'
in:
[CREATE TABLE geo_zones ( geo_zone_id int(11) NOT NULL auto_increment, geo_zone_name varchar(32) NOT NULL default '', geo_zone_description varchar(255) NOT NULL default '', last_modified datetime default NULL, date_added datetime NOT NULL default '', PRIMARY KEY (geo_zone_id) ) TYPE=MyISAM;]
If you were entering information, press the BACK button in your browser and re-check the information you had entered to be sure you left no blank fields.

There was a solution that someone found regarding dumping a database, however I am extremely new to this and have no idea how to do so - and if I tried I would probably muck something important up. Any help would be much appreciated!

Michael

---

I suggest you revert your system back to the same state that it was before you tried this install, and then download and install the "Austpost Improved" module instead.

I can't offer any support for the module you have downloaded, but can give you lots of help (if you need it) with the Improved version. They are totally different modules.

Although both modules are compatible with each other (meaning that you can install both at the same time) it will tend to get a wee bit confusing for both yourself and your customers (which is also why I suggest you remove the original before installing the new).

Tip. Before installing any *useful* modules (such as the shipping estimators) I strongly suggest you play around with a few different templates to customise the look of your store.
The reason being is that the template you finally decide upon will determine where you need to place some of the files from other modules. IOW, if you install the Austpost shipping estimator (and many other modules) first, and THEN decide to use a different template you'll need to either re-install or relocate everything you've already done.

Cheers
Rod.

Thankyou very much for that, I shall give it a go, and choose a template before i go fiddling around with the modules. I was under the impression that I had the improved Austpost, but evidently this is not so - thankyou also for enlightening me to that fact!

Michael

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

This is really strange I have been working on it for ages!

Thoughts?

---

Yes, many. <g>

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

Basically No matter what I do it wont caclulate the postage cost if there is a quanity more then 1 of a product.

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Methinks that could be a clue. Don't you?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

If I have one product in the Cart and click estimate shipping it says 0.00 for both Regular and Express.

---

Hang on there.... this is a fault finding exersize. It works like this.. There are MANY reasons that could cause unexpected and inexplicable errors. I've heard them all and explained them all. One thing I *don't* do is *guess*.

You have just given me cause to guess, which means I can't really trust anything you have said and as such we may need to start all over again. <big sigh>

Which is the *correct* statement:
"it wont caclulate the postage cost if there is a quanity more then 1".
Or
"If I have one product in the Cart and click estimate shipping it says 0.00"

If the first comment is true, then I'd be assuming that a quantity of one DOES give a quote", yet your second comment suggests that it isn't returning a quote even for one product.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

The only way I can make it work is if I add the handling fees to be 5.50 and 7.90

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Let me guess, this then gives you a 'quote' of 5.50 and 7.90 respectively?

As I said, we need to consider going back to square one, because this hardly constitutes as 'working'.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

respectfully but this fails if a customer puts the quanity for a single product to more than one then it gives me the above error about not being able to connect to the server.

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I win my bet. Twice.
PLEASE RE-READ THE ERROR MESSAGE, it says "
ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server."

Where does this message even suggest that it is unable to connect to the server?

Sorry to have to make you think about this, but if someone asked you to give them a quote on how much it will cost you to send them a parcel weighing 50kgs via Australia Post, what would you do?
I'd assume that like most people you will contact Australia Post (if you didn't know any better) in some way (web, phone, counter, whatever), and you would find out that their regular services only cater up to 20kgs. Fine, you can get a quote elsewhere using a different service, but what will you tell your customer.. Will you state that you couldn't contact Australia Post for a quote and have therefore provided a quote from a different courier, or will you tell them that the Parcel is too heavy for Australia Post and therefore *has* to go via a different carrier?

Give them the bs line about not being able to contact Australia Post and they are quite likely to ask you to recheck later when you *can* contact them. A pointless excersize.

My point being, we are looking for clues. I hate going around in circles due to guesswork and assumptions.

When you state "can't connect to server" I start thinking about connectivity issues, cURL, proxies, redirections, etc.

When the error message is "can't get a VALID quote from server" that *may* be a connectivity issue, but generally isn't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

My Current settings are:

(IN GRAMS)
Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship 500

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For 90 points out of a hundred, tell me what you think this setting does?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight 0.0
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight 0:0

0.0 Because the satchels weigh nothing really.

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Well, no not really. Satchels to weigh something, even if only a few grams. It may not be *significant* but I'll always maintain that tare weights should always be a consideration.

I'm pretty sure the AP module vets for all possible problems caused be zero value weights, but it is quite surprising where "division by zero" errors can pop up in a program.

This however is probably a non issue in regards to your problem (better to use zeros than it is to add several kilos to a package weight).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

AND

Default Parcel Dimensions
21,12,4.8
Which is pretty much the most common sized product I sell....

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And well within the size limits.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

Here is the Error message I get, I re-read your post regarding just allowing the satchel options so once again I disabled EVERYTHING except the Satchels (Reg and Express) go to checkout shipping estimator and gett the following error message:

ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.

Thoughts?

---

I was originally thinking you had a dimensional problem, but it appears that this may no longer be the case based on the information currently provided.

Information you haven't provided, is the weight(s) of the products you are testing with, and most importantly (if my current suspicion is wrong and the 'penny doesn't drop') I'll need a URL to one of the products in your store that you are testing with.
I ask for a specific product, 'cos if you have 100 items in your store and 99 of them exhibit a problem I am *sure* to pick the only non problematic one when I test.

Anyway sorry about the rave. Based on a couple of positive facts, and one or two assumptions, I think I know what is wrong, or at least a contributing factor, and the answer lies in the question:

"For 90 points out of a hundred, tell me what you think this setting does? (Maximum Package Weight you will ship)

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

Hey Rod

Here is the Error message I get, I re-read your post regarding just allowing the satchel options so once again I disabled EVERYTHING except the Satchels (Reg and Express) go to checkout shipping estimator and gett the following error message:

ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.

Go back to the Shipping module options enable Regular Parcels click apply go to check out click estimate shipping and it estimates the cost of shipping (farther away the post code the more expensive). So what I have found out is that Regular Parcel MUST be enabled to get any type of shipping estimate for the customer...

I will continue to experiment but so far everything I have tried does not work mate

thanks for your patience

---

Funnily enough, after reading this message I am now back to thinking you have a dimensional issue (did you change your default parcel dimensions between emails?).

I'm not trying to be vague or anything, but what you have described here is what *would* occur if the products dimensions are too large for a prepaid satchel.

If *only* the satchels are enabled, and the products are considered too large or heavy, the module will return 'unable to get valid quote' because the only other probable valid option is regular parcel post, which had been disabled.

You can (apparently) get a quote with parcels, so this confirms that you don't seem to have any issues connecting to the server.

Not sure where this leads in regards to the problem of not being able to get a quote for more than one item. The issues may or may not be related. It depends what you changed and what your test products are.

Cheers
Rod.

Hehe RodG your posts humour me (not a bad thing!) :D

Regarding the question ""For 90 points out of a hundred, tell me what you think this setting does? (Maximum Package Weight you will ship)" I assume this setting is the maximum weight I will ship per customer. I added 500 grams because I only use 500 gram satchels so basically whenever the customer adds more then 500 grams it has two or more boxes.

When I disable everything else and leave Regular Parcel option ticked everything works wonderfuly it calculates ######## shipping correctly regardless of how many products I add so I am very happy. Regular Parcel works very well with my new settings and dimensions which I posted before.

So Regular Parcel setting works a charm wont bother trying to fix that Satchel option too much time spent on it already thanks again RodG it looks like I am out of your hair! :D

I feel LUCKY for finding this post~!:D It seems great!


I am using ZEN CART 1.38 version, which AUSTPost module I should download for my site? Is it able to calculate the international shipping cost and how to set it to get a more actual result? Do I have to install another module to compliance this with cost estimate or this module does it all?:wink:


Many thanks~!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

Hehe RodG your posts humour me (not a bad thing!) :D

Regarding the question ""For 90 points out of a hundred, tell me what you think this setting does? (Maximum Package Weight you will ship)" I assume this setting is the maximum weight I will ship per customer.

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Bummer. You score zilch. From the config option itself, it states
"Carriers have a max weight limit for a single package" . (not per customer).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

I added 500 grams because I only use 500 gram satchels so basically whenever the customer adds more then 500 grams it has two or more boxes.

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The theory seems sound, but what happens if any single item in your store weighs more than 500gm, if if the dimensions happen to be too large? You haven't left yourself any fallback method.

Also, by setting this as a global limit you are actually defeating all of the 'brain power' of the AP module itself, and you will probably be better off using a price per item shipping method (after all, that is effectively what you seem to be aiming for).

Nonetherless, this still has me curious in regards to explaining the results you are getting with the AP module.
I do believe you have stumbled across a rather unique set of configurations that allows things to 'fall through the gaps'.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Webmyster

When I disable everything else and leave Regular Parcel option ticked everything works wonderfuly it calculates ######## shipping correctly regardless of how many products I add so I am very happy. Regular Parcel works very well with my new settings and dimensions which I posted before.

So Regular Parcel setting works a charm wont bother trying to fix that Satchel option too much time spent on it already thanks again RodG it looks like I am out of your hair! :D

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Please don't bow out on me now... There is a solution to this odd behaviour, but I/we need to work out the cause of it first.
I do this by typing out my thought processes in these replys. :-)

The fact that Regular parcels 'works a charm' eliminates a lot of possible causes.

What makes the difference between a regular parcel and a prepaid satchel (from the perspective of the AP module)?

Simple answer... weights and/or dimensions.

You have already indicated that the parcel dimensions are within the limits of a 500gm satchel, so that now only leaves one possible place left ... weights.

As mentioned in the Austpost docs (and elsewhere in these forums) Weight additions and calculations are not a function of the shipping modules.. they are performed by zencart itself (bear with me).

What the shipping module recieves to calculate on are the number of parcels and the weight of those parcels.

You have set your max shipping weight to 500gm (I still don't know the weight of your test product(s)), but if you happen to place a 500gm product in your cart, and you have zero tare weight, the zencart weight code would accept this as being within limits, and the shipping module will be asked to quote on 1 parcel weighing *exactly* 500gms. If you place a 1kg item in your shopping cart the zc code will honour your max weight limit and the shipping module will be asked to quote on 2 parcels weighing *exactly* 500gms each.

The AP module always errs on the side of caution, and will consider 500gm too close to the borderline to travel at 500gm or less rates, and will declare this product to be too heavy for the 500gm satchels. If no other suitable shipping methods are enabled you'll get the cant get a valid quote error message.

I'd assume that if you have the 3kg satchels enabled they *would* show up.

I'd also assume that if you drop your product weight and/or your maximum shipping weight to 499gm you'll find the satchels will then (probably) show up.

If your product weight was 499gm, and your tare weight was 1gm the satchels would not show up.

As you can see, I'm still making assumptions here (I still have no product weight data or URL to check or verify this)

I probably did you no favours earlier when I responded to your question in the way it was written, namely by tellling you how to do what your asked, rather than trying to find out what you was trying to do (or why you felt the need to do it).

On the other hand, you were explaining a whole lot of totally different problems back in the first message (regualr parcel quotes being way too high).

Seriously though, I do think that that nice round magic number '500' is probably the explanation to some of what you are seeing, and I do think you need to re-evaluate what you need or require in regards to shipping... If you really do only wish to allow prepaid satchels only, and with only one item per satchel then the cost per item shipping rates will be far more suitable to your needs... if for no other reason than it won't be dependent on other servers in order to provide quotes.

However, if you have a somewhat varied range of products and you are happy to combine shipping on any and all products in the shopping cart without having to worry about 'what will it fit into'
then the AustPost module is the way to go, but to get the most out of it you will need to give it the maximum flexibilty possible.. in other words you *will* allow parcels up to 20kgs to be acceptable (don't try to force everything into a 500gm bags)

You should only dissallow shipping methods that you explicitely do NOT want. Eg, COD.

Then all being well, no matter what products or how many items a customer places in the cart, the AP module will only show those options applicable to that *package*.

Lemme know if my current assumtptions and guesswork is on the right track, and PLEASE include a URL if not.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RodG

I've no idea what you are trying to prove by entering test data ranging in values that make little sense in the real world (unless you are selling feathers), in which case you'll get better results by enabling the letter rates.

If you want to get any sense out of it, use sensible inputs.

Rhetorical question. If you are as experienced as you say you are, why the hell are you doing things the "pain staking way" when you would clearly know there are better solutions.

And finally, I have already deduced and told you why you are getting the quotes that you are getting based on the data you are providing.
Namely, your test item is being split up into three individual parcels, each costing $4.20 each.

You apparenlty already know how the AP module works, but I'll redresh your memory anyway... if packages are overweight they get split into multiple parcels before the AustPost module sees them. .
If the package is oversized then the Australia post module splits it into multiple parcels.
IOW, if you have a 20kg maximum, and an item weighing 54kg, based on the weight alone the AP module will be asked to quote on 3 parcels@ 18kgs each.
If those parcels turn out to be oversized, say 110cm, the AP module will again split them to produce 6 parcels, 9kgs each and 55cm long.

All of this assumes the package *can* be split.
IF you happen to have a single item in the cart that weighs 54kgs and is 110cm long it will still be quoted according to the above 'rules'
Needless to say you won't be able to actually post this item unless you do split it up, so it is really up to the store owner to ensure they don't enter data that can't possibly be delivered via AP.

Anyway, the bottom line still hasn't changed, your test data is pretty darn useless. THe result you are getting can, and has been explained, and they are perfectly legitimate and valid results for the data you are using.

In other words, there is NOTHING for you to fix. It is working perfectly.

GIGO

Rod

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I understood what you were saying but could not understand
why it was being split. If it exceeded the max dimensions then it should be split but in the testing data the dimensions never changed, hence why would it be spillt the pacel up.

Well it ended up being the minimum shipping weight. It was set to 20. So anything over 20 weight units was be split. Hence why 20.5 was causing the next pricing bracket.

All fixed. Thank you very much for your help. :clap:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snype

I understood what you were saying but could not understand why it was being split.

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Even though I clearly stated "You apparently already know how the AP module works, but I'll refresh your memory anyway... if packages are overweight they get split into multiple parcels before the AustPost module sees them. ."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snype

Well it ended up being the minimum shipping weight. It was set to 20.

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I think you'll find it was the MAXIMUM shipping weight.
Oh, and if it was set to '20' it was because that was what *you* set it to. (The default is 50).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snype

So anything over 20 weight units was be split. Hence why 20.5 was causing the next pricing bracket.

All fixed. Thank you very much for your help. :clap:

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It could've been sorted weeks ago if you'd read any of the several other threads covering this exact same problem, or perhaps if you just took more time reading my replies rather than arguing with me about them. http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/images...s/smartass.gif

Cheers
Rod.

Hi Rod,

May I know how does this $defitems variable works in your AusPost Improved 2.1.3 module? and what's the optimum value I should set it to?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BW2008

Hi Rod,

May I know how does this $defitems variable works in your AusPost Improved 2.1.3 module? and what's the optimum value I should set it to?

Thanks.

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You don't set $defitems to anything. The module is using this as a counter for the number of items in the shopping cart that *don't* have any explicit dimensions set. Used for calculating the cube of the parcel.

This method has proven to have a couple of shortcomings and the code has been totally reworked for the next release (hopefully avialable within a week).

Cheers
Rod

I am almost there setting up the Austpost module. The prices shown by the Austpost server so far seem to work for me for every item except a particular "letter" size overseas. (It's actually a CD in a CD mailer - but I never say as much.)

Taking New Zealand as an example, here are the actual prices which apply - quoted by the Austpost website:

Destination Country: NEW ZEALAND
Location: Zone A
Letter Weight: Over 50g Up To 125g
Article Type: Letter

ECI Documents $33.80 2-3 work days
Air Mail $2.80 3-4 work days

The Product entries in Zencart show:

Product Weight: 0.055(kg)
Product Height (cm): 0.5
Product Length (cm): 20
Product Width (cm): 15

Currency is Australian (default)
The tare I use is 25% (taking it to almost 0.07kg)
No Handling Fees apply.

But Zencart gives the following:

ECI Documents: $33.80 (no problem here)
Letter: $5.10

Clearly, the Letter price above is incorrect. The weight, the dimensions, appear to be correct for the $2.80 website quote. The automatic quote is $2.30 more. Why?

I have searched all the forums for a possible solution, but I'm stumped.

Sorry - I made a small error - a $1.00 Handling Fee IS being added, but that still makes a $1.30 error.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tpeck

Sorry - I made a small error - a $1.00 Handling Fee IS being added, but that still makes a $1.30 error.

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Try a different destination country, ie, USA or UK.

I think the difference is because because I have been a bit slack with my coding. Australia Post has several different overseas zones with different charges for each. This is no problem with parcels, because they are dynamically priced according to the correct zone, but the letter rates are effectively 'hard coded' so rather than create tables and checks for the 4 different letter sizes and 5 (?) different zones (20 variants all up) the code caculations are based on the letter size and the most expensive zone. (only 4 variants).

You are the first to report this discrepency. I actually expected to be told about it over a year ago when the letter rates were first indroduced, but since no one has I have assumed that the discrepency is pretty insignificant and no one has really been bothered about it, or, more than likely, there aren't that many Australian zencart users that sell letter sized items in their stores.

Anyway, if you can confirm my suspicions I'd greatly appreciate it (and also to ensure that there isn't another possible cause for your problem).

As to whether I'll get around to 'fixing' it... hard to say at this stage, it seems like it will be a lot of work (both coding and CPU usage), just to determine which postal zone any given country exists in. As far as I know this information isn't available in any electronically usable format.

Cheers
RodG

Thanks for the info. I can help you here (I think) if you want to fix this.

To begin with, yes, regardless of the zone destination (UK, USA, Brazil, China etc.) the cost is - as you say - hard-wired to $4.10 (you know this, but it proves it is not some other problem!)

I don't know how many others would be sending a DVD or two OS in a standard CD mailer, but I would imagine it might be a few in the future.

Before I chanced upon your mod, I worked out all the country codes for the four Zones in the Austpost website. So, I can assist by supplying you with this info - here 'tis:

Zone A: NZ

Zone B: AF,AS,BD,BT,BN,KH,CN,CK,TP,FJ,PF,GU,HK,IN,ID,JP,KI,KP,KR,LA,MO,MY,MV,MH,FM,MM,NR ,NP,NC,NU,MP,PK,PW,PG,PH,PN,WS,SG,SB,LK,TW,TH,TK,TO,TV,VU,VN,WF

Zone C: BH,CA,KM,IR,IQ,IL,JO,KW,LB,MU,MX,OM,QA,RE,PM,SA,SY,AE,US,UM,YE

Zone D: AL,DZ,AO,AI,AG,AR,AM,AW,AC,AT,AZ,BS,BB,BY,BE,BZ,BJ,BM,BO,BA,BW,BR,IO,BG,BF,BI,CM ,CV,KY,CF,TD,CL,CO,CG,CD,CR,CI,HR,CU,CY,CZ,DK,DJ,DM,DO,EC,EG,SV,GQ,ER,EE,ET,FK,F I,FR,GF,GA,GM,GE,DE,GH,GI,GR,GL,GD,GP,GT,GN,GW,GY,HT,VA,HN,HU,IS,IE,IT,JM,KZ,KE, KG,LS,LR,LY,LI,LT,LU,MK,MG,MW,ML,MT,MQ,MR,MD,MN,ME,MS,MA,MZ,NA,NL,AN,NI,NE,NG,NO ,PA,PY,PE,PL,PT,PR,RO,RU,RW,KN,LC,VC,ST,SN,SP,SC,SL,SK,SI,SO,ZA,ES,SD,SR,SZ,SE,C H,TJ,TZ,TG,TT,TY,TN,TR,TM,TC,UG,UA,UK,UY,UZ,VE,VG,VI,ZM,ZW

Clearly, the last lot comes to more than 255 characters!

If you need any more hack work done - I'm willing.

Terry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tpeck

Thanks for the info. I can help you here (I think) if you want to fix this.
Terry

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##############. Now that you've done the hard yakka it would be rude if I didn't take advantage of it now wouldn't it. <grin>

Thanks again.
RodG (I've been somewhat bogged down for a few days).

I catch your drift - just given you a plateload of work! But only if you want it. Be nice though, to perfectly reflect the Austpost quotes.

No rush - tomorrow morning's fine! :smile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RodG

....

As for adding dimensions to products, Although it is good to do so (for accuracy), there really is no need to do them all.

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Sorry for barging in... I have a problem entering individual dimensions in the catalogue. After upgrading Zen Cart to the latest version, the option of entering dimensions disappeared. How do I get it back?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Greetings from Canberra,

Ron B.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ronb10

Sorry for barging in... I have a problem entering individual dimensions in the catalogue. After upgrading Zen Cart to the latest version, the option of entering dimensions disappeared. How do I get it back?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Greetings from Canberra,

Ron B.

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There are a couple of files in the /admin/ directory of the AustPost Improved distribution archive. Re-replace these and all will be fine.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RodG

There are a couple of files in the /admin/ directory of the AustPost Improved distribution archive. Re-replace these and all will be fine.

Cheers
Rod

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Thanks Rod! That did the trick. Why I haven't copied those files before is beyond me... Old age, I suppose...

Have a good day,

Ron B.

I am having a problem with international shipping. When a customer enters their country from the dropdown menu, they are unable to get a postage quote as an error always comes up.


AustPostERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.


This has been like this since the start and it's always, so probably not a Aust Post server problem and I cannot for the life of me work out how to fix the problem or where to even start looking for it.

I did start a thread some time ago but got no reply so, I'm hoping some here can help me.

Thanks
Anna

www.toycrazy.com.au

I think you need to set the other countries up in >Locations/Taxes, >Zones Definitions to get them to work with the Auspost module.

I have set up a Zone 'Rest of World' & included the countries I would expect to get orders from most typically (NZ, USA, UK etc)

I hope this helps.

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au

Quote:

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Originally Posted by annav

I am having a problem with international shipping.

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This may seem like a dumb question, but have you actually got any overseas shipping methods selected?

Which ones?

According to the log files your store isn't even attempting to obtain a quote for overseas shipping (the same logs show perfectly valid data for the Australian methods).

The only possible reason I can think of for this occurrence is that you have don't have any valid overseas methods enabled.

I seriously doubt that this has anything to do with the zone files (as suggested by another member), mainly on account of the fact that the Austpost module doesn't use the zone files.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by annav

I did start a thread some time ago but got no reply so, I'm hoping some here can help me.

Thanks
Anna

www.toycrazy.com.au

---

Sorry. I didn't see the other thread (until now). I only tend to do a search for "Austpost", and that particular text wasn't in the original thread.

I note that you stated that you enabled the overseas method when you started that thread, and that there was no apparent change. I suspect that because of this you disabled them again? (until now?)

Please be advised that when making changes to the shipping methods you *will* need to close the currently open web browser (store side, not admin side) for the changes to come into effect. I've been caught out by this many times myself.

Hope this helps. If not, please send me a *private* message with your store admin login details (if willing) and I'll see what I can determine from there.

Cheers
Rod

Hey All,

I have just updated my old aus post module to the latest austpost.. i seem to be having an odd problem.

First off i noticed that when i log into an existing account and purchase something i get an error

(ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.)

I have FEC checkout installed and i scroll down and there are shipping options available so it seems the cheapest option is not being selected first.

After some more testing if i add soemthing to the cart as a new customer and create an account it seems to work and the cheapest shipping is selected and no error is shown....

I have it set up as dimesnions of 30,30,30 and weight in kgs.

My website is www.truwater.com.au...

Anyone have any idea what the problem is?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Hey All,

I have just updated my old aus post module to the latest austpost.. i seem to be having an odd problem.

First off i noticed that when i log into an existing account and purchase something i get an error

(ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.)

---

Not sure what that'd be. A temporary network glitch, user address in the existing account doesn't have a valid mail address or country code. The possibilities are endless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

I have FEC checkout installed and i scroll down and there are shipping options available so it seems the cheapest option is not being selected first.

---

I've no idea what the "FEC checkout" is or does.

The selection of the cheapest shipping option isn't a function of the shipping modules. It is a function of the zencart core code.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

After some more testing if i add soemthing to the cart as a new customer and create an account it seems to work and the cheapest shipping is selected and no error is shown....

---

There are two different issues at play here. They may or may not be related.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

I have it set up as dimesnions of 30,30,30 and weight in kgs.

---

Of course, we all instinctinctively know what "it" is. <wink>

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

My website is www.truwater.com.au...

Anyone have any idea what the problem is?

---

Just went to your site. Added the first item I saw to the cart. Didn't get any errors or problems. However, I'm not an 'existing' customer, and you have already stated that it works fine as a new customer, which effectively means I can't really debug it for you.

However, the first thing I'd be checking is the user data of the existing users, or at least the ones giving you trouble.
The AustPost module needs a country code, and if AU, a postcode.

If either of these are missing you'll get the quotation error.

It may be possible that the data is valid, but that it hadn't been initialised at the time of the quote request. Off hand I can't think of a situation where this might occur, but it is something to consider.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers
RodG

Thanks for the reply,

Seems to be a network issue... now it seems to work on most products.

I just noticed something else... with terms of product quantities sometimes customer will order 15 + items of the same type but i just did a test and ordered 10+ items and it kept giving me the same error so i lowered it to 9 of the same item and it worked.... i then tried i different product and same thing you order 10 or more and you get the same error, you order 9 or less and it works.... and on several other items same error.

I also just found another issue....

Please have a look at the attached jpg.

It seems that if insurance is not available it moves the website to the left and the error message is right at the top above the header.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Thanks for the reply,

Seems to be a network issue... now it seems to work on most products.

I just noticed something else... with terms of product quantities sometimes customer will order 15 + items of the same type but i just did a test and ordered 10+ items and it kept giving me the same error so i lowered it to 9 of the same item and it worked.... i then tried i different product and same thing you order 10 or more and you get the same error, you order 9 or less and it works.... and on several other items same error.

---

This is probably because 10+ items is exceeding either the weight or dimension limits imposed by Australia post.

You'll need to provide alternative shipping methods under these circumstances.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

I also just found another issue....

Please have a look at the attached jpg.

It seems that if insurance is not available it moves the website to the left and the error message is right at the top above the header.....

---

I guess you can call that a bit of a bug. The error message is/was primarily for debugging purposes, and was left in the distributed code.

The error message itself is legitimate in that AustPost will only insure up to a certain amount (I forget the actual figures offhand).

If you feel this is going to be an issue for you, the quick n easy solution would be to search the austpost.php code for the text string "unable to insure" and comment it out.

Cheers
Rod

PS. The Insurance is based on the total cost of the items and *doesn't* take any discounts into account (mainly because these aren't known by the module at the time of the quotations).

Is the aust post server down just had a few customers email me saying that its not working, i just tested it myself and can confirm its not working????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Is the aust post server down just had a few customers email me saying that its not working, i just tested it myself and can confirm its not working????

---

Logs indicate that there isn't and hasn't been any problems with the servers.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

Logs indicate that there isn't and hasn't been any problems with the servers.

Cheers
Rod

---

Ok i seem to have intermitant problems with aust post shipping.. I have tested it on several differnet internet connections and sometimes experience error and sometimes dont (same product/dimensions and weights)

I know im probably being a pain but i just want to ask something about the shipping image being displayed in the invoice etc....

I just looked at one of my invoices and if you have a look at the jpg there seems to be missing something?

Also how do i remove the () around the image in the checkout and invoice etc?

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Ok i seem to have intermitant problems with aust post shipping.. I have tested it on several differnet internet connections and sometimes experience error and sometimes dont (same product/dimensions and weights)

---

When testing "on several differnet internet connections", do you mean as a client browsing the store, OR do you mean you've tried zencart itself on a 'different internet connection"?

If the former, you aren't really proving anything. The quotes rely on the connectivity of the zencart server to the quotation servers. Where the 'client' is connecting from is of no relevance.

As I said, the servers haven't been down for a LONG time (months), so your problem is almost certain to be on your server hosts side of things. Many 'shared' hosts are grossly overloaded and intermittent timeouts are not uncommon.

Cheers
Rod

Well i thought it was my internet connection but it seems its not. Is there maybe some settings i need to change my hosting is net logistics.. they seem to be pretty good and have heard nothing but positive feedback. I received several orders today and have received no complaints.. so for now im going to assume its ok.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

I know im probably being a pain

---

Nah. The only 'pains' are those that ask questions and promply ignore (or worse, argue) with the answers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

but i just want to ask something about the shipping image being displayed in the invoice etc....

I just looked at one of my invoices and if you have a look at the jpg there seems to be missing something?

---

The code relating to the image display (in the AustPost module) is/was badly thought out and poorly designed. (fortunately nothing that can't be tolerated).

An upgrade to fix this issue was planned for several months ago, but due to a failed RAID controller I lost a lot of code that needs to be reconstructed. I'm hoping I'll be back on track with it over the Xmas break.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Also how do i remove the () around the image in the checkout and invoice etc?

Thanks

---

Unfortunately, these characters are generated/inserted from various places in the zencart core code, so the only way to get rid of them is to use a find 'n' delete in any code where they are being produced. There's probably only a couple of places and files that need to be changed for this, but because they aren't part of the AustPost module (or its required files) it isn't something I've done myself. I've learned to live with them.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

Nah. The only 'pains' are those that ask questions and promply ignore (or worse, argue) with the answers.



The code relating to the image display (in the AustPost module) is/was badly thought out and poorly designed. (fortunately nothing that can't be tolerated).

An upgrade to fix this issue was planned for several months ago, but due to a failed RAID controller I lost a lot of code that needs to be reconstructed. I'm hoping I'll be back on track with it over the Xmas break.



Unfortunately, these characters are generated/inserted from various places in the zencart core code, so the only way to get rid of them is to use a find 'n' delete in any code where they are being produced. There's probably only a couple of places and files that need to be changed for this, but because they aren't part of the AustPost module (or its required files) it isn't something I've done myself. I've learned to live with them.

Cheers
Rod

---

Ok fair enough! Sorry to hear about the lost coding!

What is the broken link suppose to be in the invoices etc?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Well i thought it was my internet connection but it seems its not.

---

How regular do the intermittent connections occur?

Are there any other symptoms? examples: your paypal module (if enabled) exhibit similar problems, which may or may not occur at the same time, or perhaps the rest of the site seems to slow down at the same time. Intermittent problems are one of the most difficult faults to diagnose, and it is way to early to place 'blame' on anyone or anything yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Is there maybe some settings i need to change

---

Maybe, maybe not. The fact that it works at all is a *very good* sign that your have everything correctly set. Generally speaking, if your settings aren't correct the problem would be permanent rather than intermittent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

my hosting is net logistics.. they seem to be pretty good and have heard nothing but positive feedback. I received several orders today and have received no complaints.. so for now im going to assume its ok.

---

A reasonable assumption.

Anyway, if you do have any other clues or symptoms, please get back to me.
If you want me to check it out, send me the store URL.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

How regular do the intermittent connections occur?

Are there any other symptoms? examples: your paypal module (if enabled) exhibit similar problems, which may or may not occur at the same time, or perhaps the rest of the site seems to slow down at the same time. Intermittent problems are one of the most difficult faults to diagnose, and it is way to early to place 'blame' on anyone or anything yet.


Maybe, maybe not. The fact that it works at all is a *very good* sign that your have everything correctly set. Generally speaking, if your settings aren't correct the problem would be permanent rather than intermittent.


A reasonable assumption.

Anyway, if you do have any other clues or symptoms, please get back to me.
If you want me to check it out, send me the store URL.

Cheers
Rod

---

If you wouldnt mind checking it out my store is www.truwater.com.au

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

What is the broken link suppose to be in the invoices etc?

---

I don't know. Mines not broken ;-)

Is it a missing image? If so, you'll probably need to copy whatever image it is that is missing from wherever it resides in the store file system and make a duplicate of it in the identical place under /admin
On a *nix based system a symlink will also work.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

I don't know. Mines not broken ;-)

Is it a missing image? If so, you'll probably need to copy whatever image it is that is missing from wherever it resides in the store file system and make a duplicate of it in the identical place under /admin
On a *nix based system a symlink will also work.

Cheers
Rod

---

well i dont know because when i right click and get properties there is nothing there im assuming its the estimated days delivery?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

well i dont know because when i right click and get properties there is nothing there im assuming its the estimated days delivery?

---

No, it wouldn't be that, because that's obtained at the same time as the quotes. Besides, any data that is provided on the invoicing page (not sure about the etc pages <grin>) comes from the database where it was stored when the transaction was made.

Cheers
Rod

ps. I've been checking you site for the last 10mins or so. no sign of any problem. Does it only occur at certain times of the day, or certain products? More clues needed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

No, it wouldn't be that, because that's obtained at the same time as the quotes. Besides, any data that is provided on the invoicing page (not sure about the etc pages <grin>) comes from the database where it was stored when the transaction was made.

Cheers
Rod

ps. I've been checking you site for the last 10mins or so. no sign of any problem. Does it only occur at certain times of the day, or certain products? More clues needed.

---

Well i have no idea what it is!

Try this product... http://www.truwater.com.au/index.php...products_id=65

Like i said before the shipping estimator seems to work all the time its when you log in add something to cart go to checkout, there is an error dislayed next to shipping but if you scroll down all the shipping options are there

RodG, How can i remove the estimated delivery so only the type of postage is diplayed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Well i have no idea what it is!

Try this product... http://www.truwater.com.au/index.php...products_id=65

Like i said before the shipping estimator seems to work all the time its when you log in add something to cart go to checkout, there is an error dislayed next to shipping but if you scroll down all the shipping options are there

---

I've done as you instructed. No problem. I added other products, I deleted products, heck, I even set up multiple addresses and switched between the two. No sign of any problem.

Unless you can find a *reliable* way for me to duplicate the issue then I'm afraid I can't be of much help.

Oh, I did have one issue, but not sure if its related. I took the checkout process through to the payments selection, chose paypal, and received this error:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@paypal.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've never seen PayPal suffer an internal server error before.

The fot plickens

Cheers
Rod

ps. I'm "John Smith" in your store.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

RodG, How can i remove the estimated delivery so only the type of postage is diplayed?

---

You'll need to edit the code (austpost.php).

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

I've done as you instructed. No problem. I added other products, I deleted products, heck, I even set up multiple addresses and switched between the two. No sign of any problem.

Unless you can find a *reliable* way for me to duplicate the issue then I'm afraid I can't be of much help.

Oh, I did have one issue, but not sure if its related. I took the checkout process through to the payments selection, chose paypal, and received this error:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@paypal.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've never seen PayPal suffer an internal server error before.

The fot plickens

Cheers
Rod

ps. I'm "John Smith" in your store.

---

Thanks for testing! The only way i can think of replicating the problem is to change one of your delivery addresses to postcode 2075 NSW and see if you can get the error to occur.

Just tested paypal and i got straight through to paypal payment page.... So im not sure why you got an error :S

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

You'll need to edit the code (austpost.php).

Cheers
Rod

---

sorry but im really scared of editing this mod i really dont want to break something can you tell me the places i would need to edit in the file?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Thanks for testing! The only way i can think of replicating the problem is to change one of your delivery addresses to postcode 2075 NSW and see if you can get the error to occur.

---

Still no problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Just tested paypal and i got straight through to paypal payment page.... So im not sure why you got an error :S

---

Worked ok for me the second time. As I said, I wonder if the problems are somehow related. Just a little more evident with the shipping estimator because that gets used a lot more?

The paypal and austpost modules share something in common, in that they both need to go 'off site' to obtain data (very few other modules need to do this) so there may be a connection.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

Still no problem.



Worked ok for me the second time. As I said, I wonder if the problems are somehow related. Just a little more evident with the shipping estimator because that gets used a lot more?

The paypal and austpost modules share something in common, in that they both need to go 'off site' to obtain data (very few other modules need to do this) so there may be a connection.

Cheers
Rod

---

Im stumped! I guess if i turn off paypal and try an recreate the error again

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Im stumped! I guess if i turn off paypal and try an recreate the error again

---

That won't help. All we are (were) trying to do here is identity the cause of the problem. This means that we need to identify or correlate the symptoms. Turning things off to hide the symptoms only makes diagnosis more difficult (in this instance).

To summarise, the problem you are experiencing can be caused by a problem in on of three places.

Your server.
The quotation server
The connectivity between your server and the quotation server.

Before even looking for a fix we need to discover which of these is causing the problem, and to do this we need to evaluate what little we have in the way of clues.

I haven't seen the problem. You and your customers apparently see it quite often. What are the differences? There has to be *something*, different because that is the way computers work.


Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

sorry but im really scared of editing this mod i really dont want to break something can you tell me the places i would need to edit in the file?

---

Even if I could tell you I doubt it'll do you much good because you'll still need to edit the file(s).

As for breaking things... Well, thats why you should make a backup before doing any edits. If you break something then you simply restore and start again.

Even the most experienced programmers will break things during development. It's the only way to prevent problems before other people find them. :-)

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RodG

That won't help. All we are (were) trying to do here is identity the cause of the problem. This means that we need to identify or correlate the symptoms. Turning things off to hide the symptoms only makes diagnosis more difficult (in this instance).

To summarise, the problem you are experiencing can be caused by a problem in on of three places.

Your server.
The quotation server
The connectivity between your server and the quotation server.

Before even looking for a fix we need to discover which of these is causing the problem, and to do this we need to evaluate what little we have in the way of clues.

I haven't seen the problem. You and your customers apparently see it quite often. What are the differences? There has to be *something*, different because that is the way computers work.


Cheers
Rod

---

Well thanks for your help with this one.... I have had a few new customer order stuff and no complaints... I have just tested for the last 20 minsutes and i cant reproduce the error. very very odd. But overall im happy with the mod and confident it will work!

The only thing left that is really bothering me is the broken link and/or pic in my invoices :S You reffered prevously to the database... im pretty clueless with this stuff and im still trying to learn.... Could it be the sql input from the austpost module? Might need to be re done?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

Well thanks for your help with this one.... I have had a few new customer order stuff and no complaints... I have just tested for the last 20 minsutes and i cant reproduce the error. very very odd. But overall im happy with the mod and confident it will work!

---

I'm still guessing that the users that are experiencing the problem have something amiss with their address details. eg, postcode missing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gee38l

The only thing left that is really bothering me is the broken link and/or pic in my invoices :S You reffered prevously to the database... im pretty clueless with this stuff and im still trying to learn.... Could it be the sql input from the austpost module? Might need to be re done?

---

There IS a known problem whereby the URL for one of the icons can be too large to store in the database field, and this MAY be your problem, but without knowing which of the many links is actually broken this is nothing more than speculation.

Having said that, if you locate the file /includes/languages/english/modules/shipping/austpost.php you'll see that the definition for the module title contains an image link. If you remove this link and see if the problem goes away or not you'll have your answer.
However, please note that this will only affect any new invoices. Existing invoices will still have the possibly overlong text string.

An alternative solution (if this is your problem) is to increase the size of the relevent data field in the database, again, this will only affect newly entered data, and I *don't* really recommend this is a solution (because the code causing the issue will eventually be rewritten).

Cheers
Rod

ps. the autpost.php file mentioned above is a very simple file to edit. It doesn't have any actual 'code', it only contains the various text strings used by the module. (another reason why the image link is misplaced).

Hi

I've installed the module and it looks great. Just a few questions (I've searched and can't find similar).

I plan to use the parcel post (500g and 3kg) and the express post (500g and 3 kg). As you can register both prepaid parcel post and prepaid express post I was wondering if there is an option somewhere to be able to choose all of the following:

Parcel Post 500g
Registered Parcel Post 500g
Parcel Post 3kg
Registered Parcel Post 3kg
Express Post 500g
Registered Express Post 500g
Express Post 3kg
Registered Express Post 3kg

I've tried using the registered parcel option but it seems to calculate the item as a parcel only and not using the prepaid satchel.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ;)

Megan

Has anyone managed to solve the problem of domestic quotes working okay and all international ones not working?

Have checked the weights and ensured international address and postcode are valid but international estimates always fail with all domestic ones work perfectly.

Interionational quotes are returning:
ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you

Using zen cart 1.37 and latest Australia Post module (3.02). Fails with previous version of module too (3.01).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by belabela

Has anyone managed to solve the problem of domestic quotes working okay and all international ones not working?

Have checked the weights and ensured international address and postcode are valid but international estimates always fail with all domestic ones work perfectly.

Interionational quotes are returning:
ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you

Using zen cart 1.37 and latest Australia Post module (3.02). Fails with previous version of module too (3.01).

---

As far as I know, you are the only person having this problem. Please supply a link to your store and I'll see if I can determine why it isn't working for you.

Cheers
RodG

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by megkin

Hi

I've installed the module and it looks great. Just a few questions (I've searched and can't find similar).

I plan to use the parcel post (500g and 3kg) and the express post (500g and 3 kg). As you can register both prepaid parcel post and prepaid express post I was wondering if there is an option somewhere to be able to choose all of the following:

Parcel Post 500g
Registered Parcel Post 500g
Parcel Post 3kg
Registered Parcel Post 3kg
Express Post 500g
Registered Express Post 500g
Express Post 3kg
Registered Express Post 3kg

I've tried using the registered parcel option but it seems to calculate the item as a parcel only and not using the prepaid satchel.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ;)

Megan

---

There isn't any facility for the module to add registration or insurance for the prepaid satchels.

The basic philosophy being that the pre-paid satchels are used as a matter of convenience, ie, you buy them in advance and pop them in the post box for delivery as needed. If you wish to add registration or insurance to the satchels you need to enter the post office again to process the paperwork, in which case, it is probably going to be cheaper to use normal parcel post (plus extras) than it would be to use the pre-paid satchels.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod

Thanks for the reply! I will have to give it some thought as to how I want to set up the postage section. The module is certainly a huge help.

Megan

I've just added prepaid & express post satchels to my shipping options & when testing, have noticed that even though the the cart items weigh far less than 500g, only the 3kg satchel prices are given, very strange!

Estimate Shipping Costs

Total Items: 1 Weight: 0.11kgs Amount: $22.90 Dims: 29x25x2.5 Boxes: 1

Available Shipping Methods Rates
http://live2knit.com.au/store/includ...stpost_rpp.jpg 1 days Est Delivery $5.20
http://live2knit.com.au/store/includ...tpost_regd.jpg 2 days Est Delivery $7.95
http://live2knit.com.au/store/includ...stpost_pp3.jpg 4 days Est Delivery $10.60
http://live2knit.com.au/store/includ...tpost_ppe3.jpg 1 days Est Delivery $11.90

Any advice?

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au

Hi i've just had a look at the code it seems the size of the article is limit the use of the 500grm sachel

Thanks for the reply!

I'm not sure if that has something to do with it or not as the items I tested don't had dimensions specified, just a weight, so the default dimensions must be throwing the calculations out perhpas?

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lucky__starre

Thanks for the reply!

I'm not sure if that has something to do with it or not as the items I tested don't had dimensions specified, just a weight, so the default dimensions must be throwing the calculations out perhpas?

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au

---

The calculations aren't 'out', they are correct for the delivery methods shown, and yes, the product dimensions can and will have an effect on which shipping methods are shown, after all, would you *really* want to show a 500gm satchel option if the product itself is going to be too large to fit the satchel?

Cheers
RodG

I need some help with international post calculations.

All my domestic postage calculations are spot on but an error always comes up when trying to calculate postage for an international location and does not display any postage costs.

I have international post selected in the module but is there anything else that needs doing?

The error that comes up is as follows:

AustPostERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.

Hope someone can help!

Cheers
Anna

www.toycrazy.com.au

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by annav

I have international post selected in the module but is there anything else that needs doing?

---

There isn't an option (singular) for "International post". There are however nine different options for various 'overseas' delivery methods. Which of these do you have enabled/disabled?

Cheers
Rod.

Thanks for developing such a great module, I've been using it on my website for nearly a year.
Slight problem - I'm setting up a second website - different URL, different server, new ZenCart installation. I've copied all the AustPost files across, including the tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php file, but nothing is showing up in my modules/shipping list.
I'm totally stumped - why isn't it showing up?
I've recopied the files 3 times, then blew ZenCart away and reinstalled it and tried again, and still it's not showing up in the list of shipping options to install.
I know when I set it up last time I had some teething issues getting it set up right, but the initial installation was very straightforward. Is there a problem because ZenCart is a newer version? Zen Cart v1.3.8a/v1.3.8
Help!!!! :frusty:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

Thanks for developing such a great module, I've been using it on my website for nearly a year.
Slight problem - I'm setting up a second website - different URL, different server, new ZenCart installation. I've copied all the AustPost files across, including the tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php file, but nothing is showing up in my modules/shipping list.
I'm totally stumped - why isn't it showing up?
I've recopied the files 3 times, then blew ZenCart away and reinstalled it and tried again, and still it's not showing up in the list of shipping options to install.
I know when I set it up last time I had some teething issues getting it set up right, but the initial installation was very straightforward. Is there a problem because ZenCart is a newer version? Zen Cart v1.3.8a/v1.3.8
Help!!!! :frusty:

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The AP module works fine with all version from 1.3.7 upwards.
If it isn't showing up under the shipping options dropdown it can only be caused by a problem with the upload rather than the module itself.
I suggest you recheck where the files are being uploaded to, and also ensure they are readable by the webserver.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod
Thanks for that. I gave up in the end. I'd checked and quadruple checked the files were in the right spot, reinstalled ZenCart twice and even went through the folders of my old ZenCart website and made sure all the files were in exactly the same places - which they were. So I still have no idea why it wouldn't display the AustPost option in the shipping modules.
Eventually I just copied my existing ZenCart site across to the new server, and started tweaking it there to create my new site.
That worked.
One day of my life down the drain.... :frusty:

Well, I was doing something else and I think I stumbled on the answer.
Maybe ZenCart have changed their file structure, but the austpost.php files now go in different places to where they're located in the download.
I only realised this because when I was fiddling around I found the file 4 times instead of 2 in the version of ZenCart that was working.
2 of them were in the same places as in the download, 2 weren't.
When I deleted the two in the download places, everything worked just fine.
As soon as I tried deleting the other 2 instead, the module disappeared.
I could be wrong, but it might be worth checking out Rod!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

Well, I was doing something else and I think I stumbled on the answer.
Maybe ZenCart have changed their file structure, but the austpost.php files now go in different places to where they're located in the download.
I only realised this because when I was fiddling around I found the file 4 times instead of 2 in the version of ZenCart that was working.
2 of them were in the same places as in the download, 2 weren't.
When I deleted the two in the download places, everything worked just fine.
As soon as I tried deleting the other 2 instead, the module disappeared.
I could be wrong, but it might be worth checking out Rod!

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The zencart file structure hasn't changed. The AP module distribution files haven't been changed. The fact that you found duplicated files in different places simply proves that at least one of your uploads was incorrect :wink2:

Whatever the cause, I'm happy you found it. :clap:

Cheers
Rod

I don't agree with that. For various reasons I had to start again with another clean ZenCart installation on another server, and had exactly the same problem again - nothing showed up in the shipping modules.
This time I was ready for it, copied the files into the correct locations, and it worked perfectly.
In the download, the files are located in
catalog\includes\templates\template_default\images\icons\image files
catalog\includes\languages\english\modules\shipping\austpost.php
catalog\includes\modules\shipping\auspost.php

whereas on the server they're basically all in the same directories MINUS the directory of catalog.

When I installed it this time there wasn't even a directory called catalog in ZenCart - I copied it across. And of course nothing worked, because ZenCart didn't recognise that directory as having anything to with shipping.
In INSTALL.TXT the instructions say quite specifically "Unzip and copy the files into their default destinations (ie, same file structure as the zip archive)."
The files under the admin directory work just fine, so there's no reason to look at the catalog directory and think oh, that's obviously wrong, all that stuff should just go in the includes directory.
Further down in the instructions it talks about files such as /includes/templates/template_default/images/icons/austpost.jpg which is a tipoff that there's no such directory as catalog required.
All that's required is to take out the directory level of "catalog" in the download file and start it at the "includes" level.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

I don't agree with that.

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Whether you agree or not is irrelevant.
The fact that you apparently wish to 'argue' the matter with the programs' author merely highlights your lack of understanding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

For various reasons I had to start again with another clean ZenCart installation on another server, and had exactly the same problem again - nothing showed up in the shipping modules.

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Yet hundreds of other people have installed the exact same module with the exact same zencart version and yet they DIDN'T have the same problem as you. Don't you find that somewhat strange?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

This time I was ready for it, copied the files into the correct locations, and it worked perfectly.

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Well "Duh!".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

In the download, the files are located in
catalog\includes\templates\template_default\images\icons\image files
catalog\includes\languages\english\modules\shipping\austpost.php
catalog\includes\modules\shipping\auspost.php

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That is correct.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

whereas on the server they're basically all in the same directories MINUS the directory of catalog.

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You didn't read the installation notes did you. Or, if you did, you read what you wanted to read, rather than what they said. A common problem, unfortunatly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

When I installed it this time there wasn't even a directory called catalog in ZenCart -

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No, nor should there be. It isn't a 'real' directory. It is a 'placeholder' name.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

I copied it across. And of course nothing worked, because ZenCart didn't recognise that directory as having anything to with shipping.

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Actually, zencart wouldn't recognise that directory as having to do with anything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

In INSTALL.TXT the instructions say quite specifically "Unzip and copy the files into their default destinations (ie, same file structure as the zip archive)."

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Correct.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lissy

The files under the admin directory work just fine, so there's no reason to look at the catalog directory and think oh, that's obviously wrong, all that stuff should just go in the includes directory.
Further down in the instructions it talks about files such as /includes/templates/template_default/images/icons/austpost.jpg which is a tipoff that there's no such directory as catalog required.
All that's required is to take out the directory level of "catalog" in the download file and start it at the "includes" level.

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Yeah, I could do that, but then I'd get 100's of people copying the files into /admin/includes rather than /includes, and frankly, I'd rather them put the files anywhere but under /admin/.

I think your problem is that you are only seeing the installation from your own perspective and own setup.

Both the 'admin' and the 'catalog' directories specified in the AP module archives are, as I have said, placeholder names. They need to be substituted with the REAL path names applicable to any given server.

Many of us DON'T have a zencart 'admin' directory, We place our admin files into a directory of an alternate name - it helps improve security if outsiders don't know where your admin files are located.

As for the 'catalog' directory ... well, *none* of us have one of that name. Typically, the 'catalog' files are stored in a directory called:

/var/www/shop/
/var/www/zencart/
/docroot/htdocs/store

Or any one of dozens of other variants. Even your store catalog will be located under a similarly named directory. so rather than try to cover all possible variants, I have simply called the directory to use 'catalog', it is up to the person doing the install to know exactly where THEIR catalog files are stored.

Now, before you try to redeem yourself again with whatever you 'think' is the 'right' way to do things, please be advised that this is all basic zencart stuff. As you continue to work with the store and add new modules you'll find quite a number of modules will use the exact same naming practices. Will you be telling those authors they've got it wrong too?

RodG

Although I have yet to test on a live site, I sense this is a Great Mod Rod.

I am wondering, however, if it is possible to forcefully exclude certain items in a bulk order from group packaging/shipping, where an item is always shipped in its own packaging and at its own shipping rate.

I am thinking specifically of poster tubes that cannot (or should not) be included in normal boxed or bagged packages, however, there may be other items of similar circumstance.

I imagine a simple checkbox would be solve this problem, but I have no real understanding of how to construct or implement same.

Your thoughts or solutions greatly appreciated.

TIA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

I am wondering, however, if it is possible to forcefully exclude certain items in a bulk order from group packaging/shipping, where an item is always shipped in its own packaging and at its own shipping rate.

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With zencart anything is possible. :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

I am thinking specifically of poster tubes that cannot (or should not) be included in normal boxed or bagged packages, however, there may be other items of similar circumstance.

I imagine a simple checkbox would be solve this problem, but I have no real understanding of how to construct or implement same.

Your thoughts or solutions greatly appreciated.

TIA

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A 'simple checkbox' would only be the icing on the cake. Additional code will be required to make the checkbox actually do something. :-)

Anyway, if you are looking for an 'easy' solution, there isn't one. Probably the best way to achieve this would to create a special category for the items in question, and then modify the austpost.php code to exclude that category from normal processing. The means of doing this has been discussed in other threads/posts.

Needless to say, if the items are excluded from the normal processing you will then need to add an alternative postage method (or pricing) to handle their charges.

Cheers
Rod

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RodG

With zencart anything is possible. :-)


A 'simple checkbox' would only be the icing on the cake. Additional code will be required to make the checkbox actually do something. :-)

Anyway, if you are looking for an 'easy' solution, there isn't one. Probably the best way to achieve this would to create a special category for the items in question, and then modify the austpost.php code to exclude that category from normal processing. The means of doing this has been discussed in other threads/posts.

Needless to say, if the items are excluded from the normal processing you will then need to add an alternative postage method (or pricing) to handle their charges.

Cheers
Rod

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Hi Rod

I am beginning to realise my tendency to over-simplify complex issues. Must be the engineer in me.

Anyway I notice the Quantity Discounts module has code to exclude discounting on nominated products and categories, and IIRC also provides for alternate discount schedules. Other than QD, I am not aware of other threads/post discussing this issue.

For the moment, as a newbie to php/msql, I may rest content by attaching a note to certain products with unusual or exotic package dimensions that recommends ordering the product separately.

BTW Do you run your own shop? If so, I would love a look at it. :smile:

Best Regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

Hi Rod

I am beginning to realise my tendency to over-simplify complex issues. Must be the engineer in me.

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And I was under the impression that an enjinears job was to make simple things appear complex. <big grin>

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

Anyway I notice the Quantity Discounts module has code to exclude discounting on nominated products and categories, and IIRC also provides for alternate discount schedules. Other than QD, I am not aware of other threads/post discussing this issue.

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I know nothing of QD or its processing.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56242
is one thread you might find useful.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

For the moment, as a newbie to php/msql, I may rest content by attaching a note to certain products with unusual or exotic package dimensions that recommends ordering the product separately.

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Good, in theory, but in practice it probably won't be as effective as you would hope/expect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

BTW Do you run your own shop?

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That depends on your definition of 'run' and 'shop'. <grin>

My partner and I do have a working zen-cart with a few dozen misc items listed. It is mainly used for testing, development and 'convenience' rather than being used as an active online store though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw08gm

if so, I would love a look at it. :smile:

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http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...try=13&page=10

http://shop.vcsweb.com/

Cheers
RodG

I had this module working well until I moved my site from development machine localhost to my live host site.
Now the Product dimension boxes have disappeared. My guess is that the override file for cherryzen template is being over ridden..somehow. or is missing.
Which files should I look at ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by remoteone

I had this module working well until I moved my site from development machine localhost to my live host site.
Now the Product dimension boxes have disappeared. My guess is that the override file for cherryzen template is being over ridden..somehow. or is missing.
Which files should I look at ?

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Not the template files :-)

You need to ensure the files located under /admin/ are in place (and readable). In particular 'collect_info.php' & 'update_product.php'

Cheers
RodG

I've just installed this superb add-on module yesterday then I realized I have a problem when I did a Shipping Estimation. Though I have selected Registered (Overseas), Insured Air, Insured Sea & Express International in Admin-->Shipping modules. But only Insured Sea & Express International are showing to the customer, what is the problem to my Registered (Oversea) & Insured Air? Have I done anything wrong? Please help!!!!:cry:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by faithtong

I've just installed this superb add-on module yesterday then I realized I have a problem when I did a Shipping Estimation. Though I have selected Registered (Overseas), Insured Air, Insured Sea & Express International in Admin-->Shipping modules. But only Insured Sea & Express International are showing to the customer, what is the problem to my Registered (Oversea) & Insured Air? Have I done anything wrong? Please help!!!!:cry:

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Not all methods are available to all countrys, so the first thing to consider is what country are you testing with?

Cheers
Rod

I'm testing on several countries like US, Cambodia, Bangladesh and also Malaysia. But the returns are still the same....only Express Int'l & Insured Sea shown on the shipping estimation.

My appologies, this was not a AustPost/Zencart problem.
It was my dodgy Web host company. the ZIP extractor is creating errors in files when extracting using their "File Mangler"
Cheers

Hi Rod

Have a bit of a problem with my install of the AustPost module. It has been installed now for over three years and has been terrific. However, we recently found a problem with customers from the UK ordering via the shop. The shipping module comes up with the message "AusPOST International Parcel Post - AIR (ERROR: The delivery rate for this option cannot be determined at this time. If you prefer to use this option as your shipping method, please contact the store owner.)"

If I don't log in and get an estimate on shipping for the UK, it works perfectly. The problem only occurs when you are logged in.

I have gone through absolutely everything I can think of, and compared my UK country set up with others that work perfectly fine (recently US, Singapore, Spain, France, New Zealand).

Our ZenCart version is 1.2.4 and the AustPost version is 2.0.2.

Thanks and regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trinity

Hi Rod

If I don't log in and get an estimate on shipping for the UK, it works perfectly. The problem only occurs when you are logged in.

Our ZenCart version is 1.2.4 and the AustPost version is 2.0.2.

Thanks and regards

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I'm guessing that the user account that you are logging in with has spaces in the postcode/zipcode in the delivery address. You can either remove the spaces in the database, or upgrade to Austpost v2.1.3

If there is no urgency to fix this you may want to wait another day or two and the latest 'ozpost' module will be made available (the current 'ozpost' module (that supercedes 'AustPost' has a couple of issues of its own).

Cheers
Rod

Yes...a thousand thank you's...such a simple solution, I thought I had a more complex issue on my hands.

Will the new version of OzPost work with my version of ZenCart? Version 1.2.4? Have been meaning to upgrade it for a couple of years now, but every time I read the forums about people's experiences it puts me off? ;-)

Thanks again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trinity

Yes...a thousand thank you's...such a simple solution, I thought I had a more complex issue on my hands.

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Some of the complex issues really do have simple solutions.
Conversely, some of the simple issues can often be very difficult to solve.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trinity

Will the new version of OzPost work with my version of ZenCart? Version 1.2.4?

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I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't.
The best way to find out is to try it, and you can do that without even disabling or removing the current AustPost module that you are using. Although somewhat pointless (other than for testing/checking) both modules can be installed (and enabled) at the same time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trinity

Have been meaning to upgrade it for a couple of years now, but every time I read the forums about people's experiences it puts me off? ;-)

Thanks again.

---

Keep in mind that what you read in the forums comes from people that have had problems (the minority). There will be many times more of us that have performed upgrades with no problems at all.

Cheers
Rod

Anyone else having issues with the Aust post moduel not working atm...

i keep getting the following error;

Quote:

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ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.

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the site was working fine as far as i know, it just stopped working.

My Austpost has started to display 500 internal server errors. It was working fine and will work fine if the module is switched off or if the cURL is "No" but this disables the database connection. has anyone else had issues similar to this?

Also to the post above if you switch the cURL in your admin>modules>shipping>austpost to yes your issue should be sorted:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MerchNation

My Austpost has started to display 500 internal server errors. It was working fine and will work fine if the module is switched off or if the cURL is "No" but this disables the database connection. has anyone else had issues similar to this?

Also to the post above if you switch the cURL in your admin>modules>shipping>austpost to yes your issue should be sorted:)

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I tried that, still didnt work.

It's because the vcsweb server is down - try it yourself:

http://austpost.vcsweb.com/

My monitoring systems started alerting me at around 3:00-3:30 PM Eastern Australian time that it was inaccessible. I wondered since setting up a store for a client a few months ago just how reliable this server would be, and now I know.

In the meantime I've changed the server address in austpost.php to the direct http://drc.edeliver.com.au/ Australia Post server and have hard-coded the "fixed price" rates in so that it can continue to function until austpost.vcsweb.com comes back online.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zyan

It's because the vcsweb server is down - try it yourself:

http://austpost.vcsweb.com/

My monitoring systems started alerting me at around 3:00-3:30 PM Eastern Australian time that it was inaccessible. I wondered since setting up a store for a client a few months ago just how reliable this server would be, and now I know.

In the meantime I've changed the server address in austpost.php to the direct http://drc.edeliver.com.au/ Australia Post server and have hard-coded the "fixed price" rates in so that it can continue to function until austpost.vcsweb.com comes back online.

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I must admit we normally dont have many issues with the Austpost server.

The new "ozpost" replaces AustPost. Its just been posed with some bug fixes. The author, RodG, says its got a fixed shipping cost option as a default if the AustPost server is down or the shipping method cant be found.
I'll install it soon.

It looks like the http://austpost.vcsweb.com/ server is back up for now. I'll have to check out the new 'ozpost' module and look at what it will take to upgrade to it - I made quite a few modifications to the 'austpost improved' module to fix a few issues with the particular store I was setting up (and to improve things like the images and issues with those being truncated in the order invoices, etc).

It's good to see that the new 'ozpost' module has better handling to "fail gracefully".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zyan

It's because the vcsweb server is down - try it yourself:

http://austpost.vcsweb.com/

My monitoring systems started alerting me at around 3:00-3:30 PM Eastern Australian time that it was inaccessible. I wondered since setting up a store for a client a few months ago just how reliable this server would be, and now I know.

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Some things are just bad timing. Yes, the austpost server was down yesterday from around 2pm until 9pm. It had undergone a hardware upgrade (that went really well, with only a 15minute outage), but after moving various files around and forcing another reboot to ensure all was well with the new configs, the beast didn't reboot properly and needed someone to physically press the reset button (the server is located in the USA). The unprecedented downtime was a result of getting the folk in USA to do this in the ealry hours of thier Sunday Morning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zyan

In the meantime I've changed the server address in austpost.php to the direct http://drc.edeliver.com.au/ Australia Post server

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Just for the record, historical figures indicate that the drc servers tend to go down a lot more often than and for much longer periods than the vcsweb servers ever have.

Cheers
Rod

It's my understanding that the vcsweb server passes on the actual estimation requests to the drc server anyway though, doesn't it? i.e. if the drc server is down and you're using vcsweb as the server, the request will ultimately still not work because drc is down?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zyan

It's my understanding that the vcsweb server passes on the actual estimation requests to the drc server anyway though, doesn't it? i.e. if the drc server is down and you're using vcsweb as the server, the request will ultimately still not work because drc is down?

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This is entirely true for the AustPost module (but technically speaking it does a redirect rather than acting as a proxy which is more like what you are describing).

This is partially true for the ozpost module, which has its own lookup tables for most of the shipping methods (and eventually all of them).

I really do find the drc server too unreliable, otherwise I wouldn't bother with this additional work.

Cheers
Rod