I've scoured the forums and found enough references that I think I've been wrestling too hard unnecessarily..
I need to set up shipping via UPS. I was tasked to ALSO set up the Zone Rates. After much puzzling and testing to see both zone rate AND the much more expensive UPS rate display on test page, I've come to think that if the client's wish is to use UPS then zone rates should not and do not need to be turned 'on' to avoid having confusing rates displayed.
If someone knows of a post or FAQ I can refer to, by all means and thank you very much. I did look hard before sending this.
Am I correct in this thinking? This has been a mightily confusing subject to get to the bottom of.

a few more questions I'm having a heckava time finding answers to:
1) If I do turn 'off' zone rates and just keep UPS, how best to make sure that appropriate state tax is being collected?

2) Anyone have a suggestion on referencing which states (besides California) require vendor to attach state tax to each sale?

thank you thank you