Shipping rates incorrect - PLEASE HELP!!!!

[Stormshade]

I'm soooooo close to opening shop but have to get the shipping in order. It's not calculating the correct shipping prices and I have to figure out why.
I have the book but I've stuck right here. Is there another resource someone can direct me to that has a step by step on how to configure this shipping.

Basically I need per unit (based on weight) shipping prices (true USPS postal rates). I need to be able to handle orders from anywhere. I know for sure lots of domestic and international being mostly Europe, S. America, Japan.
I do have a webtools account that is responding and calculating a weight. Problem is I'm getting wrong prices, for instance 1.40 shipping instead of what the USPS rates calculator is giving me which is .98.
I did check the tare weight (used to show $3 until I fixed that part!).

Should I be setting up Zone rates? How do I get those rates and ISO codes to plug in? I would think there would be a more automatic way of adding in all the zones. I'm picturing myself having to add in every zone in the world! I'm sure that's not what I have to do. Please tell me it isn't!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I"M SO CLOSE TO OPENING!!!!!!! People are waiting. lol
It's driving me crazy that I can't get this.
Please please help steer me in the right direction to find this info.

[econcepts]

How are you calculating shipping?

Is it based on Shipping Address, Delivery Address, etc...?

That can affect what rate is returned as well.

If you are connected directly into USPS via a "real time" rate calculation, then you shouldn't have to setup Zones unless you are offering the USPS shipping for only select areas. Otherwise, just leave it set to "All Zones".

I think the key here is making sure you have configured what your rates are being calculated on from the cart (passing to the USPS site) and what you are keying in and receiving when you do it from the USPS site by hand.

[Stormshade]

I have "Tax Basis" set to Shipping in the USPS shipping module.

Is there something at the actual USPS Webtools account that I need to check?

[econcepts]

No. You shouldn't have to do anything on the USPS end to get it shooting back rates that equal what you think.

I know you said you looked at the Tare weight and corrected that already, but did you change the following setting as well (in that same section):

Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight

The default is "10:0". This means that 10% will be added to the weight of any package before being sent to the shipping rate system.

On the "Modules > Shipping" side of things, did you know that depending on what you set the following setting to ("All Packages are Machinable"), this will affect the rates returned as well? You may want to look at your setting there.

Finally, as a means of "debugging", I would display all the elements that the shipping module lets you display (weight, number of products, etc...) and then compare that weight etc.. to what you are entering manually.

That will at least tell you that if the weights do not match up, it has something to do with the way you have configured your product weights, shipping weights, etc.. or if the issue is not related to that at all.

[Stormshade]

Thanks for your help Eric.
Looks like I got some debugging to do tonight! :-D
I'm just so darn excited to launch this baby already. Hope I can get through this quickly.

I'll keep you posted.

[Stormshade]

Well, a bit of an update but no progress. In fact, it gets more complicated!

I realized that it was calculating for parcel shipping price (still not sure why). I had the flat envelope rate (for CD square envelope) in my head.
But this opens up a whole can of worms I hadn't thought about!!!!!

Some items will always need to be parcel (due to size), other items will be first class flat envelope rate.
If items of both shipping classes are mixed in the purchase then it will all be in the package together (parcel rate).
I'd need domestic configured for these two shipping methods and both shipping methods for international (I know for sure all throughout Europe, S. America, Japan, and Australia but we'd like to be prepared for everything).

There would never be a choice of shipping method for the customer, it would be determined upon location of the customer and the items purchased.
Problem is, as far as I know there isn't a way to configure a product with what method of shipping it will require.

I've been doing so well and the zencart is amazing, I love it!
I just can't believe that the shipping has me so stumped and is impeding the opening of our store!!!!!!
I'm ready to beg and barter for someone to help me wade through this mess!
Ok......... let the begging begin............ PLEASE!!! Oh Please!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm no begging icon. Maybe tears?

[Stormshade]

Not to be a post hog but one more thing. I keep getting "Best Way" as well as First class options as choices.
The only way to limit to only one customer option is to add zone rates correct?
And that means all zones for domestic and as many as I can think of for international? Seems like a daunting task.

I may end up just charging Parcel for everything. The difference wasn't that much for domestic. Need to find out more info on various Int'l rates.

[econcepts]

Not to be a post hog but one more thing. I keep getting "Best Way" as well as First class options as choices.
The only way to limit to only one customer option is to add zone rates correct?
And that means all zones for domestic and as many as I can think of for international? Seems like a daunting task.

I may end up just charging Parcel for everything. The difference wasn't that much for domestic. Need to find out more info on various Int'l rates.

What do you mean by "limit to only one customer option?"

If Best way is showing, then more than likely you have the "Flat rate" shipping module installed as well. If you are only using USPS, then just turn off all other shipping module options.

[Stormshade]

I think I realized what my problem is throughout all this.
I needed the most recent upgrade.
My prices were showing the old rates.

The new rates will have first class flat envelope rate which is what I need. There is only a button for first class or parcel - the price I needed was in between those two classes.

Last night I tried to upgrade but should've just gone to bed. I messed it up and am now trying to get my site back to normal so I can try the upgrade again.
I messed up BIG time!!!!

[econcepts]

You DID make a backup of your original site before you tried to upgrade right?