UPS XML: Support Thread

[mrsawyer]

Greetings,

I have set up our API Key and run some cross-country shipping tests (in test mode) using UPS-XML Version 1.7.8. I set the Customer Classification Code to 00 so that rates displayed would reflect our contracted agreement with UPS. I then tried using the exact same shipping information with the Customer Classification Code set to 53 to display the regular rates for comparison. To my surprise, the regular rates were about 4% to 7% lower than our contracted "discounted" UPS rates.

I have contacted UPS to make sure they have given us the correct code and have also activated the contract. While I am awaiting a reply, I thought I'd check with the forum folk here to see if using test mode could account for this, or if there is some other possible reason I have overlooked, or if there is the remote possibility that the plugin has an error.

I am hoping that some readers of this post will be so kind as to run a similar test and share their findings.

Thanks,
mrsawyer

[lat9]

@mrsawyer, you could enable the UPS-XML debug for a couple of 'cycles' so that you can view the requests sent to and responses from the UPS servers. I kind of remember a couple of cases where reviewing those logs helped.

[mrsawyer]

@mrsawyer, you could enable the UPS-XML debug for a couple of 'cycles' so that you can view the requests sent to and responses from the UPS servers. I kind of remember a couple of cases where reviewing those logs helped.

I will try your suggestion about using debug. However, UPS's response mentions package size as a determining factor in the rate estimate received online. How does the UPS_XML plugin supply UPS with package dimensions, or does it? I did not see anywhere where package size could be entered. In the ZC admin area I saw small box and large box, but did not a place to specify the dimensions of either.

Please advise,
mrsawyer

[mrsawyer]

I will try your suggestion about using debug. However, UPS's response mentions package size as a determining factor in the rate estimate received online. How does the UPS_XML plugin supply UPS with package dimensions, or does it? I did not see anywhere where package size could be entered. In the ZC admin area I saw small box and large box, but did not a place to specify the dimensions of either.

Please advise,
mrsawyer

I would like to add that I just took a quick look at the debug log which I had already enabled, but had not look at. From what I'm seeing, the plugin is passing length, width, and height of all zero inches to the UPS interface. Is there a way to pass an actual box size?

[lat9]

I will try your suggestion about using debug. However, UPS's response mentions package size as a determining factor in the rate estimate received online. How does the UPS_XML plugin supply UPS with package dimensions, or does it? I did not see anywhere where package size could be entered. In the ZC admin area I saw small box and large box, but did not a place to specify the dimensions of either.

Please advise,
mrsawyer

I would like to add that I just took a quick look at the debug log which I had already enabled, but had not look at. From what I'm seeing, the plugin is passing length, width, and height of all zero inches to the UPS interface. Is there a way to pass an actual box size?

The shipping method, as inherited, claims to support product dimensions but I have neither updated nor tested that processing. While there's a DIMENSIONS_SUPPORTED constant that can be changed (as you apparently have) in the shipping-module itself, that's not a processing-path that I'm prepared to support at the current time.

[mrsawyer]

The shipping method, as inherited, claims to support product dimensions but I have neither updated nor tested that processing. While there's a DIMENSIONS_SUPPORTED constant that can be changed (as you apparently have) in the shipping-module itself, that's not a processing-path that I'm prepared to support at the current time.

I had not discovered the DIMENSIONS_SUPPORTED constant. However, after you mentioned it, I found it in the UPSXML.php file in the Modules folder (as opposed the UPSXML.php in the language folder). I changed the constant to 1, but saw no affect on the rate options. I see that you are not prepared to support it, but do you know what it is "supposed" to do? You got my curiosity up by mentioning it.

[mrsawyer]

Our Dimensions_Supported constant is set at 0.

Here is part of the debug log that shows UPS is automatically receiving 10lbs as the package weight and $100 as the package value (unless I have misinterpreted). Our test shipment was 3.1lbs, so is this weight and value hard-coded somewhere?
<TransitFrom>
<AddressArtifactFormat>
<PoliticalDivision2>Bronx</PoliticalDivision2>
<PoliticalDivision1>NY</PoliticalDivision1>
<CountryCode>US</CountryCode>
<PostcodePrimaryLow>10472</PostcodePrimaryLow>
</AddressArtifactFormat>
</TransitFrom>
<TransitTo>
<AddressArtifactFormat>
<PoliticalDivision2>Beverly Hills</PoliticalDivision2>
<PoliticalDivision1>CA</PoliticalDivision1>
<CountryCode>US</CountryCode>
<PostcodePrimaryLow>90210</PostcodePrimaryLow>
<PostcodePrimaryHigh>90210</PostcodePrimaryHigh>
</AddressArtifactFormat>
</TransitTo>
<PickupDate>20200715</PickupDate>
<ShipmentWeight>
<UnitOfMeasurement>
<Code>LBS</Code>
</UnitOfMeasurement>
<Weight>10</Weight>
</ShipmentWeight>
<InvoiceLineTotal>
<CurrencyCode>USD</CurrencyCode>
<MonetaryValue>100</MonetaryValue>
</InvoiceLineTotal>
</TimeInTransitRequest>

UPS RESPONSE: <?xml version="1.0"?><TimeInTransitResponse><Response><TransactionReference><CustomerC ontext>Time in Transit</CustomerContext><XpciVersion>1.0002</XpciVersion></TransactionReference><ResponseStatusCode>1</ResponseStatusCode><ResponseStatusDescription>Success</ResponseStatusDescription></Response><TransitResponse><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><TransitFrom><AddressArtifactFormat><PoliticalDivision2>BRONX</PoliticalDivision2><PoliticalDivision1>NY</PoliticalDivision1><Country>UNITED STATES</Country><CountryCode>US</CountryCode><PostcodePrimaryLow>10472</PostcodePrimaryLow></AddressArtifactFormat></TransitFrom><TransitTo><AddressArtifactFormat><PoliticalDivision2>BEVERLY HILLS</PoliticalDivision2><PoliticalDivision1>CA</PoliticalDivision1><Country>UNITED STATES</Country><CountryCode>US</CountryCode><PostcodePrimaryLow>90210</PostcodePrimaryLow></AddressArtifactFormat></TransitTo><ShipmentWeight><UnitOfMeasurement><Code>LBS</Code></UnitOfMeasurement><Weight>10.0</Weight></ShipmentWeight><InvoiceLineTotal><CurrencyCode>USD</CurrencyCode><MonetaryValue>100.00</MonetaryValue></InvoiceLineTotal><Disclaimer>Services listed as guaranteed are backed by a money-back guarantee for transportation charges only. UPS guarantees the day of delivery for every ground package you ship to any address within all 50 states and Puerto Rico. See Terms and Conditions in the Service Guide for details.</Disclaimer><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>1DM</Code><Description>UPS Next Day Air Early</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>1</BusinessTransitDays><Time>08:30:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-16</Date><DayOfWeek>THU</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>1DA</Code><Description>UPS Next Day Air</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>1</BusinessTransitDays><Time>10:30:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-16</Date><DayOfWeek>THU</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>1DP</Code><Description>UPS Next Day Air Saver</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>1</BusinessTransitDays><Time>23:00:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-16</Date><DayOfWeek>THU</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>2DM</Code><Description>UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>2</BusinessTransitDays><Time>23:00:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-17</Date><DayOfWeek>FRI</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>2DA</Code><Description>UPS 2nd Day Air</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>2</BusinessTransitDays><Time>23:00:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-17</Date><DayOfWeek>FRI</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>3DS</Code><Description>UPS 3 Day Select</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>3</BusinessTransitDays><Time>23:00:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-20</Date><DayOfWeek>MON</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><ServiceSummary><Service><Code>GND</Code><Description>UPS Ground</Description></Service><Guaranteed><Code>N</Code></Guaranteed><EstimatedArrival><BusinessTransitDays>4</BusinessTransitDays><Time>23:00:00</Time><PickupDate>2020-07-15</PickupDate><PickupTime>19:30:00</PickupTime><Date>2020-07-21</Date><DayOfWeek>TUE</DayOfWeek><CustomerCenterCutoff>18:30:00</CustomerCenterCutoff></EstimatedArrival><SaturdayDelivery>0</SaturdayDelivery><SundayDelivery>0</SundayDelivery></ServiceSummary><MaximumListSize>35</MaximumListSize></TransitResponse></TimeInTransitResponse>
------------------------------------------ ???

[carlwhat]

Greetings,

I have set up our API Key and run some cross-country shipping tests (in test mode) using UPS-XML Version 1.7.8. I set the Customer Classification Code to 00 so that rates displayed would reflect our contracted agreement with UPS. I then tried using the exact same shipping information with the Customer Classification Code set to 53 to display the regular rates for comparison. To my surprise, the regular rates were about 4% to 7% lower than our contracted "discounted" UPS rates.

I have contacted UPS to make sure they have given us the correct code and have also activated the contract. While I am awaiting a reply, I thought I'd check with the forum folk here to see if using test mode could account for this, or if there is some other possible reason I have overlooked, or if there is the remote possibility that the plugin has an error.

I am hoping that some readers of this post will be so kind as to run a similar test and share their findings.

Thanks,
mrsawyer

I would like to add that I just took a quick look at the debug log which I had already enabled, but had not look at. From what I'm seeing, the plugin is passing length, width, and height of all zero inches to the UPS interface. Is there a way to pass an actual box size?

The shipping method, as inherited, claims to support product dimensions but I have neither updated nor tested that processing. While there's a DIMENSIONS_SUPPORTED constant that can be changed (as you apparently have) in the shipping-module itself, that's not a processing-path that I'm prepared to support at the current time.

at the risk of getting myself into more trouble than i already in, allow me to weigh in here.

i think it best to solve 1 problem prior to moving to a new problem. i thought the original problem was that your contracted rates are showing up as being expensive than your list rates. did you solve that problem?

my understanding is that this plugin is for getting shipping quotes. if i am wrong in that, i apologize. if i am correct, and we are getting shipping quotes, i see no need to not being going to a live UPS server. last time i checked, UPS does not charge for getting a shipping quote. so why not check against the live server? i see little downside unless i am missing something here.

with regards to the bane of my existence, i mean dimensional weight, seems that lat9 is not ready to support that element on this plugin. which personally i would respect. lot of work associated with quoting dimensional weight.

what are you selling? when you look at your UPS bill, do you see a lot of dimensional weight surcharges? if you do not see them on your bill, it makes little sense to me to start building infrastructure to quote them to your customer.

lot of stores use this module. i think the 0 dimensions have 0 effect on the rate that gets quoted. the only time dimensional weight gets hit, is when you send a big box that weighs nothing. sending a box that takes up 0 space and weighs 5 lbs; well you will get the 5 lb rate.

just my 2 cents.

[mrsawyer]

at the risk of getting myself into more trouble than i already in, allow me to weigh in here.

i think it best to solve 1 problem prior to moving to a new problem. i thought the original problem was that your contracted rates are showing up as being expensive than your list rates. did you solve that problem?

my understanding is that this plugin is for getting shipping quotes. if i am wrong in that, i apologize. if i am correct, and we are getting shipping quotes, i see no need to not being going to a live UPS server. last time i checked, UPS does not charge for getting a shipping quote. so why not check against the live server? i see little downside unless i am missing something here.

with regards to the bane of my existence, i mean dimensional weight, seems that lat9 is not ready to support that element on this plugin. which personally i would respect. lot of work associated with quoting dimensional weight.

what are you selling? when you look at your UPS bill, do you see a lot of dimensional weight surcharges? if you do not see them on your bill, it makes little sense to me to start building infrastructure to quote them to your customer.

lot of stores use this module. i think the 0 dimensions have 0 effect on the rate that gets quoted. the only time dimensional weight gets hit, is when you send a big box that weighs nothing. sending a box that takes up 0 space and weighs 5 lbs; well you will get the 5 lb rate.

just my 2 cents.

Thanks, 98 more and I'll have a dollar! I am not interested in dimensional weight. I just asked what the Dimensions_Supported was "supposed" to do, since lat9 mentioned it, and it seemed to do nothing when changing the constant. It is all in an effort to find out more about the plugin so we can find out why we are getting lower rates when using the standard rates rather than our negotiated discounts. From your "2 cents", are you saying that changing that constant is supposed to implement a dimensional weight feature somewhere? If so, it was not apparent, not desired. We are shipping nothing at this point, just trying to make sure everything is working as it should before opening the shipping option to future customers. We have tried using test mode and live mode with the same result. We tried choosing Commercial versus Residential with the same result. So, the reason for the rate issue is not apparent yet. Hopefully, when UPS examines our site tomorrow, something meaningful will be revealed. If you have another couple of pennies, your idea of what might be amiss would be appreciated.