USPS module overcharging for shipping

[fright-rags]

I am using Zen Cart 1.5.1 and have the new USPS shipping module installed. However, we are getting some very high shipping quotes on orders coming through our site. I understand USPS raised prices (at least internationally), but I'm talking about what the customer is paying vs what we actually pay. For instance, here is a breakdown of some pricing:

FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL
Japan: 9oz CUSTOMER PAID: $12.75 WE PAID: $6.30
UK: 7oz CUSTOMER PAID: $12.75 WE PAID: $7.15
Canada: 12oz CUSTOMER PAID: $9.15 WE PAID: $4.35

The way we get the shipping cost is by weight, which we generally give an average weight to all products (we sell shirts) and then add a small percentage to each attribute to account for the weight. For instance, the average shirt weighs .5 lbs, but if we're selling a 5X-Large, we add in .4 to the attribute so the final weight is .9 lbs, which should be how USPS calculates the prices.

That said, once we started noticing the skewed numbers on the site, I began testing some different weights and addresses to see where the problem is. The strangest thing is, if I set the base product weight to "0" in the product set up, I still get a shipping quote. If we are basing shipping on weight, and the weight is "0", what is the cost being based on? Not only that, but the prices that are coming up are still to high.

For example:

Canada: 12oz package shipping cost (First Class Int'l) $4.35 (BASED ON ORIGINAL WEIGHTED PRODUCT)
Canada: 0oz package shipping cost (First Class Int'l) $6.55
ACTUAL COST (package weighed 12oz): $4.35

So, at NO WEIGHT, the package still comes in at $2 more than it cost to actually ship.

Is there something wrong with the module, or is there another issue I'm not understanding?
Canada: 12oz CUSTOMER PAID: $9.15 WE PAID: $4.35

[lhungil]

Which module are you using? I believe only some of the UPS modules such as UPS XML support retrieving rates based upon your companies shipping rate... Other ones typically will return the published UPS rates on the UPS website. Not sure if that is the issue... but something to check.

[kobra]

I believe only some of the UPS modules such as UPS XML

Poster is using USPS

[kobra]

What do you have set in
admin > config > Shipping/Packaging > Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight

[RixStix]

Today's quote from USPS.com 12 ounces first class USA to Canada => $9.15
Today's quote from ShipStation.com (our shipping software) => $8.24

Who are you using to print/process your USPS shipping that allows 12 ounces from USA to Canada, first class for $4.35? Sounds more like it might be the software actually printing the labels that might need to be upgraded.

[fright-rags]

Today's quote from USPS.com 12 ounces first class USA to Canada => $9.15
Today's quote from ShipStation.com (our shipping software) => $8.24

Who are you using to print/process your USPS shipping that allows 12 ounces from USA to Canada, first class for $4.35? Sounds more like it might be the software actually printing the labels that might need to be upgraded.

Good point. We use Dazzle in conjunction with ShipWorks. I'll check both and see if they need upgrading. They usually upgrade automatically.

Poster is using USPS

I have it set to 0:0

[Ajeh]

I am using Zen Cart 1.5.1 and have the new USPS shipping module installed. However, we are getting some very high shipping quotes on orders coming through our site. I understand USPS raised prices (at least internationally), but I'm talking about what the customer is paying vs what we actually pay. For instance, here is a breakdown of some pricing:

FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL
Japan: 9oz CUSTOMER PAID: $12.75 WE PAID: $6.30
UK: 7oz CUSTOMER PAID: $12.75 WE PAID: $7.15
Canada: 12oz CUSTOMER PAID: $9.15 WE PAID: $4.35

The way we get the shipping cost is by weight, which we generally give an average weight to all products (we sell shirts) and then add a small percentage to each attribute to account for the weight. For instance, the average shirt weighs .5 lbs, but if we're selling a 5X-Large, we add in .4 to the attribute so the final weight is .9 lbs, which should be how USPS calculates the prices.

That said, once we started noticing the skewed numbers on the site, I began testing some different weights and addresses to see where the problem is. The strangest thing is, if I set the base product weight to "0" in the product set up, I still get a shipping quote. If we are basing shipping on weight, and the weight is "0", what is the cost being based on? Not only that, but the prices that are coming up are still to high.

For example:

Canada: 12oz package shipping cost (First Class Int'l) $4.35 (BASED ON ORIGINAL WEIGHTED PRODUCT)
Canada: 0oz package shipping cost (First Class Int'l) $6.55
ACTUAL COST (package weighed 12oz): $4.35

So, at NO WEIGHT, the package still comes in at $2 more than it cost to actually ship.

Is there something wrong with the module, or is there another issue I'm not understanding?
Canada: 12oz CUSTOMER PAID: $9.15 WE PAID: $4.35

Be aware that .9 lbs is 14.4 ounces ...

In the Configuration ... Shipping/Packaging ... what are all of your settings?

If you go to your Zen Cart Admin to the Tools ... Developers Tool Kit ... and in the bottom input box enter:
usps.php

what comes up on the version?

When you go to the Modules ... Shipping ... and click on USPS ... what do you see in the right handle panel?

I am presently working on an update to the USPS RateV4 and cannot produce all of your rates that you are saying that you are getting but I am getting some of them ... I am also getting those rates with the January 27, 2013 release for USPS from our add on plugins ...

[fright-rags]

Be aware that .9 lbs is 14.4 ounces ...

In the Configuration ... Shipping/Packaging ... what are all of your settings?

If you go to your Zen Cart Admin to the Tools ... Developers Tool Kit ... and in the bottom input box enter:
usps.php

what comes up on the version?

When you go to the Modules ... Shipping ... and click on USPS ... what do you see in the right handle panel?

I am presently working on an update to the USPS RateV4 and cannot produce all of your rates that you are saying that you are getting but I am getting some of them ... I am also getting those rates with the January 27, 2013 release for USPS from our add on plugins ...

The .9 lbs was just an example of a 5X shirt. The actual rates I was quoting for the Canada order were based on a weight of .7 lbs which equals 11.2oz. which is what the site calculated it at. Our actual weight was 12oz after packaging, etc, which is what we based the actual postage on (with Dazzle).

Both software (Dazzle and Shipworks) are up to date.

SHIPPING CONFIG:
Country of Origin United States
Postal Code 14615
Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship 50
Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight 0:0
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight 0:0
Display Number of Boxes and Weight Status 0
Order Free Shipping 0 Weight Status 0
Shipping Estimator Display Settings for Shopping Cart 0
Display Order Comments on Admin Invoice 1
Display Order Comments on Admin Packing Slip 1

USPS Version Date
2013-01-27
@version $Id: usps.php 18348G 2013-01-27 01:27:00Z ajeh $

SHIPPING MODULE INFO:
USPS Version Date
2013-01-27

Enable USPS Shipping
True

Enter the USPS Web Tools User ID
XXXXXXXXX

Which server to use
production

Quote Sort Order
Price

Handling Fee - US
.62

Handling Fee - International
0

Handling Per Order or Per Box
Order

Decimal Settings
3

Tax Class
Taxable Goods

Tax Basis
Shipping

Shipping Zone
--none--

Sort Order
1

All Packages are Machinable
True

USPS Options
Display transit time

Domestic Shipping Methods
PRIORITY, FIRST CLASS

International Shipping Methods
Priority Mail International, First Class Mail Int Package

Debug Mode
Off

[Ajeh]

I am wondering if the issue is the container for First Class ...

I get from the USPS shipping module:

Canada .7lbs
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Express Mail International (3 - 5 business days)) $37.35
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Express Mail International Flat Rate Boxes (3 - 5 business days)) $64.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelope (3 - 5 business days)) $34.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Express Mail International Legal Flat Rate Envelope (3 - 5 business days)) $34.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Express Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope (3 - 5 business days)) $34.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (First-Class Mail International Large Envelope (Varies by destination)) $4.35
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (First-Class Package International Service (Varies by destination)) $9.15
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) (1 - 3 business days)) $58.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Global Express Guaranteed Non-Document Non-Rectangular (1 - 3 business days)) $58.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Global Express Guaranteed Non-Document Rectangular (1 - 3 business days)) $58.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International (6 - 10 business days)) $28.25
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Large Flat Rate Box (6 - 10 business days)) $53.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Legal Flat Rate Envelope (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box (6 - 10 business days)) $40.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Box (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Envelope (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (Priority Mail International Window Flat Rate Envelope (6 - 10 business days)) $19.95
United States Postal Service (1 x 0.70lbs) (USPS GXG Envelopes (1 - 3 business days)) $58.95

Notice the Package is $9.15 and the Envelope is $4.35 ...

Going to the USPS site, I get the same quotes on Package and Envelope ...

Could this be the issue that you are experiencing?

[fright-rags]

I am wondering if the issue is the container for First Class ...

I get from the USPS shipping module:


Notice the Package is $9.15 and the Envelope is $4.35 ...

Going to the USPS site, I get the same quotes on Package and Envelope ...

Could this be the issue that you are experiencing?

You hit the nail on the head. We had it set as "package" and not "envelope". Thanks so much for your help!