How does the UPS module calculate shipping?

[daffy]

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This is a clean install of ZenCart.
Zen Cart 1.3.8a
Database Patch Level: 1.3.8
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SETTINGS FOR SHIPPING/PACKAGING

Country of Origin --- United States
Postal Code ---34655
Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship --- 24
Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight --- 0:0
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight --- 0:0
Display Number of Boxes and Weight Status --- 0
Order Free Shipping --- 0 Weight Status 0
Shipping Estimator Display Settings for Shopping Cart ---2
Display Order Comments on Admin Invoice --- 1
Display Order Comments on Admin Packing Slip --- 1
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SETTINGS FOR UPS.PHP MODULE ARE:

Do you want to offer UPS shipping? TRUE
UPS Pickup Method: RDP - Daily Pickup
UPS Packaging? CP - Your Packaging
Residential Delivery? RES
Handling Fee: $2.50
Tax Class: none
Tax Basis: Shipping
Shipping Zone: None
Sort order of display. Lowest is displayed first.
Shipping Methods: GND

ID ups.php -------------------------------------------------------
/**
* @package shippingMethod
* @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team
* @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
* @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
* @version $Id: ups.php 5849 2007-02-20 01:28:43Z drbyte $
*/
/**
* UPS Shipping Module class
ID usps.php -------------------------------------------------------
/**
* @package shippingMethod
* @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team
* @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
* @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
* @version $Id: usps.php 7503 2007-11-27 20:36:04Z ajeh $
*/
/**
* USPS Shipping Module class
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I did add a custom line or two to the USPS module, which is working fine, no problems.
I didn't do anything to the UPS file.
On line 202 of the usps.php file where it reads:

          $methods[] = array('id' => $type,
                             'title' => $title,
                             'cost' => ($cost + MODULE_SHIPPING_USPS_HANDLING) * $shipping_num_boxes);
        }

I added this snippet right after.

	if($type == "PRIORITY" && $shipping_weight > 0.7){
		return false;
	}

So if our packages are over .7 pounds the system doesn't give a quote for USPS mail at all. We only use US Mail for packages under 1 pound total weight. I would also like to refine this further, so packages under 6 ounces would go first class but I couldn't get the code to work so I decided to be grateful for what I had.
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Here's an order I was especially concerned about because the shipping came up WAY short of what it should have.
There are two small dolls and two BIG dolls as well as a variety of nice outfits. The shipping weight is at least 11 pounds. I checked the products, and they're right. The two large dolls are 4 pounds each plus all the other items add up to another 3 or 4 pounds. To be conservative, I went with 11 pounds total:

1 x COD0015-J AA Happy with Eyelet Dress (COD0015-J AA) = $27.99
1 x COD0041-J Happy Baby with Thin Ponytail (COD0041-J) = $11.99
1 x White Balloon Holly Terry (DOLL16WB) = $39.99
1 x White Balloon Holly Katy (DOLL16WB) = $39.99
1 x Dress Pattern for White Balloon Holly Dolls (PATTERN) = $2.99
1 x Denim Jumper with Embroidered Heart (SZA-TLEE) = $8.99
1 x Yellow Flannel Floral Sleeper Pajamas = $2.99
1 x Edith's Blue Coat Set = $4.99
1 x Cosmos Pajamas & Robe by Effanbee (SZ18-AGCHAT) = $19.99
1 x Clown Sunglasses Assorted Designs 1 Pair = $2.19
1 x Tonner Toni Aqua Dress Set = $19.99
----------------------------
Sub-Total: $182.09
UPS United Parcel Service (USA Only): $12.18
Total: $194.27
----------------------------
SHIP FROM:
New Port Richey, FL 34655
----------------------------
SHIP TO:
Mamaroneck, New York 10543
PACKAGE WEIGHT: 11 pounds
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UPS Says the shipping cost to NY 10543 is: 14.88
ZenCart says $12.18

If I sent the same box to Pasco, WA 99301, UPS says this package is: 18.17
ZenCart says $16.58.

The TERMS for ALL these calculations is 11 pounds, $182 value, residential delivery, daily pickup. Plus ZenCart is theoretically adding $2.50 handling but it doesn't appear to be doing that.
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CONCLUSION:
I don't think ZenCart is figuring in the Residential Delivery fee, or the Handling fee that I specified. Or the extra insurance on a package valued at more than $100.

I was impressed that Zencart gave quotes of $14.88 and $18.17 just now. I wonder if deleting the other shipping modules this afternoon DID help. But it's still coming up short. Maybe I can tweak it now, as long as it's figuring the zones the way it should then I can adjust it.

[Ajeh]

UPS Pickup Method plays a roll in the quoted charge ...

By default it is set to CC ...

Testing with your Ship From and Ship To information for Florida, without the Handling Fee, I am getting:

RDP - Daily Pickup with Maximum 50
11 pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $9.84

CC - Customer Counter with a Maximum 50
11 Pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $13.40


Testing with your Ship From and Ship To information for Washington, without the Handling Fee, I am getting:

RDP - Daily Pickup with Maximum 50
11 pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $13.27

CC - Customer Counter with a Maximum 50
11 Pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $18.39


Saving the settings, Removing and Installing and then reconfiguring the modules is helpful in correcting issues, changing versions, etc. etc.



NOTE: the current USPS shipping module is at:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97461

your USPS module appears to be out of date ...

The Maximum of 50 is for what is the largest single package your shipping carrier(s) will ship and should be the lowest of the carriers ... as in if USPS ships 50 and UPS ships 75, use 50 ...

For the Insurance, I believe there is an add-on in the Free Software Add Ons ...