USPS and flat-rate shipping

[mzimmers]

Hi -

Does anyone know why the USPS shipping module doesn't offer their priority flat-rate shipping boxes as an option under "Domestic Shipping Methods?"

This is a great way to ship smaller stuff, and I'd really like to use it.

Thanks.

[kobra]

Have you applied the latest USPS update patch/corrections?

It might be included with it???
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144992

[mzimmers]

Yes, I have applied that update.

I'm mainly curious as to whether the reason it's not showing up is because of some configuration setting of mine, or if they simply don't offer it. I did look through a number of other web sites, and didn't see it offered on those. That's kind of odd, though...it's got to be a hugely popular way of shipping stuff.

[mzimmers]

Can anyone shed some light on this? I spoke with the guy at the USPS and he said flat-rate priority was available through their API. Can someone tell me why we're not getting it as an option for USPS shipping? Is it a matter of an enhancement to that module? If so, whom should I be contacting with such a request?

Thanks.

[kobra]

I spoke with the guy at the USPS and he said flat-rate priority was available through their API.

Have not looked at their api but This would have some limitations that I believe are not programmable in the current USPS module
Such as only the States(not sure if Hawaii & Alaska are included) and item size - - "If it fits the box it ships"
As ZenCart has no default facility for size, one can not determine if it wil fit

[mzimmers]

Yeah, I can understand that. Perhaps I can come up with a reasonable workaround. Everything in my shop is going to be either jewelry or glassware. Virtually all of the jewelry could fit into the fixed rate box. Is it possible to enable flat-rate shipping JUST for this category? Then, the glass customers could select from the other options, and everyone would be happy.

Thanks.

[kobra]

Perhaps I can come up with a reasonable workaround. Everything in my shop is going to be either jewelry or glassware. Virtually all of the jewelry could fit into the fixed rate box. Is it possible to enable flat-rate shipping JUST for this category?

Clone one of the modules that provides for a workaround break point or a crafted if this category check - - if all are in a single top cat or vice versa if all glass is in a single top cat use the else
Cloning you could do it by zone to exclude all but what is allowed as to location and name it to suit

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=189

[mzimmers]

I'm not sure I understand this suggestion. Are you saying to make a copy of another shipping module (like flat.php) and wrap an if statement around it that will make it show up only if the category is jewelry? Would this if statement go in the cloned file, or somewhere else?

I have two top-level categories (jewelry and glass) each of which have several sub-categories. Hopefully this will make it simpler.

Thanks.

[kobra]

wrap an if statement around it that will make it show up only if the category is jewelry? Would this if statement go in the cloned file, or somewhere else?

The file for checkout/shipping where the methods appear....

On second thought that may not be the best solution,,,,

What if I buy from both cats?

[mzimmers]

Aaargh. Good thinking. Reconciling shipping options with cart selections isn't easy, is it?

Perhaps I should leave the flat-rate boxes as a "silent option" and just officially offer normal UPS and USPS.

I hope a future version of ZC has a tighter integration between cart contents, shipping and insurance, though I confess I don't have the slightest idea how they'd do it.