AUSTPost module

[RodG]

I understand how the Aust post module works. Please I have been a web developer for years and have an outstanding knowledge of php and software achitecture.

This test data is generated by me going through the admin, changing the weight of the product I am purchasing to the values described in the test data, then refreshing the checkout page with the postage amount. This is how I get the dollar amounts.

I have painstakenly sat there and entered different weight amounts in an attempt to try and assertain where the system is failing (or what ever the prblem is). The weight values I have been inputting to not make sence nore does the cost of postage.

I have exausted many online resources and hence and conversing with yourself, where I appreciate your help very much.

I am new to zen cart and this is my first sit with the engine. My only assumption is that something is conflicting with the aust post module and causing it to fail. Please don't mistake me to be thinking the aust post module is flawed.

Come to think of it I have copied both the old version and the new version of the aust post modules into the site. Could this be the reason for the failure? Only the latest aust post module is installed in admin.

I've no idea what you are trying to prove by entering test data ranging in values that make little sense in the real world (unless you are selling feathers), in which case you'll get better results by enabling the letter rates.

If you want to get any sense out of it, use sensible inputs.

Rhetorical question. If you are as experienced as you say you are, why the hell are you doing things the "pain staking way" when you would clearly know there are better solutions.

And finally, I have already deduced and told you why you are getting the quotes that you are getting based on the data you are providing.
Namely, your test item is being split up into three individual parcels, each costing $4.20 each.

You apparenlty already know how the AP module works, but I'll redresh your memory anyway... if packages are overweight they get split into multiple parcels before the AustPost module sees them. .
If the package is oversized then the Australia post module splits it into multiple parcels.
IOW, if you have a 20kg maximum, and an item weighing 54kg, based on the weight alone the AP module will be asked to quote on 3 parcels@ 18kgs each.
If those parcels turn out to be oversized, say 110cm, the AP module will again split them to produce 6 parcels, 9kgs each and 55cm long.

All of this assumes the package *can* be split.
IF you happen to have a single item in the cart that weighs 54kgs and is 110cm long it will still be quoted according to the above 'rules'
Needless to say you won't be able to actually post this item unless you do split it up, so it is really up to the store owner to ensure they don't enter data that can't possibly be delivered via AP.

Anyway, the bottom line still hasn't changed, your test data is pretty darn useless. THe result you are getting can, and has been explained, and they are perfectly legitimate and valid results for the data you are using.

In other words, there is NOTHING for you to fix. It is working perfectly.

GIGO

Rod

[imperialis]

Hi Rod
A couple of questions
1. Since converting to one page checkout the first thing the customer sees is the error message saying there order is too big for a satchel but down the page they can see the correct postage costs? Can I do anything to change this or how do I go about getting rid of the error code?

2. How would I go about changing the postage option picture to text they seem to take up too much room and are quite hard to read when they are all lined up

Thanks

[RodG]

Hi Rod
A couple of questions
1. Since converting to one page checkout the first thing the customer sees is the error message saying there order is too big for a satchel but down the page they can see the correct postage costs? Can I do anything to change this or how do I go about getting rid of the error code?

This has me intrigued. I'm not aware of any coding that would produce an error message such as this.
Please supply one of the following in order of preference:

1. A link so that I can see it for myself (and for further investigation)
2. An *exact* copy of the error message you are seeing.
3. A screenshot of the error message.

2. How would I go about changing the postage option picture to text they seem to take up too much room and are quite hard to read when they are all lined up

Thanks

In theory, it is just a matter of not installing the pictures and letting the 'alt' text take over.
In practice some web browsers insist on showing broken image links rather than the alt text.

For the time being you might like to try using the icons created by another friendly zencart user (danpoole)
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpo...7&postcount=11

Another alternative is to do a bit of code hacking. I seem to recall there has been another short thread on doing this.

For the next release (due date, sometime between now and whenever) I plan to include a toggle type option to make it easy for all.

Cheers
RodG

[gabbytwin]

This has me intrigued. I'm not aware of any coding that would produce an error message such as this.
Please supply one of the following in order of preference:

1. A link so that I can see it for myself (and for further investigation)
2. An *exact* copy of the error message you are seeing.
3. A screenshot of the error message.

Cheers
RodG

This is also a problem that I have had for some time as well.

place any item in our stores cart and go to checkout and you can see the error straight away
www.cheekybutts.com.au/shop


Your Order Total:
Shopping Cart Contents
Edit

Qty. Item Name Total
2 x All in 2 with a pocket - One size fits all Fairy $56.00
$56.00
Sub-Total:

$0.00
AustPost (ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible.):


$42.00
Total:

[RodG]

the error message saying there order is too big for a satchel

This is also a problem that I have had for some time as well.
<snip>
AustPost (ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.

You must know something that I don't.

How do these two clearly different error messages relate to each other?

I'm confused.

Rod

[imperialis]

This has me intrigued. I'm not aware of any coding that would produce an error message such as this.
Please supply one of the following in order of preference:

1. A link so that I can see it for myself (and for further investigation)
2. An *exact* copy of the error message you are seeing.
3. A screenshot of the error message.



In theory, it is just a matter of not installing the pictures and letting the 'alt' text take over.
In practice some web browsers insist on showing broken image links rather than the alt text.

For the time being you might like to try using the icons created by another friendly zencart user (danpoole)
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpo...7&postcount=11

Another alternative is to do a bit of code hacking. I seem to recall there has been another short thread on doing this.

For the next release (due date, sometime between now and whenever) I plan to include a toggle type option to make it easy for all.

Cheers
RodG

Thanks for the icon links I shall be using those, I have attached (if it works) the top and bottom screenshot when checking out the top one you can see the error and then at the bottom of the screen the customer can choose the correct postage. It doesn't change if you put the postcode in before hitting go to checkout

[brettw]

Hi All,

very quick and hopefully easy question to answer.

I have a standard parcel size listed as I have not put any sizes in the individual products.

If i start to put the sizes in for the products and someone orders one of the products that I have put the size in and something without the size in will they be charged the standard parcel size for the part without the size and then on top the cost for shipping the item with the size put in?

Im thinking that it may take me a week to put the sizes in so just want to make sure that it does not impact sales too much. Or maybe do the larger items first?

Thanks
Brett
http://www.eastcoasthobbies.com.au

[RodG]

Hi All,

very quick and hopefully easy question to answer.

I have a standard parcel size listed as I have not put any sizes in the individual products.

If i start to put the sizes in for the products and someone orders one of the products that I have put the size in and something without the size in will they be charged the standard parcel size for the part without the size and then on top the cost for shipping the item with the size put in?

Im thinking that it may take me a week to put the sizes in so just want to make sure that it does not impact sales too much. Or maybe do the larger items first?

Thanks
Brett
http://www.eastcoasthobbies.com.au

If an item doesn't have any dimensions specified then the default dimensions are used.

For postal calulations, multiple items are 'stacked' (see cubing.txt for more information).

If you are worried about how postage quotes, accurate or not, will affect sales then I suggest you offer free postage, or wait until you know the exact postage before quoting the customer.
At least one store I know of using this module sells feathers, another sells kitchen sinks. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility for another store to be selling both (well, things with just as much variance). The module seems to do a reasonably good job combining poppy seeds and watermelons, but as the author, I certainly wouldn't rely on its accuracy in all situations.

Also, please keep in mind that anything related to dimensions should be considered as 'fine grain adjustments' to quotations. In most cases (using the default values) you'll the same quotes with or without any dimensional data at all. You'll only come 'unstuck' if your items are large, but light (ie, subject to cubing rules) , in which case, the quotes will be less than the actual cost.

As for adding dimensions to products, Although it is good to do so (for accuracy), there really is no need to do them all. I suggest you set the *default* dimensions to be the packaging size of most of the item in your store:
In our case, most of our items fit nicely in a #2 padded bag, so that also what the AP module defaults are set to.
If you use 100x100x100 boxes for most of your items, then set that as your defaults.

After this is done, you only need to enter dimensional data on items that *don't* fit those defaults.
Examples:
Any items that can be sent at letter rates. (smaller than the defaults)
Any items that are likely to be subject to the cubing rules. (larger than the defaults).

Doing it this way can save you a LOT of work, while still giving good accuracy.

Cheers
Rod

[brettw]

If an item doesn't have any dimensions specified then the default dimensions are used.

For postal calulations, multiple items are 'stacked' (see cubing.txt for more information).

If you are worried about how postage quotes, accurate or not, will affect sales then I suggest you offer free postage, or wait until you know the exact postage before quoting the customer.
At least one store I know of using this module sells feathers, another sells kitchen sinks. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility for another store to be selling both (well, things with just as much variance). The module seems to do a reasonably good job combining poppy seeds and watermelons, but as the author, I certainly wouldn't rely on its accuracy in all situations.

Also, please keep in mind that anything related to dimensions should be considered as 'fine grain adjustments' to quotations. In most cases (using the default values) you'll the same quotes with or without any dimensional data at all. You'll only come 'unstuck' if your items are large, but light (ie, subject to cubing rules) , in which case, the quotes will be less than the actual cost.

As for adding dimensions to products, Although it is good to do so (for accuracy), there really is no need to do them all. I suggest you set the *default* dimensions to be the packaging size of most of the item in your store:
In our case, most of our items fit nicely in a #2 padded bag, so that also what the AP module defaults are set to.
If you use 100x100x100 boxes for most of your items, then set that as your defaults.

After this is done, you only need to enter dimensional data on items that *don't* fit those defaults.
Examples:
Any items that can be sent at letter rates. (smaller than the defaults)
Any items that are likely to be subject to the cubing rules. (larger than the defaults).

Doing it this way can save you a LOT of work, while still giving good accuracy.

Cheers
Rod

Thanks Rod for the reply. Ill take your advice and set the standard shipping box size then set sizes for anything either smaller or larger.

Cheers
Brett

[ronb10]

....

As for adding dimensions to products, Although it is good to do so (for accuracy), there really is no need to do them all.

Sorry for barging in... I have a problem entering individual dimensions in the catalogue. After upgrading Zen Cart to the latest version, the option of entering dimensions disappeared. How do I get it back?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Greetings from Canberra,

Ron B.