USPS Shipping Error

[mribble]

I use the zencart USPS shipping module. I didn't change anything, but it stopped working recently. It gives me this error during checkout:

"An error occurred in obtaining USPS shipping quotes.
If you prefer to use USPS as your shipping method, please try refreshing this page, or contact the store owner."

First thing I tried was updating to the latest version of the USPS shipping module, but that didn't help. Then I search and found this thread: https://www.zen-cart.com/showthread....shipping-error

I turned on the USPS module logging and got the following log:

Nov 07 2015 8:45:15 -- CommErr (should be 0): 28 - connect() timed out!

USPS build: 2015-05-31

Server: production
Quote Request Rate Type: Online
Quote from main_page: popup_shipping_estimator
USPS Options (weight, time): Display weight, Display transit time
USPS Domestic Transit Time Calculation Mode: NEW

Cart Weight: 0.2
Total Quote Weight: 1.22 Pounds: 1 Ounces: 4
Maximum: 25 Tare Rates: Small/Medium: 10:1 Large: 10:2
Handling method: Box Handling fee Domestic: $3.00 Handling fee International: $4.00
Decimals: 2
Domestic Length: 8.625 Width: 5.375 Height: 1.625
International Length: 9.50 Width: 1.0 Height: 5.50
All Packages are Machinable: True
Enable USPS First-Class filter for US shipping: True
Sorts the returned quotes: Price-LowToHigh

ZipOrigination: 01545
ZipDestination: 01523 City: Lancaster State: Massachusetts
Order SubTotal: $19.00
Order Total: $20.19
Uninsurable Portion: $0.00
Insurable Value: $20.19

RESPONSE FROM USPS: 

==================================



==================================

USPS Country - $this->countries[$order->delivery[country][iso_code_2]]:  $this->usps_countries: US

USPS DOMESTIC CHECKED: Online
Package ID sent: 0 Priority MailTM -  min: 0 max: 70 handling: 0.00


USPS DOMESTIC RETURNED: 
Package ID returned: 0 $requested_type: Priority MailTM $service: PRIORITY COMMERCIAL $Container: VARIABLE


==================================

Domestic Services Selected: 

==================================

SENT TO USPS:

So this matches that previous thread exactly. However the next thing that thread suggests is running /extras/curltester.php. For them this failed and they contacted their webhost to get it fixed. My results for curltester pass so I'm not sure what is wrong.

[Ajeh]

USPS has been down since 9:25 EST ...

You can check the shipping modules for USPS, FedEx and UPS at:
http://www.shippingapimonitor.com/history.html

[mribble]

That explains it. Thanks for the link!

[Ajeh]

You are most welcome ...

You might consider calling USPS to try to put a little fire under their buns to get this fixed ...

I believe the number is:
Telephone USPS 1-800-344-7779 FREE

[Ajeh]

USPS appears to be back up now ...

[RixStix]

Is there any merit to placing some sort of notice

"USPS servers down, please try later" or something to that effect in place of where the selectable Postage options would be when communications with the USPS server fails?

That would reduce phone calls from grumpy customers who only see the more expensive Fedex options when the USPS server is down.

[Ajeh]

They went down at 12:30 for 10 minutes and were up for 2 minutes and now down since about 12:48pm ...

I will look into it for the USPS shipping module but there are a lot of reasons for it being down and that is not always great on trying to figure out the errors as USPS, when sending errors back, are pretty generic ... communication issues are another thing meaning is it your server or their server that is not talking ...

But I do understand what you are saying ...

I know one of our users recently signed up for the notifications on:
http://www.shippingapimonitor.com

and he can disable USPS when down and turn on Free Shipping or some alternative to manage shipping ...

And, while typing this USPS appears up at the moment but do not assume all is well until it can stay up for awhile ...

[RixStix]

Understandable. I guess we just got caught up in the 4 hours downtime last Saturday and the only thing that saved us was the phone goes to voicemail on weekends but ContactUs got a workout. Then today, it started.

I didn't notice the signup for the email downtime notices until just now. DONE. That will help.

For some reason, our FreeShipping clones were not showing up in the Shipping estimator while the USPS was down. Gremlins

[Ajeh]

I recommend the Free Shipping Options freeoptions when this happens as that is not related to the FREE SHIPPING! freeshipper that works based on Always Free Shipping setting and 0 weight on the Products ...

[RixStix]

My bad.
I meant to say my clones of freeoptions, not FreeShipping. Customizations were preventing display due to order totals of my test case.

Signing up for the email notifications will help significantly.
TNX Linda.