AustPost Improved

[RodG]

Thanks heaps for the reply Rod.

I'm investigating the whole curl thing, but not really getting anywhere. However, I've got a test product set up and wonder if you would mind just glancing at the settings just to see if I haven't done something totally wrong?

Regards,
Rob

I've checked out the link you sent, and am able to deduce the following information.

1. Your test product does have valid weights and dimensions.
2. At the time of testing (9.15pm SA time) the quotation requests are reaching the server, and a response is being returned.

In other words you don't have any connectivity issues.

I have also been able to confirm that you have a problem with the popup shipping estimator, but I can't determine the cause without further investigation.

Now, you may be wondering how I can confirm the shipping estimator stuff is all ok even though the popup doesn't work correctly? The answer is simple.. I proceeded to the checkout and up popped the AustPost quotes - all correct and valid. :-)

I can't explain why you would have got an "ERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server." when you tried a checkout unless you were

a) using using a different test product with different dimensions,
b) there was a temporary network glitch when you tried,
c) the delivery address of the login account you used at the time has an invalid postcode.
d) You switched the file access method cURL vs FILE at some stage between your testing and my testing.

It appears that your main issue at this stage is the popup shipping estimator not working (as opposed to not being able to obtain valid quotes), and I *think* I know what the problem *may* be (a bug in my code).

To confirm my suspicion (and to fix the problem) please find and locate all files named "tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php" and delete all of them EXCEPT the one suppied with the _ZenCart_ distribution files.

IF you uploaded your austpost files according to the documention (and default file structure) you will find only two copies of this file, the original in:

/includes/templates/templates/
and the possible troublesome one in
/includes/templates/CUSTOM/templates

As a further tip (that will help you when testing with other products) you currently have your TARE weight set at 3kgs. This means that all of your quotes will be significantly higher than they should be.
Your test product is apparently 2kgs, so with one of these in the cart you are being quoted on a 5kg package, if you have ten in the cart you will exceed the macimum weight limits.


Cheers
Rod

[robax]

Fantastic

Rod, You've nailed it thoroughly on both counts:

I did not have a valid address in the testing account. But as I came across the checkout error after the popup had already failed, I thought it simply wasn't working and not think to check this aspect. Now I can see it is working in the checkout!

Regarding the popup:
I originally followed the documentation and then moved the tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php file from CUSTOM to my own template folder. The "Close Window link displayed correctly, so I assume I had done that correctly.

However, I have now deleted them as instructed and left the default file in place and now the popup works as well!

Does that mean there is possibly a bug? I haven't seen it yet, but I read in your notes that your popup is tidier, so I'll be keen to use it.

I think the one thing that might also help a lot is if the error message in the checkout can be replaced with something like "Estimates only available to adresses in Australia".

Thank you hugely for sorting that out Rod. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help test any further updates... and thanks for the tips about Tare.

Rob

[RodG]

Fantastic

Rod, You've nailed it thoroughly on both counts:

I get lucky sometimes :-)

Regarding the popup:
I originally followed the documentation and then moved the tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php file from CUSTOM to my own template folder. The "Close Window link displayed correctly, so I assume I had done that correctly.

You probably did do it correctly.

However, I have now deleted them as instructed and left the default file in place and now the popup works as well!

Does that mean there is possibly a bug?

Yes.

I haven't seen it yet, but I read in your notes that your popup is tidier, so I'll be keen to use it.

I assume you know how to use a text editor (NOT MSword, and preferably anything non-windows - because MS products often add characters to the ends of lines and files).

Anyway, if you load the AustPost tpl_modules_shipping estimator into an editor, and then perform a search for
"<? "

In every place except two or three, this search will show up entries that read
"<?php"

Locate those that are missing the "php" part and add it so they all read "<?php"

Save the file and re-upload it to your server (under your custom templates folder).

Unless my hunch is wrong this should get the modified version working for you.

I think the one thing that might also help a lot is if the error message in the checkout can be replaced with something like "Estimates only available to adresses in Australia".

No, I can't/won't do that, because the module does display estimates for overseas addresses. :-)

Basically, if the destination is "AU" then a postcode must also be supplied. For any other country no postcode is required (if entered it is simply ignored).

Cheers
Rod

[robax]

Basically, if the destination is "AU" then a postcode must also be supplied. For any other country no postcode is required (if entered it is simply ignored).

Cool, I'll sort out the template bits shortly

But that last point is odd, because the invalid address I said I had was simply my full home address here in New Zealand, complete with city and correct post code. My guess had been that I had to use an OZ address and so I just typed Sydney and 2050 and selected Austrlia as the country - that's what worked.

However, I think you're saying that it should in fact have provided a quote for sending to New Zealand?

Rob

[RodG]

Cool, I'll sort out the template bits shortly

But that last point is odd, because the invalid address I said I had was simply my full home address here in New Zealand, complete with city and correct post code. My guess had been that I had to use an OZ address and so I just typed Sydney and 2050 and selected Austrlia as the country - that's what worked.

However, I think you're saying that it should in fact have provided a quote for sending to New Zealand?

Rob

Yes, it should provide a quote for NZ, as long as you have a valid overseas delivery method enabled and that the size/weight restrictions are adhered too.

However, if your weren't logged in when you attempted the quote the module doesn't really have any idea where the parcel is destined for. The default pop-up estimator will attempt a quote to 'nowhere' and will produce an error message stating no valid quote can be obtained.
The modified module checks for this condition and forces a destination to be entered before attempting a quote. (it also displays a disclaimer message that is technically required for using the austpost servers).

As usual, I'm prettty much guessing at a possible cause, but the bottom line is that there are subtle but important differences in behavour between a logged in user, a guest user obtaining an initial quote and a guest user obtaining subsequent quotes.

Cheers
Rod

[robax]

Yes, it should provide a quote for NZ, as long as you have a valid overseas delivery method enabled and that the size/weight restrictions are adhered too.

The modified module checks for this condition and forces a destination to be entered before attempting a quote. (it also displays a disclaimer message that is technically required for using the austpost servers).

Thanks again for the pointers Rod

I first went through the template file and fixed the missing php bits as you suggested - there were two missing instances. Then I put the template file in place and cleared everything out of the browser and started an anonymous order.

This time when I clicked the estimate button in the cart it shows me the screen with the option to choose a country. This wasn't showing earlier. It still gave the error about not being able to get a quote, so I went into the admin and simply enabled all packaging options to be sure one was going to be valid. Now it displays half a dozen shipping options.

Fantastic

With this and my curl issue resolved I can now zero in more accurately on my remaining paypal ipn issue.

Thanks again for the help.
Rob