ozpost shipping module

[RodG]

i'd like to know if this module is accurate in its pricing

Yes, it is very accurate, but only as long as the data that *you* provide for your product weights and dimensions is also accurate.

As they say 'Garbage in, Garbage out'.

and what the max. dimensions and weight is allowed with australia post?

This is a question for Australia Post. Neither I, nor the ozpost module has any control over what any given carrier allows.

Having said that, I thought everyone in Oz knows these limits, they are clearly publiciced.
Max weight 20kg, max length 104cm, max girth 140cm.

The ozpost module is aware of these limits and will not provide an Australia Post quote if they are exceeded.

i assume the default 30,40,30 is the dimension for the parcel?

Why would you make an assumption like that? Where did you get these numbers from?

The ozpost module does have a default setting for *item* dimensions, and the distribution files has this pre-set to
29,25,2.5, which was chosen to 1) be large enough to ensure that any item(s) without their own dimensions will never be quoted at letter rates, and 2) to keep the item(s) without their own dimensions from being subject to any cubing rules.

IF YOU RELY ON THESE DEFAULTS YOU CANNOT EXPECT ACCURATE QUOTES. They will be *mostly* right, as most quotes are based on weight only, BUT *accurate* dimensions are needed for each *item* so that the module can calculate how many of any given item (or items) will fit into any given sized envelope/satchel/box/parcel.

It is foolhardy to assume that an item weighing under 500gm will actually fit into a 500gm satchel, etc... Oftentimes items of this weight will actually be too *large* to fit, but if your weights and dimensions are accurate it could be possible to fit this same <500gm into into a 3kg satchel instead, so this would be a valid option presented to the customer.

As I say, if you provide accurate data for your *items* then the module will produce only valid and accurate results for your customers to select from. If your data isn't accurate then the module could start producing quotes for packages that are physically impossible to create.

Finally, before you ask, by default, the module will only attempt to create a *single* parcel for quote purposes. If the parcel happens to be too heavy (eg, over 20kg for Australia Post) then this option won't be given.

I have tried many different methods over the years to create code that will reliably 'spilt' large parcels into several smaller ones, but this turns out to be a very complex task to do correctly. All such code I've seen so far runs the risks of splitting parcels in impossible ways.

Example:
Item #1 weighing 18kg
Item#2 weighting 4kg

Total weight, 22kg - Two heavy for AP, and 'simple' parcel splitting will request a quote for two parcels @ 11kg each, which 1) is probably going to cost something different than 1 parcel@18kg and 1 parcel@4k, and 2) Is it going to physically impossible to split these items in half so that half of each goes into each box.

And that is just with TWO items. Imagine how complex and error prone it will be as more and more items get added.

Having said that, Zencart itself does have code to perform this parcel splitting, and so for those that wish to take the risks mentioned above, the ozpost module has a setting that will allow these figures to be used instead. It also has an option to 'restrain dimensions' so that a quote won't be rejected on size alone. Either of these can/will affect the 'real world accuracy' that ozpost was designed for, but by providing these options it does give the user a choice...

Cheers
Rod