Shipping Cost Estimator Accuracy

[wormgineer]

OK, I know it claims only to estimate and not quote, but I'm just wondering why I cannot get the results to match up with UPS published 2010 rates. http://www.ups.com/rates/

I haven't shipped anything yet but if possible I'm trying to make sure I have no confusion on shipping costs for me or my customers from day one.

I am accounting for residential / commercial delivery and retail vs daily rates but no match. Shipping weight is correct. Another thread mentioned that entering 'company name' would trigger non-residential status but I do not see that happening in my testing.

I've triple-checked my settings at UPS and on admin/modules/shipping/UPS (RDP = Daily pickup; Customer Packaging, RES delivery, zero handling fee)

Example:
UPS Ground, zone 2, 7 pounds (zero tare), residential delivery
Estimator says $8.49

UPS charts say $8.06 = $5.81 (daily rate) + $2.05 (residential delivery)

UPS charts say $10.04 = $7.99 (retail rate) + $2.05 (residential delivery)

3-day select numbers (zone 2, 7 pounds) are:
$12.16 estimated
$10.95 = $8.55 (daily) + $2.40 (residential delivery)
$12.85 = $10.45 (retail) + $2.40 (residential delivery)

Are the data files not up to date for 2010? Are they hackable / where are they?

tia

[Kim]

The rates are pulled from the UPS servers - Have you checked your Zen Cart settings for the Tare and Box Weights?

[wormgineer]

Hi Kim,

I don't see anything besides:
Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight
and
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight

I have both set to 0:0

Is there a setting for box weight? The shipping weight shown in the estimator is correct, so I don't think the error is the weight.

[Kim]

Then you'll have to ask UPS why their server gives those rates.

[wormgineer]

Um well OK but any chance of looking at the criteria used when querying the server?

You know what the first thing they will say, after I hopefully get the right person on the phone: what are the chances that UPS won't tell me it's an error with zencart's software?

[wormgineer]

So let me ask this of everyone:

Does everybody accept that their customers will be presented with an order screen that does not accurately reflect shipping costs when shipping by UPS?

An estimate is good enough?
Customers don't complain?
Will I be paying for the extra charges the shipping module appears to ignore?

The more I look into this, the less impressed I am. It appears that residential delivery and fuel surcharges are not accounted for, and even allowing for that, the shipping amounts are not agreeing with what UPS says it is going to charge me when I set up a shipment on the UPS site.

I like zencart and it is available at a very good price, I just want to know what is going on!