USPS module returning different rates for same weights

[Phil S]

I just noticed today that my shipping quotes are way off on some items. I have the 1.2 pounds listed as the shipping weight on several items but the cart returns a different cost depending on the item. I added 9 units of 3 different items to the cart and got a different price each time. I'm looking at the debug logs and all 3 items I added to my cart show the same thing but each came back with a different rate in the cart.

<RateV4Response><Package ID="0"><ZipOrigination>46816</ZipOrigination><ZipDestination>40208</ZipDestination><Pounds>10</Pounds><Ounces>13</Ounces><Container>VARIABLE</Container><Size>REGULAR</Size><Zone>3</Zone><Postage CLASSID="1"><MailService>Priority Mail 2-Day&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;&amp;#8482;&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;</MailService><Rate>13.25</Rate><CommercialRate>8.83</CommercialRate><CommitmentDate>2015-12-24</CommitmentDate><CommitmentName>2-Day</CommitmentName><SpecialServices><SpecialService><ServiceID>125</ServiceID><ServiceName>Insurance</ServiceName><Available>true</Available><AvailableOnline>true</AvailableOnline><Price>0.00</Price><PriceOnline>0.00</PriceOnline><DeclaredValueRequired>true</DeclaredValueRequired><DueSenderRequired>false</DueSenderRequired></SpecialService><SpecialService><ServiceID>107</ServiceID><ServiceName>Return Receipt for Merchandise</ServiceName><Available>true</Available><AvailableOnline>true</AvailableOnline><Price>4.40</Price><PriceOnline>4.40</PriceOnline></SpecialService><SpecialService><ServiceID>155</ServiceID><ServiceName>USPS Tracking&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;&amp;#8482;&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; Electronic</ServiceName><Available>true</Available><AvailableOnline>true</AvailableOnline><Price>0.00</Price><PriceOnline>0.00</PriceOnline></SpecialService></SpecialServices></Postage></Package></RateV4Response>

The rates displayed in my cart for 9 units of each were $10.33, $14.93, and $13.08.

I also have the maximum weight set at 28 pounds. Above that, the shipping calculator should bump an order to two boxes. It's working for UPS but a customer just submitted an order for 3 - 12 lb lots and the debug log shows;
<Pounds>18</Pounds><Ounces>3</Ounces>
and undercharged for the shipping.

What am I missing?

[Ajeh]

It is hard to read the logs that way, any chance you could turn the USPS debug to Logs and zip the logs and attach them to your post?

[Phil S]

Yep! I'll set it to "log" and try it again.

[Phil S]

Let's see if it uploads here.

[Ajeh]

Looks like this is related to Insurance vs the amount of the Order ...

If you turn off the insurance then do the 3 come up with the same charge?

[Phil S]

That was it.
Apparently the emailed log doesn't show as much so I didn't see the totals.With the added information the logs on the server have, I'm going to see if I can figure out why the cart is charging 18 lbs on a 36 lb order.

THANKS!

[Ajeh]

I read it in your logs just comparing them to one another with Beyond compare from scootersoftware.com and the insurance stood out as the difference between them ...

It's a handy software for comparing any file when you are looking for differences ...

[Ajeh]

NOTE: Your Maximum Weight of 28 has the calculation break the order into 2 boxes to keep that weight of 36lbs below 28 so you get 2 18lb packages ... change it to the default of 50 on the Maximum Weight and it would be 1 36 lb box ...

[Phil S]

After playing with the cart for awhile I've narrowed down the problem of the cart "undercharging" for the larger weight order via Priority Mail.
It broke 36 lbs down into 2-18 lb boxes as it's supposed to and charged the customer properly. When I shipped it, instead of shipping two 18 lb boxes at $12.50 ea, I shipped a 36 lb package at a cost of $34.

I don't recall that ever happening before where 1 box costs more than 2 boxes weighing 1/2 as much but that's what happened.
Off to Google I go.

[Phil S]

I used ExamDiff to view the difference between to two logs but the emailed logs didn't show the detail that the server logs did. I didn't take the time to use it on the server logs because "Operators were standing by" and I didn't want to make you wait. :)