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USPS module issue

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28 Jan 2012, 22:21
#1
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dragonlady

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USPS module issue

I've just upgraded Zen cart to the latest version, and decided to switch from using "table rate" to using the USPS module.

It installed perfectly, and USPS turned it on for me right away...no problems. Until I tried to place a sample order.

I sell sewing buttons, and most of them weigh less than one ounce. Since USPS doesn't use fractions when figuring postage, I just put in .0625 (one ounce) for the weight of each single button. I figure I'll weigh the individual cards over the coming week and edit them as neccesary.

Problem: I get an error when trying to check out with a sample order. It only gives priority mail as an option, and tells me that packages must weigh less than 13 ounces for first class. But the test order only weighs .1875lbs -three ounces.

Any help would be appreciated. This is the only module I can use to really calculate international postage correctly. 'Til now my international customers have had to write to me for a quote, and I suspect most of them think it's more trouble than it's worth.

Can you give me a hand?

Julie
28 Jan 2012, 22:52
#3
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Re: USPS module issue

Yes; I did. Thank-you. It's not (as far as I can tell) an installation issue. Rather, the information about the weight seems to be causing confusion somewhere.

It seems like something (either Zen or the USPS sender) isn't reading fractions of an ounce correctly?
28 Jan 2012, 22:57
#4
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Re: USPS module issue

I meant that it's not reading the fractions of a POUND correctly. Is there another way to put the ounces into the form field for the products? Maybe that's what I've done wrong?
28 Jan 2012, 23:10
#5
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Re: USPS module issue

[B]1 ounce = 0.0625 pounds[/B]
28 Jan 2012, 23:15
#6
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Re: USPS module issue

1 ounce = 0.0625 pounds


Yes; that is how I did it. So I just don't understand why it won't recognize a three ounce package as being "less than 13 ounces". :(

USPS is closed now, so this may have to wait 'till tomorrow if I have to turn to them for help. :(
28 Jan 2012, 23:19
#7
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Re: USPS module issue

What modules do you have loaded?

I have a live site where i tested this and it works perfect for the First Class
28 Jan 2012, 23:26
#8
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Re: USPS module issue

Up till ten minutes ago I only had the USPS module loaded. Now I've also turned on "Zone rates" for US shipping so people with smaller packages won't have to pay for priority.

Other than the one issue, I think all is working okay. The site will need a lot of work to look good again, though. :(
28 Jan 2012, 23:36
#9
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Re: USPS module issue

admin panel/ configuration/ shippingandpackaging/ Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight

set to 0:0
28 Jan 2012, 23:37
#10
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Re: USPS module issue

What are your settings in the Configuration ... Shipping/Packaging ...
29 Jan 2012, 01:41
#11
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Re: USPS module issue

haredo:

admin panel/ configuration/ shippingandpackaging/ Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight

set to 0:0


Thank-you, thank-you! It is fixed! I messed that up completely! :blush:

Thank-you sooo much!

Julie
29 Jan 2012, 01:42
#12
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Re: USPS module issue

You are most welcome ... thanks for the update that this is working for you ... :smile:
29 Jan 2012, 07:40
#13
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Re: USPS module issue

This is embarrassing, but I *may* have spoken too soon.

I'm using PayPal Express, and when I send a test order to PayPal, it doesn't show any shipping for the order. It shows the order subtotal and the taxable amount, if the order is supposed to be taxed. But no shipping.

If I then cancel and return to the shop, it takes me to the next order step where I can choose from the shipping options. Once I've done that, it displays correctly on the PayPal Express checkout page.

I'm not sure if:

a) This is fine; that shipping will be added at the next step of the order. Since I can't send my own test order all the way through PayPal, I have no way of testing that.

b) USPS isn't sending the shipping costs to PayPal.

c) PayPal isn't recognizing the data for the shipping costs, and therefore not going to charge them. :(

In a few days I can have a friend send through a test order and see what happens. But I can't afford to have my biz site down that long. I need to find out if this is a problem, and get it resolved.

Anyone have any handy hints? Or do I need to call PayPal?

Thanks in advance (again). ;)

Julie
29 Jan 2012, 14:28
#14
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ajeh

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Re: USPS module issue

If you display the PayPal Express button on the Shopping Cart page, and use it for checkout you will not see Shipping the first time you go to PayPal ...

If you use the regular checkout you will see the shipping when you check out ...

Did you try to do a complete checkout to see how this works?

If you prefer the customer to always see shipping on PayPal, you can turn off the PayPal button on the shopping cart page ... then, when they go to checkout they can select their shipping before they go to PayPal ...
29 Jan 2012, 17:03
#15
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Re: USPS module issue

If you display the PayPal Express button on the Shopping Cart page, and use it for checkout you will not see Shipping the first time you go to PayPal ...


But it is being charged?

If you prefer the customer to always see shipping on PayPal, you can turn off the PayPal button on the shopping cart page ... then, when they go to checkout they can select their shipping before they go to PayPal ...


How do I turn it off? I tried, but it seemed like no matter which of the little boxes I unchecked, nothing about the way it worked changed. :(
29 Jan 2012, 17:10
#16
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Re: USPS module issue

If you go to the Modules ... Payment ... and edit the PayPal Express Checkout ... you should see:
Express Checkout Shortcut Button
The Express Checkout Shortcut button shows up on your shopping cart page to invite your customers to pay using PayPal without having to give all their address details on your site first before selecting shipping options.
It has been shown to increase sales and conversions when enabled.
Default: On

On
Off


Turn it off ...

If it still shows, then your templates and overrides file is out of date and does not have this code in it ...

To fix that, compare your templates and overrides file for:
tpl_shopping_cart_default.php

and merge in the code ...

In the original file, you should see the start if the code:
<!-- ** BEGIN PAYPAL EXPRESS CHECKOUT ** -->


Using something like Beyond Compare from scootersoftware.com makes this easier ...
29 Jan 2012, 17:42
#17
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Re: USPS module issue

Okay; thanks. I'm still going bonkers trying to fix some other issues, but I'll come back to this.

Sadly, I've noticed that when I edit a product's weight, the entire description for the product disappears!

And I can't remember where to find the pages to fix the page names (page 2, page 3) where they show up on the front page and site map.... I know I had that fixed before!

Too many changes all at once. :no:
29 Jan 2012, 17:57
#18
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Re: USPS module issue

Honestly, I'm just as happy to keep it turned on, IF the postage is going to be charged correctly.

PayPal won't let me send through a test order, and the friend I usually have do that for me is out of town for a few days.

I have a disclaimer up on my front page saying the site may have issues for a few days while I fix all this. But the absolute lack of sales since I started this here "upgrade" is making me nervous. :( Weekends are usually pretty busy.
29 Jan 2012, 18:02
#19
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Re: USPS module issue

Dragon,
Here is a tip I use when I edit a core file or override ..

I will add a line to the .php file above what i a changing or close ..
<!--MSC-->
These are my initials so when I use the developers tool kit under admin panel/ tools and do a search i can view all files I changed ..

I sent you a PM also ...
29 Jan 2012, 18:21
#20
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Re: USPS module issue

haredo:

Dragon,
Here is a tip I use when I edit a core file or override ..

I will add a line to the .php file above what i a changing or close ..
These are my initials so when I use the developers tool kit under admin panel/ tools and do a search i can view all files I changed ..

I sent you a PM also ...


Ahhhhhaaa! Such an easy thing...but such a grand idea!!! From now on, I will do that so I'm not searching through so much spaghetti!

Thanks!

Julie